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President’s Message – July-Sept 2020
Angie Crawshaw
It seems like forever since I wrote a President’s message. We all have been through some traumatic events and changes in our lives. I thought it would be appropriate to high-light some of the feedback I have received on how our members have adapted to Covid-19 in our workplaces, at home and in our daily lives.
The Network in Aging itself has truly changed with all meetings and events taking place on Zoom allowing us to safely social distance ourselves while keeping in contact.
The Networking Committee recently hosted a virtual Bingo event that was a huge success. Members were able to win prizes and enjoy each other company while safely participating from the comfort of their own home with a beverage of choice.
Membership Committee surpassed their goal of membership’s renewal as well as obtaining several new members. Kudos!!
Nominating Committee acquired several new members to serve on the board of directors. Welcome Matt Gardiner- OASIS Senior Advisors, Jenna Bichler- Presbyterian Senior Care of WNY and Audrey Fitch- iCircle Services. Welcome. Please reach out to congratulate them.
Education and Special Events Committee members are busy planning a virtual educational Annual Meeting while celebrating our 40th anniversary. Stay tuned for more details.
Communication Committee has implemented the new membership directory, Unsung Hero’s spotlight on Facebook and Membership Forum that will be accessible to our entire membership soon.
Thank-you to all our committees for the diligent work you do during the ‘pause’ we are all facing.
The Network in Aging was recently featured on WECK radio. I had the pleasure of being the guest speaker to highlight our organization and talk about the wonderful things we do to benefit our senior population as well as how we are coping with COVID in our daily work environments. You can catch the interview on our website as soon as it is available.
I thought I would talk a bit about what some of the membership agencies are doing to cope during this period of uncertainty.
–Independent Living Facilities: Implemented essential visiting policies, social distancing, and face coverings in the common areas.
-Senor Living/Assisted Living: Not allowing visitors at this time. Residents have been doing video chats or window visits with loved ones. New admissions need to quarantine for 2 weeks in a room before they can join the general population. Temperatures are taken of all the staff prior to entering the building. No communal meals or activities. Disinfecting is constant.
-Non-Profit Organizations: have adapted by offering virtual programs while maintain access to vital services, while many are working from home.
-Insurance Carriers: Most insurance carriers are waiving copays for PCP visits, behavioral health visits, and telemedicine. Other services that have changed include waiving cost-sharing for Covid-19 tests, treatments in doctor’s offices or emergency rooms and services delivered via telehealth as well as removing prescription refills limits, and prior authorization requirements. Benefits may vary by insurance company. Check with your carrier for details.
I hope that this gives you a sense of just some of things that our members are doing to cope and can only hope that this event will soon relax to a point that we can all see each other soon, in person and enjoy once again the networking socialization we once had and enjoy about the Network in Aging.
Remember: Don’t lose Hope. When the Sun goes down, the Stars come out.