Disaster Recovery- Elders, San Antonio Puerto Rico

During the past months many activities were held.  We continue with our nutrition program providing the elderly with a healthy meal during the weekends.  Volunteers, youth and adults, distributed the meals to the elderly homes.  The participants buy  what they can get with their low income but not the healthy food they need.  The menu they receive from Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza is different every week and in some cases the only meal they receive that day.

Father's Day was special for our participants.  They receive a bag with some basic need articles such as: disposable razors, soap, tooth paste and brush. They expressed their gratitude and for many it was the only present they got that day. 

Health is very important because the person can be more relax not thinking that are vulnerable to get an illness, chronic pain or disease, it can save time, money and hospital visits.   The elderly will not have to be a burden to their loved ones and he/she can enjoy a better emotional wellbeing. Energy and vitality increases with a good health and for these reasons we provide follow-up to their conditions.  A nurse visits the participants to verify if they are taking their medicines and to indicate the importance of follow the instructions, monitor their glucose or blood pressure, and to provide orientation about the correct use of their medical equipment.  During the past months were were able to distribute Ensure and Glucerna shakes to provide nutrition for specific conditions.   

Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza appreciate the support we receive from the donors because it makes a positive impact to the participants.  Each donation help us to improve and/or continue providing our services.

Volunteers are very important distributing meals to our elderly persons participants.  They came to our kitchen to pick up the meals every Saturdays and Sundays and each week the participants receive a varied diet.  Some of volunteers are new and others have been doing volunteer service for months. 

We are very glad to see how university students decided to try and are now regulars.  An example of this:  two young ladies from the University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla Campus.  They said:  "We started last year to get related to the elderly needs and found the experience gratifying.  For this reason we continue doing voluntary service.  The elders are waiting for us with a smile and sometimes talk about their problems or how Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza helped them in an specific situation."

Our organization was able to provide transportation to medical appointments to some participants who do not have how to get to the doctor's office.  Otherwise, they will lose the opportunity to get a diagnosis or to follow up their health condition.  This is very important to maintain any condition stable.

Participants with special needs got blue pads, disposable diapers, nutritive shakes, diabetic shakes and basic needs articles.  As their income is low they are not able to buy them regularly. 

As a non-profit organization we need your help.  We are grateful for our donors and encourage everybody to support us as the elderly persons really needs attention because of their fragility.