MINEOLA, N.Y., (Mar. 25, 2020) – The stress and anxiety caused by COVID-19 has increased the vulnerability of Long Island seniors. Despite self-isolation and social distance protocols, FCA, a not-for-profit agency helping more than 30,000 Long Islanders each year continues valuable outreach by phone. During this difficult time, FCA has found creative ways to continue its services and has seen a 20% increase in calls to the senior services department.
“We want Long Islanders to know that FCA is here and willing and able to help,” says Lisa Stern, AVP of Senior and Adult Services at FCA. “Our staff continues to work closely with NY Connects, Nassau County Office for the Aging, the senior center programs and hospitals to reach out to all seniors in need. We have over 300 active clients in our case management program who have been very appreciative of having case managers check in on them regularly.”
Isolation can be as dangerous to an older adult as an illness. Research suggests that isolation and loneliness are linked to high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease, a weakened immune system, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. FCA’s Friendly Visiting Program is continuing to visit 25 seniors by phone. Any senior who would like to receive a call from a Friendly Visitor on a weekly basis can access this service now by contacting Jessica DiCarlo at [email protected] or calling the FCA Senior Program at (516) 292-1300.
FCA’s chore workers are no longer going into people’s homes, but they have been delivering food packages and picking up drugstore items and prescriptions for clients. FCA clients report that the more contact they have with the staff, the less lonely and isolated they feel. Case managers are educating older adults about the virus and how they can protect themselves, and also address the importance of exercise, good nutrition, relaxation and communicating with others.
The Safe, Observant Seniors Program (SOS) works to prevent elder abuse and educates seniors to help protect them from falling victim to abusers of all types; physical, emotional and financial. The program has targeted the increase in financial scams aimed at older adults, working with senior centers, libraries, police, banks and senior agencies to raise awareness and provide education on how seniors can protect themselves. FCA is continuing to send out information regarding COVID-19 scams to make sure older adults are aware of these new threats.
While seniors are always vulnerable to abuse, during this time of confinement some older adults are trapped at home with their abuser as a large percentage of abusers are related or familiar to the senior, and some live with the senior. FCA’s SOS team has also continued to field calls from homes and family members that are self-quarantining and raising concerns about potential abuse.
FCA’s Ombudservice Program has NYS trained volunteers who protect resident rights and navigate complaints in Nursing Homes/Adult Homes and Assisted Living facilities. With visitation suspended during the coronavirus pandemic, many families are concerned about loved ones who may be vulnerable and alone in these facilities. FCA posts flyers in these group residences about how seniors can contact the ombudsman program. Ombudservice volunteers follow up with the facility staff and connect with the residents over the phone. FCA has seen a tremendous increase in family calls to the program, with calls 50 percent higher these past few weeks.
FCA Linkage Project provides short term counseling to older adults with mental health challenges in the community. This program is continuing to provide counseling and support by phone. The FCA Linkage Project is taking new referrals and staying in close contact with their clients.
The senior financial counseling program continues to offer guidance and advice. FCA has rescheduled tax assistance appointments and is continuing to help guide seniors through the filing process with the new extended July 15 deadline. The Bill Payer volunteers continue to provide telephone contact with their clients and are contacting utility companies for clients if their payments will be delayed.
FCA senior division will continue to deliver a wide array of programs that work collaboratively to provide individualized, comprehensive and confidential services seamlessly throughout this challenging time.
About FCA
FCA is a not-for-profit agency helping more than 30,000 Long Islanders each year. For the last 135 years, the organization has worked to protect and strengthen vulnerable children, seniors, families and communities on Long Island.
FCA believes in the potential of Long Island – a place where no child, senior, family or community is left to struggle alone with barriers to health care, education, employment or economic prosperity. Long Island continues to be one of the greatest place in the world to live and raise a family for many; FCA exists to ensure that be the case for all.
For more information about FCA, visit FCALI.org.
