As of 01/2021
COVID-19 Symptoms (Specific to Elderly)
- Fever may be not be as high during an infection (and some might not have a fever at all)
- Infectious disease society of America definition of fever for older adults:
- Single oral temperature over 100ºF
- 2 oral repeated temperatures over 99ºF
- Increase in temperature of 2ºF over baseline
- Infectious disease society of America definition of fever for older adults:
- Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness
- Risk for Severe Illness Increases with Age
Risk Reduction with Reopening
- Limit interactions with others and practice prevention
- Keep hand sanitizer (60%), cloth face covering, tissues at hand at all times
- Be aware of how many people you interact with and how long you interact with them
- Encourage social distancing (visit family and friends outdoors when possible)
- The flu vaccine is even more important this flu season due to COVID-19, and may decrease your risk of getting the flu https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/65over.htm
- If participating in gathering, consider risk:
- Lowest risk: Virtual-only activities, events, and gatherings.
- More risk: Smaller outdoor and in-person gatherings in which individuals from different households remain spaced at least 6 feet apart, wear cloth face coverings, do not share objects, and come from the same local area (e.g., community, town, city, or county).
- Higher risk: Medium-sized in-person gatherings that are adapted to allow individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and with attendees coming from outside the local area.
- Highest risk: Large in-person gatherings where it is difficult for individuals to remain spaced at least 6 feet apart and attendees travel from outside the local area.
- If you have underlying medical condition, you should:
- Continue with medications
- Have at least 30 day supply
- Do not delay getting emergency care for your underlying condition
- Call a healthcare provider if you have concerns
- If you don’t have a healthcare provider, contact your nearest community health center or health department.
- Department of Aging and Community Living’s hotline: if you need information or assistance you can call (202) 724-5626
Food
Available resources for elderly experiencing difficulty accessing food:
- Meals on Wheels: meal delivery and grocery shopping services. Please call the D.C. Office on Aging at 202-724-5626 to determine eligibility.
- We Are Family Senior Outreach Network: emergency assistance with free grocery delivery from local food banks for seniors living in the Shaw, Columbia Heights, and Petworth neighborhoods.
- Several grocery stores offer seniors-only shopping times:
- Giant:
- Time: 6-7 am every day of the week
- Restrictions: persons must be 60+ or have compromised immune system
- Safeway:
- Time: 7-9 am Tuesday and Thursday
- Restrictions: persons must be 60+, pregnant, or have compromised immune system
- Whole Foods:
- Time: 7-8am Fridays (open during first hour of shopping)
- Restrictions: persons must be 60+
- Note: Grocery pickup is also available for individuals 60+ during this time, too!
- Walmart:
- Time: 6-7 am Tuesdays (first hour of store opening)
- Restrictions: persons must be 60+
- Target:
- Time: first hour of shopping on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Columbia Heights, Tenleytown, Alexandria 8-9am Tuesday & Wednesdays; Cleveland Park, NY Ave NE, Ballston, Rosslyn 7-8am Tuesday & Wednesdays
- Restrictions: elderly, pregnant, and those defined by CDC to be at high risk or vulnerable
- Trader Joe’s:
- Time: first hour of operation on Wednesday or Sunday (either 8-9 or 9-10 am depending on the store)
- 14th St, 25th St, Union Market District, Capitol Hill: 9am Wednesday, Sunday. December 23 NO SENIOR HOUR
- Restrictions: persons 60+ and customers with disabilities
- Aldi:
- Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, first hour of business (8:30-9:30 am)
- Restrictions: seniors, pregnant women, and those vulnerable to infection
- Fresh Market:
- Time: 8-9am Monday through Friday
- Restrictions: seniors only
- Dollar General:
- Time: first hour of store opening- 8-9am daily
- Restrictions: seniors only
- Harris Teeter
- Time: 6-8am Monday and Thursday
- Restrictions: 60 and over seniors only
- Giant:
- Online shopping: Contactless online shopping is available for groceries, toiletries, and other necessities. Friends and family of the elderly, you can organize a delivery from your home! Organizations include:
- Instacart: www.instacart.com
- Giant: www.peapod.com
- Safeway: www.safeway.com
- Aldi: www.aldi.us/en/shop-now/grocery-delivery/
- Restaurant meal delivery: food delivery directly to your door, can request contactless delivery
- UberEats: www.ubereats.com
- Grubhub: www.grubhub.com/
- Doordash: https://www.doordash.com/
