Steps We Are Taking to Address COVID-19
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A Word From Our ExecutiveDirector
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Greetings to all,
We hope that this message finds you well. Amidst the COVID-19 global health crisis, it is our intention and responsibility to continue to provide up-to-date, reliable information on operational plans and modified services during this unprecedented time. The Council on Aging of Buncombe County has been monitoring announcements and updates from the Centers for Disease Control, and the North Carolina and Buncombe County Departments of Health and Human Services. We are doing our part in adapting quickly to adjust our operations as we receive more information about this crisis, including the most recent confirmed case of COVID-19 in Buncombe County.
The health of our clients, staff and volunteers is of utmost concern. To prevent stigma and discrimination, we are using the CDC guidelines to determine risk of COVID-19 infection. Many of our day-to-day activities have shifted to “flatten the curve” of the potential threat, including making difficult decisions and discernments about in-person activities based on the increased susceptibility of the age range we serve and general community health guidelines.
We will continue to advocate for our clients and provide services as allowable and available. We are currently in the process of expanding our homebound food delivery program to seniors already enrolled in our programs. New enrollments will be considered on a case-by-case basis after current clients are served. This will be a coordinated effort by staff and volunteers; those who receive deliveries can expect a call in advance to ensure proper notification.
However, please be aware of the following (updates will be posted to our website,
coabc.org
and
Facebook page
):
- Anyone entering the Deerfield campus, beginning today 3/17, will be asked to go through a symptoms check at the main entrance. All other entrances will be closed. Our staff is operating out of our primary location until further notice, with telework options available as necessary.
- Our four congregate meal sites are closed until further notice: Shiloh Community Center, Senior Opportunity Center, Weaverville Baptist Church & Lakeview Center for Active Aging.
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) outreach has mandated a suspension, but we will continue to provide appointments via phone and to prioritize those who may be at risk for losing their insurance.
- BEC enrollment sites are either closed or limiting visitors; we will continue to offer advocacy and support via telework.
- All Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) classes are canceled. In-person appointments have also been canceled. No future appointments will be scheduled at this time. Staff and volunteers are happy to assist you over the phone with any Medicare questions and inquiries.
- Home visits are being prioritized and considered for those in need of immediate services.
- We will continue to serve adults through our Elder Justice program, but will be temporarily suspending our co-locating option at the Family Justice Center - all calls will be managed through the COA offices and appropriate referrals will be made electronically when possible
- Our Call A Ride program is temporarily suspended.
- Caregivers in our Respite program will receive wellness checks via phone.
- We have not made a decision as of today, 3/17/2020, about future events that the COA has been planning for June, including our Professional Summit & Successful Aging conference. The Derby Party is canceled, as the Kentucky Derby is rescheduled for September 5th.
We have increased the regular disinfecting and sanitizing of our office, ask everyone who enters the building to use hand sanitizer and/or wash hands, and remind anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or who may have been exposed to the virus that they should not come to the office.
For additional information about any of our programs, please reach out to us by phone (828-277-8288) or e-mail (info@coabc.org).
COA asks that employees, volunteers and visitors stay home if:
- You have a fever of 100 or more, flu-like symptoms or any symptoms of the virus (symptoms can range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath), even if you feel you may have seasonal allergies.
- You may have had contact with an infected individual
- You have traveled to any areas known to have high virus activity
- You are otherwise deemed high-risk for contracting the virus, based on CDC guidelines
- Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Please contact your doctor if you have any of these symptoms or concerns.
We will overcome this and, until then, we will continue to keep you apprised and offer resources via social media and correspondence for tips on staying safe and engaged at home.
Yours in living well,
Heather Bauer
Executive Director
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OUR LOCAL SENIORS NEED YOUR HELP!
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Our local seniors are facing food insecurity! Due to the COVID-19 crisis, our four senior dining & wellness sites are closed until further notice. We have an urgent need to expand our Homebound Food Delivery to adults age 60+ in Buncombe County. These sites are wonderful places where seniors are offered nutritious meals 5 days a week, as well as socialization & health-based opportunities...they count on us for their health and well-being!!
Our traditional Homebound Food Delivery service is a monthly delivery of shelf-stable food bags to at-risk seniors who otherwise might not have enough food to make it through the month.
Donors like you make this possible -
Thank you
!
In order to expand this program as we adapt to these uncertain times, we seek to provide a weekly delivery while services from the dining sites are disrupted. With each delivery we will be offering informational tips for staying healthy at home.
You can make a difference by helping to reach an additional 250 seniors with bags of nutritious food during this time of crisis. Each food bag costs about $20, in addition to approximately $5 in mileage for volunteers and staff who have banded together to provide this delivery service. A donation of $25 will provide a much needed bag of food to these individuals and support the temporary expansion of this program.
There are many ways you can donate through the Council, including online:
www.coabc.org
(use the DONATE button). You can also send a check to the Council on Aging at 46 Sheffield Circle, Asheville, NC 28803. This is a positive action you can take to help others during this crisis. Amounts small and large make a difference. We also accept in-kind donations, such as shelf-stable food, incontinence supplies, paper goods & cleaning supplies.
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P.S.
A donation in any amount is appreciated but
ACT TODAY
!
THANK YOU!
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Your health, safety, and welfare in the face of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is our highest priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. Older people may be twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness.
This means that most people with Medicare are at higher risk.
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NC Medicaid is implementing several policy changes in response to COVID-19 to slow the spread of the virus, support healthcare providers and protect more vulnerable North Carolinians. The policies, which will go into effect March 13, address pharmacy benefits, supplies and access to care and are designed to facilitate access for patients experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and to
limit close contact for routine care, particularly for those at higher risk of severe illness
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Helpful Links Regarding COVID-19:
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