Local senior-focused nonprofit celebrates 60th anniversary

Neighborly Senior Care Network has been providing services to elders in Pinellas County for 60 years. The nonprofit’s staff celebrated the occasion Monday at the Evergreen Adult Day Center (at the Lakewood United Church of Christ) in St. Petersburg. 

It all started with a group of citizens who came together to find ways to help local seniors. According to Neighborly executive director David Lomaka, one of the organization’s initial programs was a meal delivery service. In fact, it developed one of the first federally-funded Meals on Wheels initiatives in Florida. 

The concept of providing hot meals to elders at home originated in the United Kingdom during World War II in the 1940s. It was brought to the United States in 1954. 

Over time, the nonprofit would expand its outreach. Currently, it oversees adult day care centers and senior cafes across the county. Neighborly also has a transportation program that takes individuals to the centers, cafes, grocery stores and food pantries. 

“We’re finally a senior like most of our clients,” Lomaka joked. “We’ve always been the youngsters.”

The milestone anniversary, he explained, means that “we survived.” Funding has only gotten more difficult in recent years. Neighborly receives money from the federal government, the State of Florida and private donations. 

The adult day care program, Lomaka added, has had an impact not only on clients, but their loved ones. Neighborly operates additional locations in Largo and Palm Harbor. Currently, about 100 people are on the waitlist. 

To exemplify, Lomaka told a story about a man who moved down to Florida to retire with his wife. He was looking forward to spending time with friends, but his wife began to show signs of dementia. This required him to stay at home all the time. 

“When the gentleman learned about our services, he came in literally with tears and said ‘I can now golf with my buddies,’” Lomaka explained. “Caregivers who never thought about caregiving are now strapped and can’t go to work themselves.” 

Adult day centers also allow seniors to engage with peers, he added. The goal is to provide an interactive experience.

Linda Gintoli has been a client at Neighborly’s St. Petersburg center for about a year and a half. She gets picked up Monday through Friday by one of the organization’s drivers. 

“At first, I was scared,” she said. “I really love the people here. I know it’s hard to keep such a variety of people entertained and excited.” 

Gintoli, who is originally from Boston, loves to dance when singers come to perform. She explained that the music helps fellow clients who are more reserved or have cognitive challenges. When these individuals hear a song that they like, they begin to tap their feet or pretend that they are playing instruments. 

“My daughter wanted me to come here so that I don’t just sit at home and watch TV all day,” Gintoli said. “It’s very easy to fall into. The center keeps you active and your mind going, especially when you can share things with some people.” 

Neighborly senior cafes also offer a social opportunity. “Clients can sit down and have lunch with friends,” Lomaka explained. “So, they’re not isolated and alone. They’re also eating something nutritious. Someone is keeping tabs on them.” 

Currently, Neighborly staff are working on renovating a new 9,000-square-foot operations building in Clearwater. 

The organization received legislature appropriations, he added, and will not have to pay a mortgage on the property. More financial resources can be allocated to the nonprofit’s services. Lomaka anticipates that Neighborly will be able to utilize the three-acre site by the end of the year. 

“We’re keeping seniors at home,” he said. “That’s our purpose. We want to keep them out of a nursing home or hospital.” 

Neighborly Senior Care Network website