There are FIVE partnership opportunities that will support our mission: (1) Collaboration with Qualified Community Organizations (2) The Annual Fund (3) Circle of Friends (4) Community Partner Sponsorships, and (5) Media Kits for Service Providers. For your convenience, you may download specific information relevant to each opportunity.

The Senior Guidance Directory is your gift to the community. It is supported by its many community partners who are committed to improving the lives of the elderly. Without the collaborative community spirit that unites both the funding and distribution of the Directory, we could not continue to provide this vital service and fulfill our mission. Senior Guidance Directory, Inc. receives no United Way or government funding. We count on generous donations from individuals, businesses, corporations and foundations. We are “Proud of the Company We Keep” and in each publication we highlight those who support our mission.

WHY YOU SHOULD PARTNER WITH US:

Americans are living longer than ever before. But, are they living better?

In 2005, older women represented over one-half (58%) of the population aged 65 years and over, more than two thirds (69%) of the population aged 85 years and over, and 80% of the population age 100 years and over. Other studies indicate that nationally, 65% of the elderly have some form of depression accounting for 25% of all suicides.  Elderly males have the highest rate of all groups.

Elder self-neglect is a devastating reality for many of the frail elderly, and a haunting image; the inability to feed, bathe, or clothe themselves, home-bound, barely able to function, and a lack of financial resources.  Without intervention and care from family or friends, they are often victims of Elder Mistreatment (EM); a serious and growing US problem.  About 3-5 million elders suffer EM each year.  The majority of cases go unreported.  In 2005, 44,000 allegations of EM were reported in Texas; the number of reported cases in Harris county increased by 20%.   Self-neglect accounts for more than 80% of all cases and often leads to earlier death.

The Senior Guidance Directory helps by providing seniors, families, caregivers, social workers and other professionals, access to information which helps provide the services and benefits that enables our senior population to stay active, healthy and safe.  Our Directory supports families in their efforts to care for loved ones at home and in the community.  For example, the Directory contains information that:

• Helps all people, regardless of economic status, to connect with available services and benefits.
• Improves access to information about care options for older adults living in rural areas throughout Texas.
• Identifies critical services for all seniors including housing options, transportation, home health care assistance, Medicare and Medicaid.
• Supports the needs of caregivers who face added challenges due to economic limitations and time restrictions.
• Elder care now rivals child care as a workplace issue.
• In 2001, life expectancy at age 65 increased to 85 years for woman and 80 years for men. At age 85, it increases to 92 for women and 86 for men.
• Every 10.9 seconds, someone turns 60.
• Texas has more than 6,000,000 baby boomers; one-half of them just turned 60.
• Over 36 million people in the U.S. are 65+.
• Texas is the second fastest growing state of the 65+ population, with 2.2 million.
• In Harris County alone, more than 260,000 people are over 65. Of these,
  
   
  • 31% live alone
    
  • 28% have no one to turn to for help
    
  • 40% report having a disability
    
  • 10% live below the poverty level, and
    
  • another 10% are over 85.
    

Seniors and their families should not have to pay for basic information that will assist them in planning for the future or coping with and resolving a crisis. The Senior Guidance Directory is your gift to the community. It provides knowledge and hope and reduces the anxiety and guilt families experience when they are overwhelmed with trying to decipher complex elder issues.

It is a lofty goal to publish over 130,000 copies of the Senior Guidance Directory each year and to distribute them to the community for free. A $100 contribution covers the cost of publishing 30 directories that will conservatively impact the lives of 150 people.