Sewickley Valley YMCA

Valley Care Foundation, acting then as the Valley Care Endowment, has financially supported the Sewickley Valley YMCA since 2018, helping this important community resource better serve older adults.

During this time, the Sewickley Valley YMCA has greatly expanded its services. Through Faith in Action, Senior Central, and other YMCA programs, seniors can get help to live independently, obtain food and transportation, and be part of the community.

Community Outreach and Referrals

Over 300 adults over 65, their caregivers, or adult children call the YMCA with questions each year. When needed, a YMCA team member visits the older adult at home. This lets them assess the person’s home, health, and general abilities, allowing them to make appropriate service referrals to this new client.

Transportation to a doctor’s office or rehab appointment is the most common request. These clients are connected with a trained, screened, volunteer from Faith in Action who drives them — for free — to and from their destination. This often develops into an ongoing relationship, where the driver checks in regularly with the client and provides social support.

Older adults also call about food support. Faith in Action volunteers deliver boxes of fresh dairy, fruit, vegetables, meat, and pantry staples from Quaker Valley Food to Families, the YMCA’s community food program.

“Nutrition is affected by many issues,” said Heather Ochman, Faith in Action Director. “Can someone physically get to the store, shop for food, get home, and put it away?” “Without a car, they are limited by what they can carry while walking.”

Senior Central also provides information about senior activities, in-home nursing, health care, housing, and insurance.

“We help close the gaps for people. Help them reach their next step,” said Kara Russo, Community Resource Coordinator.

Staying Safe

During intake interviews, team members have noticed safety issues, and even identified a dangerous situation as a result of a carbon monoxide leak. With financial support from the Valley Care Foundation, the YMCA has started a new program, Safe at Home.

Team members are certified to conduct in-home assessments and identify safety hazards, educate residents, and suggest improvements. These might involve better lighting, non-skid rugs, grab bars, or handrails. If repairs are needed, the YMCA will connect clients with certified contractors, at an affordable rate.

Technical Help

The YMCA is also launching a program to pair older adults with tech-savvy high school students. The students will show them how to use assistive features on their phones, and how to call for rides and food deliveries.

Social and Physical Fitness

As a handicapped-accessible facility, the Sewickley Valley YMCA is a place that many older people seek out. They take exercise classes focused on balance, flexibility, strength, and mobility, along with wellness programs to build strength and manage chronic conditions. There are also events and group meetings that promote fellowship, fun, and learning.

“The Y is a senior center, but it is also part of the Sewickley community,” said Trish Hooper, CEO of the Sewickley YMCA. “We take our outreach and education services to where people live, to help them age in a healthy way, productive and connected to the community. Aging happens to all of us, but we try to give our participants dignity and involvement into how they age.”