Rosie's Senor Jamboree in Ardmore PA - a Non-Financial Legacy

Most of the clients in our elder law practice draft a will reciting a series of bequests to family and friends. Eventually the senior passes away, the estate winds through probate, the family receives the inheritance, and it is spent within four years.

 A few friends and clients come up with innovative ideas similar to Rosie's Senior Jamboree in Ardmore, PA. A gentleman of modest means, who frequently played tennis in FDR Park in Philadelphia, serves as an example. Although he didn't have much money, he dreamed up the idea of leaving a few thousand dollars so his friends could have a tennis outing in his name after he was gone. The idea was an instant hit, and like Rosie's Senior Jamboree in Ardmore, it grew over the years. The gentleman's family helped by preparing food for the outing. His friends helped organize a "round robin" tennis tournament so players of every ability could participate. People not only donated food and helped set up and organize the event, but some even donated live entertainment! Everyone paid a modest amount to play in the tournament and attend the picnic, but the money was used to maintain and modernize the tennis courts in FDR park.The outing in his name became a tradition- a day of fun that went from dawn to dusk.

As a volunteer in the Professional Advisors' Network of the Philadelphia Foundation, a non profit "community chest," I have an opportunity to witness innovative approaches for leaving a legacy for charitable purposes. The wealthy among us might have a building at a college or university named after them, but almost anyone can establish a scholarship fund in their name. One friend from Conshohocken established his own private foundation to educate children living in his native country, India.

The notion of leaving a legacy in your name does not always involve a lot of money. Anyone with devotion and energy can invent and maintain an event like Rosie's Senior Jamboree in Ardmore. The jamboree is now in it's thirty fifth year, and the last one was on July 16th, 2014. Rosie Riley, a Lower Merion Dept. of Parks and Recreation employee, started the idea of a Senior Jamboree by having children in the park make colored place mats and fans for the local seniors. She brainstormed with others, and the event grew to include food, then entertainment. When this year's event took place last week, it was a day of free entertainment and food provided to seniors, and sponsored by several area businesses and volunteers. There were information booths, visits by local elected officials, and Rosie's friends and relatives also volunteered. Some photos of the event follow. A good time was had by all who attended.

Can you think of a non traditional legacy that you would want to leave in your name? If so, you might start planning today.

Stay well until the next post.

Bob Gasparro

Dozens of seniors filled the park to enjoy a picnic.

Tables filled with deserts supplied by local businesses and Elder Net.

Representatives from Tim Brigg's Office.

Representatives from Daylin Leach's Office.

Members of Narberth Ambulance were present, but just to enjoy the picnic.

Dozens of volunteers served seniors.

Schedule of entertainment posted.

Lower Merion Commissioner V. Scott Zelov appeared on the main stage, to welcome guests.

Beneath a shade tree, blood Pressure Screening by Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Representative Greg Vitali appeared in person to meet, and speak to his constituents.

Donate in the Name of a Friend or Relative Afflicted by Alzheimer's

Next Sunday I'll be participating in the Alzheimer's Walk at Lincoln Financial Center in Philadelphia. Will you support my effort by making a pledge to the Alzheimer's Association in the name of a loved one who either now has, or had the disease? If you do, you will receive a tax deduction for your contribution, and I'll place their name on my tee shirt when I participate in the walk. I'll also share photos or a YouTube of the walk. Click here for the donate page . (http://act.alz.org/goto/bobgasparro).

The odds are pretty good that you have a close friend or relative who suffered from Alzheimer's. Unfortunately, the odds are also good that unless they find a cure soon, you and I have to worry about the disease too.  Until they find a cure, age is the number one cause of Alzheimer's. Today, 47% of your neighbors over age 85 are afflicted with the disease.  Although it afflicts only 10% of those at age 65, that  risk increases with each additional year of age, until it reaches that 47% by age 85. In Pennsylvania alone our population of seniors is expected to double by the year 2030 That means we might expect to see millions in our state afflicted by Alzheimer's, compared to the 280,000 cases of Alzheimer's today. This translates into a significant number of seniors who wander from their home, and a lot of unpaid care-giving by relatives of the seniors.

However, current research has made headway into finding a cure. Right now there are drugs that might temporarily restore functioning of someone with Alzheimer's even though there is no way of reversing or preventing the disease. Recent studies have found genetic markers and life habits associated with the disease, but much more research is needed.

As an Elder Law attorney, I am very familiar with the Alzheimer's Association. They not only help my clients by advancing research to end Alzheimer's and dementia, but they also work to  enhance care for those living with the disease. Thanks to their research, caregivers get insight into how to structure a living area to minimize agitation, discomfort and falls of one afflicted with the disease. The Alzheimer's Association also helps organize support groups for caregivers.  


As for the walk on Sunday, I am walking on the Miller Men Team. I found it too difficult to choose between the National Academy of Elder Lawyers team, and the many local teams sponsored by many of our local care providers on the Main Line. I choose to walk on a team in honor of personal friends. 

Go here to donate in the name of a loved one and sponsor my walk. If you do, please send me an email at the address on the bottom of this post, telling me the name you want to be placed on my walking shirt. I'll also share with you, pictures I take during the walk by posting them on Picassa or YouTube and sending you the link.

I understand some readers might be reluctant to sponsor a lawyer, and that's okay too. My wife, a gerontological nurse practitioner is also on our team. If you are reading this and you are on a team who will be participating in the Walk next Sunday, then add a comment letting readers know about your team and how people can help sponsor your walk.

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Stay well until the next post.

Bob Gasparro

Bob Gasparro is an Elder Attorney.  He can be reached at Robert.Gasparro@lifespanlegal.com or (484) 297-2050. Comments to this post, and ideas for future posts are welcome.