Older Adult COVID-19 Community Resources
COVID-19 has brought out the best in some of our community organizations. With older adults already a vulnerable population, it is imperative that we continue to work together to meet the needs of our community members.
All resources have been collected from agencies working in the community and/or by aging services agencies.
Please contact me at [email protected] to add a resource or make any corrections.
Updated: April 15, 2020
Connecting with others
Wellness/Friendly Calls
SAGE Metro Detroit
Friendly Caller Program for LGBT Older Adults
All older adults face significant challenges as they age, including social isolation. For LGBT older adults this issue is compounded by years of legal discrimination and the generational social stigma faced by LGBT people in historic and contemporary society, creating serious concerns for health and longevity.
If you are looking to stay connected or help others in the LGBTQ community stay connected, please reach out to Keisha Watkins-Dukhie from the Friendly Caller Program (248-567-2363 or [email protected]). The Friendly Caller Program connects LGBTQ older adults with other members of the LGBTQ communities and allies to maintain connection. During the current pandemic, the program is expanding to provide resources and information as well as help our community stay connected. Please contact Keisha if you are interested in participating.
Front-line, direct care workers and caregivers
Palliative Care Providers
Aging studies faculty affiliate and associate professor in social work, Stephanie Wladkowski Ph.D., LMSW, APHSW-C co-authored this very timely article.
Grief during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations for Palliative Care Providers
Occupational Therapy
The American Occupational Therapy Association has put out a website for OT & COVID-19 that includes COVID-19 decision making guides for working in various healthcare settings with older adults and other patients as well as an online community to connect with colleagues.
Information Pertaining to Occupational Therapy in the Era of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Social Work
Long-term care/Nursing homes
From the website:
"From Professor Mercedes Bern-Klug, Director, Aging and Longevity Studies Program, Co-founder, National Nursing Home Social Work Network, Hartford Faculty Scholar:
COVID-19 is threatening nursing homes across the country. Residents, especially those with compromised health, are especially vulnerable. Staff without proper safety equipment are vulnerable. Families, unable to touch and communicate with their loved ones, are suffering. Social workers and social services staff members are on the front lines of providing emotional care to residents and families. The following selected resources have been gathered for nursing home social workers. The list is a project of a national group of social work researchers and advocates*, all dedicated to nursing home social work. We know that your skills are needed more than ever. We are thinking about you every day. We know that you are going above and beyond the call of duty every single hour. Thank you! We have three resources for you: 1) Our weekly, online support group meeting; 2) Our listserv*; and 3) This webpage. Please let us know what we can do to support you as you provide important emotional support and a host of other fundamental services to residents, families, and fellow staff members.
You are on the forefront and you are the backbone of emotional support during this pandemic.
-Merce"
- Social Work/social services Weekly "Support" Group
Mondays, 4 p.m. EST
A group of social workers is offering a weekly sharing/support group sessions for nursing home social services staff members Social services staff may join the ZOOM meeting anonymously and the sessions will not be recorded. Medical advice will not be given. This is a forum to vent, share, and feel support of others.
https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/227550778
Hospice and Palliative Care
Resources for Hospice and Palliative Care SW Professionals during COVID-i9 crisis
Caregivers
Detroit AAA Caregiver Support
The DAAA Caregiver Support Coordinator is working remotely and connecting with caregiver with regular wellness calls. If you are a caregiver in need of support contact Mrs. White at (313) 920-4153 or via email at [email protected] for one on one support.
TimeSlips - Engagement in a time of Quarantine.
Are you caring for someone with memory problems, dementia or Alzheimer's? Could you use a dose of inspiration? TimeSlips can help. TimeSlips is a worldwide network of unique resources and certified trainers and facilitators with one purpose -- to help all of us engage with older adults of all cognitive abilities. Receive a weekly email of inspiring creative activities that can be used with older adults near and far.Downs Syndrome and Dementia
The unprecedented spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is presenting the world with a unique challenge and, in our case, calls for a united response to better understand its impact on the Down syndrome community. Information in this Question and Answer (Q and A) document can be used to help you support your loved one with Down syndrome. It is our hope that this information will help us get through this health challenge. We encourage you to share the information in this document with your family, friends, educational and medical providers, and others within the Down syndrome community.
