Impact Stories:

In Keeping Our Community Together, Age is not the Limit

The Federation understands that as we age, our needs grow. And without assistance, loneliness and depression can set in.

10,414
Total People
Served in the Pittsburgh community
9,477
Seniors
Stayed in the community and out of nursing homes
688
Seniors
Reported decreased loneliness as a result of program participation

As we grow older and begin to feel our physical and mental state decline, many of us dread losing our dignity and becoming isolated from our friends, family and community.

Thousands of older adults in Pittsburgh face this harsh reality every day.

One such couple, Mr. and Mrs. K., lost access to kosher meals and weren’t comfortable enough with electronic devices to stay in touch with friends and family. They began to feel helpless and cut off from their loved ones and the Jewish community.

At the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, we believe older adults deserve to stay connected to the social and religious threads that make up their life—regardless of any condition or disability. That’s why we fund programs for people like Mr. and Mrs. K, and we bring together services that can help—not just giving aid, but also restoring people’s ability to live their lives according to their values.

Thankfully for this couple experiencing isolation, Federation-funded programs like the Jewish Association on Aging (JAA), AgeWell Pittsburgh and the Jewish Community Center (JCC) stepped in. The JAA managed their apartment and enrolled them in Mollie’s Meals for home-delivered kosher lunches. They were also referred to AgeWell’s Checkmates program, where they received weekly check-in phone calls. Once in-person activities reopened, AgeWell provided Elder Express transportation so that the pair could reach the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry and technology classes at the JCC, where they learned how to access telemedicine services and communicate with their friends and family. And all these services worked seamlessly together thanks in part to coordination fostered by the Jewish Federation.

The Federation understands that as we age, our needs grow. And without assistance, loneliness and depression can set in. That’s why we foster collaboration among the three organizations that participate in AgeWell Pittsburgh, whose work embodies our mission to build a resilient Jewish community. As of July 2022, your contributions toward the Community Campaign have helped them surpass several goals for 2021-2022:

  • 10,414 total people served.
  • 9,477 seniors stayed in the community and out of nursing homes.
  • 688 seniors reported decreased loneliness as a result of program participation.
  • 289 volunteers delivered meals, provided car rides, helped with yard work and more, so that seniors can continue living it the place they call home.

Right now, we’re interviewing older adults and their caregivers and bringing together service providers to plan for the next ten years of services for older adults. To support the Older Adults Task Force, AgeWell Pittsburgh and so many other programs that strengthen Jewish life, please consider donating to our Community Campaign.

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