Community - HDMG

Coronavirus COVID-19 Community Resources

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

This will be updated as we learn more about what is available to those in our community.

Health Net Members:

COVID-19 Updates and Alerts

https://www.healthnet.com/content/healthnet/en_us/community.html

Schedule an appointment for the vaccination or register to receive an email/text alert when you are eligible to schedule your appointment

myturn.ca.gov.

HDMG Antibody Testing

CA State Governor: www.gov.ca.gov

Department of Mental Health:http://dmh.lacounty.gov

LA County Department of Health: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

League of California Cities: https://www.cacities.org/Policy-Advocacy/Hot-Issues/Coronavirus-Resources-for-Cities

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs “The COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak has the potential to increase stress and anxiety, both because of the fear of catching the virus and because of uncertainty about how the outbreak will affect us socially and economically. There are steps you can take to manage stress and improve your wellbeing.”
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/covid/index.asp
https://www.nami.org/covid-19
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Drive-Thru Safety Concerns: https://www.facebook.com/464420633925787/posts/1061366114231233/?d=n

COVID-19 and Chronic Diseases:

COVID-19 & Diabetes Flyer

COVID-19 & Heart Disease Flyer

COVID-19 & Lung Disease Flyer

Businesses Open in Lancaster:

https://open.bludot.io/cities/lancaster

Lunch Program for Seniors:

You must be currently registered in the LA County Lunch Program to participate.

Drive through boxed lunches available at the following sites:
Cal/Fresh (SNAP): https://www.getcalfresh.org/?source=dssfood
Food Banks: Food Pantry Guide
Legacy Commons- Center closed until further notice: (661) 267-5904, www.cityofpalmdale.org – Boxed lunches available at 11:00 am
Antelope Valley Senior Center- Center closed until further notice: (661) 726-4400 – Boxed lunches available between 11am-1pm
Rosamond Senior Center is closed and no lunch program is available.
Grace Resources and Grace Chapel are providing a “Project Door Drop” to priority-high risk patients (65+) To sign up and receive assistance please visit www.projectdoordrop.com

Or go to www.WDACS.lacounty.gov

City of Lancaster

Antelope Valley Partners for Health (AVPH)

Feed the Need (62+) (Also accepting donations): 661-942- 4719

Partners for Health (through Santa Clarita senior center): 661-644-7141

Lunch Program for Kids:

For school breakfast/lunch information and locations go to:

www.avdistrict.org/schools/covid-19-updates

First Responder Emergency Childcare:

City of Palmdale: https://apm.activecommunities.com/palmdale/Activity_Search/first-responder-emergency-childcare/6957

YMCA: https://lancasterymca.org/coronavirus/

Store hours to accommodate vulnerable guests:

Seniors (65+), disabled, and pregnant women

Albertsons/Vons: Tuesday/ Thursdays 7-9am “senior shopping”

Costco: Tuesday/Thursdays 8-9am. 60+

Dollar General: First hour of operations to be dedicated for senior customers (55+) hours vary

Stater Brothers: 7:45am

Target: 8-9am , Wednesday only

Trader Joe’s: 9-10am daily

Vallarta: 7-8am

Walgreens: Tuesdays 8-9am 55+

Walmart: 6 am to 7 am every Tuesday, Mar. 24 through Apr. 28.

Curbside Service: order online and curbside pick-up

Michaels: www.michaels.com

Walmart: www.walmart.com

Most stores are closing early to disinfect-please check websites for updates:

www.traderjoes.com

www.target.com

www.vallartasupermarkets.com

Guidance For Seniors

DMV Extension for Drivers 70+

The DMV is providing an extension to Californians age 70 and older with a driver license that expires from March 1 to May 31, 2020. This action ensures this vulnerable group can avoid a DMV office visit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF AGING

Under the umbrella of the California Health and Human Services Agency, the California Department of Aging (CDA) administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State. These programs are funded through the federal Older Americans Act, the Older Californians Act, and through the Medi-Cal program. www.aging.ca.gov

MEDICARE COVERAGE & COSTS

Medicare rules have been revised extensively to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. Seniors can find answers to questions about Medicare costs and coverage for coronavirus testing and treatment, after care, co-pays and deductibles on the Medicare & Coronavirus webpage The webpage also explains the waivers and exemptions now available and provides links to other sources of information seniors may need.

