Reacting quickly to the current crisis, Senior Concerns has created several new programs for local seniors. While some of the normal day to day operations have been halted due to the mandated shutdown, our organization continues to find new ways to serve our senior community. Through area partnerships with community organizations and an outpouring of response from community volunteers, Senior Concerns has been able to implement new vital services to help keep seniors safe at home.
Our offices have been turned into a distribution center for our community for non-perishables and supplies. Using local volunteers, we are delivering these goods to seniors, so they do not have to risk their lives and leave their home. Senior Concerns knew something needed to be done quickly to allow seniors to stay home safely.
Senior Concerns has also implemented new shopping and errand services for seniors by using community volunteers. This includes vital medicine delivery. A senior can be assigned to a local volunteer to shop for them as needed and follow them throughout this crisis to ensure they have what they need.
Senior Concerns is increasing the capacity for the Meals on Wheels program for Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park and looking at expanding into Moorpark and Westlake Village to meet these needs, ensuring that anyone who needs these fresh meals delivered can sign up. Seniors can receive a friendly phone call to help reduce their isolation and depression this time.
In addition, Senior Concerns has a Licensed Clinical Social Worker available to talk and support family caregivers in the community and help them through this difficult and scary time. A virtual caregiver support group is also being established for family caregivers.
“These are extremely challenging times for our senior community,” says Andrea Gallagher, President of Senior Concerns. “If we can do anything to ease the fear and stress many are facing that’s what we need to do. We hope that providing support and assistance to our elders, they can know they are not alone and we can all get through this together as a community.”
For more information or to sign up to receive services, please visit https://www.seniorconcerns.org/programs/emergency-wraparound-services-for-homebound-seniors/.
