Adapting essential programs for seniors

Entering our eighth week under these conditions, PVI is delivering close to 700 meals per day. All nutritional meals are prepared, cooked, packed and sent out from our commercial kitchen located at Little House, in Menlo Park. We have changed our operational layout and implemented protective measures to ensure the highest possible safety for our staff, volunteers and clients. We changed the delivery process to allow for a “zero contact” meal delivery.

Meals on Wheels isn’t the only program up and running for PVI. Shortly after closing our Rosener House and Little House programs to the public, we began working toward virtual, or “online” programing. We are keeping people connected.

Caregivers are often the most overlooked group when it comes to services for people living with cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s. For them it is a 24/7 experience. Our Rosener House adult day services allow families to keep their loved ones at home while also being able to provide a day program that cares for and engages participants in activities designed to stimulate the brain and body. It allows for much-needed respite for the caregiver. Rosener House provides a weekly support group made up of current and past participants’ family members. While these programs are closed to the public due to the pandemic, people are left without respite or support. We promptly remedied that.

The staff quickly mobilized and began weekly “wellness checks” calls to our participants and set up “Zoom meetings” for the caregiver support group. PVI rapidly adapted to the “new normal” by launching “Rosener House At Home.” Staff developed online classes and activities for participants to do with loved ones from the safety of their homes — sing-alongs, yoga, trivia and tango classes. The feedback about these services has been overwhelming positive from our participants’ families. As the weeks go on, we will continue to enhance the experience for all our users.

At Little House, we introduced online offerings for active adults. Staff are also conducting wellness check phone calls to close to 1,000 of our members. Being isolated and alone can be very hard and it helps to hear the familiar voice of one of our staff members. Through our website, people can now sign up for online classes such as tai chi, hatha yoga, chair yoga, Pilates and book club. Customized one-on-one personal training sessions are available from the safety and comfort of your own home. Our Great Lecture series will start soon.

PVI’s transportation service has started providing rides to seniors for medical appointments and to the grocery store to have greater access to food resources. This launch includes added protective protocol for both the drivers and seniors.

Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. is swiftly adapting to the conditions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our mission-centered commitment is enduring — provide daily, nutritious meals, adult day care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and vital health and wellness activities to seniors living on the Peninsula. We are confident PVI’s robust response to the crisis positions us well for recovery over the coming weeks and months. The affirmation of our work is humbling and the dedication of essential staff and outpouring of support from community volunteers and donors is heartwarming to all of us and to the vulnerable, homebound seniors we serve. It is more important than ever to offer grateful thanks for the extraordinary generosity of our community friends and neighbors.

Peter Olson is the CEO of Peninsula Volunteers. Go to Penvol.org/donate for more information and to find ways to consider a gift of support.