Program:
Nutrition
- Budget:
-
$3,597,700
- Category:
-
- Population Served:
-
Aging/Elderly/Senior Citizens
-
Poor/Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent, General
-
Adults
Program Description:
<div>
<p >Our <strong>Senior Nutrition Program </strong>addresses hunger and food insecurity among one of our community’s most vulnerable populations – low income seniors age 60 and older. Nearly all our clients live at or below the poverty level, with most unable to meet their basic needs – food, housing, transportation and health care, without assistance. While all of these needs are critical, food is the most immediate concern and is what initially brings them to Senior Community Centers. Imagine having to choose between paying for prescription medication or buying food for dinner. These are the hard choices our elderly clients face every day.</p>
<p >Access to a regular source of nutritious food is critical as we age, especially for those suffering from health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. We make sure all seniors have access to at least one healthy and complete meal every day. For most, these meals are often their only source of nutrition and help to reduce or alleviate the anxiety and health concerns hunger can cause. We offer meals seven days a week at our downtown Wellness Center and five days a week at 7 congregate meal sites and 2 housing facilities throughout San Diego County. We also provide daily meals to over 400 homebound seniors through our Home Delivered Meals Program and offer nutrition education to all seniors to help them make good food choices for optimal health. </p></div>
Program Long-Term Success:
<div>End senior hunger and the risks to health caused by malnutrition.</div>
Program Short-Term Success:
<div>Serve 500,000 congregate and home-delivered meals in 2010-11.</div>
Program Success Monitored by:
<div>Number of seniors eating meals daily; nutritional risk assessment responses; change in number of reported health conditions</div>
Program Success Examples:
<p ><em> “Not another minute can pass before saying my heartfelt “thank you”…for allowing me to receive your meals…I sincerely thank each of you for your kindness and consideration.</em></p>
<p ><em> Those meals are definitely making me stronger, with each passing day. We are so blessed to have this service. And, may I add, both Francisco and Carlos [drivers] are jewels. They make my day. Very humbly, Frances.”</em></p>
<p >Every afternoon Home Delivered Meals client Frances, age 62, is greeted by either Francisco or Carlos. They deliver her food but they also give her a warm smile and ask how she’s doing. They offer kindness and comfort at a time in her life when she has very few people to turn to. The food is nourishing her body but the interaction with the drivers nourishes her spirit.</p>
<p >Legally blind and unable to drive or work, Frances relies heavily on the Home Delivered Meals program. She receives 2 meals a day, 7 days a week.</p>
Program:
Health and Wellness
- Budget:
-
$1,273,000
- Category:
-
Human Services, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Aging/Elderly/Senior Citizens
-
Disabled, General or Disability Unspecified
-
Adults
Program Description:
<p >The Health and Wellness program addresses the barriers that typically compromise the wellbeing of low-income seniors. Nearly all seniors we serve have limited access to healthcare with no support systems in place to effectively address their health needs. We are their safety net, providing a comprehensive, integrated network of vital services for healthy aging that focus on prevention, intervention and education in partnership with staff they feel comfortable talking to. With the fear of having to move to a nursing home high on the list of reasons many do not seek assistance until an emergency arises, it is critical to provide a support system they can trust. The Health and Wellness program is composed of five core service areas: Nurse Case Management, Transitional Housing/Homeless Prevention, Mental Health, Information and Referral, and Supportive Services.</p>
Program Long-Term Success:
<div>No senior will experience premature institutionalization due to preventable social service or health challenges.</div>
Program Short-Term Success:
<div>All seniors requesting assistance will receive direct services or referrals that meet their specific needs.</div>
Program Success Monitored by:
<div>Number of seniors reporting increased quality of life through survey or direct contact with case managers.</div>
Program Success Examples:
