‘One Call for Wellness’ a Result of the Senior Center Innovation Grant

Cleveland, OH – Today, County Executive Budish and Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS) announced the launch of  "One Call for Wellness", - a coordinated programming initiative, that provides a one-stop-shop for supporting older adults in Cuyahoga County.

Just one call to a central number will connect staff at senior centers, senior apartment buildings and other senior service organizations with programs for their senior clientele. These programs cover: Financial Wellness; Nutrition Education, Health and Wellness, and Aging Mastery.

"Initiatives like One Call for Wellness equips professionals who work with older adults with the tools and programs needed help our older residents to age at home, rather than an institution, and to empower seniors to take an active role in their own successful aging," said County Executive Budish.

The pilot project is a partnership among Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, the City of Cleveland Department of Aging, ESOP, Fairhill Partners, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and Rose Centers for Aging Well, LLC. This initiative is funded in part through a Senior Center Innovation Grant awarded by the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services through the Health and Human Services Levy.

"We know that senior centers, senior apartments, and municipal offices on aging need a more coordinated, cost-effective approach to providing services to their clientele. One Call for Wellness provides such an opportunity," said DSAS Administrator Dr. Richard Jones. “Having a one-stop-shop approach like One Call for Wellness, will make it easier for seniors to access the programs that give them a path to economic security, and healthy living that reduces social isolation.”

The National Council on Senior Centers estimates that one in six seniors are at risk for social isolation, which can often lead to debilitating illnesses like chronic depression, heart disease, cognitive decline and an increase risk of suicide.

For more information on One Call for Wellness programs, and to make a request, visit www.benrose.org/onecall or call 216-373-1978.