Aging in Place in Port Richmond

In response to an increasing statewide demand to support seniors in remaining independent and safe in their home settings, Catholic Health Care Services (CHCS), a non-profit organization located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, plans to develop within the next year a program in the Port Richmond neighborhood located in North Philadelphia for the aging population. CHCS is a non-profit provider of skilled nursing services that operates six skilled nursing homes and adult daycare programs while managing independent assisted living facilities on behalf of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In collaboration with United Way and the Jewish Federation, CHCS operates a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) in the Rhawnhurst section of Philadelphia. The goal of the program is to provide easy access to health care, social services, and activities that enhance the ability of seniors to live independently while strengthening their connection to the larger surrounding community. CHCS plans to utilize NORC's framework to extend their services to the neighborhood of Port Richmond to assist its aging population to remain in their homes by providing integrated health care and social services. The outcome will reduce fragmentation in health care services through case management and service coordination, while creating an age-friendly environment that might help enhance the cognitive and emotional well-being of seniors.