Family Services received a $10,000 grant from the VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn in support of Project HEARTH (Helping Elderly Adults Remain in Their Homes) recently.

Created in 1994, Family Services’ Project HEARTH links elderly adults who are healthy enough to live in their own homes with in-home and community-based support services that help them to remain independent. These support services are available to older adults (age 60 and up) who live in the greater Norristown, North Penn and Pottstown areas.

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“What makes Project HEARTH unique is its two main components: mental health counseling and volunteer support services,” said Kelly Brown, Family Services’ director of programs and services.

Through the mental health component of Project HEARTH, a licensed clinical social worker visits seniors in their own homes to help them cope with anxiety, depression, chronic illness, isolation, loneliness, and loss.

“The presence of depressive and anxiety disorders in seniors often adversely affects the course and complicates the treatment of other chronic diseases,” said Brown. “Many seniors do not access traditional mental health services because they are isolated, physically frail, impoverished, or have transportation difficulties. Through Project HEARTH, seniors can receive treatment, support, information and referrals while in the comfort of their own homes.”

Through the second component of Project HEARTH, dedicated volunteers provide seniors with concrete support services, such as transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping assistance, friendly visiting, telephone reassurance, and minor home repairs. These support services allow seniors to stay connected with the community and improves their emotional well-being.

“Thanks to the generous support of the VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn, Family Services’ Project HEARTH can continue to assist seniors in the greater North Penn area who are at significant risk of institutionalization so that they can remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible,” said Brown.

For more information on counseling through Project HEARTH, please contact Deborah Harris at 610-630-2111 ext. 240 or dharris@fsmontco.org. For more information on Project HEARTH’s volunteer support services, please contact Aaron Shostak, volunteer coordinator, at 610-326-1610 ext. 335 or ashostak@fsmontco.org.

About VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn

The VNA Foundation of Greater North Penn, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt public charity, invests in organizations that have the capacity to strengthen individuals and families along a continuum of need. The Foundation contributes toward the health and well-being of those who reside in the Greater North Penn region of Montgomery County, PA. This health conversion foundation continues the legacy of the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association in building stronger and healthier communities for generations to come.

About Family Services

Since 1900, Family Services has been caring for children, seniors and families in Montgomery County who face everyday emotional difficulties or physical hardships. With more than 15 social service programs targeting Montgomery County residents, Family Services strives to achieve three goals: people have improved life prospects; families function adaptively; and clients reduce risks to achieving and maintaining self-sufficiency. Family Services’ innovative social service programs make a positive difference in the lives of 12,000 Montgomery County residents each year. For more information on Family Services, call 610-630-2111 or visit fsmontco.org.

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