Of adults over age 65 in San Francisco live alone
7%
Of older adults spend one hour or less socializing with friends or family in one week
19%
Of San Franciscans over 60 require assistance with socialization
By 2030, nearly 30% of San Francisco’s population will be 60 or older. For older adults who live alone, social isolation is a health risk comparable to factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and possibly even smoking.
Metta Fund supports San Francisco nonprofits to advocate for better data-gathering so senior service-providers across the City can more effectively connect older adults to programs in their community. We also provide organizations with the resources to pilot and evaluate new programs – such as helping elders use technology to stay in touch with friends and family.
The organizations we support are working to:
- Minimize the challenges and barriers that older adults experience accessing technology, including cost and literacy, and increase their comfort with computers and mobile devices
- Support community-based programs that collaborate with health care and social services agencies, to provide integrated care options for older adults
- Increase opportunities for older adults to be socially active in their homes and communities, places where they feel safe and able to make authentic human connections