By Geraldine Bayron-Rivera, Ph.D. | Development & Programs Planning Director
Dear Donors:
Receive our greetings on behalf of La Fondita de Jesús' family! We report our achievements in providing services to prevent homelessness among older adults in Puerto Rico from November 2024 to February 2025 with great respect.
During this quarter, we visited 51 vulnerable communities in the following 10 Puerto Rican municipalities: Bayamón, Canóvanas, Carolina, Cayey, Cidra, Humacao, Juncos, Naguabo, San Juan, and Toa Baja. Nevertheless, it is essential to mention that our organization already has a presence in more than 35 municipalities in Puerto Rico (almost 45% of the island's total cities).
A total of 462 older adults were impacted during this period. Of those, 284 were women (61%), and 178 were men (39%). These people received over 2,287 units of service. These people are 60 years or older, and one of their main challenges is needing more income to access their basic needs, including food and social, economic, housing, and health services, even with the state's medical plan. Due to the increased living costs on the island, more and more older adults are requesting support to cover said needs.
Likewise, part of this population's challenges is the abandonment of families and friends, so they require more significant support with overall hygiene or preparing food. They also need people with whom they can talk about their situations. Because of this, we have identified a feeling of isolation and loneliness in older adults since they do not have a support network that allows them to stay connected.
Other various needs were identified among these individuals. Most of them lack the knowledge and skills to access digital services regarding social services related to housing subsidies, public housing, leasing, and healthcare, being at high risk of losing their homes due to social determinants that affect their health and safety. Our staff facilitates capacity-building activities where older adults learn how to use electronic devices and the Internet and access and coordinate their appointments for housing needs and health services, thus managing loneliness and isolation. We found many older adults living in impoverished communities who had not renewed their government medical plan coverage, so many had not received medical follow-ups. Moreover, during this period, it was identified that there was a lack of access to mental health services, appointments were distant, and there were difficulties in accessing psychiatric services. It was recognized that many impacted participants do not have the financial resources to cover the deductible costs of procedures and medical studies, another healthcare disadvantage among older citizens.
Other vital challenges these older adults confronted were accessing transportation to doctor appointments, the pharmacy, or the laboratory to take care of their health needs actively. This population's greatest challenge is covering basic needs such as food, personal items, household utilities, rent payments, etc., due to their precarious socioeconomic status, which affects their quality of life. Their economic situation cannot be improved by acquiring work since access to job opportunities is not accurate for many, and employers are primarily looking for young people to hire. However, although these barriers exist in the work scenario, older adults are open to accepting volunteer opportunities to contribute their skills and talents to the different communities in the country.
During this period, isolation and loneliness workshops were implemented. We also started a support group for older adults to strengthen community cohesion, this population's comprehensive and holistic well-being, and their support networks. In this process, we have achieved active participation from community members, who have verbalized the importance of generating these spaces of care and integration for their well-being and the community.
During this period, the impacted older adults received medical evaluations and guidance on their health care while participating in 14 health fairs. It was possible to deliver Over-the-Counter medication kits to each impacted older adult, along with educational literature on the proper use of medications and other topics of great interest.
Furthermore, we have provided healthcare activities and health education services specifically aimed at older adults residing in public housing and vulnerable communities in Puerto Rico. These health fairs were collaborations with other organizations due to established alliances, thus expanding our health services' scope and benefiting more older adults living in extreme poverty. We provided hot meals, such as breakfasts and lunches, and distributed emergency grocery bags with non-perishable food and fresh products. Moreover, we have also distributed personal hygiene kits, home cleaning kits, over-the-counter medicines kits, and equipment such as walkers, adult diapers, underpads, wipes, fans, cleaning materials, clothing, and shoes, among others.
They have been receptive to participating in capacity building through art workshops, orientations, community conversations, education, and discussion tables, where they can exchange ideas and express their emotions to manage their daily lives healthily. Thus, they contribute effectively and positively to many of the organization's and the community's projects.
Workshops were provided on the following topics:
During this period, case management and community social work services were also offered through home visits, telephone calls with participants, calls with community leaders, initial interviews, follow-ups, case discussions, appointments and services coordination, document management, and internal and external referrals.
We reiterate our gratitude to you, our social investors, who believe in our mission to continue impacting the lives of those who need it most. With your support, we can achieve this and more.
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By Geraldine Bayron-Rivera, Ph.D. | Development & Programs Planning Director
By Geraldine Bayron-Rivera, Ph.D. | Development & Programs Planning Director
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