- Q and A on COVID-19 and Down Syndrome/Alzheimer's Disease - Full Version
- Q and A on COVID-19 and Down Syndrome/Alzheimer's Disease - Abbreviated Version
Resources
General Information
Scam prevention during COVID-19
- Successful Aging thru Financial Empowerment (SAFE)
FREE;financial coaching to older adults and their caregivers to manage money securely and accurately. Schedule an appointment with Program Director LaToya Hall to talk by phone or computer now: [email protected] or 313-664-2608 . Assistance is safe, confidential and free.
AAA 1-B Aging Network Needs - Survey results
- Hearthside Book Club offers free books (audio versions, too) with idea sheets of activities to help caregivers entertain and engage the people they care for.
During these challenging times, many resources are not available to people who care for a loved one at home. Day Programs, Senior Centers and Council on Aging locations have been closed; Memory Cafes have been suspended; support groups have been cancelled. While this is surely the right thing to do to, it leaves home-bound care givers with an even greater burden and many hours to fill with someone who can present challenges to engage. This is especially true for those caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or dementia To help ease this challenge, Hearthstone is making available for free to all a selection of our Hearthside Book Club® stories – evidence-based, engaging, adult appropriate books designed for people living with cognitive challenges. Each was created and field-tested through a grant from the National Institutes of Health by the Hearthstone Research Team.
Guidance
All Counties
General Resources
AgeWellCollaboratory
Comprehensive Information, Education and Resources
Area Agency on Aging 1-B
From the website: "Older adults have potential to be significantly impacted by this disease and it’s critical that they be vigilant. Below are some helpful resources for seniors, including businesses and community organizations that may be able to help with food and delivery of essential items. Scroll to the bottom o the page for information on COVID-19 and the outbreak, including links to information from the CDC, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and County Health departments."
Updates and comprehensive resource guides
Activities
- Hearthside Book Club offers free books (audio versions, too) with idea sheets of activities to help caregivers entertain and engage the people they care for.
During these challenging times, many resources are not available to people who care for a loved one at home. Day Programs, Senior Centers and Council on Aging locations have been closed; Memory Cafés have been suspended; support groups have been cancelled. While this is surely the right thing to do to, it leaves home-bound care givers with an even greater burden and many hours to fill with someone who can present challenges to engage. This is especially true for those caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or dementia To help ease this challenge, Hearthstone is making available for free to all a selection of our Hearthside Book Club® stories – evidence-based, engaging, adult appropriate books designed for people living with cognitive challenges. Each was created and field-tested through a grant from the National Institutes of Health by the Hearthstone Research Team.
Hearthside Book Club Stories [PDF]
Food safety and concerns
Curbside/Delivery Pickup
- Walgreens: Free prescription delivery as soon as next day. Household essentials may be purchased through the drive thru pharmacy. (Products include: cleaning supplies and sanitizers, cough/cold, pain/fever and immunity support, select grocery items, infant formula/adult nutrition, medical supplies/first aid and paper goods.)