TREATMENT, WAIVERS OF WAITING PERIODS & PRE-APPROVAL

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has waived numerous waiting periods, treatment restrictions, and prior authorization requirements to help hospitals manage increased numbers of patients requiring emergency or extensive healthcare due to COVID-19. These waivers include the requirement for a 3-day inpatient hospital stay before Medicare will cover treatment in a skilled nursing facility. Prior authorization and penalties for using out-of-network or out-of-state providers have been waived as well. More details are provided

TELEHEALTH OPTIONS

Medicare has temporarily expanded its coverage of telehealth services to respond to the coronavirus outbreak. Medicare enrollees can access remote care using a wider range of communication tools, such as smartphones, and a wider range of providers, including doctors, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers. Medicare will also permit seniors to obtain medications from Medicare and Medicare Advantage medication programs using mail-order delivery, other delivery methods, out-of-network pharmacies, or pharmacies closer to their homes. Seniors are also permitted to stock up on medications under the recently enacted waivers.

MEDICARE AFTER LOSS OF INSURANCE FROM EMPLOYMENT

Working seniors who have been laid off or let go because of stay-at-home orders and the resulting business shutdowns may be very worried because they have lost employer-sponsored health insurance. However, losing employer-based medical insurance is considered a life-changing event that opens enrollment to Medicare or Medicare Advantage at any time.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RETIREES AND LOW-INCOME SENIORS

The huge volatility in the stock market and uncertainty in real estate valuations have created serious financial concerns for some seniors living on pensions or investments or who have relied on equity in their homes during prior economic downturns. Congressional relief bills have waived penalties applied to early withdrawals from Roth IRAs and other tax-deferred savings for temporary withdrawals that are repaid after the emergency declaration is terminated.

COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR SENIORS

Some seniors may now need assistance with rent, utilities, food, and medication costs but not know where to find temporary relief. Seniors can find regional or local nonprofit organizations, government agencies, food pantries, utilities assistance, unemployment benefits and more by visiting 211.org More local assistance can be found at the California Coronavirus Response.

FUNERALS AND RELIGIOUS RIGHTS AFTER COVID-19 DEATH

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) provides information about avoiding potential contamination from a person who has died after contracting the COVID-19 virus. CDC guidelines state there is no evidence suggesting people are at increased risk if they attend funeral services for someone with COVID-19. However, the guidelines strongly recommend seniors and others with compromised immunity avoid physical contact with the body, including kissing the body or touching hands, cheeks, or other surfaces where the virus may linger. If cultural or religious rites require washing or shrouding the body, individuals involved in those rites should use personal protective equipment to avoid contamination.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

AARP provides more information about a wide array of other concerns seniors may have about healthcare coverage and finances while the coronavirus outbreak continues. Topics include taxes, charitable contributions, mortgage payments, rental evictions, and temporarily holds on mortgage payments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidance for older adults regarding COVID-19. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/covid19-guidance.html.

AARP & Tax filing help

AARP Live Q&A Event: The Coronavirus: https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/tele-town-hall-coronavirus.html

Tax-aide: https://secure.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action?&intcmp=CSN-LNK-AARPLOCAL-LRMTAX-20190712-PALMDALE-CA

AARP endorses H&R Block: https://www.hrblock.com/offers/turbotax-price-comparison/?otppartnerid=9319&prodid=d&campaignid=ba_mcm_9319_0002

File taxes for free: https://www.myfreetaxes.com/

Employment:

If you are looking for employment contact:

Albertsons

Aldo

Amazon

Costco

CVS Health

Dollar General

Dominos

Food 4 Less

Papa Johns

Walmart

For more information visit www.cityoflancasterca.org/Coronavirus

Community Assistance:

AV Hispanic Chamber: https://www.avhispanicchamber.org/covid-19-resources.html

Spectrum: Is offering free access to broadband WiFi for new K-12 and college students households that that their network currently passes for the next 60 days to help students learn remotely. They are also opening their WiFi hotspots across their footprint for public use.

Social Services:

http://dpss.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpss

GuidanceHomelessShelters

GuidanceHomelessServiceAgencies

Transportation Services:

AVTA Changes to a “Reduced Saturday Schedule” Due to Stay at Home Order

AVTA Institutes Free Fares on Local Fixed Routes and Boarding through Rear Doors Only 032320

COVID SHELTER BUS FLIERS

Medicare:

Medicare Advantage Resources

Visit Medicare.gov/fraud for more information on protecting yourself from fraud and reporting suspected fraud.

Alzheimers: