May 2020 Senior Spectrum Newspaper

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Coronavirus Stimulus Checks: What to Know About Mail Delivery

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May 2020

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bout 175 million Americans qualify for stimulus checks according to the White House.

Taxpayers with direct deposit received their stimulus check in April. Those without direct deposition information on file began receiving their check in the mail after April 24th.

Paper checks are being sent at a rate of about 5 million per week, taking up to 20 weeks for all to go out. People with the lowest adjusted gross income will be mailed checks first, those with income up to $10,000. Taxpayers with income up to $29,000 can anticipate receiving their stimulus by May. People with an adjusted gross income of $40,000 will receive a check

by May 15. The remainder of stimulus checks will be issued by gradually increasing income increments weekly.

Households with joint filings earning $198,000 will get reduced checks on September

THIS ISSUE 4. The check will be reduced by $5 for every $100 over $75,000 for single adults and $150,000 for married couples.

The reduction will apply to the entire amount of the payment including the additional $500 per qualifying child.

The last group of stimulus funds will be sent on September 11 for those who did not have tax information on file and had to apply for checks.

Eligibility for the stimulus is based on a taxpayers most recent tax return and their adjusted gross income. If you already filed your 2019 taxes, your eligibility will be based on that. If not, the IRS will use your 2018 taxes to determine if you qualify.

The benefit is available not only to those who have filed taxes, but also to those who receive Social Security benefits as long as they’ve received their SSA-1099 or RB-1099 forms.

Page 3 - Check in the Mail

During the Pandemic

Page 7 - ADSD COVID-19 Emergency Funding

Page 13 - Internalized Ageism in Healthcare Center for Healthy Aging

Page 10 - Nevada State Health Lab to Start Limited Antibody Testing

Page 15 - Mental Health Needs to be Acknowledged

Page 11 - COVID-19 Unites the Scientific Community

Page 24 - Age Friendly Planning Process

Page 16 - Coronavirus Resource Guide

Page 25 - Our New Normal

EVERY ISSUE Page 4 - US Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto Page 6 - Sparks City Councilman, Khristopher Dahir Page 9 - CMS: Getting Medical Care in Your Home

Page 27 - Tinseltown Page 29 - Resources Page 30 - Biggest Little City Page 31 - Crossword Page 32 - Simply Smart Travel

Senior Spectrum Newspaper P.O. Box 7124 • Reno, NV 89510 775/348-0717 email: SeniorSpectrumNV@aol.com Web: SeniorSpectrumNewspaper.com Family Publishers Connie McMullen • Chase McMullen Editorial not necessarily the opinion of SSN www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // May 2020

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COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS

PROTECT YOURSELF AND HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD

WASH YOUR HANDS

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE

STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK

COVER COUGHS & SNEEZES

CLEAN SURFACES DAILY

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

RENO.GOV/COVID19

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Opinion

Fighting to Protect Seniors during the Coronavirus Pandemic

By U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto

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uring this unprecedented health crisis, I’m doing all I can to support Nevada’s seniors and other vulnerable populations. That means I’m working with both my colleagues in Washington and with Governor Sisolak, and state and local officials across Nevada to ensure the Silver State has the resources it needs to protect Nevadans’ health, safety and economic well-being.

Last month, Congress unanimously passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide economic support to Americans impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The CARES Act funds enhanced unemployment insurance for out of work Nevadans and creates a Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program to cover individuals not traditionally covered by unemployment. The CARES Act also authorizes direct payments to Nevada families and seniors. Nevadans making under $75,000 will receive a non-taxable payment of $1,200 per adult and $500 per qualifying child. All Social Security beneficiaries will automatically receive their rebate payments through a direct deposit to their bank accounts. I pressed the Administration to enact that important provision, and I’m also calling on the Administration to issue checks automatically for recipients of benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Supplemental Security Income program.

My office is working hard to protect seniors from bad actors who may try to defraud Nevadans of their federal stimulus checks or take advantage of vulnerable populations. I’ve cosponsored the Disaster and Emergency Pricing Abuse Prevention Act to prohibit selling or offering for sale essential goods and services at excessive prices during a state of emergency.

I’ve also urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect seniors from scams and I encourage all seniors to protect themselves from fraud by guarding their sensitive personal or bank information. If someone calls you trying to get personal information, don’t give it to them and instead ask them for information and a number to call them back it. Then, reach out to my office, or the office of Nevada’s Attorney General Aaron Ford so we can get to the bottom of it.

(Coronavirus page 5)

I’m also fighting to ensure hospitals, community health centers and long-term care facilities have the resources they need to combat COVID-19 and treat coronavirus patients, especially seniors and those at high risk as a result of preexisting conditions. The CARES Act includes over $100 billion in funding to fund hospitals and health care facilities. Nevada received its first distribution of over $240 million in direct cash payments to 2,581 Medicare providers in early April. Additionally, Congress’ previous coronavirus response package expanded telehealth options for seniors, ensured that COVID-19 testing and any potential vaccines will be covered for all Medicare recipients and delivered over $2 million in funding to help Nevada communities continue to provide meal services for older adults. I’ve also been fighting for more support for older Americans which is why I cosponsored the Coronavirus Relief for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act which would increase funding for nursing home inspectors, promote home and community-based services and protect home health workers, and increase emergency funds for nutrition programs that allow seniors and people with disabilities to remain at home. I’ve also called on the Administration to share their preparedness and response plans for the safety of seniors including those living in nursing homes, homebound seniors and those with disabilities who may struggle to access important information about the virus.

As I work in the Senate to ensure Nevadans have the resources and support they need to protect their livelihoods and loved ones, I want everyone in the Silver State to know that I’m here to provide the resources they need. My office has published a comprehensive resource guide on my website, cortezmasto.senate.gov, to help Nevadans with issues ranging from understanding unemployment insurance to requesting food assistance. The guide also includes information on which grocery stores in Nevada are holding “seniors only” shopping hours, transportation options for seniors needing to attend medical appointments, mental health resources and more.

Nevadans can also stay updated on the latest news and public health guidance by visiting the state’s coronavirus hub at nvhealthresponse.nv.gov or calling Nevada’s senior-specific coronavirus hotline by dialing 211 on a local phone.

I’ve seen Nevadans come together time and time again to weather tough situations, and this crisis is no different. In these uncertain times, I’m more proud than ever to represent this great state and I will continue to honor the Nevadan’s we’ve lost to this pandemic and fight to protect our communities, our economy and our great state. __________________________________________ Reno Office, 400 South Virginia Street, Suite 902, Reno, NV 89501. Phone: (775) 686-5750 Fax: (775) 686-5757 www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // May 2020

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Nevada CAN -

Opinion

Kristopher Dahir Sparks City Council

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You Are Not Alone

his has been one of the most interesting months I have personally lived through and in some ways one of the most hopeful. I have watched as neighbors began sharing their supplies and strangers took a moment to see the needs of those around them. Though we have been asked to stay home and have social distancing this does not mean we must be isolated.

This article will give you a direct insight into a new program called Nevada CAN. This program is focused on Senior Citizens social, practical and health needs. It will give you contact information on how to connect with the Nevada CAN and you will hear from a couple of doctors that are involved in this program as to why they see this program as essential for every one of our senior population, both now and in the future.

As a public health gerontologist who has dedicated his career to supporting elder health and well-being, Peter Reed, PhD, MPH, Director, Sanford Center for Aging at UNR School of Medicine, stated, “I find the COVID-19 crisis absolutely stunning, as it is by far the biggest challenge ever faced by the state- and nation-wide network of aging services professionals. While people clearly recognize the public health, health care and Peter Reed financial crises underway, we need to also realize that there is an important aging services crisis unfolding in communities across our state with the potential for very serious consequences for Nevada’s older citizens.”

wellness and social engagement through remote technologies including one to one, group peer support and volunteer opportunities.

