Disaster Recovery- Elders, San Antonio Puerto Rico

Summer Report for elderly services

          Nutrition is essential for a good health, goods prices are increasing frequently and the low income elderly are the most impacted.  That’s one of the reasons Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza distributes meals to our elderly participants.  Our participants are elderly with many health problems:  heart conditions, diabetes, high pressure, physical and sight limitations, among others.  Many are living alone or don’t have someone you can help them.

           Our elderly participants have increased to 65 from 56 since our April 2022 report.  We continue with the meal distribution during the weekends to ensure they have a nutritional and balanced meal.  During the past period we distributed 2,963 meals every Friday, Saturday and Sundays.

           In occasions we are able to distribute some non-perishable food so they can spend their money in other things like medicines, clothes, etc.       Other services provided are:  transportation to medical appointments, to the pharmacy to get the prescriptions and/or to the supermarket.

         We provided a housekeeper service to five (5) elderly participants.  The housekeepers prepared breakfast, lunch during the days that the meals are not distributed.  They also cleaned the house and are a company to the elderly for four (4) hours so they feel someone cares.

         A nurse visited the participants to follow up their health conditions.  She talked to them about the importance of taking their medicines on time, visit the doctor when they are not feeling fine.  The participant must inform Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza if they have any problem with the transportation to visit a doctor.

      Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza is aware of how Covid-19 continue affecting the health of the elderly as they are very fragile and their immune system is weaker.  For this reason, our organization continue with the distribution of the prevention kit with face mask, alcohol, and disinfectant. 

      Our organization and our community is very grateful to GlobalGiving and our donors for supporting the welfare of those in need.

Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza continued with meal distribution services to our elderly participants.  We distributed 1,744 meals at their homes so they can have a nutritional meal during weekends (Fridays thru Sundays).   All participants got groceries so they can have some food during the rest of the week because for some it’s difficult to go to the supermarket.  In some cases we took them to the supermarket in our official vehicle.

As the elderly health is fragile and must take precautions against Covid-19 we distributed a prevention kit containing mask, alcohol, spray disinfectant, and wet wipes.  The nurse visited our participants to make sure their health was stable.  

Transportation was provided to those with medical appointments that do not have someone to take them to the doctor.  We also were able to help them to get their prescriptions.  The nurse explained to the elderly the importance of hygiene and to take their medicines as indicated.    

Five (5) participants received housekeeping services such as:  cleaning, and preparation of breakfast and lunch.  These participants are living alone or with physical limitations with little help from relatives and/or friends.

During the past months some participants were relocated  to nursing homes, with relatives, and others passed away from different pre-existing conditions.  The Case Coordinator visited other elders and recruited 12 new ones.  Right now we have 56 participants and there are some others waiting to be evaluated soon in order to become a participant.

Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza is grateful for GlobalGiving and its donors.

Our elderly are not forgotten.  

During the period ending on December 2021, Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza continue paying special attention to our 54 elderly participants.  We distributed 2,743 meals at their homes so they will receive a nutritional meal during the weekends.  They also received a non-perish groceries like:  rice, cooking sauce, vegetables, fruits and nutritional drinks.  We were able to share some groceries with the community.

It’s important to keep their health in good condition during this period of time with the Covid-19 pandemic.  The elderly health is fragile and most of them with chronic conditions like:  heart conditions, diabetes, physical limitations.   Face masks, and hand sanitizer were distributed to all participants.  Adult diapers and blue pads were given to three (3) of them who are in delicate condition. 

Transportation was given to three (3) participants to prevent them from losing their medical appointment and took them  to the pharmacy to get the medicines prescribed.  Our 54 elderly required help to obtain documents such as:  medical prescription and laboratory results and our organization was able to represent the participants so they could got them.  The nurse visited all participants to follow up their conditions, and provided orientation related to their medicine use, hygiene and nutrition.

Three (3) elders received the housekeeper services:  cleaning, prepare breakfast and lunch.  They were living alone and they had little help from relatives and/or friends. 

Three (3) of our participants were relocated to an apartment and/or nursing home and they were able to improve their quality of life.

Our organization and participants want to acknowledge that all these services were possible thanks to our donors and GlobalGiving.

During the period of May to July 2021 our 53 elderly participants received special attention. Even though our office was closed in July we were able to coordinate with the cook and driver so they could get their meals.  We distributed 2,726 meals at their homes.  Besides the meal, during this period they also received nutritional drinks, and some vegetales such as:  carrot, pumpkin and plantain.  They also received prevention kits containing hand sanitizer, masks, and face shield.  

We provided medical appointment transportation to six (6) participants and took four (4) elderly to the supermarket to buy groceries.  This service is provided to those who are lack of transportation.  Nine (9) elders received the housekeeper services.

The Covid-19 pandemic continue increasing, the elderly are fragile with various health conditions.  Nutrition, prevention kits and our nurse follow up visits helps them to keep their health stable.

Some participant don't know how to request documentation in agencies.  Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza helped them to get it to so we could update our records with the participant government aids.    

One couple, both participants, had their home in a critical condition.  Our organization was able to built their home and buy some furniture (sofa, beds, etc.) thanks to GlobalGiving.  The participants were very happy and grateful when they saw the change.

Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza appreciate GlobalGiving donors who support our project.  

During the Covid-19 pandemic Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza continued providing services to our elderly participants from 58 to 94 years old living in San Antonio and nearby areas. Most of them are living alone or with poor family support, physical limitations, bedridden sick or with chronic health conditions.

The activities during the period from January to March 2021 were:

1. Delivered 1,970 meals at the elderly homes. The menus were varied and healthy so they can get balanced nutrients.  A housekeeper visits those in great need during the week.

2. The nurse went to 46 participant homes to monitor their health conditions, how they were managing their medications, and provided hygiene orientation and nutritional education.

3. Provided transportation in our official vehicle to their medical appointments, pharmacy, supermarket, governmental agencies, and to get the Covid-19 vaccines. With the participant authorization we were able to get them official documents, prescriptions, medicines, and laboratory results.

4. We purchased and delivered a fridge to a participant.

5. We were able to distribute boxes of drinking water, groceries, and medical articles for those in need because of their health condition.

6. Continue the distribution of the Covid-19 prevention kit containing hand sanitizer, face masks, face shield, and alcohol.

7. A participant was living in subhuman conditions and we were able to build him a room which made him very happy and grateful. Another participant living in similar conditions was moved to a nursing home.

Our services have been non-stop in order to keep our elderly in good health condition and to provide for their basic needs, especially emotional support as they feel that someone takes care of them in this critical period. We really appreciate the support of GlobalGiving and our donors who make all this possible.