COVID-19 Resources for Older Adults

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Friday, March 20, 2020

What you can do to slow the spread:

Stay home if possible
Wash your hands often
Practice social distancing (6 feet apart) with people who are sick
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Call your healthcare professional if you have concerns about COVID-19 and/or your underlying condition or if you are sick

Symptoms of the Coronavirus:

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure

Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chills
Repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell

AgeGuide Resources for Older Adults & Caregivers during COVID-19

Stores with special shopping hours for older adults:

Aldi: Aldi will open at 8:30 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays for vulnerable shoppers including older adults, expectant mothers and those with underlying health conditions

Caputo’s: Older adults and immunocompromised individuals are welcome to shop Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6 AM to 7:30 AM

Costco: Costco will have a shopping hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 AM to 9 AM that is designated to members who are over 60 years old or have physical disabilities

Dollar General: First hour of operations will be dedicated to older adults. Check with your local store for hours of operation

Jewel-Osco: Older adults are welcome to shop Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7 to 9 AM

Mariano’s: Older adults are welcome to shop daily from 6 AM to 8 AM

Meijer: Special hours for older adults on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 AM to 8 AM

Pete’s Fresh Market: Older adults are welcome to shop Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 8 AM

Target: Older adults and people with health issues will be allowed to shop one hour before stores open on Wednesday mornings

Whole Foods: Whole Foods Market stores will service customers who are 60 and older one hour before opening to the general public

Walmart: From March 24 through April 28, Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older. This will start one hour before the store opens. Pharmacies and Vision Centers will also be open during this time

Woodmans: Older adults are welcome to shop from 6 AM to 8 AM

Mental Health Resources:

Call4Calm – The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division has launched a free-of-charge emotional support text line, Call4Calm, for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19.

Individuals who would like to speak with a mental health professional can text “TALK” to 5-5-2-0-2-0, or for Spanish, “HABLAR” to the same number: 5-5-2-0-2-0. Call4Calm is free to use, and individuals will remain anonymous.

Once a resident sends a text to the hotline, within 24 hours they will receive a call from a counselor employed by a local community mental health center to provide support.

Individuals can also text 5-5-2-0-2-0, with key words such as “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” and will receive information on how navigate and access supports and services.

Caring for the Wellbeing of Older Adults during COVID-19: Connecting while Physical Distancing

Addressing Social Isolation for Older Adults during COVID-19

Food for Older Adults:

Making sure older adults receive the nutrition they need during the Coronavirus pandemic is top priority in Illinois. We want to ensure the health, safety and welfare of older adults during this time. Because of this, the home delivered meals program is being expanded to include anyone who is 60 or older. Meals are available on a temporary basis until further notice. There is a Care Coordination Unit in each county that can help you sign up for meals. To receive meals yourself or to learn more about getting meals for a loved one, click here.

During the shelter in place order, select Community Dining locations are providing carry out meals for older adults. If you are interested in carry out meals,

Contact the Care Coordination Unit in your county to register for the program
Call your preferred Community Dining location and reserve a meal (participants must be registered in the program and make a reservation for a meal in advance)

Any older adult who is concerned about accessing food or experiencing other concerns during this unprecedented event, is encouraged to reach out to the Care Coordination Unit in their county for assistance.

Food Safety and COVID-19

Use the locator map to find a food pantry or soup kitchen near you:
https://solvehungertoday.org/get-help/where-to-get-food/

Mobile food pantries open to the public:
https://solvehungertoday.org/get-help/mobile-pantry-calendar/

Community dining sites are available with “to-go” meals, find a location near you:
http://ageguide.org/senior-nutrition-programs/

Northern Illinois Food Bank Agency Closures:
https://solvehungertoday.org/coronavirus/

SNAP Recipients – As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made adjustments to the SNAP program to provide benefits to those in need. See the adjustments made to the program using the link below:
SNAP Information

Open Food Pantries – Call to check hours

Grundy County Food Pantries

Kankakee County Food Pantries

Will County Food Pantries

Protecting Your Finances:

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Information and resources to protect and manage your finances
Protecting your Finances during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Recognize and prevent fraud and scams during the Coronavirus pandemic
Beware of Scams Related to the Coronavirus

Senior Medicare Patrol – COVID-19 Consumer Tip Sheet

If you can’t make your mortgage payments because of hardships due to the Coronavirus, start by understanding your options and reaching out for help
Guide to Coronavirus Mortgage Relief Options

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) – Information on COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments and other tax relief programs

IRS – Coronavirus Information

Social Security Administration – Latest COVID-19 related updates for Social Security Recipients

SSA – Coronavirus Information

Beware of COVID-19 Scams:

Beware of fake claims, deals and websites offering home testing kits, medical supplies, vaccines and cures (there currently are none)

Naperville PD COVID-19 Scam Alert

ComEd: Tips to Avoid COVID-19 Related Energy Scams

Informational Links:

Keeping Family Together During COVID-19: A Checklist

Should I Take My Loved One Home During COVID-19

Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Slow the Spread of COVID-19