As I spoke to both Peter and his wife Dr. Jennifer Carson, one of their biggest concerns was isolation. Jennifer is the Director of Dementia Engagement, Education and Research (DEER) Program for University of Nevada, Reno. She was very clear that, “Social distance does not need to equate social isolation. Stay connected! We are social beings and need relationship.”

Jennifer Carson

Jennifer went on to say, “I encourage elders to ask for the help they need. There is no shame in reaching out to get their needs met. Do they need medication delivered? Do they need cat food? Do they need groceries?” The Nevada CAN initiative is meant to be a bridge between the needs of our seniors and the services waiting to be of help.

One of these areas is personal health. This area is Peter’s passion and he wants you to know, “On the telehealth side, the first priority is an assessment. It is important that everyone takes advantage of this instead of running to the doctor for routine medical questions. We will connect them to their primary care or other services they need.” When I asked him about seniors with possible insurance issues, he assured me that they are going to work with everyone’s insurance and if a person is struggling with insurance needs they will do all they can to help.

Nevada CAN will focus on: • Essentials for Daily Living - access to food and prescription medications

In closing, during this strange and difficult time it will be easy to allow isolation to set in and purpose to be drained from your daily live. Nevada CAN will help you by fulfilling that need of connection but also gives you an opportunity to give back.

Peter and Jennifer both wanted you to know, “This is not just what we can do for elders but what elders can do for each other.” Please take a moment to get connected and have your health evaluation done. If you are able, find a way to give back.

• Telehealth Services – geriatric assessments, psychiatry, primary care and other clinical services as available

To register or find more answers, you can call 2-1-1 or go on line and visit nevada211.org/seniors-covid19-resources.

• Social Support Services – Offering connection to education,

Many Blessings.

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Nevada Aging and Disability Services Receives Funds to Support Seniors, People with Disabilities

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he Aging and Disability Services Division was recently awarded $6,929,262 in grants from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funds will help meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities as communities implement measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The grants will fund nutrition services; care services in the home; respite care and other support to families and caregivers.

Across Nevada communities the need for services has increased as measures to slow transmission of COVID-19 have closed locations where many people typically receive services, making it difficult for families to assist loved ones who live alone.

To enact a rapid response, the Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) is leading a partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) Sanford Center for Aging (SCA), UNR School of Community Health Sciences (CHS) Dementia Engagement, Education and Research (DEER) Program, Nevada Senior Services and Nevada 2-1-1, to create an online form that older adults and caregivers can use to request services for support while remaining at home.

The Request for Help form can be filled out online at: https:// www.nevada211.org/seniors-covid19-resources/ (Support page 8)

www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // May 2020

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Support / from page 7

who are living with an eligible individual.

“Keeping Nevada’s older adults safe from exposure to the coronavirus, while ensuring they are well-supplied, have access to medical and social services, and remain free from social isolation (while being physically separated) are now our collective top priorities as an aging network, ” said Dena Schmidt, Administrator for ADSD. “These new funds will go a long way to support our provider network and enable them to meet the continued demand.”

For more information on available resources or to request help visit the Nevada CAN website at: https://www.nevada211.org/ seniors-covid19-resources/

The initial funding of $2,082,648, received in March, has been awarded to community partners who are anticipated to provide an additional 93,000 meals across Nevada. The Division continues to process funding requests related to COVID-19 for services provided to populations covered under the Older Americans Act nutrition program including: individuals age 60 and above, their spouses and a people living with a disability

For more information contact your Aging and Disability Resource Center to plan for you or your loved ones care needs: Nevada Senior Services: 702-364-2273 or 844-850-5113 Access to Healthcare Network: 877-861-1893 William N. Pennington Life Center: 775-423-7096 Lyon County Human Services: 775-577-5009 To report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, isolation, or abandonment of vulnerable adults 18 years and older and/or file a facility complaint call: Las Vegas/Clark County: 702-486-6930 Statewide/All other areas: 888-729-0571

Serving Our Community Regardless of Financial Circumstances We are proud to provide comprehensive options to families from all walks of life.

