By Sue Denny • Posted March 31, 2026

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has expanded its eldercare ministry to St. Alphonsus Parish in Maple Glen, providing free support and services to Montgomery County seniors.

Catholic Charities of Philadelphia now operates 15 eldercare programs serving 19 parishes across five counties—a ministry that began nearly 25 years ago at St. Monica Parish in South Philadelphia.

Besides eldercare, Catholic Housing and Community Services (CHCS) offers a wide range of other resources—from senior centers to affordable housing—to help aging adults in the Philadelphia region live independently and with dignity.

Care Manager Amy Juarez, who has managed eldercare programs at  St. Maria Goretti Parish in Hatfield and  St. Rose of Lima Parish in North Wales since 2017, now leads the St. Alphonsus Parish program as well.

She connects seniors and caregivers to resources, advocates on their behalf, coordinates services, and helps with housing transitions.

While some older adults are ready to downsize, many prefer to remain living in their own homes.

“As long as people can safely stay in their homes, that’s what we try to accommodate,” Juarez said. Much of her work involves identifying appropriate “aging in place” services.

That may mean finding a home health aide, meal delivery service, or contractor to make home repairs or modifications. Juarez introduces clients to senior center services and instructs them on using TransNet’s shared ride program.

She also helps with applications for Medicaid and other public benefits.

Msgr. Brian P. Hennessy made most of the initial referrals to Juarez. As pastor of St. Alphonsus, he said his job is to know his parishioners’ needs—and not just their spiritual needs.

Everyone he’s referred to the program “has been extremely grateful for the contact,” he said.

St. Alphonsus Parish was chosen for the eldercare program in part because it is one of five newly established missionary hubs in the archdiocese, CHCS Assistant Director Caroline Sugden said.

Missionary hubs are staffed by small teams of trained missionaries who reach out to local residents, whether Catholics who have drifted away from the Church or non-Catholics.

Missionary hubs supplement parishes by integrating pastoral, educational, and charitable ministries to address the unique needs of local communities.

“This is a tremendous opportunity,” Msgr. Hennessy said. During their outreach efforts, he predicts the hub’s two local missionaries will also educate individuals and families about eldercare and other Catholic Charities’ resources.

“We’ll be able to refer them to support, information, whatever might be helpful to them,” he said.

In-home assessments and care plans are central to Catholic Charities’ eldercare programs. Each unique plan, tailored to the individual, outlines needed services and priorities.

Some older adults don’t want or need regular case management once their immediate concerns are addressed; they (or their caregivers) just need some direction, Sugden said.

When clients require ongoing support, Juarez likes to visit them at least once a quarter for an “eyes on” conversation.

“Some of them do prefer to be attached to us and have us keep coming out,” she said.

Regular check-ins and home visits ensure the care manager is there to assist when new needs arise, Sugden said.

The most unusual—and difficult—client situations Juarez has encountered over the past nine years have involved pets. She recently worked with an older woman who wasn’t concerned about herself because she told Juarez she can get whatever she needs from a food pantry or with her SNAP card, or federal food benefit.

Juarez recounted the woman’s pressing worry: “I can’t use my food stamps to buy cat food or kitty litter.”

As a pet owner and animal lover, Juarez deeply sympathized. She gave the woman donated gift cards and identified a food pantry that stocks pet supplies.

“We can help them with whatever issue they have,” Juarez said. “That’s the wonder of this program.”

To learn more, contact Amy Juarez at ajuarez@ccphila.org or 215-853-7676.