- https://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/prescription-delivery.jsp
- CVS: Free 1-2 day delivery on prescriptions and everyday essentials through May 1. Place order online or contact your local Pharmacy and ask for the Rx to be delivered. (Essentials include: pain relief, allergy relief, skin care, cold relief, digestive care) https://www.cvs.com/content/delivery
- Rite Aid: Free 1-2 day delivery on medications. Contact local pharmacies. https://www.riteaid.com/pharmacy
- Target: Offers free curbside pick-up on items except for perishable food. https://www.target.com/c/drive-up/-/N-9d42z
- Kroger: Offers both delivery and curbside pick-up. Place a grocery order online and select an available time for pick-up. Fees are waived currently for pick up. $9.95/delivery. Orders can be left at the door. https://www.kroger.com/i/ways-to-shop
- Walmart: Offers both delivery and curbside pick-up. No fee for pick-up. Accepts SNAP/EBT for payment. Unlimited deliveries: $12.95/month. Delivery: Place a grocery order online and select an available time for pick-up. https://grocery.walmart.com/
- Meijer: Offers both delivery and curbside pick-up. Pickup: $4.95, delivery $9.95. Place a grocery order online and select an available time for pick-up. https://www.meijer.com/services/more-ways-to-meijer/pickup.html
- Busch’s Fresh Food Market: Offers curbside pick-up for $6.95. Place a grocery order online and select an available time for pick-up. https://www.buschs.com/shopping
- ALDI: Offers both delivery and pick-up. First 3 orders of $35 or more are free delivery; $3.99 after. https://www.aldi.us/en/shop-now/grocery-delivery/
- Sam’s Club: Offers free pick-up. Some locations have a drive thru pick-up area. Place a grocery order online. Concierge service: Allows seniors and those with disabilities or compromised immune systems to shop from their car on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7AM-9AM. Park in a designated parking locations, place the order and an associate will bring the items out. https://www.samsclub.com/content/club-pickup
- Gordon Food Service: Offers curbside pick-up and delivery. Free pick-up, $9.95/delivery. Place a grocery order online and select an available time for pick-up. https://gfsstore.com/
- Jimmy Johns: 16 inch loaves of bread are available to be ordered for $2/each via drive-thru, curbside pick-up or contact-less delivery. https://www.jimmyjohns.com/
Vaccination Sites
Washtenaw County
General Information
- AAA 1-B Aging Network Needs - Survey results
- Washtenaw County COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- Washtenaw County Resources for Seniors
- Washtenaw Health Initiative
From the website:
"For most county resources, the United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline is a great first point of contact. It’s a 24/7 call center, operated by highly trained staff, for community members who need assistance. Washtenaw County residents can access the call center by phone (dial 211) or can text, email, or chat with call center staff during scheduled hours of operation.
If you can’t find what you need by contacting 211 or if you need assistance applying for or accessing benefits, try these directories. And please note that we’re happy to add additional directories and resources to this list. Email [email protected]."
Curbside Pick-up & Delivery: Restaurants, Stores, and Pharmacies
Washtenaw County Resources during COVID-19
Ypsilanti Senior Center
Offering meal distribution, phone wellness checks, and other programming options. Check the news page for the latest information.
Meals available for pick-up - The Ypsilanti Senior Center will have shelf-stable food packages towards the end of next week and frozen meals the following week available to anyone over the age of 60. Please call the center 734-483-5014 to reserve your meals. An eligibility form needs to be completed and brought to your first pick-up. Please pass this on to anyone that might benefit.
Meals on Wheels
Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels
Referrals to AAMOW for eligible individuals can be made by those seeking services as well as their loved ones, caregivers, social workers, medical providers, etc. If you are referring someone else, please make sure that they are aware of the referral before you make it.
Homebound individuals who are not currently receiving meals but live in AAMOW's service area (City of Ann Arbor and portions of Ann Arbor Township, Pittsfield Township, Scio Township and Lodi Township) can contact our office at (734) 998-6686 if they need food support. If we are unable to provide meals due to capacity during the pandemic, we will connect individuals to other resources in the community to ensure that their nutritional needs are met.
AAMOW staff are in the office from 8:30am - 4:00pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and working remotely on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Please leave a voicemail if we are unable to answer when call and we will follow up as soon as possible
Chelsea/Manchester Meals on Wheels
This is a home delivered option for home-bound seniors who are unable to join us at the Center for our daily senior café lunch. Participants must be home-bound, 60 or older, and live in Washtenaw County. If you or someone you know could benefit from the program, please call the Center at 734.475.9242 to get started.
