Esther C. Kane, C.D.S.Nonprofit organizations play a key role in supporting and caring for senior citizens. They provide programs like the Adopt A Senior Citizen program.
This program provides regular support and companionship to seniors in long-term care facilities, as well as gifts and other resources during the holiday season.
By donating to nonprofits like these, you can help ensure that seniors have everything they need to live happy and healthy lives.
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back this holiday season, consider donating to a nonprofit that supports senior citizens in your community.
What Is Adopt A Senior?
The Adopt A Senior Citizen program is a volunteer-based gift giving program targeted at seniors residing in long term care facilities in the New York and New Jersey areas. It was started in 2014.
The program connects seniors in need with volunteers who visit the senior during the holidays and at other special times throughout the year (such as for birthdays).
Adopt A Senior
The Adopt A Senior Organization allows us to bring a personal touch to Seniors by directly providing them with some outside contact, as well as gifts, to let them know they are not forgotten and are not alone.
Since many seniors live their remaining years lonely and , these visits and small gifts help the senior feel less isolated. They know someone still cares about them.
Read our article, What Happens If An Elderly Person Has No One To Care For Them.
Plus, it’s a great way for both of you to make a new friend!
There are similar programs in many cities and states nationwide. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you can do a search for ‘adopt a senior program near me’ and hopefully one will be in your area (if not, you could start one!).
Or, if you don’t have an Adopt A Senior program in your area, you can donate online and your gift will provide a senior with some small gifts throughout the year. An accompanying card will remind them that they are still special to someone (you!).
There is also a similar program through Home Instead Senior Care, called Be A Santa To A Senior, that has locations across the country.
Since they began in 2003, they’ve provided more than 20 million gifts to over 750,000 seniors residing in the United States and Canada.
How Does The Adopt A Senior Program Work?
Basically, once you sign up as a volunteer (community member) with the program and stipulate what you are able to provide as far as time and activities, then you are assigned a senior citizen to be in contact with.
Some of the activities that you might sign up for include…
- Senior phone calls
- Delivering hot meals
- Having a meal with your senior citizen
- Attending senior dance parties and special events
- Yard clean up
- Help with fundraising
Any of these activities and more can be a great asset not only to help seniors combat loneliness but to help them with activities of daily living.
Community members are an essential part of the Adopt A Senior Citizen program, as they provide regular support and companionship to elderly individuals in need.
This can include things like chatting on the phone, taking them on walks, or helping them with their hobbies.
Social workers play an important role in the Adopt A Senior Citizen program, helping to match seniors with suitable donors and providing support and guidance throughout the year.
Whether you are interested in providing regular companionship or giving Christmas gifts at holiday time, social workers can help make this process easier and more rewarding for everyone involved.
By donating to this program, community members are able to make a meaningful impact in the lives of senior adults.
How To Adopt A Senior
First, you’ll need to find a local organization that runs the program. Each city may have a slight variation to their process, but in general, you’ll sign up to learn more about that particular program.
Next, you’ll talk to someone about what is needed that year – maybe they are doing a gift “theme” and are asking their volunteers to provide a specific type of gift (for example, a set of towels or a grocery store gift card).
This is your chance to ask any questions you have about the program, and to find out more about the senior you’ll be adopting.
Finally, senior clients are matched with community member who will provide support and companionship on a regular basis. This can include things like phone calls, walks, or help with hobbies.
One of the benefits of the program is that you get to brighten the holiday season for your senior client by giving them gifts like a holiday gift, birthday gift, and seasonal gifts.
How Do You Adopt A Senior For Christmas?
Last year, the Adopt A Senior Citizen program provided gifts and companionship to more than 1,300 seniors across their region. This year, they are looking to expand their reach and help even more seniors.
If you are looking to give back to your community this holiday season, you can make a donation of $50.00 per year, and the organization will provide the seniors on their list with:
- a Holiday gift
- a Birthday gift
- 2 Seasonal gifts
- All gifts are given with a personal card
Under the Adopt A Senior program in NY and NJ, you can also Shop For A Senior by emailing the organization to get a wish list from the person. Then, if you are in the area, you can present the gift in person during their Annual Gift Giving Day.
Under the Home Instead Senior Care program, the Athens-Banner Herald recommends that you “visit a Christmas tree at select locations near your area, then go there and choose a “go to a Christmas tree at select locations and take an ornament featuring the name and desired gift of an older adult. The person can purchase the gift and return it wrapped or unwrapped to the same location.”
What To Get For Adopt A Senior
Here are some great ideas for gifts that adopters can give to their assigned senior.
- Gift card for groceries
- Large print books
- Personal care items
- Time with companion animals
- Angel ornaments
- Bath towel set
- Non-perishable food item (check with their nurse first!)
- Postage stamps
Or you can certainly ask for your senior’s gift requests. Who knows what may be on their Christmas lists!
