Island Senior Resources

Aging & disabilities Resources (adr) and case management helped seniors, families, and caregivers in Island County access the Resources that support their health and well-being including medicare advising, social security programs, veteran assistance, financial programs, energy assistance, medical transportation, adult day programs, nutritional support, assisted/supported living options, respite programs, long-term care planning and case management. Our family caregiver support efforts provided support, education, respite and Resources for unpaid caregivers in Island County. Services were provided in-person, by phone or in-home as needed. The adr staff connected clients to relevant programs at ssic to ensure their full range of needs were met and monitored. (continued in schedule o)one call opens all ssic program doors. During 2023, ssic responded to 4,262 requests for Resources and support. The geographical service breakdown in Island County was 42% north whidbey, 47% south whidbey and 11% camano.

Volunteer Services & medicaid transportation: more than 60 volunteers were active in providing transportation for individuals to medical appointments. Many of the trips included trips to seattle area where volunteers waited for the clients for 4 to 8 hours to return them home. The rides also provided valuable human conversation and connection to clients. Other volunteers provided assistance with essential errands and household chores. Our volunteers made 2,816 trips, driving 228,464 miles in 2023, primarily to doctor and hospital appointments. In october 2023, our volunteer Services medical transportation was placed on hold while we designed a more sustainable service.

Senior Services of Island County delivered 74,457 meals to the homes of hungry, isolated seniors and served 18,322 meals either for pickup or to eat in a community setting in 2023. Ssic also provided nutritional support with 5,040 liquid nutritional supplements and farmer's market vouchers. Hot meals and frozen meals were delivered to participants' homes three times a week by volunteers. When meals were delivered, valuable wellness check-ins and human connection occurred at the client's front door, contributing to reduced isolation and improved well-being. The geographical meal breakdown in Island County was 41% north whidbey, 43% south whidbey and 17% camano.

We implemented the outreach & community education program in 2019 to increase awareness in the community about not only the Services we provide, but also a variety of health and wellness topics. Using print media, social media, and an electronic newsletter, we made great inroads into educating, and meeting the increasing needs of, the diverse communities we serve. Print media reached approximately 7,000 households per month. We had over 111,000 visits to our website, which contains valuable Resources. Our social media reach was over 485,000 in 2023. Thee-newsletter was opened monthly by 61% of recipients.

Adult day Services provided support groups were also faciliated for those living with alzheimer's, parkinson's or other debilitating conditions, as well as for caregivesr for these individuals. This program is extremely well-received as the online presentation made participation easier for individuals to attend. In 2023, ssic led 105 support groups for a total of 1,424 attendees.

All other programs