Liston Towers program wins national housing award

REVERE – The Liston Towers assisted living program has won a national award for offering seniors social activities, 24-hour personal care, medication reminders and other help.The National Accreditation of Housing and Redevelopment Officials gave its innovation award to Chelsea-Revere-Winthrop Elder Services and the Housing Authority.”This unique housing program with supportive services success is measured by its flexibility and allows family members to stay involved in the elder’s care and adapts to the changing needs of elders as they age,” Elder Services Chief Executive James Cunningham said.The assisted living program gives seniors the daily assistance and care they need to live in Liston Towers, a public housing building for seniors.Some of the residents are eligible to receive taxpayer-funded home care services. Others who are not qualified have the option of paying for all or some of the services.Other assistance provided under the program includes meals, laundry and homemaker services.Housing Director Linda Shaw said Liston’s services are offered based on the needs of the building’s residents.”Tenants no longer have to move elsewhere when they no longer ?fit’ their housing. Instead, they can remain at Liston Towers with supportive services which are designed to provide for a higher quality of life,” she said.Public housing and elder care representatives said the Liston program mirrors an overwhelming desire by people over 45 years old, surveyed by the American Association of Retired Persons, to “stay in my own home and never move.”