As a Social Services Coordinator I am committed to improving the quality of life and wellbeing of our residents by referring and collaborating with other services in the community. The goal is to empower residents to “age-in-place” independently and safely for as long as possible. This is one of Social Services Coordinators main goals.
Our mission is seeing that we emphasize the importance of elders being able to age in place with dignity regardless of economic status. The availability of adequate services coming into affordable housing is critical to the fulfillment of this mission. This is why we work as a team with other SSC, Facilities Managers and our Community Partners.
There are a number of challenges that must be addressed to successfully meet the needs of an elder population. These needs only continue to grow dramatically in number. The reason is that residents have increasingly more complex health service needs, such as low vision, hearing loss, mobility issues, mental health issues, dementia, mixed in with a lack of income, family support and underfunded community services.
Social Services Coordinators on site assist in bridging the gap. At CCH residents are offered assistance that are not usually made available to them in many low income or subsidized independent senior housing.
These services may include connecting residents with any or all of the following:
Transportation, food security, housekeeping, personal care, adult day care, IHSS, advocacy, APS, fitness/wellness programs, structured isolation/health educational presentation, such as Chair Yoga, Senior Driving Classes, Balance and Fall Prevention, Senior Driving Classes ….
As a Social Services Coordinator my life is enriched by knowing I am a part of a growing team and playing a small part in solving some of our resident’s issues by connecting them to needed services. Soon we will be facing the doubling of senior in need in the US. *By 2050, the population aged 65 and over is projected to be 83.7 million, almost double its estimated population of 43.1 million in 2012.
“It truly is going to takes a Village”
Lourdes Pollard
Garfield Service Coordinator, Garfield Park Village