- Postmates: https://postmates.com/
- For recipients of the Community Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)/Grocery Plus:
- Serves D.C.’s senior population who are 60 years and older with a limited income
- CSFP certification period has been extended by 90 days
- If you have not received your monthly food box, please call the Capital Area Food Bank at 202-644-9880
- For more information please visit: http://capitalareafoodbank.org/covid19response/
Housing
- CDC guidance for nursing homes and long-term care facilities (restrictions depending on reopening status- Please Contact Facility for More Information):
- In some facilities, visitors are restricted. Restrictions can include: limiting number of visitors, hosting select visit hours, or restricting all visitors except in certain compassionate care situations, such as end of life situations
- Letters and Emails are sent to families reminding them not to visit when ill or if they have known exposure to someone with COVID-19
- Visitors are required to wear face coverings and check-in with the front desk to be assessed for symptoms prior to entry
- Volunteers and non-essential healthcare personnel (e.g., barbers) are restricted
- Depending on reopening status of facility, group activities and communal dining may or may not be continued for residents without COVID-19
- Healthcare personnel and residents are actively being screened for fever and respiratory symptoms
- Residents and families are being educated and updated on topics including information about COVID-19, actions the facility is taking to protect them, any visitor restrictions in place, and actions residents and families should take to protect themselves
- Hygiene Supplies including Hand Sanitizers, Tissues, and Masks are supplied for residents and health care personnel
- Facilities are encouraging social distancing and complying with CDC regulations for reopening accordingly
- For more information, see the above section labeled “Adults”
Transportation
Call ‘n’ Ride transportation program: Discounted door-to-door taxi service for seniors 60+.
Call 202-724-5626 to learn more and enroll.
Personal Wellness
- It’s natural to feel isolated and lonely during this time of social distancing. One of the best ways to stay well is to keep up your relationships with family and friends. Use these links below to learn how to use video conferencing to catch up with friends and family — virtually!
- Instructional video for how to use FaceTime (Apple iPhone)
- Instructional video for how to use Zoom (use from any computer or smartphone)
- Instructional video for how to use WebEx (use from any computer or smartphone)
- American Geriatrics Society’s guide to personal wellness offers 12 tips to ease isolation, including eating well, keeping in touch with friends and family, and staying active.
- An article by Dr. Doreen Marshall of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on how to take care of your mental health during uncertain times
- GWU Reaching Out is hosting a phone call companion program! Request a phone call by filling out a request at www.gwureachingout.com, by emailing gwureachingout@gmail.com, or by calling (202) 709-6344. Simply leave your name, phone number, and preferred time of day for the call (morning, afternoon, or evening). Our volunteers look forward to talking with you!
- Around Town DC has a great list of online events for seniors! Cancelled in person, but available for virtual events
- The Department of Aging and Community living has launched a new Call & Talk program for older adults looking for someone to talk with while at home. Give them a call at 202-724-5626, go through their voice mail prompts and talk to one of the information and referral coordinators. They will have someone call you within 24 hours. After an interview, they will assign you someone as your conversation partner.
So Others May Eat (SOME) has been working to provide activities for participants who are isolated at this time. They are providing an 11 am activity call that all seniors have access to. Their program coordinator Dawit Tesfamichael developed this programming to educate, support, counsel, and entertain seniors during this time. The number for the conference call is (206) 800-4833 and the code is 828282311#
Adult Protective Services (APS): to report allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and/or exploitation of vulnerable adults, please call (202)-541-3950 (available 24/7)
Social Security
- Social security recipients are included in the Cares Act, so are eligible to receive $1,200 if their adjusted gross income is $75,000 or less ($150,000 or less for married couples)
- Social security applications may take longer to process due to field office closures
- Can apply for social security at ssa.gov
Other questions, check here, for other FAQs
