Seniors seeking agency resources

EL CENTRO — Grocery store shortages of certain items have prompted an increasing number of local senior citizens to turn to the county Area Agency on Aging for help as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response, the agency has been providing impacted seniors with water, toilet paper and tissue upon request, while also fielding an increasing number of requests for items such as toothpaste and soap.

The latter items appear to be increasingly difficult for seniors to find at stores in recent days, said Rosie Blankenship, agency director and county Public Administrator.

“During this time that number ( of impacted seniors) has grown exponentially because the resources are not available to them at the grocery store,” Blankenship said. “If people have those extras sitting around at home that can help others we would welcome the donations.”

Aside from the bottled water and hygienic products, the agency has also been providing an increasing number of seniors with adult diapers and bags containing several items of non- perishable food, such as rice and beans.

It is advising local seniors that those in need of essential goods can contact the agency by phone to arrange a delivery, which typically occur either the same day or next. To obtain the goods, one must provide their name, age and address.

“All of this is while supplies last,” Blankenship said.

The agency is also accepting donations of the sought- after items from the public. Those willing to donate the items are asked to contact the agency by phone to set up an appointment during which time the items can be dropped off.

To date, the agency has been obtaining the items with funds from its senior nutrition program, as well as county public benefit funds, Blankenship said.

It is hoping to further supplement those funds with recent requests to the Imperial Irrigation District and Heffernan Memorial Healthcare District, she said.

As part of its local response to the COVID-19 threat, the Area Agency on Ag ing has been in communication with managers of the Valley’s senior citizen apartment complexes to determine if any of their residents have unmet needs.

Many of the apartment complexes are capably handling the situation, providing residents with food, handing out fact sheets related to the COVID- 19 threat and keeping visitor logs, while others have taken somewhat less proactive approaches, Blankenship said.

Assisting the agency with its current efforts are personnel from the county’s Behavioral Health Services, Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments.

Additional talks have been held to enlist the help of personnel from the county Sheriff’s Office and Probation Department to help prepare meals and deliver them to the seniors. Though some logistics had remained to be worked out as of midday Friday, if approved the collaborative effort could get underway by Monday, Blankenship said.

“This is teamwork at its best between county agencies,” Blankenship said. “The support has been amazing.”

Members of the public wishing to volunteer to deliver food items and essential goods can contact the agency to have their names placed on a list that the agency relies on when needed. Although those who desire to volunteer must first be screened to determine their eligibility, the screening process has been expedited to bring them aboard as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, the agency is relying on county employees who have been designated disaster service workers to help with its efforts.

“We need to ensure we are using staff first and then the public,” Blankenship said.

An estimated 37,000 seniors currently reside in the Valley, 15,000 of whom are living below the poverty level, Blankenship said. The agency’s var i e ty of programs serves about 6,000 individuals annually.

They are being reminded they should remain in place and refrain from touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth, and wash their hands regularly.

“Their health and well-being is our utmost concern,” Blankenship said.

Currently, the agency’s website has a list of local grocery stores that have established designated hour s of shopping for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, as well as a list of pharmacies that are doing deliveries.

Seniors looking to obtain essential items from the Area Agency on Aging can obtain transportation through the Imperial Valley Transit Ride program. They will have to call IVT to make a reservation a day in advance.

Seniors can contact the agency to schedule an appointment to have the goods dropped off at their homes by calling ( 442) 265- 7030, ( 800) 510-2020 or (442) 2657000.

Those in need of assistance with coping with the current COVID- 19 threat are encouraged to contact the county Behavioral Health Services access line at (800) 817-5292.