Independence Starts at Home: How the Right Tools Allowed Rych to Remain Independent in Los Angeles
- stbarnabasseniorse
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
For more than 45 years, Rych McCain has called Los Angeles home.
A writer, musician, and lifelong creative, Rych built his life around independence, ambition, and pursuing his passions. But like many older adults, he faced a serious health challenge that threatened his ability to continue living life the way he wanted.
After experiencing complications from internal bleeding and later developing a severe pinched nerve that temporarily affected his mobility, everyday tasks became much more difficult. Suddenly, he needed support for activities that many people take for granted: preparing meals, moving safely around the home, attending appointments, and running errands.
That's when Rych turned to St. Barnabas Senior Services (SBSS).
Finding Support When It Was Needed Most
Rych was already familiar with SBSS through our community center, but after returning home from the hospital, he realized he needed additional support to remain independent.
Like many older adults, he was suddenly faced with navigating a complex network of programs, applications, referrals, and paperwork, an often overwhelming process when you're focused on recovering your health.
He connected with SBSS Caregiver Support Specialist Gabby, who helped assess his needs, understand his options, and connect him with services and resources that would allow him to continue living safely at home.
Through SBSS, Rych received essential household items and home safety supports, including a fan, dining set, cooking supplies, grab bars, and a shower chair. He was also connected with rehabilitation services to support his recovery.
For Rych, the experience was transformative."When you're sick and you've got somebody competent in your corner, that makes all the difference in the world."
He shared this reflection during his interview.
Keeping Family at the Center of Care
One of the most important ways SBSS supported Rych's independence was through caregiver support.
As his recovery continued, Rych needed assistance at home but wanted support from someone he already knew and trusted. With guidance from Gabby, he learned about available caregiving options and was able to enroll in a program that allowed his nephew to become his caregiver while receiving compensation through available medical support services.
Without that information and guidance, Rych says he likely never would have known the program existed. Instead of entering a long-term care facility, he was able to continue living at home with support from family.
For Rych, that made all the difference.
Transportation That Preserves Independence
For older adults who can no longer drive, transportation often becomes one of the biggest barriers to independence.
Today, Rych uses SBSS Transportation Services to stay connected to the community he loves. Whether he needs to go to the bank, shop for groceries, attend appointments, or visit family; SBSS helps ensure he can get where he needs to go safely and reliably.
One person who stands out to him is Angela, one of SBSS's transportation drivers.
"Angela is the best in my opinion," Rych said. "She's professional, always on time, always on point."
That reliability matters.
Without transportation, many older adults face isolation and dependence on others for even the most basic errands. For Rych, having access to transportation means maintaining control over his schedule and continuing to make decisions about his own life.
What Independence Really Means
When asked what independence means to him today, Rych offered a simple but powerful answer:
"Independence means that I can do what I need to do as well as what I want to do."
At SBSS, that's exactly what we strive to provide.
Our goal isn't to make decisions for older adults. Our goal is to provide the tools, resources, and support that allow them to continue making those decisions for themselves.
Whether it's caregiver support, transportation, meals, home safety improvements, wellness programs, or social services, every SBSS program is designed around one core belief:
Growing older should not mean giving up your independence.
For Rych, access to those services meant remaining in the home he loves, staying connected to his community, and continuing to live life on his own terms.
And for thousands of older adults across Los Angeles, that's exactly what SBSS works to make possible every day.
Watch our video interview including both Gabby and Rych.
Need support for yourself or a loved one?
St.Barnabas Senior Services provides transportation, caregiver support, nutrition programs, wellness services, and other resources that help older adults remain independent and age safely in place throughout Los Angeles County.
Learn more at www.sbssla.org.
Comments