Telespond was founded in 1974 as a private, non-profit organization assisting older adults and their family caregivers. The mission of the agency is to provide life-enriching services, promote independent living, provide low cost alternatives to institutional care, and work cooperatively with other service providers to assure the efficient and effective delivery of needed programs. A goal of the organization is to further the development of a model long-term care service delivery system in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and to refine services to address the changing needs of older adults in the community.