The Pew Charitable Trusts has announced grants totaling more than $4.5 million over three years to Philadelphia-area nonprofits serving the region's frail elderly.

Grants were awarded to twenty-eight organizations working to preserve the dignity, independence, and quality of life of about forty-four thousand seniors — many of whom are facing economic hardship, social isolation, and health and mobility challenges. The grants are aimed at meeting four objectives: assisting seniors in meeting basic needs by helping them obtain public benefits, nutritious meals, financial counseling, and housing-related legal assistance; significantly reducing social isolation and symptoms of depression; enabling seniors to live securely and independently in their homes by providing personal care assistance, help with chores, friendly visits, and home repairs; and supporting informal caregivers through respite, training, and other services.

Recipients include the Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, which was awarded $243,000 in support of a free phone service that provides information and counseling for vulnerable seniors; Central Behavioral Health, which will receive $137,000 in continued support for its in-home mental health assessments and treatment services; Senior Community Services, which was awarded $185,000 in support of its services for low-income elderly residents in Delaware County; and Temple University, which will receive $225,000 for its Intergenerational Center's Time Out program  for caregivers.

"Over one-quarter of the Philadelphia region's six hundred and twenty-one thousand seniors age 65 or older are living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, representing an income of up to $24,000 for an individual, with many facing health issues and social isolation while struggling to make ends meet," said Pew vice president Frazierita Klasen, who oversees the trusts' work in Philadelphia. "Pew is very pleased to support local nonprofits that are helping to preserve this vulnerable population's dignity, independence, and overall quality of life."