Nonprofit For Seniors Will Be Back In-Person In The UWS Tuesday

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Seniors want to get in on the summer fun, and that is exactly what they will be able to do again in-person at DOROT, a nonprofit dedicated to New York’s aging population, which will have its first live social event Tuesday since the height of pandemic.

After bringing its services to the young at heart virtually for the last two years, DOROT, which means generations in Hebrew, according to a spokeswoman, will open its doors again at 171 West 85 St. from 2 to 4 p.m.

“This is a moment we’ve been waiting for since the early days of the pandemic,” Mark Meridy, executive director of DOROT, said to Patch via email. “Magic happens when people are able to come together in-person and share their experiences. We can’t wait to welcome older adults and teens back to DOROT and see their smiling faces.”

Since its founding, DOROT has matched seniors with younger volunteers to combat social isolation, which has an impact on mortality and is linked to adverse health consequences including depression, cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function and impaired immunity, according to research by the organization.

“These opportunities to create social connections for older adults are the antidote to … loneliness, which can often lead to devastating physical and emotional consequences,” said Meridy. “We planned this event carefully considering Covid concerns. We’ll use this and other activities happening throughout the summer to help us frame our programming as we head into the fall.”

Next week’s Summer Social will be one of more than a dozen in-person events to be offered over the next couple of months, according to the organization. Several hands-on activities are planned for the event, including art making, tech coaching and card making.

DOROT conducted a survey and found more than half of respondents are either very comfortable or somewhat comfortable attending indoor gatherings and events, so the organization is using the summer as a pilot period and will adjust as needed.

Since 65 percent of those surveyed said Covid-related safety concerns have limited their social activities, strict safety protocols will be in place, including providing proof of vaccination and mandatory masks.

Additional in-person events scheduled for the summer include storytelling workshops, LGBTQ+ discussion groups and author talks. Keeping in mind many people still don’t feel safe, especially in the senior age group, DOROT will continue to offer a full lineup of virtual Zoom programs and will grow that offerings since it has become popular.

Ninety three percent of respondents of the survey said they will continue taking Zoom offerings, which over the course of the last 11 months, engaged close to 5,000 older adults, and close to 6,000 volunteers from 40 states from Canada, England, Ireland, Columbia and Israel.