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Health

Seniors Often Forgotten During The Holidays

Seniors at St. Paul's PACE program in San Diego.
KPBS
Seniors at St. Paul's PACE program in San Diego.

There are a number of public and private efforts that give gifts and other holiday treats to needy children. But low-income seniors are often a forgotten demographic.

Seniors Often Forgotten During The Holidays
The Christmas holidays can be an especially rough time for the elderly who are in poor health and live alone.

This time of year can be tough on low-income seniors who live alone, especially those who are in poor health.

San Diego's St. Paul's PACE program offers a variety of services to 300 frail seniors that enable them to live at home. St. Paul's Amanda Gois believes everyone can reach out to the elderly.

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"If there is a senior in your neighborhood, at church, even someone that you see at the grocery store that you're concerned about, speak up, offer your help," Gois said. "You know, a small gift, or even just a visit, means so much to them at this time of the year."

The non-profit PACE program is funded by Medi-Cal and Medicare. It's a low-cost alternative to skilled nursing facilities.

It's the only program of its kind in San Diego County.