6 Organizations Dedicated to Helping The Elderly

Senior citizens need to be looked after, especially if they are members of vulnerable populations or rely on government services to get by. These groups all work to protect the elderly through advocacy, education, legal help, health care services, food programs, and outreach initiatives aimed at ensuring no one is forgotten by our society as they age. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

6 Groups Focused On Helping Seniors

Organization Headquarters Description
On Lok San Francisco, CA Employs the PACE model to provide comprehensive health and social care, along with a senior center offering a variety of services
Grantmakers In Aging Arlington, VA National membership organization working to improve care and promote communities that are more inclusive to aging individuals
SAGE New York, NY The country’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to improving the lives of older LGBT people
The Senior Source Dallas, TX Offers services to seniors in the Dallas area, including help with finances, transportation, housing, and connecting older adults to one another and the community at large
Citymeals on Wheels New York, NY Fights food insecurity among the elderly by delivering millions of meals throughout the city
Legal Assistance for Seniors Oakland, CA Offers legal representation, educational services in several languages, and counseling for insurance and Medicare issues

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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

SAGE Harlem Celebrates Pride

In Depth

Although growing old is part of human existence, the elderly face challenges that can come at a time in their lives when they have few resources or safety nets to rely on. Social isolation, worsening physical and mental health, skyrocketing healthcare costs, financial insecurity, and elder abuse are all challenges that many aged people face. Thankfully, there are organizations working to support, empower, and bring attention to older Americans. In no particular order, here are 6 organizations working to tackle issues facing seniors.

Starting off the list at #1 is On Lok, which means "peaceful, happy home" in Cantonese. Founded in 1971, O.L. is a family of community-based, not-for-profit organizations that pursue quality of life and care for older adults and their families. Based on the British day hospital model that allows people to receive care while living at home, it offers a comprehensive system of health and social care. In the 1980s, the organization originated a new long-term care program that became known as Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (P.A.C.E.). Based on the organization's vision and hard work, P.A.C.E. expanded into a nationally replicated program.

On Lok's services include: a comprehensive health plan that provides long-term care for eligible seniors; medical home healthcare and non-medical care to infants, children, adolescents and adults; and housing for the elderly. O.L. also runs the 30th Street Senior Center, which offers a community space, nutrition and group meals, home-delivered meals, and bilingual case management. Finally, it offers consulting and assistance to nonprofits and government agencies for all P.A.C.E. program rollouts. On Lok offers many ways to become involved, including by volunteering, donating, fundraising, and joining its intergenerational program.

On Lok's services include: a comprehensive health plan that provides long-term care for eligible seniors; medical home healthcare and non-medical care to infants, children, adolescents and adults; and housing for the elderly.

In the #2 spot is Grantmakers In Aging, a national membership organization of philanthropies that acts as a relevant and responsive network, resource, and champion that amplifies the voices of older people and issues of aging. G.I.A. believes that a just and inclusive world is one where older people are fully valued, recognized, and engaged in ways that matter. Since its founding in 1982, the organization has initiated several significant projects, such as the Hurricane Fund to assist the elderly in the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina, and EngAGEment, a major initiative to work with regional funding groups to increase support for local projects in aging.

G.I.A.'s five major initiatives focus on changing and energizing local approaches to age-friendly communities, increasing resources and services for elders in rural areas, advancing the transformation of health systems, creating greater public understanding of older adults' needs and contributions to society, and expanding local funding for older adults. Grantmakers In Aging offers online resources such as informational webinars, a newsletter, research papers and briefs, and information for grant-seekers. Those interested in supporting G.I.A. can volunteer, donate, or become association members.

Coming in at #3 is Sage, the world's oldest and largest non-profit agency dedicated to serving and advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender seniors. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, Sage grew from the momentum of the Stonewall uprising and the emerging L.G.B.T. civil rights movement. It is a national organization that provides advocacy, services, aid, and consumer resources to L.G.B.T. older people and their caregivers. The organization allocates over 75% of its spending to program expenses, and in 2018 received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, Sage grew from the momentum of the Stonewall uprising and the emerging L.G.B.T. civil rights movement.

