COVID-19 Senior Assistance

The Senior Call Center will be operated by the Community Services Office from Monday through Friday 8:00 AM -5:00 PM. Please call 561-791-4796. Please note that this line is reserved for information about senior services; it is not intended to provide medical assistance. Please call your physician or the Florida Department of Health for health-related questions.

The following services will be available to Wellington Senior Residents ONLY, Ages 60 +:

Pre-Paid Prescription Pickup and Delivery Local (Within Wellington Area)
Pre-Ordered and Paid Groceries Pickup and Delivery Local (Within Wellington Area)
Senior Transportation Program Expanded to Unlimited rides in Wellington (to the doctor’s office, grocery store or pharmacy only)

The Community Services Department will also be partnering with the InterFaith Council.

InterFaith will prepare food bags (non-perishable items) ready for delivery to those seniors who do not have access to the internet or unable to order on-line.

Meals for More Seniors

West Palm Beach, FL –The Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast’s Helpline specialists are calling 1,825 seniors who are on the waiting list for Home Delivered Meals in the five county area and serving them as a result of the new stimulus funding. These funds are to support seniors 60+ and persons with a disability age 18-59.

The Area Agency on Aging is the local agency receiving stimulus funding from the Families First Act and CARES ACT to serve homebound seniors. All clients who were previously receiving a meal at a senior center or adult day care center are now getting food through an alternate channel. With the COVID 19 emergency situation, more seniors than ever are homebound due to the shelter in place directive. As a result, the Helpline is receiving more calls from seniors in need of food.

“Under normal circumstances, the Area Agency on Aging’s Helpline assists the vulnerable seniors get connected with services, including access to food,” said Dwight D. Chenette, MPH, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of the Area Agency on Aging. “During COVID 19 our Agency is assuming a broader role with connecting seniors in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast with needed services.”

Helpline specialists are available to assist seniors with applications for Food Stamps (SNAP). The Department of Children and Families has expanded benefits under Food Stamps and the Helpline can assist with enrollment.

Seniors and adults with a disability should call the Helpline at 1-866-684-5885 for access to services such as food, electric bill assistance, help with Medicare and caregiver resources. As an outgrowth of the Older Americans Act, the Helpline is, as always, the gateway to publicly funded services, Medicaid and long term care needs.

Tips for dementia caregivers at home

Caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and all other dementia should follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and consider the following tips:

For people living with dementia, increased confusion is often the first symptom of any illness. If a person living with dementia shows rapidly increased confusion, contact your health care provider for advice.
People living with dementia may need extra and/or written reminders and support to remember important hygienic practices from one day to the next.
- Consider placing signs in the bathroom and elsewhere to remind people with dementia to wash their hands with soap for 20 seconds.
- Demonstrate thorough hand-washing.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be a quick alternative to hand-washing if the person with dementia cannot get to a sink or wash his/her hands easily.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor about filling prescriptions for a greater number of days to reduce trips to the pharmacy.
Think ahead and make alternative plans for the person with dementia should adult day care, respite, etc. be modified or cancelled in response to COVID-19.
Think ahead and make alternative plans for care management if the primary caregiver should become sick.

Tips for caregivers of individuals in assisted living

The CDC has provided guidance to facilities on infection control and prevention of COVID-19 in nursing homes. This guidance is for the health and safety of residents. Precautions may vary based on local situations.

Check with the facility regarding their procedures for managing COVID-19 risk. Ensure they have your emergency contact information and the information of another family member or friend as a backup.
Do not visit your family member if you have any signs or symptoms of illness.
Depending on the situation in your local area, facilities may limit or not allow visitors. This is to protect the residents but it can be difficult if you are unable to see your family member.
If visitation is not allowed, ask the facility how you can have contact with your family member. Options include telephone calls, video chats or even emails to check in.
If your family member is unable to engage in calls or video chats, ask the facility how you can keep in touch with facility staff in order to get updates.

Staying healthy

Pay attention to flu or pneumonia-like symptoms in yourself and others and report them to a medical professional immediately.

Follow current guidance and instruction from the CDC regarding COVID-19. Tips to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy include:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick; work from home.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.

For more information please visit the Alzheimer’s Association website.