SMETHPORT — McKean County Department of Human Services has created an online resource for senior citizens needing to secure services for assistance, goods, and medications during the COVID-19 crisis.
“This project was the work of four of our Department of Human Services case aids, Ashlyn Southard, Rachel Foreman, Sarah Furman and Chelsie Lekanka, and two clerical staff, Sharon Linnan and Shaina Burgett,” noted Dan Wertz, DHS director. “When it comes to concerns for our at-risk populations, we have to be all hands-on deck. This was a much-needed effort to compile our knowledge for GIS Coordinator Sean McLaughlin, who designed an online map.”
“Everyone needs a number to call for help,” said Southard. “Senior services relating to healthcare, medical concerns, protective care and insurance are vital, every day, to our aging population and especially during this crisis. A phone number can be a lifeline when typical daily connections breakdown and people need to have a new way to communicate concerns.”
Seniors who are concerned about their safety, experiencing abuse or being threatened can call the Hotline for Suspected Elder Abuse at 1-800-490-8505
Older adults who are experiencing hardships due to isolation or have mental health concerns can call the County Mental Health Hotline at 814-362-4623. The PA Department of Human Services Warmline is also staffed 24/7 to provide a talk line for support. The YMCA Shepherding Program provides a phone line for individuals who need to be connected to local resources at 814-368-6101 x219. General information is also available by dialing 211.
“There are numerous resources locally and at the state level,” said Linann. “We felt that having a short list of vital telephone number was the best way to assist our seniors who are remaining safe in their homes at this time. The website map has a more comprehensive listing for both seniors and anyone seeking information to assist a neighbor or loved one.”
Furman stated, “Health and safety are the two top priorities for the Department of Human services. Reporting elder abuse and getting assistance with medical concerns and healthcare must to be at the fingertips of everyone, with just one phone call. That was our goal. We’ve also been able to address food security and other basic necessities.”
Older adults remaining in their homes can report concerns about safety, seek assistance and learn the facts about COVID-19 with a phone call. Other services available at this time include prescriptions delivery, help with early refills for Medicare recipients to stock up on maintenance drugs and assistance with insurance questions. Telemedicine visits are provided on a case by case basis by individual healthcare providers in place of a walk-in visit.
Seniors struggling with self-care can call the Area Agency on Aging at 814-776-2191 to be screened for eligibility for caregiver support qualifications and for assistance to be connected to other necessary resources. This office will redirect calls to other resources and serves as a liaison for all seniors.
Those in need of a daily meal can contact their local Senior Centers. While all senior center locations are currently closed to the public, meals are offered each day at lunchtime for curbside pickup. The senior centers continue to have regular office hours to assist seniors with information and programs. Senior centers are located in Bradford, Eldred, Kane, Mount Jewett, Port Allegany and Smethport.
“We have a large population of independent seniors in our local communities,” said Lekanka. “Many of them live in their own home and depend on relatives to assist them with groceries or shopping trips which is now a challenge, and some seniors are without reliable transportation. Many grocery stores and pharmacies offer delivery with a no contact payment over the phone.”
The GIS map provides locations and phone numbers and hours for county-wide pharmacies, grocery stores with senior hours or delivery, senior centers and nursing homes. Many local grocery stores are designating senior only hours first thing in the morning to provide a recently cleaned, limited patron, environment and some have the option of home delivery with no contact payment. Changes or additions to the information can be submitted by calling 814-887-3108.
“GIS allows us to publish online maps that shows detailed information,” said McLaughlin. “In this circumstance we use simple pushpin style graphics to represent organizations and businesses that provide services to the senior citizens. We also have another digital map for community resources such as food bank locations, childcare facilities, and other services for our citizens. Within the next few days we intend on publishing a third online map that shows McKean County’s small business that are operational during this pandemic.”
Websites are included for McKean County local resources, PA Department of Aging, PA Department of Health, Office of Human Services and AARP Pennsylvania. A local directory lists numbers and hours for hotlines, helplines, crisis centers, senior centers, pharmacies, grocery stores with delivery, and nursing homes.
“Nursing homes provide meals, medical care and maintain daily routines for residents,” said Forman. “But it’s really important right now to remember the social and mental health component that is suddenly missing from those daily routines. The option of telephone calls, video calls and window visits can help to meet this need and lessen the burden on healthcare workers of also filling that void.”
Many nursing homes offer alternatives to in person visits. Telephone numbers, hours of operation and the type of visits offered are listed in the resource guide. Virtual visitors are asked to call the individual nursing home during regular business hours for details. Nursing homes are still accepting admissions for those in need of residential care.
“In our everyday lives, we are doing all we can and all we know how, to protect our populations who are most vulnerable to this virus,” expressed Burgett. “We have to make sure our seniors can still have their needs met with a phone call and that they can reach someone who cares and who will help them get through this. They are so important and their survival and well-being just might be how we are all measured for how we weathered this storm.”
