Older Adults

Our Promise

More Lehigh Valley older adults will stay as independent as possible.

 

Population trends have forecasted tremendous growth in older adults (age 55+) over the next twenty years throughout the nation. Pennsylvania is currently the fourth fastest aging state in the U.S. Our Lehigh Valley older adults population is expected to increase faster than any other age group over the next two decades.
 
United Way has been committed to improving the lives of older adults for nearly a decade through strategic program funding and special initiatives. Older adults play a vital role in any community for their expertise, cultural models, serving as living histories, and impact on the local economy.

With this dramatic shift in demographics comes social, cultural, and economic changes that will affect us all as well as our parents, grandparents, and children. As a community, we must be equipped to meet the needs of older adults and also provide supports that increase the capacity of their children (ages 35-54) to be effective caregivers.

Our Plan

Strategies in both programs and partnership investments

PROGRAM INVESTMENTS  

• Center-based supports – includes Senior Centers and Adult Day Services, which provide a menu of programs aimed at improving quality of life.
• Community-based socialization/physical activity supports – contributes to the mental and physical health of older adults, increasing engagement, and lessening the impact on the local economy.
• Transportation options – transportation can cause someone to miss necessary doctor’s appointments, not be able to go out to get food/groceries, miss socialization programs, and hinder volunteerism/engagement in the community.
• Daily life assistance – delivery of goods/services in-home (groceries, medications, etc.).
• Supportive in-home services – such as meal delivery, Home Health Aides, and in-home Fall Prevention.

COMMUNITY-BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
Since 2004, the Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging (LVAA) has been a leader in bringing true systems-change to the local community by leading innovative strategies that provide access to necessary resources and supports such as benefits and engagement opportunities.  LVAA is focused on connecting older adults to resources that will enable them to remain in their homes and independent for as long as possible.

LEHIGH VALLEY OLDER ADULT RESOURCE GUIDE 

Our Results

During 2011-14, United Way will invest $557,665 in 10 programs (1 new) and one Community Building Partnership that improve the quality of life for older adults.

Agency	Program	Award Amount
Casa Guadalupe Center	Jesus Ramos Senior Center	$45,667
Center for Vision Loss	Escorted Transportation for Blind & Visually Impaired Senior	$25,165
Family Answers	Family Answers: Homemaker - Health Aide Services	$81,368
Lehigh County Senior Citizens, Inc.	Exercise for Life	$20,000
Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging	Access to benefits and resources	$219,141*
Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County, Inc.	Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County, Inc.	$27,807
Meals on Wheels of Northampton County	Food Line Program	$20,000
Meals on Wheels of Northampton County	Meal Subsidy Program - Home Delivered Meals	$27,807
ShareCare Faith in Action	Transportation Coordinator	$23,173
Third Street Alliance for Women & Children	Sharing the Caring Adult Day Services	$31,422
YWCA of Bethlehem	YWCA Bethlehem Adult Day Services Center	$31,422

 





















*Includes investments from general pool plus donor choice

• Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging

Get Involved

Your donation is strategically invested in programs/partnerships/strategies that will address our priorities of education, older adults and basic needs. Invest in your community today.