Snohomish County, riding the federal American Rescue Plan Act wave, has just dropped $1.4 million into tackling senior loneliness and hunger. They're putting cash behind efforts to foster equitable access to food and community for the older demographic. Somers also dubbed May 2024 as Older Americans Month in the county in a bid to highlight the initiative.
The pandemic has hit older folks in Snohomish County hard, with a county survey showing they're buckling under financial stress, shaky access to care, and rickety food security. Numbers speak volumes: 12% can't keep up with housing costs, 23% lean on caregivers, and a glaring 25% had to turn to food assistance during the pandemic. In response, Homage is now being backed to the tune of $225,000 to supercharge their Community Table Dining Program, pushing seniors to not only eat together but to get their hands on services they need.
The county's also flashing the green for a $150,000 investment to onboard a Community Outreach Worker. This new hire will zero in on connecting older Black adults with community services, guiding them through the maze of paperwork to clinch benefits, and enhancing their financial and social footing. Homage CEO Keith Bell commented on the significance of their programs, saying, "Older adults often face a great deal of loneliness and isolation, which can significantly impact their overall health and well-being. By bringing folks together to share a meal or connect with others, we nourish their bodies - and souls.", as per the County's press release.
But they're not stopping there. A tidy $400,000 pot is up for grabs for senior centers keen to innovate or expand steps to break the chains of social isolation among the aging population. Research spells out the plain truth: a ton of adults over 50 are existentially alone in ways harmful to health. The final piece of the puzzle is a cool $600,000 flowing into nonprofits that deliver services to ease the emotional, physical and mental load on older adults who traditionally struggle to access help due to cultural or language barriers.
