Log in

Area Agency responds to 257 percent increase in calls for help during coronavirus pandemic

Posted 3/29/20

On March 27, the Area Agency on Aging’s announced its professional staff had responded to 8,126 calls, 86 percent related to food, that have come into the 24-hour Senior Help Line, an increase of 257 percent over the previous nine days.

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

Area Agency responds to 257 percent increase in calls for help during coronavirus pandemic

Posted

On March 27, the Area Agency on Aging’s announced its professional staff had responded to 8,126 calls, 86 percent related to food, that have come into the 24-hour Senior Help Line, an increase of 257 percent over the previous nine days.

In response to those calls, the agency’s staff and 35 volunteers and AmeriCorps members delivered 420 food boxes provided by St. Mary’s Food Bank, 32 food bags filled by Area Agency staff and 500 sack lunches provided by CSAA Insurance Group.

In addition, 107 callers were referred to senior centers for grab-and-go meals or to Meals on Wheels for delivery, according to a press release.

“Our team has been working around the clock to ensure that seniors in our community have the food and nourishment they need at a time when it’s more difficult than ever for them to get to a grocery store. These numbers don’t reflect referrals that have been to other services and resources that are so important to their health and well-being,” said Area Agency on Aging President and CEO Mary Lynn Kasunic.

“It has been an effort driven by an incredible commitment to the clients we serve every day. In fact, our staff has been bringing in extra cans of food that they purchase on their own when they go shopping for themselves.”

Ms. Kasunic said that “St. Mary’s Food Bank has been a tremendous partner in our outreach, and supplying food pallets every day based on our needs.”

During the nine days prior to March 18, the Senior Help Line responded to 2,091 calls, 25 percent of which were related to food, Ms. Kasunic said.

The Senior Help Line, 602-264-HELP (4357) or toll free at 888-783-7500, is a 24-hour information and assistance resource and central intake for the Area Agency, helping seniors navigate a diverse range of resources.

Among the services are information on benefits including Medicare counseling, family caregiving support, legal assistance and links to a variety of other resources that help older adults.

Ms. Kasunic said that the Senior Help Line also can provide information about volunteer opportunities for those who may be interested.

For more information, visit aaaphx.org.