By Jennifer Rose • Posted May 22, 2026

It’s quite important, especially as we age, that we continue to take good care of our overall health for optimal quality of life. We get one body in this life; it’s our duty to continue to serve God and community with our unique talents for as long as we are able. Over time, I’ve come to see that caring for our health is also a way of honoring that responsibility—not only for ourselves, but for those who may need our support along the way. During Older Americans Month, with the theme Champion Your Health, this call to care for ourselves and one another feels especially meaningful.

At Catholic Charities of Philadelphia, we reinforce acts of love and justice through health advocacy for older adults in a variety of ways. Through parish-based eldercare programs, care managers help clients by scheduling medical appointments if they lack the ability to manage automated systems or do not have family or friends to assist. We also attend some clients’ medical appointments to ask clarifying questions and ensure that the patient truly understands what’s happening and what plans are going forward. These small but meaningful acts help clients return to living their lives, which often includes daily or weekly Mass attendance and volunteering for church activities that teach subsequent generations the importance of investing time and energy in their parish.

Our senior centers offer another expression of this care by providing opportunities for connection, activities, and daily meals that nourish both body and soul. Members gather to pray, celebrate holidays and milestones, and support one another, reinforcing the value of a life well lived.

Likewise, Catholic Charities’ senior housing communities provide a safe and affordable environment for those 62+ years of age to meet basic needs, replenish resources, and focus on their well-being, including their faith.

We also support caregivers by connecting them to support groups, respite services, and offering empathy—strengthening those who walk alongside older adults.

One experience in particular has stayed with me. I have been working with a client in her late 80s who historically has had very few medical conditions, takes SEPTA to her appointments, and doesn’t have family available to join her. A new medical flare-up left her feeling overwhelmed. She gave me permission to meet her at her appointments. I take copious notes, which I provide to her so that she can process the information at her own pace.

Through this, I began to see my role differently. It was not only logistical but affirming – ensuring her needs were addressed and her dignity upheld. My goal is for clients to have the information they need so they can make decisions that best reflect their values whether prioritizing quality or quantity of life.

Walking with this client through her medical journey shaped my own life. In October 2024, my dad sought care for severe leg pain and was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma. He chose chemotherapy. As his only child, I attended appointments, took notes as I do with my client, and sat with him through long treatments. Without that, we would have had only fragments of information.

My dad was a devoted Catholic. I arranged for a priest to visit him at home on December 31, 2024 a visit that meant a great deal to him. On Father’s Day 2025, I joined him for Mass, which meant the world to him. By October 2025, he entered hospice and passed away later that month. During the funeral Mass, the priest referenced his visit, which brought me a sense of peace and comfort.

These experiences both with my client and with my father have deepened my understanding of what it means to “champion health.” It is not only about managing conditions or navigating systems, but about accompanying others, helping them feel seen, and ensuring they are supported in making decisions that reflect their values and faith. In doing so, we uphold the dignity of each person and continue the work of serving God and our communities in meaningful ways.

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Jennifer Rose is a care manager for Catholic Charities of Philadelphia’s eldercare programs.