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Pew Announces $4.5M in Grants Supporting Philadelphia Region’s Frail Elderly

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

PHILADELPHIA—The Pew Charitable Trusts announced today that it will provide nearly $4.52 million over the next three years to 28 Philadelphia-area organizations that work to preserve the dignity, independence, and quality of life of the region’s frail seniors, many of whom are struggling with economic hardship, social isolation, and health and mobility challenges. Approximately 44,000 elderly people will be assisted annually.

Pew’s support will help agencies fulfill four core objectives:

  • Assist seniors in meeting their basic needs by helping them obtain available public benefits, nutritious meals, financial counseling, and housing-related legal assistance.
  • Significantly reduce social isolation and symptoms of depression among the elderly.
  • Maintain or increase seniors’ ability to live securely and independently in their homes by providing services such as personal care assistance, help with chores, friendly visiting, and home repairs to enhance personal and physical safety.
  • Help informal caregivers, such as family members, through respite, training, and other supportive services.

“Over one-quarter of the Philadelphia region’s 621,000 seniors age 65 or older are living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, representing an income of up to $24,000 for an individual, with many facing health issues and social isolation while struggling to make ends meet,” said Frazierita Klasen, the vice president overseeing Pew’s work in Philadelphia. “Pew is very pleased to support local nonprofits that are helping to preserve this vulnerable population’s dignity, independence, and overall quality of life.”

For over 25 years, Pew has supported health and social services nonprofits in the five-county region through the Pew Fund for Health and Human Services in Philadelphia. In addition to helping the frail elderly, the program assists two other vulnerable populations: disadvantaged children, youth, and their families; and adults with multiple, complex issues including homelessness, extended unemployment, and behavioral health problems.

A list of the 2018 grantees follows. For more information about the program, please visit pewtrusts.org.

2018 Grants for Programs Serving the Frail Elderly in the Philadelphia Region, Categorized by Funding Goal

Unless otherwise noted, award amounts are totals over three years.

Goal 1: To assist elderly people in meeting their basic needs by helping them obtain available public benefits or services such as nutritious meals, financial counseling, and housing-related legal assistance.

Goal 2: To significantly alleviate the symptoms of depression among elderly individuals and decrease their social isolation.

Goal 3: To maintain or increase seniors’ ability to live securely and independently in their homes by providing services such as personal care assistance, volunteer help with chores, friendly visiting, and home repairs to enhance personal and physical safety.

Goal 4: To help informal caregivers through respite, training, and other supportive services.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today’s most challenging problems. Learn more at pewtrusts.org.