(775) 322-9200 CremationSocietyNevada.com 8

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CMS

Getting Medical Care in Your Home During the Pandemic

By Seema Verma Administrator, U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

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t Medicare, we understand you may have concerns about going to your doctor’s office during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Like so many Americans, our Medicare beneficiaries are rightly observing social Seema Verma distancing guidelines to protect themselves and others from possible infection. We also recognize that our beneficiaries still need checkups, prescription refills, or other care from their doctors.

The good news is that President Trump dramatically expanded access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries during the pandemic. Telehealth lets you communicate with your physician and other healthcare professionals using your phone, video chat, secure text messaging, email, or through a patient portal.

That means you don’t have to leave your home and risk exposure to the virus.

Medicare is paying for our 62 million beneficiaries to have athome access to a broad range of telehealth services.

If you’re in a Medicare Advantage health plan, check with your plan. We recently authorized Medicare Advantage plans to offer expanded telehealth coverage to meet the needs of their enrollees.

Telehealth can be used for routine office visits, preventive health screenings, mental health counseling, and care that ordinarily would require a trip to an outpatient clinic or hospital emergency room.

In fact, Medicare recently added 80 more telehealth services, including radiation treatment management, therapeutic exercises, prosthetic training, assistive technology assessments, group psychotherapy, inpatient neonatal and pediatric critical care, and end-stage renal disease care.

So I encourage Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of these great new services. Contact your doctor or health plan about available telehealth options.

For people with Original Medicare, telehealth is covered under (Medicare Care page 12)

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Nevada State Public Health Lab to Start Limited Antibody Testing

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First step to “validate” the accuracy of the test before any medical or public health use of the tests occur

he Nevada State Public Health Lab (NSPHL) is currently conducting COVID-19 testing by way of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR), which is a form of testing that detects the virus itself. In the coming weeks, the NSPHL will begin a new form of testing, which includes detection of antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Such a test may be able to determine whether a person has been infected with the virus, in the past.

The NSPHL anticipates testing to be limited after unveiling the test, with availability increasing gradually in following weeks.

The NSPHL will use its initial tests to first evaluate or “validate” the accuracy of the test, prior to any medical or public health use of the tests.

“While our current ability to detect virus in human specimens is useful for determining whether people are infected with the virus, the antibody test will provide us with information about whether people were infected, but maybe never even knew they were,” said Mark Pandori, Ph.D., director of the Nevada State Public Health Lab.

The test that the NSPHL will be performing is manufactured by Abbott, which is seeking Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its distribution and use.

Data from antibody tests will help state leaders make informed business and public health decisions. Nevada Governor Sisolak reported (April 16) that a plan to re-open business and communities in Nevada is being developed based on modeling and projections, health risk assessments, review of testing capacity, and other factors.

Pandori emphasized that while the NSPHL can make limited antibody tests available, it will be up to the state health districts and clinicians to determine how the tests are used. Just like with a COVID-19 test, patients will need to contact their doctor or clinician for an antibody test. Doctors and clinicians will determine who gets tested, where patients can get tested and how the tests will be administered.

Antibody tests are administered two ways: 1. Point-of-Care Rapid Diagnostic Tests – process involves a finger prick of blood.

2. Lab-based Tests – process involves a clinician drawing blood from the arm and sending to the NSPHL or another public health lab for diagnostic testing.

For more information on the administration of antibody tests in Nevada, please contact the following: • Nevada Department of Health and Human Services at: (775) 684-4000 or dhhs. nv.gov or nvhealthresponse. nv.gov/ • Southern Nevada Health District at: (702) 759-1000 or SNHD.info • Washoe County, contact the Washoe County Health District at: (775) 328-2427 or COVID19Washoe.com

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COVID-19 Unites the Scientific Community

NSPHL, which serves the entire state of Nevada as a first line of defense against a public health threat, has the ability on most days to manufacture an average of 1,000 of specimen collection kits for COVID-19 testing.

UNR Med photo by Brin Reynolds.

