Senior Care Volunteer Network offers update for clients and volunteers

As we all navigate the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation, I want to assure you the safety of Senior Care Volunteer Network clients, volunteers and staff is our absolute first priority. Like you, we are closely monitoring all World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, and local health organization updates and taking precautionary health measures.

With this in mind, Senior Care Volunteer Network is implementing the following precautions and service changes immediately through at least March 31:

• We are providing older adults with life-critical related rides only at this time, such as to and from dialysis and chemotherapy. All other rides will be suspended until further notice. Our volunteers may call each client the day of their scheduled ride to ask how they are feeling, ask that they wash their hands before getting into their driver's car, and reminding them to call their physician if they feel ill.

• We will shop and deliver groceries for anyone age 60 or older in our community - they do not need to be a SCVN client. If you or someone you know could use this service, call our office at (815) 455-3120. For those clients we typically take to the store, we will offer to deliver their groceries as we do not feel it is safe to take clients to the store at this time.

• We are calling our clients regularly to check on their health and well-being. We encourage the community to reach out to their older adult neighbors to offer help and support if possible, as this will be an especially challenging time for older adults who live alone.

• We are temporarily asking people who have equipment out on loan from our Durable Medical Equipment Loan Closet to please wait and return items after April 12. We are also not currently taking in new donated equipment.

• Any volunteer driver who is not comfortable driving a client is under no obligation. Simply call our office and will find another driver.

• All volunteers are requested to wash hands regularly, sanitize their vehicles and hands while on the road, and stay home if they feel ill or have any reason to believe they have come in contact with someone who is ill or has COVID-19. We are prepared to reschedule rides with other drivers as needed- volunteers need simply to contact our office if they cannot provide services.

• SCVN staff is being offered the option to work from home. For all staff in the office, we have precautions in place including regularly cleaning and sanitizing our office and workstations as well as reminders to wash hands well and often and to stay home if feeling ill. Phone messages will be retrieved frequently and a SCVN team member will return calls as soon as possible.

Given the population we serve, we are asking all volunteers, staff and clients to please promptly inform us if you contract COVID-19, so we may further inform those you were in contact with for the sake of everyone's safety.

We will continue to monitor this situation and make necessary adjustments as appropriate to ensure the health and safety of everyone. If you have any questions or concerns, call the office at (815) 455-3120.

Thank you to our caring volunteer drivers for their services and thank you to everyone in the community for doing all you can to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The older adults SCVN serves are more vulnerable to complications from this virus and those of us less at risk can do them a great service by following hygiene and social distancing recommendations during this challenging time.