Lifelines to break through senior isolation are reaching across Broward, thanks to more than $500,000 in new support from a groundbreaking collaboration that champions “Dignity in Aging.”
The Community Foundation of Broward, United Way of Broward County and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation are teaming up to renew grants for nine critical outreach programs, which help seniors overcome isolation made worse by the pandemic and restore connections to loved ones and their community.
“This innovative collaboration aims to reduce senior isolation with support for senior centers, in-home services, arts programs, easy-to-use technology and much more,” said Community Foundation of Broward President/CEO Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, Ph.D. “Leveraging research and input from across our community, this long-standing partnership is building a better safety net of essential services that empower seniors to live life to the fullest.”
The nine projects supported by the Dignity in Aging Funding Collaborative include:
- Memorial Foundation, Allies Program -- $75,000 to engage 500 seniors in weekly social activities. One hundred seniors will receive home visits and depression management.
- Goodman Jewish Family Services, Active@Home -- $74,940 to give 100 seniors in-home access to technology that connects them to family and friends as well as interactive online activities.
- Mt. Olive Development Corporation, Senior Connection -- $75,000 to provide 130 seniors with social engagement activities three times per week, plus in-home visits and support for caregivers.
- Easterseals of South Florida, Expanded and Enhanced Adult Day Care -- $75,000 to serve 70 older seniors with memory and cognitive impairment at the center and provide respite for caregivers.
- South Florida Institute on Aging, SoFIACARE Caregiver Assistance Program -- $75,000 to serve 100 clients with in-home or virtual support, referrals and connections to resources and provide respite for caregivers.
- Cantor Senior Center, Connected to Friends and Activities -- $75,000 to engage 100 seniors at the center in daily social activities and informal case management.
- Slow Burn Theatre, Elder Arts -- $19,650 for 500 seniors to attend five mainstage productions at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Performances are paired with themed activities led by a teaching artist.
- Museum of Discovery and Science, Movies, Music & More -- $19,725 to provide 100 seniors with monthly in-person programming that includes interaction with museum educators, stage shows, and/or animal meet-and-greets, plus field trips to the museum including bus transportation, lunch and theater concessions.
- Canine Assisted Therapy, Pet Therapy for Seniors -- $20,000 to provide pet-therapy for 20,000 isolated seniors living at assisted living facilities or participating in center-based day programs.
The Dignity in Aging Funding Collaborative was inspired by the landmark 2018 study entitled, “The Silver Tsunami: Is Broward Ready?” – commissioned by the Community Foundation, the United Way and the Jewish Federation of Broward County.
The Silver Tsunami study identified growing challenges such as high medical costs, limited housing options, unaffordable home care, the detrimental effects of senior isolation and long waiting lists for help.
Click here to see the eye-opening Silver Tsunami report.
Click here to learn more about the Community Foundation’s support for Broward’s seniors.
To find out how you can make Broward a better place to call home by partnering with the Community Foundation, contact Vice President of Philanthropic Services Nancy Thies at nthies@cfbroward.org or 954-761-9503.
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