Aging True has been working collaboratively with several partners and community resources to support and expand vaccination efforts for seniors in Duval and Clay Counties.
In Duval, we were fortunate to have Walgreens offer to provide vaccines to our senior residences. Walgreens staff visited each of our senior living high-rises on January 21 and 22 providing vaccines to any of our residents or qualifying staff who requested them. They will return for two days in February to offer the second shots to all of the residents and staff who received the first vaccines.
In coordination with the Department of Health, we have been working to identify and assist seniors by calling all our registered clients in Duval to provide them with information on reserving a date and time for the vaccine. Additionally, we have been following up with clients who need more assistance due to being alone and frail.
Cathedral Care Center has offered vaccines to all patients and staff, including food service and Meals on Wheels drivers/deliverers. The Center continues to require testing for any staff who did not get vaccinated.
All Aging True home health staff and in-home services staff were offered vaccines beginning in January through our partnership with Baptist Health. This month we are completing our final vaccines.
In Clay County, Aging True has reached out to clients with phone calls, and is offering clients assistance with scheduling appointments and transportation to the vaccination sites, especially if the client lives alone and has no transportation available to them.
As more vaccine becomes available, and more sites provide vaccines, we anticipate more seniors will be vaccinated. This will hopefully allow us to resume more in-home services and senior center activities by early summer.
Teresa K. Barton, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
Cathedral Foundation of Jacksonville, Inc. DBA Aging True