Mary Neff has been connected to Hannan Center since the early 1990s when she was a social worker at a nonprofit community health organization. Specializing in older-adult mental health, Mary ran a program at Hannan Center at the time and often served with Hannan’s professionals on local older-adult advisory boards. “From the very beginning, I experienced at Hannan Center the same passion and dedication as I had for keeping older adults engaged and fulfilled,” Mary shared. “I immediately got more involved with their work and in 2006, two years before I retired, joined the Center’s board.”
Change Agent
In her board role, Mary was instrumental in Hannan Center’s transition from a residence to a service organization that delivers critical social assistance, a host of creative aging programs and respite care for people with dementia and their caregivers. “I served on the advisory committee supporting Hannan Center’s monumental shift from providing senior housing to reimagining how we could best support older adults in their homes,” Mary said. Today, many of the organization’s programs are available to seniors where they live or are accessible via the internet.
Social Activation
Mary says seniors aren’t one-dimensional … or just sick people either. And that’s why she’s devoted her life to treating, and advocating for, older adults. It’s no surprise then that Mary, who resides in a senior living community, continues to put “social” into her everyday activities. In addition to her active role at Hannan Center, Mary leads several groups in her community. “I help bring entertainment, education, even programs from Hannan Center to the residents in my community. I help acclimate new residents, organize an annual expo and staff other events,” Mary explained.
Clearly, Mary practices what she preaches. She’s a force of “social” nature tirelessly working to keep people connected and active. “People have aspirations their whole life. And I’ve had the privilege of helping my clients, my friends and the good people at Hannan continue to dream and realize those aspirations. I am an older adult and every day I have the opportunity to continue my passion and my work. I like being involved and, thanks to Hannan Center, I am.”
Learn more about Hannan Center here.
