When you are facing the trials and tribulations of life alone, something seems amiss. It’s not just a feeling though. Studies show that loneliness and social isolation are associated with higher risks for health problems such as heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline.

While many local Denver nonprofits offer help with bills, groceries and cash assistance, few offer a community of other seniors for socialization and friendship. At Denver Inner City Parish, adults 60+ find a supportive group of similarly situated seniors to attend events with, dine with, and build friendships with. 

The scenario: You or someone you know and love is an older adult on a fixed income in the Denver area and are faced with the following hurdles:

• Loneliness
• Loss of Independence
• Getting to and from the grocery store and to medical appointments
• Understanding new technologies or how to navigate this time in their life

If you were to search for “low income programs for older adults in Denver” you might find a few programs for cash assistance and even more for those who are disabled and those with annual incomes of less than $15,000.  

While financial assistance is absolutely necessary to help low income older adults in Denver make ends meet in our expensive city, why not have a program focused on camaraderie, education and building connections with your peers? 

Thankfully, Denver Inner City Parish’s older adult program provides educational classes, transportation services and social events to curb loneliness and increase community support. 

To access this program you must be: 

• 60 years or age or older
• Live within 5 miles of our office at 1212 Mariposa Street, Denver, CO 80204

Our Parish Seniors program operates at our office Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM with a hot meal served at 11:00 am. 

We also host fun and educational day trips two times a month with transportation included. 

In addition to trips and togetherness we also offer: 

• Educational classes for financial wellness, technology support, Medicare and Medicaid assistance and eating healthy
• Food boxes with healthy offerings for 1-2 people delivered to your door or available for pickup at our office
• Safe and reliable transportation to medical appointments and our office

Our older adult programs have proved to be very popular and your volunteer time and donations allow us to meet an overwhelming need and even expand our offerings to help more program participants with expanded hours. 

Education Tailored To Older Adults Just Makes Sense

If you want to learn about something, you might ask a colleague, a friend, or find a YouTube video to help you. But low income older adults may not have these resources and connections. 

Some people are visual learners but many people, especially those over 60 years old appreciate in person, hands-on learning. That’s why Denver Inner City Parish offers local and live classes with friendly instructors. Whether it’s understanding how to operate a cell phone or find information online, get the answers you need alongside other older adults with similar concerns and questions. 

Getting Groceries as an Older Adult is Harder 

• Higher prices but lower incomes living on Social Security and fixed retirement accounts
• Navigating busy stores with more self checkouts than helpful employees
• Store coupons that can only be accessed with an app on your smartphone
• Driving to the store and loading your groceries when access to a vehicle is limited due to financial or physical restraints. 

Denver Inner City Parish understands these challenges and offers food boxes available for pickup at our building or via delivery to your door. 

Transportation Costs For Older Adults

Even if mobility is not an issue, transportation costs for older adults can be staggering when you add in: 

• The cost of maintenance: oil and filter changes and repairs. 
• Cost of gas
• Car insurance in Colorado is extremely high due to our high rate of uninsured drivers, car theft and road rage. 

We encourage older adults with limited resources in West Denver in search of connection and community to come and check out our Parish Seniors Program in person.

To learn more about our older adult programs, click here. 

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