As they get older, some people fear that a nursing home is in their future, but Marisol Martinez helps to keep that fear from becoming reality.

The soft-spoken 28-year-old is a licensed social worker for the PASSPORT program of the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio.

Her goal for the last five years has been to help frail senior citizens remain in the community with supportive services instead of entering a nursing facility.

"The nice thing about our program is we have people permanently assigned to us so we get a rapport with them and a relationship," Ms. Martinez said. "We are able to become a little more acquainted with their issues."

Organizations such as the Area Office on Aging offer assistance programs ranging from in-home health care to day-care centers for Alzheimer's patients. Ailing seniors can also get help with errands, housekeeping, and meal preparation.

The Medicaid program called PASSPORT administers in-home medical care. Through it, licensed nurses visit the homes of program participants, working to make life easier.

According to the American Society on Aging, nearly one of every four U.S. households cares for a relative or friend aged 50 or older and about 15 percent of U.S. adults care for a seriously ill or disabled family member.

Ms. Martinez said the demand for PASSPORT and other programs is sure to increase as Baby Boomers get older.

"I think a lot of people, when they go into nursing homes, feel they are being forced into an environment they do not want to be in," she said. "A lot of people like the security of their homes and they have been there for years and do not want anything to change."

She added that sometimes, an older resident is not able to be helped.

"There are some unfortunate circumstances when they come to your program and they are so fragile, they go right back to a hospital or to a nursing program," Ms. Martinez said.

Pamela Wilson, vice president of long-term care for the Area Office on Aging, said Ms. Martinez has been a valuable part of the program.

"A lot of times, people don't know about the services we have, so we certainly try and get the word out," Ms. Wilson said.

"It's that goal of people being able to stay at home when they don't want to go to a nursing home, so it's a very rewarding position and it gives you a good sense that you are doing something worthwhile."

After graduation from Bowling Green State University with a degree in social work, Ms. Martinez worked at Toledo Hospital and later Flower Hospital.

"I was looking for a change and wanted to see what it would be like working with the older population," she said. "Do I love my job? Yes, I love being able to assist people."

Contact Ignazio Messina at: imessina@theblade.com or 419-724-6171.

First Published October 15, 2007, 10:08 a.m.