Community
SERVING SENIORS
Helping Vulnerable San Diegans Thrive
A
n important
but often
overlooked
sector of the
San Diego
community is vulnerable
seniors. Many of our
neighbors that are reaching
the golden years of theirs
lives need care that can be
demanding and expensive,
especially where there is
no family to help them.
Fortunately, the San
Diego based organization,
Serving Seniors, has
stepped in to provide the
assistance they need.
Since 1970, Serving Seniors
has been providing critical
services and programs to
low-income seniors in the
San Diego community.
Their far-reaching impact
cannot be understated.
In fact, Serving Seniors
provides more than
640,000 nutritious meals
and coordinates services
for over 5,000 individuals
each year. This is an
impressive reach, thanks to
the leadership of President
and CEO Paul Downey, who has focused on improving their
services, and their mark on the community for an astounding 24
years and counting. His passion and perseverance have allowed
the organization to vastly expand throughout San Diego.
20 GBSAN.COM | DECEMBER 2019
The organization’s main
goals are to keep low
income San Diego seniors
healthy and independent,
even when the odds are
stacked against them. But
how are these initiatives
achieved? For one, Serving
Seniors’ Gary & Mary West
Senior Wellness Center
plays a large role. Serving
as their flagship facility,
the center is home to their
programs and services
including free meals,
activities and access to
other resources. It is open
365 days a year to ensure
that individuals receive
the assistance they need,
whenever they need.
To achieve their first goal,
health, Serving Seniors
focuses on providing
meals. Not only are these
meals coordinated with
registered dieticians to
ensure they meet the
unique dietary needs of
seniors, but they offer
special dining menus.
Older adults in need can
receive these meals by
visiting one of the 15 sites across the county where they serve
breakfast and lunch, or through their delivery program for
homebound seniors. In addition to nutrition, the organization
also has a care team that provides health education, mental