For many Tri-City seniors, this holiday is not a holiday from hunger. Every day, through no fault of their own, older adults are faced with heartbreaking choices. And the harsh reality is that many are forced to decide between medications and food on the table. Or heating their home and paying their mortgage. Throughout this holiday season, we expect to deliver 15,750 meals to homebound Tri-City seniors who otherwise would not have any food.
New census data reveals in Fremont alone – the 60 years of age + population has grown by 30%! LIFE ElderCare provides a safety net for the mothers and fathers of our community by offering an unduplicated set of services. As a result, a vulnerable population has access to their everyday essentials – food, friendship, transportation support and exercise – in order to maintain a quality life and live independently for as long as safely possible.
Last fiscal year, our Meals On Wheels volunteers brought 102,000 home-delivered meals and a daily wellness check to this at-risk population. The need, however, is rapidly increasing – as 17,000 meals were beyond our contract with our food provider, ValleyCare Hospital. Thanks to a generous and caring community, we have yet to establish a waiting list for food.
So, we cannot do it alone. Your financial contribution will sponsor a senior’s meals and reflect that they are not forgotten. You will make the difference between hope and hopelessness. Or in the the words of one of our Meals On Wheels participants, “The volunteers bring food for my soul and hope for my journey!”
Meet 79-year-old Esther, one of our Meals On Wheels participants. She is able to age in place because of the basics of life – food, friendship and increased mobility – that LIFE ElderCare, brings to her on a daily basis. This was not the case two years ago. Esther had a stroke and her medical expenses were causing her to make some compromising choices. And that included food. As a result, she was readmitted to the hospital for treatment of severe malnutrition and was a patient there for two weeks.
LIFE ElderCare weaves together the connective threads of family, friends, neighbors, medical professionals and businesses into a tapestry of supportive relationships and services that help frail seniors remain independent and in their own homes. By reducing the likelihood of malnutrition, falls and lack of mobility, we keep down the cost of aging. Our services are made possible through the community commitment of over 500 volunteers, along with nursing students from Cal State East Bay and Unitek College.
LIFE ElderCare is a nonprofit organization that has been helping older adults manage the unpredictable passages of aging for the past 36 years.
