Too often, older adults are forced to put their health on hold as priorities and challenges shift with age. Appointments are difficult to get to, information about support can be confusing, and routine checkups fall through the cracks. At Jewish Community Council of Greater Coney Island (JCCGCI), we are proud to have partnered with True Care and Pod Health to host a day of wellness right at our Coney Island Seaside Older Adult Center, making care accessible and ensuring that for our community, health is a priority, not an afterthought.

This September JCCGCI was thrilled to welcome representatives from True Care and POD Health to our Coney Island Seaside Older Adult Center for an invigorating morning of wellness and connection. Older adults from across the neighborhood gathered to learn from the True Care representatives, who handed our informational materials about how to take care of their health as new risks and obstacles arise, as well as about their home care services and how members and their families can connect with them.

True Care is a licensed home care agency that has served families across New York City and Westchester for more than 15 years, with a mission of helping older adults and people with disabilities live at home independently and with dignity. Its services include home health aides, skilled nursing care, private care, and support services, delivered by caregivers who speak more than 13 languages. For our members, having the resources they have access to explained to them simply and in a familiar environment served as a quintessential reminder that help is within reach for families in need of support.

Alongside True Care, representatives from POD Health brought pivotal health information and expertise right to the door of our community. Throughout the morning, their team provided free blood pressure screenings to members, giving them a quick and comfortable way to check in on an often overlooked determinant on the wellbeing of our older adults. For many older adults, regular check-ins like these are one of the simplest and most important ways to stay on top of their health, and by offering them in a trusted space, POD Health made it easy for our members to take that step with confidence.

POD Health is a healthcare organization that pairs technology with personalized care, offering services such as telehealth, remote patient monitoring, and chronic care management. Through its community health initiatives, it also helps individuals navigate social services and overcome barriers to accessing the care that they need.

What took place at our wellness fair was more than a visit; it was a reminder that caring for our older adults means caring for the whole person: their health, their joy, and their sense of belonging. Members enjoyed a tasty meal together, sharing stories and catching up with friends as an incredible violinist captivated the room with her performance of familiar classics. At JCCGCI we work every day to create spaces where our older adults can lift the weight off of their shoulders and truly revel in the comfort of community and care, and our partners at True Care and Pod Health continue to make that mission possible, helping us ensure that every older adult feels valued and empowered to live a healthier and more fulfilling life.

“We’re so grateful to work with organizations that recognize the importance of supporting our older adults,” said Grace Brandi, Managing Director of JCCGCI’s Older Adult Centers. “Access to health information and resources can make a real difference in their lives, and we want our members to know that their wellbeing matters and that there are resources available to help them through challenging times.”

We are grateful to True Care and Pod Health for joining us in creating a memorable morning for our community, and we are especially thankful for their very generous donation to JCCGCI. Gifts like this directly strengthen our ability to serve the older adults who rely on us every day, helping us keep our programs vibrant and our centers packed with warmth and connection. On behalf of our entire community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to both organizations for their kindness, their commitment, and their belief in the work that we do. We also thank our dedicated Coney Island Seaside Older Adult Center staff, whose care and hard work made this day possible.

Partnerships like this one remind us that no one should have to navigate aging alone. When community organizations and healthcare partners show up together, older adults are met with the support and resources that they need to live a long, healthy, and dignified life.

👉 Want to partner with JCCGCI to see how we can support New Yorkers together? Visit https://www.jccgci.org/programs/partner-with-us/