Eldernet of Lower Merion and Narberth

To enable frail and disabled clients with low incomes in Lower Merion and Narberth to live in dignity and safety in their own homes for as long as possible by providing the following free services: improving access to medical care; offering volunteer help with transportation, shopping, paperwork and home repairs; providing social work, care management & help in applying for public and private benefits and services; providing information and referrals to publicly funded and other community service. Low income families can also participate in free programs offering emergency financial aid to residents in crisis; community resource center and food pantry; an "ask a nurse" program (in conjunction with bryn mawr hospital) that offers free vaccinations' holiday food and gift baskets for residents in need. Eldernet also advocates for increased quality services for elderly and low-income people. Key stats for 2023 -- 197 core volunteers, several non-profits, staff, and one paid ride service gave 6,439 hours of service to 171 core volunteer program participants and to Eldernet's food pantry. -- escort driver program: 98 volunteers, staff and one paid ride service provided 1,692 round trip rides to 112 participants. This represented over 3,849 hours of service, and over 10,861 miles driven. Participants are residents of Lower Merion and Narberth, living with low-moderate incomes, who are too physically or mentally disabled to drive, to use public transportation, or shared ride taxis. -- information and referrals: staff handled telephone, e-mail, and walk-in inquiries from individuals, providing assistance and resources. Callers were of all ages and incomes. -- care management: 2 care coordinators assisted 155 unduplicated participants and their families with complex issues such as chronic illness, connected individuals to benefits and resources, responded to calls to assist those in crisis, and worked with homeless and older adults referred by the Lower Merion township police department. -- emergency financial assistance and food pantry: 237 people, in 233 households, 34 with children, were helped with 18,188 in emergency funds plus 78,304 pounds of groceries. Collaborative initiatives the ada mutch community resource center houses a food pantry, a part-time social worker, a center coordinator, and community wellness programs such as bryn mawr hospital's "ask a nurse" program. The mutch center is collaboration among Eldernet, the montgomery county office on aging, Lower Merion township, main line health, and a wide array of community food and grocery donors. The mutch center and food cupboard are open every tuesday and thursday. Other hours by appointment. The lock for life is a program available through Eldernet and administered by the Lower Merion police department. It provides police, fire and emergency medical assistance (ems) personnel with access to a frail older person's home in the event of an emergency when the person is unable to open the door. A key to the house is stored in a secure metal lock box, whose code can only be accessed by police, fire, or ems personnel in an emergency. The program is collaboration among Eldernet, Lower Merion police and fire departments, the volunteer medical service corps, main line health, leadership main line, and the rotary club of ardmore. One hundred and seventy six locks have been installed. Twenty five percent of the people participating in the program have had at least one entry by police/emergency personnel.