512 E. Washington Street, WSEC, Chelsea, MI 48118
Dexter Meals on Wheels
The Washtenaw County Nutrition Program provides both home bound and congregate lunches every weekday. Meal reservations must be placed at least 24 hrs. prior to the scheduled meal. Contact the Senior Nutrition Program at (734) 426-7737 to make reservations. The monthly menu can be viewed through the Senior Nutrition link on the top of this page.
Meals available Monday through Friday.
7720 Ann Arbor Street
Dexter, MI 48130734-426-7737
Milan Meals on Wheels
Milan Seniors for Healthy Living
45 Neckel Court
Milan, MI 48160734-508-6229
Northfield Meals on Wheels
Home Delivered Meals This option delivers meals to ill and frail persons in their homes. A liquid dietary supplement can be provided to homebound seniors who are at nutritional risk. Call 734-449-2295.
Meals available Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Northfield Township Community Center
9101 N Main Street
Whitmore Lake, MI 48189734-449-2295
Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels
Wayne County
City of Detroit
- COVID-19 City Resources
Call Center
Are you an individual who suspects you have COVID-19 or a healthcare provider who may have a COVID-19 positive patient? Call the Detroit Health Department313.876.4000, to receive guidance on next steps. The call center is operational 24 hours a day.
Meal curbside pick-up
Meals for Seniors
The Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) is providing frozen meals for seniors ages 60 and up. Seniors can pick up five days worth of meals every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the following recreation centers:
- Butzel Family Center, 7737 Kercheval, Detroit, MI
- Farwell Recreation Center, 2711 Outer Dr E, Detroit, MI
- Patton Community Center, 2301 Woodmere St, Detroit, MI
- Joseph Walker Williams Center, 8431 Rosa Parks Blvd., Detroit, MI
Transportation
COVID-19 Transportation Services
Transportation services will be available to residents of the City of Detroit who do not have their own means of transportation for the purpose of COVID-19 testing. All trip requests will be centrally scheduled and not by calling the transportation provider directly. If you are interested in serving as a transportation provider for this operation, please complete the fields in this webform we will contact you. If you have any questions, please contact Mark de la Vergne [email protected].
Get a Ride, Get a Test
Beginning Monday, April 6th, Detroiters can get a $2 ride to the Joe Dumars Fieldhouse at the State Fairgrounds to receive a COVID-19 test. People that can't provide the $2 will still be able to get a ride. The COVID-19 tests at the Fairgrounds are free, and 30 Detroit physician offices are now accepting new patients, even without insurance.
How it works:
- Call Your Doctor to get a prescription - If you have symptoms of coughing, fever, or shortness of breath, contact your doctor to get a prescription for a test. If you don’t have a doctor or don’t have insurance, click here to find a list of providers in the City.
Make a Fairgrounds Appointment - Once your doctor orders a prescription, your test is free. Call 313-230-0505 to make an appointment.
COVID-19 Drive Thru
Homeless Veteran Services
If you are a veteran, the Veteran Access Points will remain open for in-person visits.
- Veteran Access Points Healthcare for Homeless Veterans (HCHV), 4646 John R., 8:00am-8:00pm (S-S)
- Veteran Comm. Resource and Referral Center (VCRRC), 301 Piquette St., 8:00am-2:00pm (M-F)
Oakland County
General Information
AAA 1-B Aging Network Needs - Survey results
Curbside Pick-up & Delivery: Restaurants, Stores, and Pharmacies
Oakland County Resources during COVID-19
Free Grocery Delivery - over 80
Introducing our new free grocery delivery program for seniors over the age of 80 in Oakland County. Everyone is welcome....help stop the spread of COVID-19!Learn more and register online at: https://www.affordablehomecare.org/covid-19-free-grocery-deliveryResources
- My COVID Response
Whether you are in need of help or wanting to offer assistance, you can sign up so that our team can put your information in our database and match you with what you need. The most important thing we can do as a response right now is to gather information and make sure we know specific information about those are who vulnerable, and those who can help. When we have that knowledge, we can do amazing things to help one another and our collective effort.
