The Pocono Mountains is a well-known resort area and an increasingly popular retirement destination for many who have had vacation homes here during their younger years. As such, there are cultural events galore, entertainment venues to suit all tastes, restaurants, shopping, casinos, social clubs, and religious opportunities. Just because a person’s mobility might be limited due to difficulty walking or giving up driving doesn’t mean they have to forego the things that drew them to the Poconos in the first place, including taking a ride to enjoy the beautiful scenery! We are fortunate to have many services, especially aimed at seniors, due to Pennsylvania being the state with the 5th most population aged 65 or older. There are several Senior Centers and many Senior Clubs, all of which can be found by contacting the local Area Agency on Aging. Numerous volunteer opportunities are available to all through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, some of which require only a ride to the location and can be very rewarding and help a person feel needed and important. And remember, while mom is at bingo, the caregiver can be grocery shopping!

Many resorts and festivals offer free or discounted admissions for our elders, such as the Skytop/Buckhill Music Festival, which offered free tickets to dance performances this summer, and the Shawnee Playhouse, which does the same at times throughout the year for plays of special appeal for seniors. As do the local retirement communities, our local East Stroudsburg University has numerous free concerts and performances during the year. Anyone wishing to attend these events need only make that known to their Care Coordinator, and a ride with a caregiver can be arranged. Many Griswold Pocono Mountains caregivers have commented that they enjoy accompanying their clients on social outings and learn a lot in the process.

As mentioned earlier, by arranging for a caregiver to take you or your loved one for outings, the limited stimulation available to those remaining at home alone can be prevented, thus preventing boredom and depression and increasing the joy that makes life worth living. Even the most simple things, like an old-fashioned Sunday drive or going for ice cream, can brighten a person’s day considerably.

Local Resources

Alzheimer’s Association-Greater PA
The Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association serves 59 counties in western, central, and northeastern Pennsylvania through its offices in Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, along with a network of dedicated staff and volunteers across the Commonwealth.

Care Patrol
Griswold Home Care has a partnership with Care Patrol which is a free service of professionals who connect seniors to the appropriate care help. They help with securing assisted living, memory care, independent living, in-home care, and skilled nursing.

Care Wide
Care Wide’s mission is to Recruit, Train, and Place PCA’s in various settings including homecare agencies, educational institutions, and organizations where individuals have the choice to select their own caregivers.

Crossroads Community Services
Crossroads began as a permanent supportive housing program providing service to people who have serious and persistent mental illness and who have experienced homelessness. Services include rental subsidy, case management, individual recovery planning, links to community resources, life skills education, coordination of educational and vocational training services, and coordination of medical, dental, and mental health services.

Functional Cognitive Consulting, LLC
Barbara Von Nortwick is the owner of Functional Cognitive Consulting, LLC located in Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA. She is an Occupational Therapist, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Dementia Navigator who offers training and support to caregivers and people living with dementia. By using Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care® techniques, Barbara provides her expertise on skill training and the disease process of dementia while supporting the person living with dementia or brain change and the family. Barbara is available for individual and family consultation and training. You can contact her at: functional.cognitive.consulting@gmail.com or 570-236-3380.

Lehigh Valley Hospice
Provides physical, social, spiritual and emotional care for individuals and their families during the last stages of illness, the dying process and the bereavement period. They assist with pain and symptom management, nursing care, nutritional support, personal care services, light housekeeping and more.

Meals on Wheels
Monroe County Meals on Wheels provides superior nutritional support, a daily human connection,
and other supportive services for the homebound so they may remain safe and independent in their homes.

Monroe County Area Agency on Aging
Strives to improve the quality of life of Monroe County’s older citizens through the coordination of existing services and development of essential programs. The mission of the Area Agency on Aging is to strengthen family life, assist individuals in attaining or maintaining independence and self-care and protect adults in danger of neglect, abuse or exploitation.

Shawnee Ridge
Is a 55+ independent living community that offers onsite amenities and activities for their residents. Griswold Home Care for the Poconos is thrilled to begin a new partnership with Shawnee Ridge and will be volunteering for bingo every month starting November 15, 2024.

Sonia’s Sweet Inspiration
An award-winning bakery and custom cake shop located in Stroudsburg. This location has supported our office for years and has always provided delicious treats for our celebrations.

The Gardens at Stroud
Conveniently located across the street from Lehigh Valley Pocono on E Brown Street in East Stroudsburg, the Gardens at Stroud offers short-term rehab, long term care, and memory care.

Wilkes Barre Veterans Affairs
Griswold Home Care for the Poconos is a proud VA national provider of in-home care for veterans in our area. More than half of our clients are veterans. For any veteran looking to start new services please contact their VA Dr. and request a consult. For veterans that do not have a VA Dr., they would have to get established with the VA first, seen by their VA Dr. to request a HHA consult. To get established with the VA contact, eligibility at 570-824-3521 ext. 27122