United Way Of Long Island Provides Seniors With Vaccine Access

Press release from United Way of Long Island:

April 16, 2021

United Way of Long Island is offering a health and safety outreach program for seniors who are sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a $75,000 grant from the New York State Health Foundation (NYSHealth), United Way’s Safe at Home for Seniors is providing critical services to older adults in the towns of Brentwood and Central Islip.

Senior citizens have been one of the most affected populations from the COVID-19 pandemic, notably those with chronic health conditions and who are at home and isolated. This funding helps to keep vulnerable neighbors connected to critical resources in order to ensure they stay healthy while remaining in the comfort and safety of their homes. Program recipients receive a variety of services including fresh food, HEPA air filtration systems, and assistance in registering for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Through the support of the NYSHealth 150 seniors in Brentwood and Central Islip are being helped through Safe at Home. Collectively, in these communities, over 7,500 residents are aged 65 years or older, with 22% of them living alone and 33% living with a disability. This critical support ensures that they can maintain and improve their health.

“As the pandemic and physical distancing requirements persist, it remains critical to connect older people to the services they need to remain healthy, including access to COVID-19 vaccinations” said David Sandman, Ph.D., President and CEO of NYSHealth. “United Way of Long Island has mobilized and coordinated community partners to implement a solution that is keeping older adults healthy, safe, and socially connected.”

“United Way is grateful to the New York State Health Foundation for their generous support of Safe at Home for Seniors, and their contribution was significant in helping us launch this program. As health is a key component to our organization’s mission, we are pleased to join efforts to impact the well-being of Long Islanders,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO of United Way of Long Island.

United Way is working in partnership with its network of agencies to connect Brentwood and Central Islip seniors who are sheltering in place or isolated from family or a caregiver, with Bilingual Community Navigators. They act as helping hands managing everyday tasks such as grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions; making sure their homes have proper safety measures such as grab rails and working smoke detectors; and providing communication assistance, from connecting seniors with family members to scheduling their healthcare appointments, including registering for the COVID-19 vaccine.

For those enrolled, the program’s impact is meaningful in improving their everyday lives:
Maria, a Safe at Home for Seniors recipient from Brentwood, stated, “I cannot always afford to purchase fresh food. It was a special treat getting such healthy groceries delivered and made me feel special.”

Another recipient explained, “I’m so grateful to United Way of Long Island. My Community Navigator scheduled my COVID vaccine and delivered groceries to my door. I also had assistance with my oil and electric bill from United Way. This winter could have been so much worse for me without this help.

The Safe at Home for Seniors program:
· Protects seniors from COVID-19 with safety kits with PPE and sanitizers and ensure that they practice safe hygiene.

· Helps to manage everyday tasks such as stocking up on groceries, preparing or ordering hot meals, coordinating transportation to medical appointments and connection to medical alerts.

· Helps seniors communicate with loved ones and health care professionals with virtual devices.

· Facilitates in-person screening assessments such as physical health, emotional health, depression, Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

· Reports any notable health or mental health changes to family or designee.

· Facilitates health, safety, accessibility and universal design home-check screenings for seniors. If needed, coordinate minor home or accessibility repairs.

· Prepares seniors to protect themselves when going out in the public for a medical or other necessary appointment.

To date, the organization has helped more than 10,000 Long Islanders during the pandemic; and will continue its commitment to helping seniors live a healthy and full life.

For seniors in need of assistance, contact 211 Long Island for information and referrals related to support services. Dial 2-1-1, or outside of Nassau and Suffolk Counties 1-888-774-7633 and visit 211longisland.org. 211 Long Island operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To learn more about United Way of Long Island or to support Safe at Home for Seniors, visit unitedwayli.org/safeathome.

This press release was produced by United Way of Long Island. The views expressed here are the author's own.