Our leadership team has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation. Yesterday afternoon, we learned of one reported case of COVID-19 in the State of Delaware, connected to the University of Delaware. We also learned that the University of Delaware, like many other local universities, is transitioning to all-online learning for the foreseeable future. In light of these updates, we sent our latest COVID-19 update to students last evening. In that update, we asked students to temporarily transition to virtual visits.
As we wrote yesterday, the CDC has recommended that older adults and people with serious chronic medical conditions avoid crowds, stock up on supplies, and take extra precautions to avoid infection. Lori’s Hands has an important role to play in ensuring that our clients have access to instrumental and social support during this challenging time. Here are the steps we are taking to provide as much support to our clients as possible while also supporting public health guidance to limit unnecessary social contact:
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We are in the process of confirming that every Lori’s Hands client is scheduled to receive two or more virtual visits each week (phone, video call).
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A few select members of our team who have not come in contact with the infected person in Delaware continue to make in-person visits this week to support time-sensitive client needs during this challenging transition. For example, we are helping clients stock up on supplies or prescriptions, as appropriate.
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We have provided a resource guide to assist students in virtually supporting their clients. For example, they are equipped to support clients with online grocery orders.
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We have developed a reporting system through which students can report unmet client needs identified through virtual visits which they need our support to address. We are committed to creatively addressing those needs in partnership with our students and clients and our close connections with other community organizations.
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We continue to remind our clients and students that the Lori’s Hands Sunny Day Fund is available to support unmet client needs for which other community resources are not available. We are encouraging students to apply to the fund on behalf of their clients to support costs associated with meal delivery, or other essentials or nice-to-haves that may be cost-prohibitive for some of our clients. We expect that there will be higher than usual demand on the Sunny Day Fund this spring. If you would like to contribute directly to the Sunny Day Fund, please visit the fund page here.
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We have temporarily paused intake and enrollment of new clients to ensure that we can provide high quality services for our existing clients.
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We are piloting Green Ribbon Pen Pals to provide social support to clients who are at risk for increased loneliness and isolation. Several Lori’s Hands clients have expressed interest in receiving weekly letters from a pen pal. We are in need of more letter writers. Please consider signing up today!
If you are a client, client family member, student, student family member, or another member of our Lori’s Hands community and you have questions or concerns about these updates, please feel free to email or call us directly: contact@lorishands.org, 302-440-5454.
