Serving Seniors Celebrates 50 Years of Advocacy and Support for Older Adults, honors Dr. Alice McDonnell

SCRANTON, PA — Serving Seniors, Inc., a nonprofit leader in advocating for and protecting vulnerable older adults in Northeastern Pennsylvania, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a commemorative dinner on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at La Buona Vita in Dunmore.

Founded in the early 1970s as Interfaith Friends, the organization began as a grassroots coalition of faith leaders and volunteers working to improve the quality of life for those in long-term care facilities. In 1975, the group formally reorganized as Serving Seniors, expanding its mission to include a broad range of services aimed at empowering and protecting older adults across the region.

“For half a century, Serving Seniors has worked to ensure dignity, safety, and voice for some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Executive Director David Falchek. “The needs of the older adult population haven’t gone away—and are likely greater now than ever.”

The organization will honor long-time advocate Dr. Alice McDonnell, professor at Marywood University and recognized expert in gerontology and hospice, with its Legacy of Care Award.

Serving Seniors provides long-term care ombudsman services in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, advocating for residents of skilled nursing and personal care facilities. In addition, the agency offers guardianship and power of attorney services, and serves as a patient advocate for older adults recently discharged from hospitals, particularly those with chronic or complicating conditions.

The 50th Anniversary Dinner will bring together community partners, volunteers, and supporters to reflect on the organization’s impact and renew its commitment to protecting and uplifting the aging population in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Tickets for the event are available at https://ticketstripe.com/serving50.For sponsorship opportunities or more information, visit https://servingseniorsnepa.org or call (570) 574-4045.

Serving Seniors Inc. Earns Prestigious SAGECare Certification, Enhancing Inclusive Care 

Scranton, PA — Serving Seniors Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to providing compassionate services for older adults in Northeastern Pennsylvania, has achieved the Platinum level SAGECare certification, the highest level awarded by SAGECare. This milestone represents Serving Seniors’ commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for LGBTQ+ older adults, ensuring that all individuals receive the dignified, informed, and equitable care they deserve. 

SAGECare, an initiative of SAGE (Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders), provides training and consultation to organizations nationwide, guiding them in the best practices for supporting LGBTQ+ older adults. The Platinum level certification signifies that 80% or more of Serving Seniors’ staff has undergone comprehensive training, equipping them with the skills and insights necessary to understand and meet the unique needs of LGBTQ+ elders. The certification also attests to Serving Seniors’ commitment to continuously improving its inclusivity practices across all service areas.

“We are incredibly honored to earn SAGECare’s certification,” said David Falchek, Executive Director of Serving Seniors Inc. “This achievement reflects our dedication to inclusive, person-centered care for all members of our community. With SAGECare training, we ensure that our team is well-prepared to serve LGBTQ+ older adults with sensitivity, respect, and empathy and use what we have learned to better serve everyone.”

As part of the training, Serving Seniors’ ombudsman, patient advocacy and guardianship team members explored critical topics related to LGBTQ+ aging, including challenges surrounding health disparities, social isolation, discrimination, and housing insecurity. Through these sessions, Serving Seniors strengthened its mission to address the complex needs of older adults with a culturally informed approach that values each individual’s unique identity and experiences.

This achievement is a significant step in furthering Serving Seniors’ longstanding mission to enhance the quality of life for older adults across Northeastern Pennsylvania, fostering a compassionate, inclusive environment where all seniors feel safe, valued, and supported. The organization remains committed to expanding its inclusive practices and will continue to build partnerships and invest in programs that empower seniors of all backgrounds.

For more information about Serving Seniors Inc. and the services they provide, visit https://servingseniorsnepa.org. To learn more about SAGECare and its initiatives, please visit https://sagecare.org.

About Serving Seniors Inc.
Serving Seniors Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, dedicated to enhancing the lives of older adults through high-quality, compassionate services. For almost half a century, the organization has supported aging individuals with various services and programs designed to improve well-being, independence, and social connectivity within the community.