50+ Lifestyles

Be a Friend of CASI

By Laura Kopp
CASI President/CEO
Center for Active Seniors, Inc. (CASI)

Dear Friend,

They say it takes a village to raise a child.  But who takes care of the villagers once they have raised our children?  More than 3.5 million adults will turn age 65 this year. By the year 2025, 1 in 4 adults in the Quad Cities will be over the age of 65. Yet, funding priorities and legislation continue to overlook our community’s fastest growing and increasingly vulnerable population.

Research shows that:

• Approximately 1 in 10 Americans over 60 have experienced some form of elder abuse
• Only 1 in 23 incidents of elder abuse actually come to the attention of law enforcement or human service agencies.
• Almost 45 percent of older adults over age 65 in Iowa live alone
• Older adults make up 12% of the US population, but account for 18 percent of all suicide deaths

But the same research shows that older adults who have access to the services and supports offered through Senior Centers, like CASI, report more meaningful relationships, better health outcomes, improved mental health, and overall greater life satisfaction.

Over the past twelve months, with the support of our Friends of CASI:

1,338 older adults were served through our Senior Advocacy program, connecting Older Adults with services needed need to remain independent in their home for as long as is safe and healthy. At the end of fiscal year 2016, over 97 percent of our advocacy clients remained independent in their homes.

100 individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias were served in our Jane’s Place Adult Day Services program. Caregivers have called this program a life saver in their care of loved ones with dementia.

7,700 activities focusing on CASI’s three pillars of successful aging; socialization, health/wellness and supportive
services were offered to Quad City older adults.

With shifting funding priorities and the needs of seniors continuing to be virtually invisible, it is critical, now more than ever, that we build a village where older adults can age successfully.  So how can you help us carry forth our mission and help the Quad Cities age successfully?

Consider the options below:

• $100 Donation covers one month of service through the Senior Advocacy program.
• $60 Donation covers one day’s service at Jane’s Place Adult Day Services program
• $30 Donation covers one senior’s annual membership fee

From all of us at CASI, we thank you for your support this past year and look forward to an even more amazing year in 2018.