For over 40 years, Iona Senior Services has provided support to enable older people – whose numbers are greater now than at any time in history – to stay (and thrive) in their own homes. To respond to the growing needs of older adults, Iona offers a full range of services: adult day programs for some, coordination of in-home and out-of-home services for others; community programs like group meals, fitness classes, visual art and creative writing courses, recreational activities that promote a healthy lifestyle, and meal delivery and volunteer companionship for those who are homebound. The Deborah Blum Client Care Fund helps support seniors whose families can't afford even the most modest fees. Someone's mother, someone's father: your support can make the difference.

COVID-19 Update: Iona’s vulnerable clients have significant needs, so a food pantry that also includes cleaning and household supplies has expanded and Iona helps clients enroll in the emergency home-delivered meals program and makes available additional food resources. (Microwaves, too, are essential for delivered frozen meals.) Because clients suffer from anxiety and loneliness, programming has expanded to include a more active helpline, clinical case management, support groups, and virtual classes. The focus is on staying safe while meeting needs and combating the urgent issue of social isolation.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 3

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; MD-Montgomery County; Iona offers comprehensive and vital senior services, including information and referral to people calling from all over the metropolitan area and even the nation. Our Consultation, Care Management, and Counseling services provides intensive, one-on-one counseling and support to help keep older adults people safe in the community. Iona's Wellness & Arts Center provides an award-winning day program for older people with cognitive and/or memory loss and other physical disabilities who come from all over the greater Washington region. Iona's Active Wellness program at St. Alban's provides a free, nutritious lunch, exercise, educational programming, and community Monday through Friday, and draws people from all over the city and close-in suburbs. As a lead agency for the DC Office on Aging, Iona is designated to serve residents of Ward 3 and parts of Wards 1, 2, and 4.

Age Groups Served: Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+)

Population(s) Served: All; Disabled; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members

Schools They Work In: Iona is fortunate to work with quite a few public and private schools in and around the city. Students come to volunteer and to intern throughout the year.


  • Number of meals served to homebound seniors:  
    47,910 nutritious, well-balanced meals are delivered to 204 homebound older adults
  • Number of hours of care management in the community:  
    5,322 hours of intensive care management support provided to 337 low-income, extremely vulnerable older adults
  • Number of older adults with cognitive and/or memory loss and/or physical disabilities cared for in Iona's Wellness & Arts Center:  
    83 people are cared for Monday - Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm, and their 90 caregivers benefit from respite and support
  • Number of calls to Iona's Helpline:  
    4,600 calls annually to Iona's free and confidential Helpline are skillfully and compassionately answered by Iona social workers and nurses
  • Number of adults participating in Iona's Active Wellness program at St. Alban's:  
    94 older adults from diverse neighborhoods and backgrounds benefit annually from 5,800 nutritious, free lunches, exercise, classes, and fellowship

Awards & Recognition

Iona's Wellness & Arts Center has been certified as a Center of Excellence in Dementia Care from the Alzheimer’s Foundation since 2008 and is certified through Medicaid to provide nursing home level care.

Press

  • At Day Center for the Elderly, 'They Have Everything.'
    Sat May 23 2015, NPR  
    As America grapples with how to care for an aging population, a growing industry aims to provide families a place to send their loved ones.

Budget (FY2023)

  • The current budget for Iona Senior Services is: $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

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