When Earl Parker needed help to live independently, it took care across the community to make it happen.

Earl grew up in Squirrel Hill, but when he needed support to live out his years with dignity, it meant coordinating care across Jewish agencies. That's where the Jewish Federation came in. Earl got housing at The New Riverview, care through Jewish Association on Aging and a community of friends through the AgeWell Chorus, a program of AgeWell Pittsburgh through the Jewish Community Center. None of this could happen within coordination of care across agencies facilitated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.

Now, the landscape of older adult care has changed. Low Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates, a move to care at home and the pandemic upended the past model that ensured continuity of care for people getting services from multiple Jewish agencies.

Jewish Federation's Older Adults Task Force interviewed older adults and their caregivers across the community to determine gaps. The Federation, led by a group of dedicated and skilled volunteers, then brought together the main Jewish agencies who care for older adults. The goal of convening this group was to create a new plan that recognizes and takes into account the new healthcare reality.

The Older Adults Task Force will present results in November 2022.

Email pgholderadultplan@gmail.com or call 412.212.6828 for more information.

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