Wellness Checks For Vulnerable Seniors
The Minister of Health Kim Wilson announced that starting on Monday, the Ministry of Health’s Ageing & Disability Services [ADS] will be conducting wellness checks on the island’s vulnerable seniors.
“The wellness checks are our way of making sure that Bermuda’s most vulnerable have what they need to stay safe and well during this pandemic,” said Minister Wilson.
“Many of them have no or limited next of kin support on which they can rely to ensure they have sufficient supplies of groceries and medications so our ADS officers will be visiting them, assessing their needs and assisting where needed.”
In addition, ADS officers will be distributing hand sanitizer, along with Covid-19 information flyers, to seniors and vulnerable persons throughout the community. These items will also be distributed at the following locations throughout the next two weeks:
- Bermuda Housing Trust Properties [five housing complexes – Dr. Cann Park, Elizabeth Hills, Ferguson Park, Heydon Park & Purvis Park]
- Salvation Army Shelter
- Supermarkets
- Banks
- Various senior residences
“Regarding the distribution of hand sanitizer, the ADS team will mobilize on Monday afternoon and begin with Bermuda Housing Trust properties,” said Minister Wilson. “They will then target the supermarkets and banks during their seniors’ hours on Tuesday and the remaining will be spread out throughout the week and into the next.
“This will be a phased programme to ensure we reach those who most need our help.”
“More than 1,200 personal hand sanitizer bottles will be distributed over the next two weeks with more, larger ‘pump bottles’ on order and scheduled to arrive soon,” a spokesperson added.
“Any members of the public who know of a vulnerable senior needing help can call ADS at: 292-7802.”
On a non-Government note, Bernews has compiled a list of businesses that are offering special senior hours and services that may be useful to seniors, you can view that page here.
As the island and world deals with the Covid-19 pandemic, we are doing our best to provide timely and accurate information, and you can find more information on the links below.
- Live: Our continuously updated live blog here
- All: Our coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic here
- Official:The Bermuda Government website here
- World Stats:Live graph of all cases worldwide here
- Bermuda Stats: Chart of the Bermuda stats here.
- Comprehensive: Our new Covid-19 website here.
Officials are urging everyone to please follow all guidance like washing your hands, adhering to self quarantine if relevant, and practicing social distancing, and they have asked that if it is not urgent, a necessity or work, to please stay home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Stop the spread you are putting the most vulnerable at risk . If one of the interviewers is a carrier or becomes infected, it will be a death sentence for many blamed on stupidity!!!!
Only 17 % of the population is above 65 according to news released several days ago.
Set up a telephone number seniors can call to order from government meds , food , grocery. And have the regiment deliver to the door in small packages . Government should purchase the ensure from all suppliers on the island to distribute one week supply to each senior or cancer patient to ensure they are well nourished for days to come . Companies should make these products available to government with no profit margins.
I hope that they are going to mostly phone the seniors, and not physically visit with them.