Heather is Thriving in her Residential Care Home

Heather Kleiner loves being in the center of the action according to her host home provider, Brenda Willis. Heather nodded in agreement. “I like everything, especially making cookies,” she said. Heather’s dad, Dale Kleiner, said he and Heather’s stepmom had been preparing for her move to a residential care home for a long time. He had a vision for his daughter. “I wanted her to live in a safe and happy home where her needs could be met and she had the opportunity to grow,” he explained.

“We sat Heather down one day and talked about being independent and having the chance to make her own decisions.” The transition to a residential care setting was straightforward from a practical perspective, but Dale said the emotional transition was tough on everyone at the beginning. “We interviewed four potential providers, and I asked the same questions at each stop. By the time we were done, we knew Heather would be most at home with the Willises.”

Heather’s room at the Willis home is filled with stuffed animals. A large picture of Ariel, the Little Mermaid, sets a nautical theme that is carried out in her bedspread and other design touches. Brenda describes the gregarious 24-year-old as a ‘social butterfly’. Heather loves to get out in the community and hang out with friends. Her evenings are often spent outside around the backyard fire pit, making s’mores over the open fire or watching the stars. Heather also enjoys swimming in the backyard pool, a great way to strengthen her legs while having fun.

Jeremy White, Residential Program Manager for Denver Options' Colorado Solutions program, helped Dale Kleiner find the perfect host home match. “Heather’s progress has been impressive. She is walking now, much more than she’s done in the past, and Brenda is helping her learn to use a quad cane to keep her steady,” Jeremy said. Heather easily navigates the two stairs that lead down to the living room. In the house, she holds Brenda’s hand for support. Brenda is hoping that as Heather gets more comfortable with the use of the cane, she’ll be able to walk on her own.

“I feel so at home doing this work,” Brenda said as she and Heather assembled cookie ingredients and preheated the oven. “I’d worked as a hospice nurse for many years, but I always found it painful to make a strong connection with someone and then have to say goodbye.” Both Brenda and her husband, Bryan, find working with people with disabilities in their home satisfying and rewarding.

Heather is flourishing in her new surroundings. She stays close to family and friends while discovering new avenues of personal growth. Her optimistic outlook makes every day a new adventure. “Heather’s secret is simple. She doesn’t know she can’t do things, so she embraces everything,” Brenda explained as the two began mixing up the cookie dough. Brenda handed Heather a bag of chocolate chips, and Heather poured them into the measuring cup, allowing the chips to spill up over the line. “That’s Heather,” Brenda smiled, “she fills her life to the brim.”

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Learn more about residential services offered through Denver Options' Colorado Solutions program.