EngAge Seniors
Welcome to EngAge Seniors
EngAge Seniors is a student-run organization connecting middle and high school students with local seniors to strengthen inter-generational bonds and improve seniors' lives.
Created in 2016, EngAge Seniors was originally founded as an animal therapy program, but has grown to include music, arts & crafts, and elder fraud prevention education efforts. Founded by high school student Michael Friedman (then a sophomore) and his sister Camryn (then in sixth grade), EngAgeSeniors continues to grow and expand its efforts to improve the lives of North Carolina seniors. Addie Esposito, a high school junior, has joined Michael in leading the group's efforts to combat and prevent elder fraud.
EngAge Seniors started with animals.
Our visiting pet program brings happines to everyone involved, including the animals who love all the attention!
Animal assisted activities have many benefits for seniors. Studies have shown that having animals visit long-term care facilities provides multiple health benefits to residents. These benefits include:
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Lower heart rates and blood pressure
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Decreased anxiety, depression and stress
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Increased communication and cognitive recall
Visiting with our animals helps seniors rediscover the joy of having animals in their lives, and in many cases brings back fond memories of their own beloved childhood pets.
Once music was added, we became known as "Goats and Notes"
Music has the unique ability to connect people and bring joy to their lives. It adds a sense of community and warmth and resonates with everyone listening.
Music influences well-being on every level. It is especially beneficial for seniors struggling with memory loss, since musical memories stay with people significantly longer than regular memories.
Music has powerful healing abilities and is a great mood-lifter for all ages.
The team with Consumer Protection Attorney Dave Kirkman
Click above to view elder fraud abuse brochure
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Click above to see flyer for store employees notifying them of Grandparent Scam.
Helping Seniors Avoid Scams
After Michael's grandmother fell victim to a classic scam, he worked to expand the group's work, creating a portion designed to combat the epidemic of scams in which seniors are the primary targets.
Michael, along with high school junior Addie Esposito, have been working with consumer protection attorney Dave Kirkman as well as with the North Carolina branch of AARP.
Studies by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau have revealed that as many as 17% of Americans 65 and older report being the victim of financial exploitation, equating to around a $3 billion loss in financial scams. The numbers would be even higher if the statistics accounted for the thousands of scams that go unreported. These scams are becoming even more prevalent as technological innovation increases and scam artists begin to create programs that relay scams out to thousands of seniors at a time.
EngAge Seniors is actively working to prevent as many of these scams as possible through a variety of services:
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Presentations
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Flyers & Brochures
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Education for Merchants
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Scam Jams/ Shred-a-Thons
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Public Service Announcements
Elders' Helpers
The Elders' Helpers portion of EngAge is our newest support system for seniors who prefer aging in place. This program is still in development. EngAge is working with their school’s volunteer organizations to create a coalition of students who are looking to help out independently living seniors through a variety of services including:
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Grocery shopping
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Yard work
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Technical Support
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Laundry
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Pet care
CONTACT ENGAGE SENIORS
Please fill in the form below and someone from EngAge Seniors will promptly respond. Thank you for your interest in EngAge Seniors!