2018 Senior Resource Day Set in Palm Springs

Aging in America today looks far different than it did just a decade ago. Seniors are working throughout their golden years, are living longer, and many are choosing to age in place. As baby boomers hit the 65 and older mark, the share of seniors in the U.S. is rising drastically and some need to know that if they need a specific resource how and where they might access it.

To that end, the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission, in partnership with Mizell Senior Center, will present its inaugural 2018 Senior Resource Day on Tuesday, Oct. 23. The 8:30 a.m. – noon event at the Mizell Senior Center, 480 S. Sunrise Way, is free and will feature continental breakfast and an abundance of resource information for baby boomers and seniors 50 years of age and older.

It actually began with a discussion between Palm Springs City Councilmembers Geoff Kors and Christy Holstege, said Ginny Foat, executive director of Mizell Senior Center.

“At one of their sub-committees, in which they were discussing referrals for services for seniors, it came up that there was not really a central place,” Foat said. “They asked the Human Rights Commission and Mizell to take it on as a project and we did.”

Kors told Uken Report that he asked the Human Rights Commission to focus on senior issues this year and by working together they came up with ways the city could proactively help seniors.

“Councilmember Holstege and I created an ad hoc committee to work with the Commission and organizations working with seniors. We held a meeting with these organizations to get input and decided that it would be beneficial to create an event where all of the organizations could present what services they offered to our senior community,” Kors said. “Part of the event will be time for individuals to meet directly with the service providers. There are so many wonderful organizations and resources and we want to help connect people to them. We are so fortunate to have such a vibrant senior population and organizations focused on seniors and connecting them is a wonderful opportunity. I think the city can be a terrific conduit, providing our residents with information and opportunities.”

Several local agencies will be on hand to offer senior citizens along with their families and caregivers helpful information and a resource for everything from Meals on Wheels to securing an advocate.

The agencies include:

Aging Disability Resource Connection
Alzheimers Coachella Valley
Desert Oasis Healthcare
Jewish Family Services of the Desert
Mizell Senior Center Meals on Wheels and Fall Prevention
The LGBTQ Center
Palm Springs Police Department
Riverside County Office on Aging
Senior Advocates of the Desert
Senior Living Options
Veterans Assistance Benefits

“We hope that all attendees will find the specific and most relevant solutions to enhancing the quality of their lives,” Human Rights Commissioner Jim Gross said in a prepared statement.