Stay-at-home orders designed to keep high-risk residents safe amid the pandemic have created a rapid increase in the number of seniors who rely on home-delivered meals as their primary source of food.
“In order to keep the elderly citizens of Morgan County safe, we have increased our services as seniors are faced with staying home for longer periods of time. We provide home delivered hot, frozen, and shelf stable meals regularly,” said Senior Center director Tammy Kees in a press release last week.
The agency has been making the food deliveries since closing their doors in March to in-person lunches at their two centers in Berkeley Springs and Paw Paw.
“In addition to those deliveries, SLSMC is shopping for those staple supplies such as groceries, prescriptions, etc. which we then deliver to their homes as an extra effort to keep our older population safe at home. Our In-Home Care department is even helping where we can to facilitate Tele-Health phone and video calls, something never before experienced by our elderly population,” said Kees.
As the spread of the virus continues and discussions over how and when to end stay-at-home orders ensue, Senior Life Services of Morgan County, Inc. expects demand to grow even more.
“Sheltering at home is keeping seniors safe, but we must also strengthen and protect the support systems that enable them to do that, such as nutrition services and programs that reduce isolation,” said Hollander. “We can’t do one without the other.”
Visit https://slsmc.org/ to learn how to support Senior Life Services of Morgan County, Inc. efforts to meet the growing demand for home-delivered meals during this unprecedented time.
Senior Life Services of Morgan County is a private, not-for-profit, 501 (3) C corporation.
“We have evolved over the last 30 years in our operations so that we can more effectively respond to demands of our community,” Kees said.
“There are approximately 6,500 people in our county over the age of 65. Fifteen hundred are veterans. Nearly 20 percent live at or below the federal poverty level. Over 260 of our elderly, have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia – further complicating our ability to provide timely, effective support.” she said of their target clients.
Kees said the agency is looking for supporters and volunteers in this time.
“Our mission is serious and critical to our community. In order to provide the support services necessary to preserve and honor our elderly’s wishes to live at home, we have ongoing needs for volunteers and financial donations,” she said.
“We strive to create an environment of security, compassion, and community, at the Senior Center in Berkeley Springs and Paw Paw. We strive for these goals in all we do. We look forward to serving your family and the needs of your elder loved ones,” Kees said.
Senior Life Services of Morgan County can be reached at 304-258-3096.