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That's why the county Office of Services for the Aging, Senior Community Services and the Hispanic Resource Center in Chester are teaming up to offer benefits help sessions for Hispanic seniors.
"A lot of people slip through the cracks because of the language barrier and not being aware of the resources available," said Hannah Swan, a care manager at Senior Community Services.
Swan was one of several professionals meeting with residents at a session held Wednesday afternoon at Community Hospital in Chester. They offered seniors help with completing paperwork and assessing benefits, as well as a light lunch. The session targeted former residents of Chester Towers, who were relocated after the buildings were demolished, but was open to all Hispanic residents. Only five people came for assistance in the first hour, but officials hope to attract more residents as word spreads.
"This is the first time we've done this sort of thing," said Swan. "We're going to attempt to do this on an regular basis."
They helped inform the seniors about Medicare savings, the state's Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly and free SEPTA access with their Medicare card. They also explained the process for filing for the federal tax stimulus package, which many residents didn't realize they qualify for.
Of the 8,368 Hispanics who lived in Delaware County in 2000, around 1,986 lived in Chester, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. That number may now have grown to between 3,000 and 4,000, estimated Eddie Leon, an interpreter for COSA at the Hispanic Resource Center.
Leon said the center helps many non-English speakers understand their rights and resources; they assisted 254 clients in 2007, 69 of whom were elderly. They even offer help to illegal aliens, although they rarely can qualify for government services.
Leon said it was important to help non-English speakers understand the system, because they frequently miss out on resources available for low-income families.
"The Hispanic community, and any other community that has a language barrier, their problems are exasperated," said Leon.
