Jean Murphy sits in front of a laptop in her home, blowing softly into a toy recorder like a child in a virtual music class run by Naples Senior Center. The 92-year-old with dementia no longer has activities and friends to see outside of her home because of COVID-19. The senior center — her lifeline …
A 90-year-old Naples woman continues to spend every day helping others. Dorrie Karnis is one member of a small local army helping to bag and deliver hot meals and groceries every Wednesday to 50 seniors stuck at home because of the pandemic. She’s been volunteering at the Naples Senior Center since its doors opened in …
Hurricane season is not over yet, and researchers are calling for more preparations at nursing homes to protect seniors. A study shows hundreds of people in Florida nursing homes likely died indirectly from Hurricane Irma in 2017. Researchers want to see some changes at nursing homes in Florida before the next big storm. Searchers at USF and …
Naples Senior Center, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive programs and social services for seniors, has been awarded a $75,000 grant from Moorings Park Foundation. These funds will be used for a multi-faceted support program for caregivers of family members with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia to connect with one another, receive group support, socialization …
Collier County commissioners on Tuesday approved $12 million of CARES Act funding for community health and services. The money will go to hospitals, emergency health services, elder care, and nonprofits, ensuring more people will get the help they need – and employees will get to keep their jobs. Getting furloughed from the St. Matthew’s House …
During National Senior Center Month, we honor the crucial role that senior centers play in combatting social isolation and loneliness faced by so many older adults. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are highlighting how senior centers have quickly pivoted to provide these vital connections remotely. In normal times, senior centers are a …
The eBella Extra – Engaging In Issues Between The Issues Acceptance and Routine Seniors cope through COVID by staying connected by Julia Browning Everyone forced to unexpectedly isolate because of the COVID-19 pandemic has suffered the loss of the life they expected to be living. For senior citizens, who already face the threat of isolation …
Coronavirus combined with job loss and the financial impact on Southwest Florida has created a dire need. The doors are closed at The Naples Senior Center at JFCS, but with the pandemic keeping many seniors inside, their food pantry’s services have never been more critical. That’s why every Wednesday, volunteers step in to help the …
Florida has reported more than 10,000 cases of COVID-19 seven times in the past two weeks. Four of those days were all in a row, from this past Friday through Monday. Southwest Florida added 613 more cases Monday, bringing its total cases since March to more than 20,000. More positive cases are especially bad news …
Self-isolation during COVID-19 is creating a lot of feelings of loneliness in the community, especially for senior citizens. Having a furry friend around can help, but not everyone can handle a traditional pet. The solution? Robotic dogs and cats. “Fluffy” barks, pants, yawns, whines, growls and wags his tail. Most importantly, he keeps Dolores Fell …
By J.C. Amodea Maintaining independence for seniors is one of life’s most challenging issues and one each of us must face, either on behalf of family or, at some point, ourselves. Whether it is facing a life transition, overcoming grief or loss, food insecurity, financial need or dwindling social opportunities, it is a fact of …
The eBella Extra – Engaging In Issues Between The Issues Staying Connected, Now More Than Ever Naples Senior Center continues to help seniors gain interconnectivity by Julia Browning Not going into work, difficulty leaving the house, being separated from family and friends — these are situations a community under quarantine is painfully familiar with. …