Food Pantries
Madison Heights
- Madison Heights Emergency Pantry
The pantry is located at Huffman Park in the rec building. 400 W Cowan Madison Heights.
Open pantry days are Tuesdays and Saturdays 11 to 1pm. Pull up on W Cowan, stay in your car, and we will come to you.
If you need a box of supplies delivered from the donation please complete the form on the link below.Or ask a moderator/dispatcher on Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm. Anyone of our neighbors are eligible to receive a food box. You can even donate or volunteer and still benefit from MHEP. If you want to donate food or essential supplies we have boxes at Central Church on 12 Mile (west entrance) and at Clark Fabrication on 11 Mile.
Berkley
Berkley Community Emergency Pantry
Macomb County
Curbside Pick-up & Delivery: Restaurants, Stores, and Pharmacies
St. Clair County
Curbside Pick-up & Delivery: Restaurants, Stores, and Pharmacies
Livingston County
Curbside Pick-up & Delivery: Restaurants, Stores, and Pharmacies
Monroe County
Curbside Pick-up & Delivery: Restaurants, Stores, and Pharmacies
For Agencies
Non-profit federal assistance
All Cities, Townships, Villages, other government agencies, and Private-Non-Profit organizations are eligible for federal assistance via the FEMA Public Assistance Program for Emergency Protective Measures. This grant program will provide reimbursement of up to 75% of eligible expenditures provided the applicant has expended more than $3,300 in eligible costs.
All Requests for Public Assistance must be submitted no later than Thursday, April 30, 2020.
- All Cities, Townships, Villages, and other government agencies wishing to apply for assistance must create an account in FEMA’s Grant Portal and submit all required documentation.
- Private-Non-Profits must complete the Request for Public Assistance Form and email it to the State Public Assistance Officer (contact information provided below.) Once approved, they will be provided access to the Grant Portal with further instruction.
- It is important to note that you will not be expected to submit all expenditures and documentation at the time of registration…it is understood that this will be a very protracted event with ongoing expenses for quite some time.
- Major categories for reimbursement of eligible costs include but are not entirely limited to:
- Emergency medical care
- Medical sheltering
- Purchase and distribution of supplies
- Transportation of supplies and persons
- Reimbursement of forced overtime accounts
- The date of eligibility has been set as January 20, 2020, corresponding with the beginning of the incident period.
- Each entity requesting assistance will need to submit an application on their own behalf. The County cannot act as an intermediary or indirect representative.
- All applicants should answer “No” to the Preliminary Damage Assessment question on the Request for Public Assistance Application Form.
Applications will be reviewed on a daily basis and will generally be approved within 3-7 days.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division will be conducting applicant briefings via webinar in the coming weeks to review the programmatic requirements and answer any questions which you may likely have.
Please forward this correspondence and all attachments to any organization you believe to be an eligible applicant who has incurred costs related to the COVID-19 pandemic response. Questions related to this program should be directed to the State Public Assistance Officer, Tiffany Vedder, at 517.284.3944 or [email protected].COVID-19
For front-line, direct care workers and caregivers
Palliative Care Providers
Aging studies faculty affiliate and associate professor in social work, Stephanie Wladkowski PhD, LMSW, APHSW-C co-authored this very timely article.
Grief during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations for Palliative Care Providers
Occupational Therapy
The American Occupational Therapy Association has put out a website for OT & COVID-19 that includes COVID-19 decision making guides for working in various healthcare settings with older adults and other patients as well as an online community to connect with colleagues.
