Is there some sort of food/supply delivery service for the elderly in Austin that have don't have anyone to shop for them? I saw way too many elderly out on their own this weekend and would like to help out in some way if possible.
Posted Mar 16, 2020, 2:52 AM UTC
The risk is unknowingly exposing someone to the virus you are either infected with while asymptomatic, or indirectly carrying on the goods you bring them (on the products you carry). There isn't any way to know this, and it's fucking horrible. Unless you can be trained/train yourself to abide by practices of strict discipline to wipe everything you touch with disinfectants and risk mitigation, you may cause more harm than good. I've considering offering the same type of volunteerism, but there just isn't a clear way I can guarantee I would be making things worse for someone.
Only being in contact with you instead of being in contact with 300 people in the store already is an improvement. They are going to be in contact with the products anyway so that is a wash.
Meals on Wheels delivers meals to seniors and disabled individuals daily.
Meals on Wheels also has a program called Groceries to Go that arranges for volunteers to pick up seniors and help them grocery shop. For those who can't get out of the house, Groceries to Go volunteers can also pick up a grocery list from the senior/disabled person, do their shopping for them, and help them put away the groceries in their kitchen.
https://www.mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org/
https://www.mealsonwheelscentraltexas.org/programs/groceries-to-go
Both programs require a background check and attendance at a training session before you can volunteer with them.
I've been googling around to see. I was at HEB yesterday and saw so many elderly people trying to buy food. Really broke my heart to see an old man trying to get staple items and being nearly run over by people hoarding 25 cans of black beans. These are the people that are in danger the most from this virus. I donated to the central Texas food bank because they are going to have an influx of families needing food because school shutdowns, but the elderly need support as well.
Helps older folks stay independent https://www.capitalcityvillage.org
Maybe drive a senior, is in contact with people that need help. https://driveasenior.org
Check out the Nextdoor app, you are able to ask if your neighbors need help.
Also perfect time to reach out to all your loved ones, friends around the world.
There's always things like Instacart, Shipt, Favor, and HEB's pickup thing. The trouble is that older folks may not be as tech savvy to work those apps.
So, check in with your friends and relatives and see if anyone needs help making orders that way?
It would probably be super helpful if someone wrote up how to use each one and sent them out as printable documents so that they could be handed out to folks who either want to help shop or who want to try shopping.
Or on fixed incomes or EBT so can't afford the delivery fees.
I don’t know that it exists. If someone smarter than me can get an organization like that started, I’d sign up.
Meals on Wheels has been around forever. There have been elderly and infirm since waaaaay before the virus. They're doing just fine.
I'm happy to help!!!
I have a car and an open schedule! I will wear mask, use hand sanitizer and clorox wipes to prevent risk
DM me
Home instead senior care. You’re a caregiver but part of it involves taking them on normal errands like the grocery store. It’s where I work and it’s a very small company, if you were to call and talk to the owners I think they could definitely set something up with you for the time being where that is all you do. I spoke with them a few days ago about how my client doesn’t need to go to the store anymore and asked if they could come explain why and that I can order pickup right now instead.
I’ve recommended this to some older folks I know: freshly.com. It’s a meal delivery service, but instead of others like Hello Fresh and Blue Apron, the food is already prepared. It’s also of high quality and nutrition. And fresh, not frozen.
Happy to have stumbled across this post. We are actually launching a program directed at serving this exact need.
If you know someone in Austin who is 55+ or immunocompromised, please consider having him or her sign up for our free stay home, stay healthy campaign to receive food directly to their door step.
Good Apple - Stay Home, Stay Healthy
At the moment, we are working with a coalition of public and private institutions to deliver free limited-contact food support to those in need and would sincerely appreciate your support!
Hey all, what do y’all think about grocery stores having designated hours for the elderly? Say for example HEB opens now at 8am local time, well how about opening at 7am and having from 7-8am only for them to shop so they get what they need. This means everyone else cannot go in and shop during that hour.
I don’t think work logistically. If you allow elder hour, then you’d have to consider cancer hour, pregnant & young baby hour, and any other hour for whatever group felt so entitled to bleat at the top of their lungs on Twitter. It would become a nightmare tracking who needs what.
(And I don’t mean that sarcastically, I like the idea of elder hour too. Just not the idea of everyone who also would want advantages).
It's totally working in Australia but it combines the elderly and high risk citizerns at the same hour.
I saw that a country in Europe was also doing it but I didn’t count in the pregnant, and all other groups that may need access to this so that would cause chaos. Be safe out there and let’s see how these next few weeks are!
I definitely get your point, it’s going to be a crazy next few weeks here in Texas. Specially today after the president recommended no gatherings of 10+ people. Stay safe out there!