Senior Safety and Wellness During COVID-19
Despite the dark hours of COVID-19 over the past few months, there are always glimmers of light and hope. Whether it’s a virtual community center, friendly check-in phone calls, or grocery drop-offs, the good people and organizations of the Ocean State have shown boundless creativity, generosity, enthusiasm and dedication in helping out those in need.
Here is another roundup of local services and initiatives to keep Rhode Island seniors well.
Be Safe Plus
Seniors need groceries and cleaning supplies. Food suppliers and restaurants have had their businesses and system disrupted the pandemic. Family Service of Rhode Island found a creative solution that helps address both issues. Thanks to generous partners The Chubby Chickpea and Hope & Main in Warren and Roch’s Fresh Foods in West Greenwich and funding from the RI Department of Healthy Aging, Be Safe Plus delivers packages of fresh food, cleaning supplies and masks to seniors and other vulnerable adults throughout Rhode Island.
To register, call The Point at 2-1-1 or 401-462-4444.
COVID-19 Response Fund
United Way Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Foundation recently granted $700,000 through their COVID-19 Response Fund, which funds initiatives that support residents during the pandemic.
One recipient, Scandinavian Communities in Cranston, will use their grant funds to improve the quality of life for more than 100 residents in their assisted living facilities, by upgrading internet access and purchasing exercise bikes, headphones and recliners.
Other recent recipients include Connecting for Children and Families, which will support nursing home residents in Woonsocket, and We Share Hope, which will provide food to those in need, including the elderly, disabled and veterans.
Elder Abuse Prevention Tips
The AG’s Office has created a helpful video that discusses difficult situations that Rhode Island seniors and their families may be facing during COVID-19. Questions answered include:
- “My mom is in a nursing home and has not received her stimulus check. She thinks the nursing home has received it but won’t give it to her. What should I do?”
- “I’m receiving calls from the IRS asking for confirmation of my Social Security Number, credit card, bank account information and other personal information in order to release my stimulus payment. Is this legitimate?”
- “I received a call offering to invest in a company that has developed a cure for COVID-19. Are these types of calls legitimate?”
Age-Friendly Rhode Island Radio Hour
While this weekly radio program has been around since last fall, recorded versions of the Age Friendly-RI Radio Hour are now available for free online. Host Catherine Taylor talks to a new guest each week, for an in-depth discussion of issues that matter to seniors in Rhode Island.
One recent conversation focused on social isolation with Dr. Nicholas Nicholson from Quinnipiac University. The episode explored the difference between loneliness and social isolation, why should we worry about it, and what research says about how to make new friends–even online! Another recent episode looked at how seniors centers are adapting to COVID-19 with Meg Underwood from the Pilgrim Senior Center.
You can catch the show live (and call in with questions and comments) every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00pm on AM 790 or access more than 40 back episodes online.