Senior Citizen Welfare
Sadly, the photo above does not reflect the reality for a large number of older adults living in our county, or in the U.S. as a whole.
While many seniors are doing their best to maintain an independent life and to age gracefully, the problems they face can often be overwhelming. They may be on very restricted budgets; they may struggle with severe, possibly chronic, health issues; they may be housebound.
Moreover, a situation of particular concern to us is what experts now recognize as an "epidemic" of loneliness and isolation nationwide that, like other infectious diseases, can result in severe mental and physical illnesses. According to the Pew Research Center, 27% of Americans aged 60 and older live alone.
Our Senior Citizen Welfare team is working steadily toward improving the health and well-being of the elderly in our county in critically needed ways, including ongoing efforts to offer opportunities for socializing and companionship.
While many seniors are doing their best to maintain an independent life and to age gracefully, the problems they face can often be overwhelming. They may be on very restricted budgets; they may struggle with severe, possibly chronic, health issues; they may be housebound.
Moreover, a situation of particular concern to us is what experts now recognize as an "epidemic" of loneliness and isolation nationwide that, like other infectious diseases, can result in severe mental and physical illnesses. According to the Pew Research Center, 27% of Americans aged 60 and older live alone.
Our Senior Citizen Welfare team is working steadily toward improving the health and well-being of the elderly in our county in critically needed ways, including ongoing efforts to offer opportunities for socializing and companionship.
Featured Grants
Meals on Wheels and Friends of the McMinnville Senior Center
Holiday Meals, an Open House, and Special Gift Bags
Holiday Meals, an Open House, and Special Gift Bags
In cooperation with McMinnville Meals on Wheels, the Friends of the McMinnville Senior Center, and other nonprofits, we have made a concerted effort to give caring attention to local seniors who may be "alone and lonely." Our grants to date have brought holiday cheer and opportunities to socialize.
For example, the Friends of the McMinnville Senior Center hosted a very well-attended, tasty Thanksgiving meal, bringing together many who otherwise would probably have spent the holiday by themselves. The Friends also hosted an Open House in mid-December.
Further, Meals on Wheels volunteers prepared and delivered thoughtfully assembled surprise holiday gift bags for two successive years, each time to more than 200 clients in McMinnville, Lafayette, and Dayton, a number of whom are homebound and many of whom may not have been remembered or celebrated the holidays in any other way. The contents included a large, specially-selected variety of nutritious snacks and drinks, fresh fruit, lotions and hygiene items, other small treats, and a greeting card. The gifts made for a more festive holiday season.
See the slide show below for photos of the festivities.
For example, the Friends of the McMinnville Senior Center hosted a very well-attended, tasty Thanksgiving meal, bringing together many who otherwise would probably have spent the holiday by themselves. The Friends also hosted an Open House in mid-December.
Further, Meals on Wheels volunteers prepared and delivered thoughtfully assembled surprise holiday gift bags for two successive years, each time to more than 200 clients in McMinnville, Lafayette, and Dayton, a number of whom are homebound and many of whom may not have been remembered or celebrated the holidays in any other way. The contents included a large, specially-selected variety of nutritious snacks and drinks, fresh fruit, lotions and hygiene items, other small treats, and a greeting card. The gifts made for a more festive holiday season.
See the slide show below for photos of the festivities.
99 GAL Friend member Georgann Percival and her 2nd grade pen pal meet in person at one of the parties.
|
Yamhill County Health and Human Services:
Positive Intergenerational Pen Pal Program This innovative, ambitious program connected approximately 250 second-grade students in Yamhill County with 250 older adults as pen pals for an entire school year. Our grant funded 500 writing kits that contained 10+ blank cards and envelopes, pens and pencils, stickers, and mailboxes for the classrooms. As the participants established connections through the mail each month, the benefits were many and profound, bringing about intergenerational learning as well as helping to alleviate loneliness and social isolation among the elderly. The grant also funded well-attended, lively, heartwarming parties at the conclusion of the school year to bring the second-graders and their families together with the pen pals. |
Aging is not ‘lost youth’ but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
~Betty Friedan
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become freer. I’ve lost the need to prove myself, and that’s beautiful.
~Jane Fonda
There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to life.
~Sophia Loren