Information Pertaining to Occupational Therapy in the Era of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Social Work
Long-term care/Nursing homes
From the website:
"From Professor Mercedes Bern-Klug, Director, Aging and Longevity Studies Program, Co-founder, National Nursing Home Social Work Network, Hartford Faculty Scholar:
COVID-19 is threatening nursing homes across the country. Residents, especially those with compromised health, are especially vulnerable. Staff without proper safety equipment are vulnerable. Families, unable to touch and communicate with their loved ones, are suffering. Social workers and social services staff members are on the front lines of providing emotional care to residents and families. The following selected resources have been gathered for nursing home social workers. The list is a project of a national group of social work researchers and advocates*, all dedicated to nursing home social work. We know that your skills are needed more than ever. We are thinking about you every day. We know that you are going above and beyond the call of duty every single hour. Thank you! We have three resources for you: 1) Our weekly, online support group meeting; 2) Our listserv*; and 3) This webpage. Please let us know what we can do to support you as you provide important emotional support and a host of other fundamental services to residents, families, and fellow staff members.
You are on the forefront and you are the backbone of emotional support during this pandemic.
-Merce"
- Social Work/social services Weekly "Support" Group
Mondays, 4 p.m. EST
A group of social workers is offering a weekly sharing/support group sessions for nursing home social services staff members Social services staff may join the ZOOM meeting anonymously and the sessions will not be recorded. Medical advice will not be given. This is a forum to vent, share, and feel support of others.
https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/227550778
Hospice and Palliative Care
Resources for Hospice and Palliative Care SW Professionals during COVID-i9 crisis
Caregivers
Detroit AAA Caregiver Support
The DAAA Caregiver Support Coordinator is working remotely and connecting with caregiver with regular wellness calls. If you are a caregiver in need of support contact Mrs. White at (313) 920-4153 or via email at [email protected] for one on one support.
TimeSlips - Engagement in a time of Quarantine.
Are you caring for someone with memory problems, dementia or Alzheimer's? Could you use a dose of inspiration? TimeSlips can help. TimeSlips is a worldwide network of unique resources and certified trainers and facilitators with one purpose -- to help all of us engage with older adults of all cognitive abilities. Receive a weekly email of inspiring creative activities that can be used with older adults near and far.Downs Syndrome and Dementia
The unprecedented spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is presenting the world with a unique challenge and, in our case, calls for a united response to better understand its impact on the Down syndrome community. Information in this Question and Answer (Q and A) document can be used to help you support your loved one with Down syndrome. It is our hope that this information will help us get through this health challenge. We encourage you to share the information in this document with your family, friends, educational and medical providers, and others within the Down syndrome community.
- Q and A on COVID-19 and Down Syndrome/Alzheimer's Disease - Full Version
- Q and A on COVID-19 and Down Syndrome/Alzheimer's Disease - Abbreviated Version
Resources
General Information
Scam prevention during COVID-19
- Successful Aging thru Financial Empowerment (SAFE)
FREE;financial coaching to older adults and their caregivers to manage money securely and accurately. Schedule an appointment with Program Director LaToya Hall to talk by phone or computer now: [email protected] or 313-664-2608 . Assistance is safe, confidential and free.
AAA 1-B Aging Network Needs - Survey results
- Hearthside Book Club offers free books (audio versions, too) with idea sheets of activities to help caregivers entertain and engage the people they care for.
During these challenging times, many resources are not available to people who care for a loved one at home. Day Programs, Senior Centers and Council on Aging locations have been closed; Memory Cafes have been suspended; support groups have been cancelled. While this is surely the right thing to do to, it leaves home-bound care givers with an even greater burden and many hours to fill with someone who can present challenges to engage. This is especially true for those caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s or dementia To help ease this challenge, Hearthstone is making available for free to all a selection of our Hearthside Book Club® stories – evidence-based, engaging, adult appropriate books designed for people living with cognitive challenges. Each was created and field-tested through a grant from the National Institutes of Health by the Hearthstone Research Team.
Guidance