A nice article that sums up the benefits of living in a senior community helps to highlight why it’s so important to think about our future needs and comforts as we age. Unfortunately, those living at Fellowship House typically have little choice in planning ahead – due to their very limited incomes, few resources and the scarcity of housing that they can afford.
The Washington, DC area is one of the most expenses places to live in the country. It’s not practical to think that older adults who can’t afford to live here should just move somewhere else. Besides the costs of making such a move, many of their families reside in this area; it’s a place that they themselves were raised; and most importantly, how would an older person who has few resources know how to navigate such a major life-changing move to a more affordable part of the country. So, thousands of older adults in our region need affordable places to live.
While we are working fervently to identify a location for a new senior affordable apartment building, hundreds sit on our Wait List for an apartment to become available – and the typical waiting period is more than five years long!
Though the development of a new building takes years to complete (the Lake Anne House took more than seven years!), Fellowship Square does address the immediate needs – and comforts – of our 850 residents who call our buildings home.
Through numerous programs, partnerships, events and services, we provide a range of daily, weekly and monthly assistance that meet both residents’ critical needs – like food, transportation, medical and healthcare requirements – to activities for their social, spiritual and intellectual well-being.
At this time of year, with joy and celebration all around us, it’s hard to imagine an older adult who struggles to get by, who doesn’t have the comfort and care they need, or even a kind word to lift their spirits. At Fellowship Square this is not the case – we work every day to see that needs are met – and put a smile on residents’ faces.
I hope you’ll take a moment to consider getting involved in our mission – as a volunteer or partner, or as a donor – to help us continue to deliver on our promise of quality living for older adults regardless of their ability to pay.
Thank you for making this year a success and this season memorable for us all. If you haven’t already made your year-end tax-deductible contribution to Fellowship Square, I urge you to do so today.
With gratitude,
Christy Zeitz
CEO