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s the U.S. continues to face a dire shortage of COVID-19 collection (testing) kits, scientists from the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory (NSPHL) and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), are teaming to facilitate faster COVID-19 testing in the state by manufacturing their own COVID-19 collection kits.

In early March, the NSPHL was the first public health lab in the nation to construct collection kits, which are used to collect a specimen from a patient through nasal swabbing. The manufacturing process involves creating 3D printed testing swabs and producing viral transport media (VTM) to complete the testing kit. The process has helped Nevada to achieve above the national average of tests per 100,000 residents (April 9).

As COVID-19 infections in the U.S. surpass 662,000 and deaths exceed 28,000 and growing, testing supplies have become scarce nationwide. In Nevada, COVID-19 infections surpass 3,500 and deaths exceed 100.

(Testing page 12) www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // May 2020

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NSPHL Addresses Shortage of Collection Kits by Manufacturing its Own COVID-19 Specimen Collection kits patients tested data on the NSPHL website: med.unr.edu/nsphl.

UNR Med’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology is supplying the NSPHL with the key components needed for the lab to complete the manufacture and distribution of the collection kits statewide.

The shortage of collection kit components includes nasal swabs used to collect samples and the sterile solution needed to transport the swabs, known as viral transport media (VTM).

5,000 Viral Transport Media (VTM) tubes in cold storage.

UNR Med photo by Dana Reed.

Mark Pandori, Ph.D., director of the NSPHL explains that since there has been no, or an insufficient supply of COVID-19 collection kits or sourcing nationally, the lab is collaborating with scientists at UNR Med’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology to create and manufacture its own supplies.

The process was made possible after Pandori, who was an advisor on Nevada Governor Sisolak’s COVID-19 Task Force, helped to establish its own system for the State of Nevada, not the FDA, to evaluate whether products associated with testing are safe and effective, which significantly expanded and accelerated COVID-19 testing across the state.

Established in 1909, the NSPHL, which serves the entire state of Nevada as a first line of defense against a public health threat, has the ability on most days to manufacture an average of 1,000 of specimen collection kits for COVID-19 testing.

A quality control process is in place to ensure high quality, accurate testing. The specimen collection kits are distributed to health districts and hospitals that request them. In turn, the NSPHL performs the COVID-19 tests received from the health districts and clinicians focusing on testing symptomatic people and people in contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases.

“We’re collaborating with David AuCoin, Ph.D., chair, department of microbiology and immunology and his team to innovate our way out of the supply shortage,” said Pandori.

“Our job is to provide COVID-19 testing and to help the state remain vigilant and prepared to respond to infectious diseases, including COVID-19. We’re not just standing around waiting for equipment to show up. Instead, we’re being proactive and innovative about creating our own manufactured supplies, now.”

NSPHL conducts COVID-19 tests seven days a week and has a continuous supply of COVID-19 tests available. The lab reports

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Medicare Care / from page 9

Part B. President Trump is allowing healthcare providers to reduce or waive the usual Part B coinsurance and deductible for these services, if they choose.

Doctors, nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and other clinicians are all eligible to provide telehealth services.

Medicare also pays for phone calls with your doctor. You can even get telehealth from a doctor with whom you don’t have an established relationship.

So please, if you’re a senior, follow the federal recommendations – “30 days to slow the spread.” As President Trump has recommended, stay at home and away from other people for the next few weeks. This is especially important for older people with a serious health condition – such as heart or lung problems or a weakened immune system – that puts them at higher risk for the virus.

Medicare is offering these new telehealth options during the pandemic so you can get the care you need, and the peace of mind that comes with it, from the comfort of your own home.

For more information on Medicare coverage of telehealth, please go to: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ president-trump-expands-telehealth-benefits-medicare-beneficiaries-during-covid-19-outbreak.

CMS actions in response to COVID-19 are part of the ongoing White House Coronavirus Task Force efforts. To keep up with the important work the Task Force is doing in response to COVID-19, visit www.coronavirus.gov. For a complete and updated list of CMS actions, and other information specific to CMS, please visit the Current Emergencies Website.

