Iona Senior Services Launches Supportive Amenities Program at Regency House

IONA SENIOR SERVICES TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM SUPPORT TO REGENCY HOUSE RESIDENTS

WASHINGTON, DC (March 7, 2023) — On March 15, Iona Senior Services will begin its Supportive Amenities Program to provide critical services for residents of the Regency House, the only public housing for older adults in Ward 3 in Washington, DC. Iona’s new initiative is made possible with support from the DC Housing Authority (DCHA) and the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL). The Regency House is a senior public housing development with 160 apartments.

“It is a privilege to partner with the residents of the Regency House on this new initiative,” says Iona’s CEO, Joon Bang. “The district’s older adult community experience higher levels of isolation, food and income insecurity compared to the national average, and we want to bring our services and programs directly to them to meet their needs where they are. We are thrilled to be able to offer these extremely important services that will not only provide a lifeline to those lacking resources but help build community and social connections in the process.”

“DACL is proud to support Iona in this endeavor, as we recognize the importance of providing access to essential services that enable older adults to maintain their independence and quality of life,” said Charon P.W. Hines, DACL’s acting director. “With the Supportive Amenities Program, seniors at Regency House will have access to a range of services, including wellness programs, health education, and transportation assistance, among others. We know that this program will greatly enhance the lives of seniors in our community, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Iona to promote healthy aging for all.”

DCHA’s Director Brenda Donald says, “Iona’s longstanding history supporting seniors in Ward 3 makes them an ideal service provider for Regency House. DCHA looks forward to working with Iona to support the growth and empowerment of the Regency House Resident Council and to increase resident participation in social events, fitness activities and other programs to decrease resident isolation.”

The Supportive Amenities Program will provide crucial services to the community living in Regency House. Iona will provide a lengthy list of support and resources including:

• Nutrition and Meals – Providing hot, midday meals each weekday in a congregate dining Residents will have access to fresh produce each week through a partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank and Feed the Family. Iona will also provide one- on-one nutrition counseling and group nutrition education.
• Social Work Support – An on-site social worker will be available to connect with services such as SNAP, home-delivered meals, benefits applications and more.
• Transportation – Weekly group transportation will be provided for residents to improve access to groceries, shopping, and leisure.
• Wellness Classes – Twice-weekly wellness programming will be available through Around Town
• Health Clinics – Weekly group health clinics and one-on-one support will be provided in partnership with local primary care physicians and local universities featuring blood pressure checks, hearing and vision screenings, memory screening, and more.
• Residence Life – Residents, along with a program manager, will co-create a Residence Life model of support, creating meaningful connections with neighbors.

About Iona Senior Services: Founded in 1975, Iona Senior Services is a nonprofit in the District of Columbia that helps more than 4,500 older adults and caregivers each year as they experience the challenges and opportunities of aging. Iona educates, advocates, and provides community-based services to help people age well and live well. For more information, visit www.iona.org.

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