Disaster Recovery- Elders, San Antonio Puerto Rico

Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza, Inc. continued providing elderly services during the time of Covid-19 pandemic.  Our office was closed because of the virus from March 15 until June 2020.   During this period the employees were working from their homes.  Follow up to our participants was done by phone, and in some cases our contact was an elderly relative. 

We coordinated the distribution of groceries to our 50 elderly participants so they could stay at home with some food. They received  vegetables, fruits, non-perished items four (4) times.  To prevent Covid-19 virus they got kits with alcohol, hand sanitizer, gloves and masks twice (2).  They also received hygiene items like soap, tooth paste, etc.  By this way the elderly had for their basic needs at home and should not be put at risk going out.

Our office was opened again in July 1, 2020 following the hygiene protocol previously made for the working areas and for the participant visits. During this period our organization distributed 1,332 lunches on Fridays, Saturday and Sundays to the elderly.  Until today all of our elderly participants are in good health.  

Beside the regular services, we verified if they received the federal incentive for the Covid-19 and if the Census 2020 document was completed.  We contacted the local Census office and with an employee they visited 17 participants to help them to complete it.   

Even though the difficult time because of the Covid-19 our organization has been very responsible managing the situation in order to protect the employees and our participants.  We appreciate the donors and GlobalGiving for their support.

Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza main mission is to improve the quality of life of low income elderly participants, most of them living alone or without someone who can take care of them.

We continued providing them with health follow up, a housekeeper and meal distributing until mid March when started the critical situation regarding Covid-19. Our personnel provided orientation to all participants about steps to be follow like:   stay at home, do not receive visitors, use of gloves and masks, we contacted relatives even if they don’t live with the participant and provided written information about the virus symptoms and instructions of what they must do.

The following services were provided to prepare the elderly for the quarantine:  distributed disinfectant, masks and gloves to the cook and two employees who distributed the meals.  Groceries were also distributed so that the elderly could have something to eat as many stores are closed and/or some participants do not have transportation. 

Up to this date, all 50 participants are safe and following instructions at their homes. We expect to be able to provide them with masks, gloves, cleaning and disinfectant articles which are necessary during the next weeks until this difficult period finish.  

Our administrative personal is aware of the elderly needs, precaution to be taken and are doing some remote follow up. We appreciate the support of GG and the donors during this new situation.