5 Organizations Committed To Helping Seniors
Advanced age often brings with it obstacles related to health and wellness, finances, and social independence. While many of these are unavoidable, they should never have to define a person's identity or limit their opportunities. The organizations listed here are all dedicated to helping senior citizens negotiate common challenges to lead better, happier, and more empowered lives. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Groups Improving Senior Citizens' Lives
| Organization | Mission |
|---|---|
| GlamourGals | Inspire and organize teen volunteers to provide ongoing companionship and complimentary beauty makeovers to women living in senior homes |
| West Health | Lower healtchare costs to enable seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life, and independence |
| Senior Citizens, Inc. | Help people to live the life they want to live, where they want to live, and to have the highest quality of life possible |
| Peninsula Volunteers | Help create, through high quality and nurturing programs for the aging, a community in which seniors are engaged, cared for, and respected as vital members |
| Second Wind Dreams | Change the perception of aging through the fulfillment of dreams and the offering of educational programs |
The Mission of West Health
Statistics On Aging in America
- 47 million: number of seniors in the United States
- 14.5%: Percentage of Americans 65 and over
- 95 million: Projected number of seniors in 2060
- 78: Average American life expectancy
- 20%: Percentage of seniors who have yet to retire
- 3%: Contingent of seniors who live in nursing homes
- 19%: Senior population of Florida, highest in the U.S.
- 41%: Obesity rate among those 60 and older
- 38: Current median age in the US
- 43: Projected median age in 2060
- 8.5%: Number of seniors 65 and over who smoke cigarettes
- 12.14%: Percentage of women age 75 and over living in poverty in the US
Get to Know Peninsula Volunteers
In Depth
Aging is a normal part of life, and growing old can come with a plethora of challenges, including declining physical and mental health, increased dependence on others, and expensive medical care. Luckily, there are various groups working to help the elderly deal with these issues. In no particular order, here are some organizations supporting and helping seniors cope with the problems they face.
First up, at #1, we have GlamourGals, a nonprofit that inspires and organizes teen volunteers to provide ongoing companionship and complimentary beauty makeovers to women living in residential care. The organization offers a variety of rewards and incentives to its active volunteers, including scholarships, LinkedIn endorsements, and letters of recommendation.
The organization supports the personal and professional development of its volunteers through its Leadership Initiative, which encourages students to build their skills through mentorship and training. Support GlamourGals by attending its annual fundraising and networking events or by donating unused and unopened cosmetics such as nail polish, blush, and liquid foundation.
Support GlamourGals by attending its annual fundraising and networking events or by donating unused and unopened cosmetics such as nail polish, blush, and liquid foundation.
At #2 is West Health. Funded by philanthropists Gary and Mary West, it is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of organizations focused on providing seniors with access to affordable support services. Through a combination of applied medical research, advocacy, and outcomes-based funding, it's dedicated to advancing sustainable healthcare delivery models with the potential to improve care for seniors and their families.
Working with stakeholders, such as the American College of Emergency Physicians, the West Health Policy Center champions the expansion of accredited geriatric emergency departments to ensure patients receive appropriate and well-coordinated care. It also supports the Health and Aging Policy Fellows Program, which provides professionals with a unique opportunity to help improve medical services for older adults.
Next up, at #3, is Senior Citizens, Inc., a private non-profit organization with the mission of helping people age successfully through a variety of programs that meet physical, intellectual, and social needs. Serving counties in coastal Georgia, its broad range of services include meal delivery, in-home nursing, housekeeping, and adult day health centers.
Serving counties in coastal Georgia, its broad range of services include meal delivery, in-home nursing, housekeeping, and adult day health centers.
The organization's Learning Center provides intellectually engaging, humanities-based educational programs, with classes ranging from one-hour lectures to nine-week courses on a variety of topics. Those who wish to help may apply for its Senior Angels volunteer program, which provides various ways to make a difference in an older adult's life.
At #4 is Peninsula Volunteers, Inc., which provides innovative programs and housing to support aging adults in the mid-Peninsula and Silicon Valley. Its Little House strives to enrich the lives of older adults by keeping them physically, intellectually, socially, and culturally active while sustaining their independence and connecting with the larger community.
Through its Rosener House Adult Day Services, the organization offers a unique solution for addressing the health and social needs of adults with chronic conditions whose families would like them to remain at home. Those who want to support Peninsula Volunteers may give a gift online or host their own fundraising event.
Those who want to support Peninsula Volunteers may give a gift online or host their own fundraising event.
Finally, at #5, we have Second Wind Dreams. Founded in 1997, it aims to enhance the quality of life for elders by changing the perception of aging through the fulfillment of dreams, and the offering of educational programs that help raise awareness of the challenges faced by those with dementia.
Second Wind Dreams founder P.K. Beville also created the Virtual Dementia Tour, a scientifically proven method of training designed to build sensitivity and awareness in individuals caring for those with dementia. Get involved by volunteering, hosting a fundraiser on Facebook, or making a generous donation to directly fund an elder's dream.
