Disaster Recovery- Elders, San Antonio Puerto Rico

Since the end of December 2022 to March 2023, Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza prepared and distributed 2,985 lunches to 68 elderly participants.  These meals, delivered on the weekend, are often their only hot meal for the day.  One participant said “The meals from Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza are really good”.  Another one said “The stew is my favorite meal and this is the best.”

Although Covid-19 is not as severe currently, as during the past two years, the elderly are very fragile due to a variety of health challenges and lack of resources.  If someone in their surroundings gets sick the participant can be affected.  For this reason we distributed 68 prevention kits (masks, alcohol, hand sanitizer, & disinfectant wipes) to our participants.   In addition, we were able to distribute 56 masks and disinfectant wipes to the local San Antonio community.  These can provide protection against viruses and bacterias. 

Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza distributed 32 disposable diapers packs and gloves between our participants and the community.  The housekeeper service did extra work for four (4) participants.   Their homes were cleaned and breakfast and lunch were prepared for them during the week.  In addition, when the elderly have a medical appointment and lack transportation we take them to their appointments. 

Our donors are an important part of our team and we appreciate their commitment to our mission.

A housekeeper visited and assisted two (2) participants that needed help preparing breakfast, lunch, and cleaning their home.  A clean home not only provides a sense of well being but helps in reducing bacteria and viruses so harmful to all bodies, especially those of the elderly.

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.