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This is a presentation given by Penn's Village at "Directions for Connection," a symposium on social isolation among older adults, that was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging in March, 2021. Our message - that the Penn's Village mission to help our members "connect, engage and thrive" with or without a pandemic - was the perfect launching point for the conference.

Penn's Village is a networks of neighbors helping neighbors to keep their spirits high around the holidays.

ABC News (Boston) Piece on Village Movement

“I really like to think of it as seniors helping seniors,” one member said. Services range from social hours to help setting up a computer to a ride to a doctor's office.

As the pandemic has impacted all of our lives most dramatically, our more than 100 volunteers were put into immediate action, creatively adapting to serving members in different ways: instead of face-to-face companion get-togethers, pairs met in the park, over Face Time and Zoom; when one member was unexpectedly hospitalized, his daughter across the country asked us to retrieve his eye glasses and cell phone; when in-person weekly program and committee events were no longer possible, we all dived into learning technology and zoomed our way into members’ homes. Thus far, we have provided more than 75 virtual programs, mostly free to our members, volunteers, and guests. Since March, nearly 1,000 people have participated. Penn’s Village mission is to help members in central Philadelphia connect, engage and thrive so they can remain in their own homes as they age, face health issues and deal with loneliness and social isolation exacerbated by this pandemic.

Loneliness may have the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, making it
even more dangerous to health than obesity. Recent nationwide studies highlight the close
relationship between social isolation and loneliness and serious health problems — as well as greater mortality.

An organization that helps Philly residents age in place provides an extra set of eyes and ears at medical appointments.

While older adults are not a monolith, they face
unique challenges and risks with respect to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Older adults, especially those with certain chronic health conditions, look to be more vulnerable.

Subject: The October Village View newsletter is here!

In this month’s edition, we

· Bust some common myths we hear and tell ourselves about aging

· Introduce a new business partner whose new Philadelphia primary-care practice is based on a unique patient-centric model

· Find out just how successful our 2022 Summer Fundraiser really was!

All this, and more, in the October Village View!

September’s Village View welcomes the fall season with an article about our summer intern plus a compelling look at why one Penn’s Village member feels that age really doesn’t matter, as well as news about upcoming programs and events plus the introduction of two new regular features:
• Welcome New Penn’s Village Members
• Business Partner Highlights, which will occasionally feature a short story about one of our Business Partners at the Mentor Level or higher.

All this, and more, in the September Village View!

April News You Can Use

· Executive Director’s heartfelt tribute to Penn’s Village Volunteers
· Avalie Saperstein and her twin grandbabies
· Two New Interest Groups—Is one right for you?
· April’s PV Programs and Community Happenings