The executive director of SAGE, Galina Muller, was our speaker. As most Summit area residents know, SAGE has been a leader in eldercare since its inception in 1954, providing a multitude of services such as Meals-on-Wheels, senior daycare, various home-care services and related social services for the elderly.As an example, here are a few of the things SAGE has provided last year for all of Union county and parts of Morris, Essex and Somerset counties: homecare for about 80 clients with nearly 40,000 hours of service, meals on wheels for roughly 250 with 40,000 meals served, shopping assistance for 12 with 300 shopping trips and general social work assistance for over 1100 clients.
Aging at home is generally less expensive than institutional options and usually extends life expectancy. This is one of the primary goals of SAGE, to assist the elderly to remain in their homes while providing the necessary services such as meals, companionship and widespread support.
SAGE is supported by state and federal programs and various grants which account for roughly two thirds of their financing with private donations covering the other third.
The SNP Rotary has participated in volunteer projects with SAGE and hopes to do so in the future and we appreciate Galina visiting and the update.