May is Older Americans Month: Make Your Mark
This year’s Older Americans Month theme, Make Your Mark, highlights older adults’ unique and lasting contributions to their communities. At Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County, we would like to share some of the ways Older Americans Make Their Mark.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Volunteers – Our professionally screened and trained volunteer caregivers are providing essential services while maintaining social distancing. They are making assurance telephone calls, transporting to medical appointments, providing grocery shopping services, and even helping with small chores. ICGMC volunteers are Making Their Mark by providing small tasks to let our older Americans know they are not alone. Consider Making Your Mark by Volunteering just one hour per week. (Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County proudly sponsors RSVP volunteers for our Neighbors Helping Neighbors program.)
COVID-19 Update – April 6, 2020
As we continue to face a rapidly intensifying and unprecedented health crisis, the staff and volunteers at ICGMC have continued to create service plans that balance the health and safety of our seniors, while still meeting their most essential needs.
Over the past three weeks, our staff and leadership volunteers completed hundreds of wellness calls. They reached out with compassion and comfort to the hundreds of elderly and disabled residents that we serve.
We helped our volunteer teams assess their personal risk factors for COVID 19, and managed new temporary solutions that kept our caregiving program open and running. We also helped our PHB participants and care receivers understand that physical safety and distancing does not have to include a loss of emotional connection from us and each other.
Our initial service modification plan took us to the end of March. Huge thanks to our volunteers for their flexibility and diligence. I know that we are all safer because of these changes and restrictions.
At this time, we must extend these service restrictions through May 1st. Further, we will spend time in the coming days carefully re-examining these initial plans and evaluating what other safety and service steps are still needed to move us through the next stage of this battle.
And make no mistake; it’s a battle! But I hope you can join the ICGMC team in taking comfort from the weapons that we have in this fight: patience, humor, compassion, dedication, creativity, kindness, and the power that comes from our combined purpose!
Our staff will continue to work remotely during this time to maintain social distancing. We how-ever can be contacted at 609-393-9922, via direct email, or contact us through info@icgmc.org. Our telephones and emails will be monitored, and we will respond to your inquiry during regular office hours.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER
Cancelled for April – Stay tuned for new date!
Thank you to our friends, family, community partners and sponsors for celebrating 25 years with us!
Did you know?
The over-60 population in America is growing at the fastest pace ever in our nation’s history. Every day 10,000 baby boomers turn age 65, and adults age 85+ are growing at the fastest rate. By 2023, one in five people in America will be 65 and older.
While many of our seniors will continue to live healthy and vibrant lives, surrounded by friends and families and contributing to the community, there will be a significant increase in the homebound elderly who will need assistance to age safely and independently in their own homes.
About Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County:
Since 1994, Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County has helped under-served, home-bound elderly and adults with disabilities to maintain their independence and dignity. Our caregiving and wellness services are provided by a dedicated group of volunteers who are recruited, trained and managed by Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County and our interdenominational coalition. It is a finely woven net of support for the most vulnerable among us.
Join us!
Please join Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County in being part of the solution that brings hope and support to our area’s neighbors in need.
Become a caregiving volunteer today. Email info@icgmc.org to learn more and sign up.
