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Our Impact

What We Do

Social isolation and loneliness are public health risks that affect a significant portion of the older adult population.

Research shows that social isolation has an impact on mortality equal to smoking 15 cigarettes a day!

Social isolation and loneliness are linked to adverse health consequences including depression, cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function and impaired immunity.

Nearly half of U.S. adults report that they sometimes or always feel alone; 35% of older adults report they’re socially isolated.

 

Our Impact 

DOROT’s mission to alleviate social isolation and loneliness among older adults took on sudden, unprecedented urgency during the coronavirus pandemic, as seniors were the most vulnerable population.

 

Here are some highlights:

 

  • 5,507 older adults participated in nearly 85,000 programs, activities and volunteer connections. 

  • Volunteers from 44 states and older adults from 30 states participated in DOROT programs. 

  • More than 1,000 volunteers made ongoing Caring Calls, forming new friendships with older adults in New York City and as far away as California, Florida and Israel. 

  • Delivered 48,000 Kosher meals to 345 older adults living with food insecurity, many for the first time.

  • Nearly 3,000 older adults participated in 872 Zoom programs, moving onsite programming to a virtual format within weeks of lockdown. 

  • Volunteer Tech Coaches led more than 500 remote tech sessions with older adults eager to learn how to use a laptop, tablet or smartphone.

 

Read our Impact Report on DOROT's Intergenerational Programs HERE. 

How We Make a Difference

Social connections are life-affirming and often transformative. Our signature programs and services are designed to foster intergenerational, mutually beneficial connection to people of all ages and particularly to older adults. Administered by social workers and other professional staff with support from more than 6,000 volunteers in any given year, DOROT’s community of older adults feel valued, engaged and connected.

Programs & Services

DOROT provides older adults with many options for connection, from in-person and remote visiting, to group programs and activities on a wide array of topics from arts and culture to health and wellness, Jewish themes and current events, to assistance with getting to medical appointments and online outreach and so much more.

Intergenerational Connections

Our intergenerational programs reflect DOROT’s commitment to bring the generations together to share stories and perspectives, learn and create together and value contributions made to each other. Service-learning programs connect students with older adults to break down the barriers of ageism, promote greater understanding and respect between generations and build intergenerational communities.

Volunteer Engagement

The heart of DOROT are the volunteers, of all ages, who are recruited on an ongoing basis to make meaningful connections with older adults. They visit, call, bring holiday packages, run errands, play chess and teach how our program participants to use a computer, smartphone or tablet and to shop online and so much more.