Engaging in Aging Expo brings Philadelphians together to support older adults
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and The Sarah Ralston Foundation hosted Engaging in Aging: A Volunteer & Donor Expo on March 4. The free event brought together Philadelphians and nonprofits that support older adults. It focused on enhancing services that help people age safely and with dignity.
Philadelphia is home to more than 316,000 residents age 60 and older. That’s nearly 20% of the city’s population! Many older Philadelphians face significant challenges. One in five live below the poverty level. Nearly half live alone. Almost 30% experience difficulty with mobility or independent living. Language barriers, lack of formal education, unstable housing, and food insecurity make it harder to get care and support. Social isolation raises the risk of early death. It also increases the chances of dementia, heart disease, stroke, depression, and anxiety. These facts show how important it is to support groups that offer services and build human connections.
About 40 organizations joined, allowing attendees to meet all partners in one spot. They learned about local needs and found ways to get involved. Options included volunteer roles, in-kind donations, f inancial support, and community outreach. The event was sponsored by Alert Medical Alarms, A-Team Home Care, ArchWell Health, Loving Care Senior Services, The Mendoza Group, Mom’s Meals, and PA Health & Wellness. Featured speakers stressed the need to support older neighbors. They also showed how individuals and families can truly make a difference in Philadelphia. The Nutrition Group presented the event. Attendees could ask questions, find their best fit, and learn how to get involved.
Volunteer opportunities
Below are just a few of the volunteer opportunities that were presented at Engaging in Aging.
Caring for Friends has offered food and friendship to seniors, kids and adults in the five-county Philadelphia area since 1974.
Volunteers assist in several areas:
• Kitchen: prepping, cooking and packing meals.
• Warehouse: quality control, sweeping floors and filling boxes.
• Office: organizing the pantry, making caring cards, labeling, data entry and phone outreach.
To volunteer, call 215-464-2224.
Face to Face started in 1984 when local church members began cooking hot meals for their Germantown neighbors who were food insecure. It is now a onestop-shop of free services, including meals, legal services, health care and social services. In-person volunteer options include meal prep, serving, dishwashing, and activity support (like bingo, arts and computers). To get involved, contact Volunteer Manager Ally Monteiro at 215-439-7939, ext. 203. For information, go to https:// FaceToFaceGermantown.org.
Penn’s Village is a network of neighbors helping neighbors age in place. It helps older Philadelphians live independently. Members connect through fun, educational programs, social activities, and services from volunteers. Penn’s Village serves central Philadelphia.
Members can volunteer in many ways:
• Provide companionship or rides.
• Join committees.
• Help with special events or fundraising.
• Complete tasks from home.
For information, go to www. PennsVillage.org (click on “Volunteer”) or call 215-925-7333.
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) has served as Philadelphia County’s Area Agency on Aging since 1973. PCA is among the city’s largest nonprofits. It partners with about 200 providers to offer more than 30 person-centered programs. These programs support older Philadelphians and adults with disabilities. You can volunteer to help with PCA’s Senior Companion, Ombudsman, PA MEDI, and Health Promotion programs. For more information, call the PCA Helpline at 215-7659040 or go to www.pcaCares.org/ volunteers.
Senior community centers offer a variety of volunteer opportunities. These include serving lunch, program registration, clerical support, and receptionist. To find a senior center near you, call the PCA Helpline at 215-7659040 or go to www.pcaCares.org/ senior-centers.
Spay and Save, Inc. is a volunteer-run animal welfare and education group. It serves Northwest Philadelphia and Eastern Montgomery County. Volunteers are needed to provide temporary foster homes to adult dogs and cats (food, bedding and litter provided).
Other volunteer options are:
• Animal transport.
• Adoption events.
• Habitat maintenance.
• Dog walking.
• Animal care education.
• Clerical work.
To volunteer, call 610-227-6187 or go to www.SpayAndSave.org.
For a list of all the community organizations that participated in the Engaging in Aging Expo, go to www.pcaCares.org/news and click on the Engaging in Aging Expo article.