Seema Verma is the current administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

“Adding Life to Years” Dr. Larry Weiss Center for Healthy Aging

Internalized Ageism and Healthcare

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ow does internalized ageism impact healthcare and providers of healthcare? And what does it mean for health outcomes?

Ageism is defined by the World Health Organization as “stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination based on age”.

Ageism is infused throughout our lives. With the COVID-19 Pandemic happening throughout the world and hospitals being jammed with very sick people, how are decisions being made who to treat? Does age make a difference?

All patients deserve quality care, regardless of their age, race, socioeconomic status or sexual orientation. But how does this ethical standard hold for older people? Can we trust that the concerns of older patients will not be dismissed when they visit their doctor’s office or the hospital with COVID-19?

Not surprisingly, the answer is no. Though the bias is likely unconscious, discriminatory behaviors toward older people in health care settings is an all too common experience. In addition to being an ethical transgression, ageism in the doctor’s office or hospital can be damaging and have lasting negative effects on an older person’s overall health and even death.

mon in diagnostic procedures and in the types of treatment offered to patients, especially in cardiology, oncology and stroke care. Compared with younger patients, older adults were less involved in their own health care decision-making and doctors were less tolerant, less respectful and less optimistic.

Have you heard about the 97-year-old man with the painful left knee? He goes to a doctor who takes a history and does an exam. There’s no sign of trauma, and the doctor says, “Hey, the knee is 97-years old. What do you expect?” And the patient says, “But my right knee is 97 and it doesn’t hurt a bit.”

That’s ageism: dismissing an older person’s concerns simply because the person is old. It happens all the time.

On the research side, traditionally, older adults have been excluded from clinical trials, although that’s changing. In medical education, only a tiny part of the curriculum is devoted to older adults, although in hospitals and outpatient clinics they (Ageism page 14)

Due to ageism, there is failings in the delivery of medicine to elders. We medicalize the natural process of aging, then look down on the elder patients who come seeking treatment.

And, the doctors and other healthcare professionals they visit are not adequately prepared to address their particular needs. The U.S. population is getting older, and without a major change in the values, training and attitude of the mainstream health care community, more and more of us will be harmed when we seek care as elders. It is difficult (in some communities not possible) to find doctors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, psychologists, etc., who are trained in geriatrics (the care of older adults) An analysis of National Health and Retirement study data found that 1 in 5 adults over 50 experiences age-related discrimination in health care settings; 1 in 17 said they experience it frequently. This bias is associated with new or worsening disability, poorer mental and physical health, and use of fewer preventive health services.

Other studies found age-based discrimination to be comwww.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // May 2020

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Ageism / from page 13

account for a very significant share of patients. Look at COVID-19 – As of 4/16/20 there have been 34,500 deaths.

Nursing home residents make up less than one-half of one percent of the U.S. population, but account for 15 percent of the COVID-19 related deaths so far. Clearly, they have multiple chronic conditions, but what happens to them when diagnosed with COVID-19? Overall elders have accounted for about 76 percent of the deaths, so what kind of medical care did they get compared to younger ages? It is true in Italy as well.

The average age of death from COVID-19 in Italy is 79½.

The consequence is that most physicians have little or no specific training in the anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and special conditions and circumstances of old age—though we know that old people are the ones most likely to be harmed by hospital care and medications or lack of them.

The bias against elders may be the strongest and most socially acceptable bias. In one study, groups of nursing students and working nurses exhibited negative implicit attitudes towards older people. In another study, evidence was found to suggest that mental health providers believed that mental illness was a normal part of aging and that older adults would not benefit from psychotherapy. Medical care providers with more experience had decreased negativity in attitudes toward older patients, but this article also suggests that clinical experience and level of training are not predictive of a provider’s attitude toward the elders. Anti-aging bias among healthcare providers can affect decisions regarding the evaluation and treatment options that are offered to older adults and could result in disparities in health care for elders.

