NORFOLK, Va. – When it comes COVID-19, seniors are still one of the highest risk groups.
Keeping them out of the hospital is the goal, but that is not always being met.
“I’m seeing more and more seniors are being hospitalized. More and more seniors are falling at home,” said Chavonne Grant-Bartley.
Grant-Bartley is a Norfolk social worker and a therapist at Embrace Life LLC.
She says seniors are also falling when they are out running errands or going to appointments.
“The worst thing is when seniors go in for a fall into the hospital and contract COVID-19 because they are put in these vulnerable situations,” she adds.
Grant-Bartley wants to do more to protect all seniors, especially ones who live alone.
“A lot of them are not going to ask for help. You never know what's going on. It’s hard to gauge how someone is doing on the phone,” she adds.
She's putting together a group of volunteers in the area who are willing to do more than make phone calls.
“Even if it is one or two seniors on your block, just say, ‘I’m going to check on Ms. Mable or I’m going to check on Mr. Smith,'" she adds.
Grant-Bartley says it’s more than just checking on your neighbor who lives down the street. She also wants volunteers who would be willing to stop by the store to pick up groceries and drop them off at their neighbors' door.
“I have a neighbor who was at the grocery store, and he fell and hurt himself,” she adds.
She doesn’t want this to happen to someone's loved one who is by themselves.
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“The reality is, everyone doesn’t have somebody,” she adds.
So, if you have the time, resources and ideas, send an email to embracelifellc@gmail.com or click hereto help keep seniors in the community safe.
