The nonprofit Baker Senior Center Naples (BSCN), led by President and CEO Jaclynn Faffer, Ph.D., meets the needs of seniors in Collier and southern Lee counties in the areas of social services, dementia, isolation and loneliness. According to the center’s website, naplesseniorcenter. org, ‘An estimated 86,000 people over the age of 65 live in the greater Naples area, and roughly one-third of them live alone. The majority of BSCN members say they joined because of loneliness, and 72% live alone. These statistics show why social engagement is a vital first step toward addressing the needs of local seniors.’

Armed with a quarter-century of expertise and leadership, including doctoral research into issues faced by physically disabled adults, Faffer eventually became laser-focused on the needs of the senior population in our area.

‘We didn’t plan on opening a senior center. I conducted a study in partnership with FGCU and found that the need existed while there was no such center in Collier County. We didn’t know the depth and scale or scope of need until we opened,’ Faffer said.

Initially founded in 2014 by the Naples Jewish community and Jewish Family & Community Services, the center started with 80 members and was open two days per week. Along with hot lunches, entertainment and educational opportunities such as computer training, seniors and the lonely finally had a place to find companionship and socialization.

Interest, as well as the programs, blossomed, and the organization outgrew its first facility. With generous community support and growing awareness of the need for senior services, a new facility opened in January 2023.

The new 30,000-square-foot building is described as ‘bright and cheerful, designed to bring in natural light.’ It was named after Patty and Jay Baker, well-known area philanthropists.

‘We are still stunned because when we opened the doors in January, we had over 800 members who wanted to join. Today, members number close to 1,600, with 260 volunteers. We are a ‘one-stop shop’ for senior social and emotional needs, and we are Medicare-approved with persons available to assist with Medicare questions,’ Faffer said.

Licensed and credentialed clinical social workers provide cognitive health services in a dedicated wing.

‘We have the only structured respite dementia program in Collier County. We offer five four-hour groups for those with dementia. It also provides respite for the caregivers, who can relax and care for other issues,’ explained Faffer.

“Every group is based on a theme with related interactive activities. While repetitiveness doesn’t change dementia, it keeps the people engaged. Our music therapy taps into that part of the brain that reawakens. So, for people who can’t remember what they had for lunch, they will remember the lyrics to a song.”

The Geriatric Mental Health Program is staffed by two licensed clinical social workers who work individually with seniors to ensure they’re getting the benefits to which they are entitled, such as helping them to increase their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

‘The program also deals with issues like uncomplicated grief, depression, anxiety and relationship issues; there is a great need. We first became aware of this need because when people would call us needing counseling, we didn’t have a resource for them,’ Faffer said.

A gardening program facilitated by volunteer master gardeners features different levels of raised beds to accommodate members who use wheelchairs, allowing them to garden and grow zucchini, flowers and tomatoes.

‘That’s such a sense of accomplishment for these folks who otherwise wouldn’t even attempt to garden. We also have covered patios along the sides of the building where members can sit and have coffee or talk and socialize,” she said.

Intimately involved with community needs, BSCN, in partnership with the Community Foundation, is replacing five mobile homes destroyed in Moorhead Manor mobile home park due to hurricane damage. During COVID-19, BSCN got 7,400 seniors their first and second rounds of vaccines in partnership with the Department of Health. Later, it provided clinics for booster vaccinations.

As for her most significant challenge, Faffer said that number one is getting seniors on the public agenda.

‘Philanthropy is essential. We’ve made strides, but seniors are not at the top of the list for donors who are more apt to donate to children or the arts—and while that’s great, I’d like to get us up there, too. Other senior centers in the U.S. are supported by their town, county or state, but we are not, so I spend much of my time fundraising,’ she said.

‘When we started in 2014, our budget was $400,000. Now, it is $3.1 million, and the next budget for the next fiscal year will be north of that, showing the need for and the importance of community support. I know that we can do better. And I know that the seniors, the older adults who live in our community, have given so much of themselves, have raised families, have given back by being in the service, and it’s our responsibility—it should be our pleasure—to take care of them when they have needs.’