SARASOTA, Fla. ( WWSB ) – Senior Friendship Centers is stepping in to help older adults in Sarasota and Venice navigate rising health and financial challenges.

The nonprofit is offering free and low-cost services this fall, including flu and RSV vaccines, Medicare counseling, and a series of budgeting and scam-prevention workshops. Leaders say the effort is about more than programs; it’s about fighting ageism and making sure seniors aren’t left behind.

U.S. Census Bureau data shows the poverty rate for Americans 65 and older has climbed to 15 percent, the highest of any age group. At the same time, fraud losses hit a record $12.5 billion last year, with medical expenses alone pushing 7.5 million people into poverty.

“Too often, ageism hides the truth of what older adults are facing—

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