ABOUT US.
Institute on Aging (IOA) believes the future should be something to look forward to, at every age. We bring together pioneering experts, seasoned champions and hands-on caregivers to make growing older better for Bay Area seniors and their families.
As the leading advocate for older adults and those who care for them, we offer a broad spectrum of services and support to help seniors maintain their independence as long as it is safe to do so. In addition to providing home care and case management services, we operate San Francisco’s Elder Abuse Prevention Program; The Friendship Line, a free 24-hour suicide prevention “warm” line for seniors; adult daycare centers for adults experiencing Alzheimer’s and dementia; the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which provides medical care, physical therapy and enrichment activities for older adults; and CONNECT, a free community referral service for all things elder.
Institute on Aging works to enhance the quality of life for aging adults and adults living with disabilities, enabling them to maintain their health, well-being, independence and participation in the community.
THE OPPORTUNITY.
For many of the older adults who live alone, every day brings some form of isolation and loneliness. And these days, with the onset of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing, those feelings of loneliness have grown exponentially.
Our Commitment.
Institute on Aging’s 24-hour toll-free Friendship Line is the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. We also make ongoing outreach calls to lonely older adults. While there are other organizations that respond to the needs of people who may be contemplating suicide, none provides the type of services that IOA’s Friendship Line offers to respond to the public health problem of suicide among the elderly. Knowing that older people do not contact traditional suicide prevention centers on a regular basis even if they are considering suicide, we created the only program nationwide that reaches out to lonely, depressed, isolated, frail and/or suicidal older adults. Our trained volunteers specialize in offering a caring ear and having a friendly conversation with depressed older adults.
Powered by:
