Did you know that there are approximately 9,000 seniors residing in Ward 2, and that in 2008 over four persons per day turned 60 years of age in the District, qualifying them to be a senior? At Emmaus Services for the Aging, we understand that with key support in just a few areas, seniors can age with grace, dignity, and a well maintained quality of life. However, many seniors throughout Ward 2 of the District of Columbia are struggling.

            According to the DC Office on Aging Customer Service and Community Affairs Unit, some of the major needs facing these seniors are access to proper nutrition, case management and counseling services, and home improvement services for seniors who live in houses. Our presence in the community leads our staff members to believe that improving health and wellness and breaking social isolation are vital in addressing the needs of low-income seniors in Ward 2.

            Our staff knows that poverty and hunger are very serious problems in Ward 2 and its connecting neighborhoods, particularly among seniors. The majority of the seniors we currently serve in this community live on a monthly income that is well below the 2009 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guideline. Research shows that numerous social problems, including poor health, are tied to neighborhoods with high-poverty levels. With the rising cost of rent, utilities, food, and medical care, many seniors in Ward 2 are finding their financial abilities inadequate for their needs, and increasingly encounter the challenge of choosing between competing necessities. If you know of a senior who is struggling in Ward 2, or anywhere in the District, please contact our agency so we can connect them with the support and services they need.