An Update from Seniors at Home, a Division of Jewish Family and Children’s Services
Nothing is more important to Seniors At Home than helping older adults live safely, healthily, and independently in their own homes. During COVID-19, our services are especially vital in keeping seniors safe at home and limiting their exposure through personalized care and support.
As we continue to monitor the progression of COVID-19, our top priority is the health and safety of our senior clients and our professional caregivers. We are following updates and guidance from the CDC, as well as state and local authorities, and staying informed on best practices.
We understand you may have concerns for yourself or an aging loved one who is in a high-risk group. For that reason, we want to share some of the precautions we are taking to mitigate the risk of spreading the virus and offer an update on our many services.
Safety Measures
Due to our standard safety precautions and the increased measures taken from COVID-19 guidelines, Seniors At Home continues to provide safe and reliable in-home care.
- Seniors At Home caregivers are trained in COVID-19 safety procedures and follow CDC protocol, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, hand sanitizers, wearing masks, frequent cleaning/wiping down of surfaces, proper coughing, and sneezing techniques, and more.
- We are directing our caregivers to stay home if they or their family members are showing any signs of illness and to contact us immediately with their status.
- Home care assessments are being conducted remotely as much as possible. This lessens the time spent inside the home, reducing the risk of exposure.
- Seniors At Home recognized the need for masks and gloves well before the shelter-in-place and started preparing in February. Therefore, our caregivers have been supplied the proper safety materials from the beginning of COVID-19 and we continue to have sufficient supplies available to them.
- In some situations, we coordinate Lyft rides for caregivers who rely on public transportation in order to reduce the number of people with whom they are in contact.
Program Updates
Our many social and adult day health programs are no longer meeting in person due to the pandemic. Most have quickly adjusted their format to provide a modified version to clients and members.
- Skyview Day Club: Our social day program for older adults with memory loss in Marin County is using Zoom to provide programming that incorporates entertainment, fitness, and socialization. This still offers engagement for our members and respite for family caregivers.
- Caregiver support groups: In place of in person meetings in Marin, our caregiver support groups are now online and open to the broader community. Family caregivers are experiencing extra stress caring for loved ones while sheltering-in-place. The support group offers needed support and guidance during a trying time.
- L’Chaim Day Health Center: Onsite medical, rehabilitative, and social services for Russian-speaking seniors in San Francisco are now being provided through home visits, to ensure our clients get the needed care for their health and wellbeing.
- Plaza Social Club: Cannot meet in person for weekly lunch and activities; however, we have created a Plaza Social Club weekly newsletter that provides links to various websites for tours, concerts, exercise, and social engagement.
- Memory Cafe: Weekly gatherings for people experiencing mild to moderate memory loss and their caregivers are canceled due to the potential health risks. However, Café members get email updates on activities and ideas for engagement.
- JFCS Food Bank: Our Food Bank locations are no longer open for walk-in appointments, but food is being delivered to clients using all safety measures. The need for assistance has increased considerably since the pandemic and we continue to support anyone struggling with food insecurity.
- Safe At Home Calls: Calls have increased greatly during the pandemic. Volunteer callers help current Seniors At Home clients stay connected during the shelter-in-place order. These regular calls offer meaningful conversations to seniors, as well as allowing volunteers to check that seniors are safe and not in need of additional assistance. Clients receiving one or more of our other services are eligible (food delivery not consider as a service).
- Our Center for Dementia Care, Care Management, and Fiduciary programs continue to provide support and services to clients and family members.
During the COVID-19 outbreak, Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) is addressing the rising food needs of seniors and families in the Bay Area. Help us ensure that everyone in our community has enough to eat. Find out how to contribute to your local JFCS Food Bank >
New Program – Grocery Shoppers: This new program started at the onset of the shelter-in-place, and will continue until it is safe for seniors to shop safely in public. JFCS trained volunteers are connected with a senior who needs assistance shopping for supplies. The volunteer and senior communicate on the items needed, then our JFCS volunteer shops and delivers the items to the senior using all safety protocols. This ensures the senior remains safe at home and not in need of food or supplies. If you have any additional questions or concerns or know someone who could use any of our services, please call 415-449-3700 or contact us online.
Seniors At Home is a division of Jewish Family and Children’s Services. Our services are funded by fees and by donations for those who cannot afford the full cost of care for these critical services.
If you would like to make a donation, please contact Barbara Farber at BarbaraF@jfcs.org, 415-449-3858, or click here to give online.
