Preparing to support our aging population
When thank-you letters from older adults arrive at Livingston County Catholic Charities, Development and Marketing Director Ryan Skomial recalls her own grandmother.
“She lived in Massachusetts and we lived in Michigan. She was disabled and had very limited resources,” Skomial says. “Albeit, she took a bus to see me. She took trains to see me. She didn’t have much money, but she spent what she had to come see me. She was pretty remarkable.”
Skomial’s grandma represents the growing number of adults age 65 or older in the United States. In 2020, the senior population reached more than 55.6 million, or 17 percent of the total population, and it’s projected to reach 80.8 million by 2040, according to the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
Many older adults face challenges including social isolation, poverty, chronic health conditions, and lack of access to transportation. Additionally, the costs of geriatric care services, in-home care and assisted living are cost-prohibitive for many seniors.
To anticipate the growing needs of this aging population, Livingston County Catholic Charities and Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County, with support from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, have partnered to expand free or low-cost services for older adults.
Safe, independent aging
The Community Foundation recently made a $75,000 grant from its Community Health Endowment Fund to help the organizations raise awareness among older adults about the resources and services available to help them age safely and independently.
Livingston County Catholic Charities and Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County will conduct outreach events and, once connected with seniors, will work to identify their needs and connect them with the appropriate resources or assistance.
For example, a representative might help older adults find resources for counseling, homebound meals, housing repairs, legal services, long-term care, prescription assistance or transportation. Or, they might help seniors find assistance to navigate Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Administration benefits, tax forms, or information about fraud and abuse.
A go-to resource for older adults
“Having a go-to resource like Livingston County Catholic Charities would have been so impactful in my grandma’s life,” Skomial says. “I appreciate and adore that we can be that person for so many seniors in our community. This past year, the program served almost 1,200 older adults.
“The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has profoundly impacted our agency over the years, particularly in enhancing our senior services,” Skomial says. “With their support, Livingston County Catholic Charities has been able to identify and address emerging needs.”
This story originally appeared in the 2023-2024 Annual Report