You asked for examples of elderly services specifically for Latino seniors in other states.

SUMMARY

There are a variety of programs aimed specifically at Latino (Hispanic) seniors in other states. These programs are listed below. Most of the programs are local, not statewide, but Latino seniors are eligible for every listed state's elderly programs to the same extent as other seniors. The Older Americans Act requires Area Agency on Aging programs to target their services to seniors most in need of financial help or social services, which often includes Latino seniors. Consequently, the area agencies provide grants to the majority of programs listed below, according to area agencies in each listed state and personnel at some of the organizations.

California, Florida, and New York have several elderly programs aimed at Latino seniors. Generally, these three states have some type of senior center. California and New York both have organizations that offer hot meals, in-home programs, and a variety of informational sessions on important topics concerning the elderly. Florida is developing a nutritional program and currently offers a job placement program.

Other states have one or two elderly programs specifically targeting Latino seniors. Ohio, Nebraska, and the District of Columbia have Hispanic senior centers. Illinois and Wisconsin have Latino community centers that provide seniors with hot meals and adult daycare. Pennsylvania offers a legal advice service specifically for Latino seniors.

CALIFORNIA

1. The Mexican American Community Service Agency (MACSA) is a nonprofit entity that provides a variety of services to the Hispanic community and the elderly. It offers an adult daycare program and has two housing facilities for low-income seniors (http: //www. macsa. org).

2. The International Institute of Los Angeles provides a comprehensive array of social services to all ethnic groups, including Latino seniors. It offers adult daycare, 10 dining centers, transportation, legal assistance, translation, health-screenings, and home-delivered meals. The organization also provides in-home services. It provides all its services in Spanish (http: //www. iilosangeles. org).

3. The Casa Familiar is a multi-service, nonprofit entity that has a variety of programs, including a senior luncheon. This program allows seniors to make a small donation in exchange for an opportunity to eat with other seniors in their community (http: //www. casafamiliar. org).

FLORIDA

1. Unidad/Miami Beach Hispanic Community Center is a nonprofit entity that provides job placement services for Latino seniors. It has just received funding to open a senior center and plans to begin a nutrition program in the near future (http: //www. mbhcc. org).

2. Little Havana, located in Miami, is a senior center for the Hispanic elderly.

3. Hispanic Foundations is a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of services to Hispanics. It offers transportation and translation services (http: //www. hispanicfoundations. org).

NEW YORK

1. Adelante is located in Albany. It provides a nutritional program to Hispanic seniors. The program offers low cost nutritional meals to seniors including those who are homebound. The organization also offers counseling and informational sessions on topics, including low-income housing, health, Medicare and Medicaid, and elderly abuse (http: //www. adelantesc. org/main. asp).

2. Casita Maria is a multi-service organization located in New York City. It houses two senior centers that provide meals, recreational activities, and social services. It also operates the homebound senior program, which consists of home visits by peers who provide companionship and advocacy (http: //www. casita. us).

3. Casa Boricua is a Hispanic senior center located in New York City.

4. Racies is a nonprofit entity that administers six senior centers throughout Brooklyn and Queens. It also offers an adult daycare program, support groups for grandparents, numerous access and entitlement programs, immigration services, elder abuse prevention services, a food stamp outreach program, Alzheimer's support groups, senior leadership programs, and English courses. The entity also offers a licensed outpatient mental health clinic (http: //www. sseraices. org).

5. Latino Gerontological Center is a nonprofit advocacy organization located in New York City. It advocates to improve the lives of Hispanic seniors and provides educational resources for the Hispanic elderly (http: //www. gerolatino. org).

OTHER STATES

Other states have one or two programs specifically geared toward the Latino elderly population. They include:

1. The Hispanic Senior Center, located in Ohio, helps limited English-speaking elderly access a variety of basic human services such as transportation and hot meals (http: //www. ohioseniors. com).

2. Educational Organization for United Latin Americans (EOFULA) is a senior center, located in the District of Columbia, that provides hot meals, translation, and transportation (http: //www. eofula. org).

3. The Hispanic Senior Center is a senior center for Hispanics located in Nebraska.

4. The Senior Law Center located in Pennsylvania has created the Hispanic Elderly Legal Project. This project provides bilingual legal services on housing issues, consumer issues, elder abuse, and advanced planning issues (http: //www. seniorlawcenter. org).

5. Communities United Supporting the Latino Elderly, also located in Pennsylvania, is administered by the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly. It is staffed by bilingual counselors who provide free telephone and onsite consultation about resources, services and benefits for the elderly (http: //www. carie. org/programs/programs_elderlylatino. php).

6. The United Community Center located in Wisconsin provides adult daycare, hot meals, and housing. It also has a senior center (http: //www. unitedcc. org).

7. Casa Central located in Illinois is a community organization that offers a variety of services to a variety people, including the elderly. It offers a senior center, home care services, adult daycare, a foster grandparents program, and an over 55 employment program (http: //www. casacentral. org).

OLR Report 2006-R-0757 describes Latino elderly programs in Connecticut.

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