It is a different and trying time for our nation and a huge adjustment for so many seniors. Several of my older friends have been sidelined by the recent quarantine and are now adjusting to a temporary ‘new normal’. With things changing every day, Elder Care is finding a way to keep our service to seniors at the forefront of every task and have adapted as necessary in order to serve our clients.
 
Our team is passionately problem-solving to take care of clients, employees, and our fiscal health. And employees have been fluid in their approach to serving clients which has kept us viable and able to be responsive. To meet the changing needs in our community we are adapting some programs to respect social distancing and expanding others to continue to provide quality care to homebound seniors.
 

·                  Meals on Wheels is still operational and serving hundreds of seniors. New clients are being added daily as we work to serve our community’s increasing needs. To protect the health of our seniors, the volunteers are no longer entering the homes, but food is still delivered directly to the senior. 

·                  Our Elder Call program is being greatly expanded to provide companionship for seniors in a safe method. Meals on Wheels seniors who live alone are receiving a phone call every day from a staff member and other seniors on our lists will be called three times a week. These calls will provide a social connection and have the added benefit of allowing us to assess needs.

·                  Through the expanded call program we are receiving new material aid requests daily and using supplies and funding from our emergency food pantry to meet these requests.

·                  While our adult day center, Elder Day Stay, is closed, our care team has been active in transitioning these seniors with in-home support and phone connections. Our Day Stay Director sends video updates and below you can click a link to see a video she recently sent to those registered to attend the center. This chair workout is usually done as a group at the center every Wednesday.

 
I feel incredibly lucky to work with a group of smart and ardent individuals, including our fantastic and supportive board and board chair. Our passion for senior services will not stop during this period of crisis. As a community we can all work to stay safe and connected. I look forward to us all celebrating our community impact together when the danger has passed.

Jocelyne M. Fliger, MSW
President & CEO

How You Can Help

·                  Call your neighbors and say hello. During periods of isolation we all need a friendly voice and a check-in. The entire community can support each other with a simple call and virtual smile.

·                  Provide material aid donations of nonperishable food and toilet paper to meet the needs we find during daily phone calls to seniors

·                  Donate face masks for CNAs to use during home visits

·                  Make a financial  donation to support meal costs for new seniors added to Meals on Wheels and the expanded Elder Call program.

Sitting in your home with time to spare? Check out this video for chair exercises. Our seniors do this every Wednesday at our Day Stay center.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (1-800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE.  REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE