Homebound seniors in the CSRA will soon have access to COVID-19 vaccinations in their homes.
The Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Health joined efforts to ensure vulnerable seniors get access to the COVID-19 vaccine. DPH and the Area Agency on Aging are reaching out to older adults to assist in vaccination.
“This partnership is a great example of the way Georgia is answering the call to protect its residents from COVID-19 and get vulnerable populations vaccinated,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in a Feb. 18 press release.
Jackie Harris is the director of the local agency on aging, which is located at 3626 Walton Way Extension. The agency covers 14 counties throughout the region. It acts as the Aging and Disability Resource Connection, making referrals and providing information to seniors needing assistance to live independently in their homes.
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“The Department of Human Services thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for Public Health and Aging to work together in identifying seniors 65 years old or older who have not been vaccinated and want to be vaccinated,” Harris said. “Then we share that information with DPH.”
At a recent planning meeting, agency representatives discussed the joint venture and how the groups will move forward, Harris said.
AAA services seniors 60 years old and older. Phase 1 A+ of Georgia’s Vaccination Distribution Plan does not include seniors under 65. Part of the AAA’s task has been sifting through client cases to determine which seniors are eligible for the vaccine. AAA contacted those who are eligible and, with their permission, compiled a list of those who are homebound, with a plan for DPH staff to administer the vaccinations at their homes.
“The last count was 130 home-bound seniors,” Harris said. “But we are updating that daily.”
Prior to the combined effort, AAA lined up seniors with rides to vaccination clinics through T&T Transportation. For those who attempted it, the agency assisted seniors in registering online when they called into the office for help. They will continue to offer those services.
However, response to the joint venture has been positive, Harris said. The program reduces the stress of registering online and being placed on hold to make an over-the-phone appointment. It eliminates the registration process for home-bound seniors.
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“I believe a lot of people were frustrated with the process.” she said. “A lot of seniors are not connected with technology and right now everything is set up online.”
Harris said she expects home-administered vaccinations to begin this month.
“That is the first phase of this partnership,” she said. “We are looking at the frailest of the group.”
Phase II includes identifying seniors who are mobile. The agencies intend to coordinate with senior sites to administer vaccinations in pop-up clinics.
Harris looks forward to the time when COVID-19 numbers are low enough to regain normalization.
The AAA center, which typically provides meals for seniors, has been closed during the pandemic. In response, it has delivered the meals to the seniors’ homes. Harris said local government will decide when the office can reopen. Too much isolation is a concern for the elderly population the agency serves.
“We hope to see them open in the near future,” Harris said.
The Area Agency on Aging can be reached at 706-210-2000.
Shellie Smitley is a staff writer for The Augusta Press. Reach her at shellie@theaugustapress.com
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