<p >Jane went to see Susan the nurse to have her blood sugar and blood pressure checked. She had been taking pills for diabetes in the past but couldn’t get her HMO transferred to San Diego. Susan was highly concerned because her BP was extremely high so she intervened with the HMO and the transfer was expedited. Jane saw a doctor within the week and got her meds. Susan continued to monitor her and was concerned that she wasn’t showing improvement. Jane finally admitted that she wasn’t taking her meds every day because they were too expensive. Her $52 monthly co-pay was more than she could afford and she was taking 1 of her 2 pills every few days so Susan and the doctor found her a $14 alternative. Susan will continue to monitor Jane until her blood pressure stabilizes at which point she will teach her how to use the blood glucose monitor so she can monitor her diabetes on her own. </p>
Program:
Housing
- Budget:
-
--
- Category:
-
Human Services, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Aging/Elderly/Senior Citizens
-
Disabled, General or Disability Unspecified
-
Adults
Program Description:
<div>
<p >Safe and secure permanent, affordable housing ensures that seniors remain healthy, happy, and independent for as long as possible. One of the greatest concerns expressed by our senior clients is being able to live on their own and we do all we can to support their efforts to do so. </p>
<p > </p>
<p >Seniors living in one of our two housing facilities have their own apartments, enter into rental agreements and pay their own rent, just as in other rental housing. The difference is that they can access on-site supportive services including a nurse, case manager, meals, computer lab/library, garden/private patio (depending on location) and social activities, all designed to address their individual needs and help them live satisfying lives.</p></div>
Program Long-Term Success:
<div>No senior will be homeless or unable to locate affordable housing.</div>
Program Short-Term Success:
<div>All seniors who request it will have access to transitional or permanent housing options.</div>
Program Success Monitored by:
<div>Reduction in number of homeless or near homeless seniors.</div>
Program Success Examples:
<p >Bill and Sonja (ages 91 and 82), were found living in their car downtown. Displaced when they lost their home in the Northwest, they were unable to find an affordable place to live and had no choice but to sleep in their car on a downtown street. </p>
<p > </p>
<p >They were referred to the health and wellness team at the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center that afternoon who discovered they hadn’t had anything to eat all day. Our nutrition staff quickly put a hot meal together that absolutely amazed the couple. They couldn’t believe that assistance like this was available. Asked how they were doing, Sonja gave a big smile and said, “Much better now!” </p>
<p > </p>
<p >They met with a case manager who assessed their needs and placed them in a room at a hotel downtown through our Transitional Housing Program. Soon after, they moved into our permanent supportive housing facility, City Heights Square where they can visit with a nurse or a case manager, eat a nutritious lunch, and socialize with other residents. </p>
<p > </p>
Program:
Community Education
- Budget:
-
$200,000
- Category:
-
Human Services, General/Other
- Population Served:
-
Aging/Elderly/Senior Citizens
-
Disabled, General or Disability Unspecified
-
Adults
Program Description:
<p >The Community Education program helps seniors remain active by offering a variety of activities that engage them mentally, physically, and socially. Whether it’s learning a new skill, joining an exercise class or locating a volunteer opportunity, there is something for seniors of all backgrounds. </p>
<p >Classes are open to all seniors in the community at no or low cost and include fitness, interactive games, Health seminars, Arts and Crafts, computer skills and social activities.</p>
<p >The Civic Engagement program highlights seniors’ strengths rather than needs or weaknesses. By discovering their talents, skills and abilities, older adults are encouraged to form relationships and participate in meaningful activities to enhance the quality of their lives and give back to the community. <strong><u></u></strong></p>
<p >Community volunteers are Individuals, service groups, and corporations who donate thousands of hours each year through our <em>Serving Seniors</em> program, serving lunch at our various locations or helping with classes. </p>
Program Long-Term Success:
<div>Increased quality of life and improved wellbeing for all seniors.</div>
Program Short-Term Success:
<div>Half of the seniors who come to the Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center will participate in the program.</div>
Program Success Monitored by:
<div>Attendance records and participation surveys.</div>
Program Success Examples:
<p >“<em>The best thing about tai chi is that in order to do it, you have to completely forget about everything and relax. In doing so, you take away the possibility of falling and find balance.”</em> </p>
<p >Since participating in tai chi, Roberta, age 71, who’s suffered multiple strokes in the past, has regained her confidence in walking and can now even walk backwards without the fear of falling. </p>