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.