Data indicates that seniors, especially those with underlying conditions, are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus. That means it’s especially important for them to stay at home as much as possible.
So how do they get the food, medicine and medical attention they need during this crisis while “social distancing” from their families?
Of course, local family members can shop for them and leave the items on the porch. If there’s no one local, delivery services like Grubhub and DoorDash can deliver restaurant meals. Some grocery stores deliver, but there is currently about a 6-day delivery time so you have to plan in advance. Meals on Wheels is another option.
A number of stores have implemented special hours and promotions specifically to help seniors at this time. Costco, Target and Safeway, among others, for example have special shopping hours just for seniors. Tony & Alba’s Pizza in San Jose provides free delivery of their pizzas (to seniors over 70) within their delivery area. Walgreen’s has declared Tuesdays “senior day” with a special shopping hour in the morning and a 30% discount for seniors over 55. Click here for the full list.
Regular doctor visits are most likely postponed at this time. But what if something comes up? Is it safe to go to the doctor’s office? Heal.com offers telemedicine calls to help your loved one avoid exposure to contagious viruses at the doctor’s office or urgent care. Heal.com doctors can order labs, write prescriptions and refer specialists. The service is covered by most insurance plans.
A number of banks have announced they will waive fees and offer other assistance to customers who are experiencing adverse financial consequences as a result of COVID-19.
For seniors who want to take respite in the beauty of art, the Louvre offers online tours, as does the Van Gogh Museum.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium has live web cams and Yellowstone National Park offers virtual tours. Portals to nature from the comfort of your home!
And last, but not least, there’s a hotline to deliver services and help for older Californians: 1-833-544-2374.
Stay safe and be well.