Sage's programs include a project that connects L.G.B.T. seniors through intergenerational meals, a national affiliate program for local community groups, housing programs, and cultural competency training. Its advocacy reaches all levels of government, from the local and state levels, to the federal. In addition to these programs, it runs the National Resource Center on L.G.B.T. Aging, the first and only resource center dedicated to improving the lives of L.G.B.T. older adults. Anyone interested in supporting Sage can donate, attend an event, volunteer at a N.Y.C. center, host an intergenerational meal, become an elder ambassador, or sign up for action alerts.

At #4 is The Senior Source, a nonprofit committed to helping Dallas's older adults, and connecting them to resources, opportunities, and independence. Founded in 1961 as the Senior Citizens Foundation of Dallas, its mission has evolved to focus on the three action pillars of assisting, protecting, and connecting the elderly population of Dallas. Since its creation, the organization has educated over forty four thousand community members, served more than thirty two thousand older adults, provided over sixty two thousand hours of one-on-one assistance to prevent isolation, and mobilized over 950,000 total volunteer hours in support of its community.

T.S.S. offers a wide range of services, including: a caregiver support program; a guardianship program to protect elders from abuse, neglect or exploitation; a long-term care ombudsmen program for those in nursing homes or assisted living facilities; and a foster grandparent program to connect older adults to young people. The Senior Source also runs the Elder Financial Safety Center in collaboration with the Dallas County Probate Courts and District Attorney's Office. It provides many ways to get involved, including volunteering, donating, or attending an event.

T.S.S. offers a wide range of services, including: a caregiver support program; a guardianship program to protect elders from abuse, neglect or exploitation; a long-term care ombudsmen program for those in nursing homes or assisted living facilities; and a foster grandparent program to connect older adults to young people.

In the #5 spot is Citymeals on Wheels. C.O.W. is a New York City nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity among the elderly. It serves older New Yorkers who are chronically disabled by conditions such as vision loss, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. In fact, 60% of the organization's patrons are over 80 years old, and one-third live below the poverty line. Founded in 1981 by restaurant critic Gael Greene and legendary cookbook author James Beard, it was one of the first public-private partnerships in the United States. This partnership has ensured that all public donations are used entirely for the preparation and delivery of meals since day one.

Since its inception, Citymeals on Wheels has delivered over 60 million meals to disabled New York seniors. It serves all five boroughs of New York City, and provides an extensive array of programs and resources, including: weekend, holiday, and emergency meals to frail aged New Yorkers; special elder-care training and emergency support initiatives; volunteer outreach including meal delivery, friendly visiting, handmade card creation and delivery; and kitchen help. C.O.W. welcomes donations, employer gift matching, volunteering, and dining at partner restaurants.

Finally, at #6 is Legal Assistance for Seniors. Founded in 1976 by three women who re-entered the workforce with the goal of protecting seniors' legal rights, L.A.S. works to ensure the independence and dignity of older adults through education, counseling, and advocacy. Originally located in downtown Oakland, it now serves all of Alameda County. The organization's activities are based on three pillars: free legal services to elders, community education about legal and healthcare-related issues, and a health insurance counseling and advocacy program for Medicare beneficiaries.

Founded in 1976 by three women who re-entered the workforce with the goal of protecting seniors' legal rights, L.A.S. works to ensure the independence and dignity of older adults through education, counseling, and advocacy.

Legal Assistance for Seniors's legal services include representation in court and administrative hearings, referrals to other community resources, and community education and training on a wide range of legal issues. Its educational programs visit senior residences, elder and disability centers, community centers and faith-based organizations, and are available in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Spanish, Hindi and Punjabi. L.A.S. maintains an extensive free events calendar, and online multilingual Medicare worksheets, guides, and resources. The organization welcomes donations, volunteers, and support through purchasing via their Amazon Smile portal.