Niagara Lutheran

WHY GIVE TO NIAGARA LUTHERAN ?

If there comes a time when you or a loved one needs a nursing home, who will care? Will quality care be available? If so, by whom?

A crisis in long-term care is on the horizon. Western New York currently has the tenth highest share of elderly citizens of any major metropolitan area in the United States, and it is estimated that in Erie County alone, 13% of the population is over the age of 65. By the year 2011, older people will represent nearly 20% of the county's total population.

As life spans increase, many seniors suffer multiple disabilities such as hearing and sight loss, impaired mobility due to arthritis or stroke, diabetes, heart problems and other medical conditions. Many are too frail to do the simple things that most of us take for granted and often, there is no one to help. Niagara Lutheran exists to address these needs.

Seventy percent of residents in our nursing centers are impoverished and must rely on Medicaid reimbursement for their care. But, the Medicaid system is based on 1983 operating costs and does not cover the true costs of quality care. Gifts and grants help us serve many who can no longer provide for themselves.

From policy oversight to direct assistance, volunteers are an integral part of our service delivery system - in fact, more than 20,000 hours of volunteer service were recorded last year. Niagara Lutheran is blessed to have active Board Members and Trustees who serve as special advocates for our mission of service. Along with all Niagara Lutheran volunteers, we salute Richard E. Garman who chaired Niagara Lutheran's recent $4,000,000 capital campaign for development The GreenFields Continuing Care Community and we gratefully recognize Thomas M. Barney and Paul J. Koessler for their leadership of our 2002 Annual Appeal.

Who will care? Niagara Lutheran has been "Caring Heart and Soul" for more than forty-seven years and you can help in the following ways:

Volunteer your time
Offer generous gifts to support current initiatives
Consider legacy giving to help others beyond your lifetime
Contact us at 886-4377 for more information on ways to ensure the continuation of quality long-term care in Western New York.