There is a long list of factors that will NOT be used to make triage decisions, AGE was missing: “At no point should factors clinically and ethically irrelevant to the triage process (e.g. race, ethnicity, ability to pay, disability status, national origin, primary language, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, HIV status, religion, veteran status, “VIP” status, or criminal history) be used to make triage decisions.” There is a major omission – age. This is not just an omission.

Specifically, age is a basis to make choices in deciding who will get care. This is despite statements from the U.S. Office of Civil Rights that “civil rights laws apply to these situations: Persons with disabilities, with limited English skills, and older persons should not be put at the end of the line for health care during emergencies.” Take COVID-19 as an example, many of the people who have died had underlying medical conditions, you know they were not put first in line.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not create a COVID-19 web page directed to elders until mid-March, nearly 2 months after we learned of that group’s extraordinarily high risk for critical illness and death. Most medical centers have protocols for children and adults, but nothing for elders. Basic standards of health equity demand protocols with elder-specific diagnostic, treatment, and outcome-prediction tools.

What can we do about ageism in standards of care? We can use our voices. We can let our communities know about this ageism in our crisis standards of care. As people who care, we can request that our leaders join together to eliminate current discriminatory provisions against elders. What better way to “add life to years”.

Lawrence J. Weiss, Ph.D. is CEO of the Center for Healthy Aging. Dr. Weiss welcomes your comments on this column. Write to him at larry@addinglifetoyears.com or c/o Center for Healthy Aging, 11 Fillmore Way, Reno, NV 89519.

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Now, More Than Ever, Mental Health Needs to be Acknowledged Dr. Traci Biondi, Medical Director Prominence Health Plan

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s we focus on improving overall health to ease the aging process, reducing physical illnesses typically comes to the forefront of the conversation. However, an equally important factor to consider for older adults is mental health.

As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, it reminds us to acknowledge that we are all struggling in our own ways.

Right now, feelings associated with mental illness are compounded by the difficult times we are living in due to the COVID-19 crisis and social distancing. It is now more important than ever to bring awareness to mental health for seniors.

Many seniors struggle with issues surrounding mental health, but it is rarely considered as one of the issues contributing to their overall quality of life. We typically write off symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, irritability, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite, and more as common side effects of the aging process or related to current chronic conditions.

Although, when we acknowledge these feelings as side effects of a potential mental illness, there is the opportunity to take steps toward easing some of these symptoms.

Take breaks from checking the news.

As we do our part in stopping the spread of the virus and reducing our own risk, it is important to stay informed about current safety precautions and government guidelines. However, obsessively checking the news will only increase anxiety.

Rather than clicking on the most current headline or having network news on in the background all day, stick to reliable sources that give you the most accurate information and limit the volume of media you consume each day. Pay attention to (Mental Health page 34)

Here are a few ways to find hope and ease heightened feelings of social isolation, depression or anxiety that you may be experiencing during this time.

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2 Coronavirus Resource Guide

Generation Boomer // GenerationBoomerMagazine.com

How COVID-19 is Affecting Older Adults By: Michelle Perry

EVERYONE IS CONCERNED about possible infection

with the coronavirus, but the health stakes are highest for older adults and people disabilities Normal aging of the immune system and underlying medical conditions make people 60 and up more vulnerable to severe respiratory illness from coronavirus. Although most people who are infected with the coronavirus only have a mild case that feels like a common cold, others can become very sick.

Specialized Care Management is a local, nationally certified care management company located in Reno, NV and services Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville, Incline, Fernley, and Fallon. Our vision is to facilitate our clients’ safety and independence by connecting them to local community resources and then overseeing their care.

Our goal is to address the challenging needs of our seniors, disabled persons, and their families with immediate and long-term needs. We collaborate with home care agencies, hospice agencies, Veterans Administration, various health plans, financial and legal agencies, assisted living, skilled services, and specialty providers. We provide personalized assessments and care plans to help families navigate the variety of caregiving concerns and advocate for our clients’ overall quality of life.

Many seniors in Northern Nevada do not have a family locally, so the need is huge right now in our community for professional coordination of care.

“The elderly are going to be the ones who become symptomatic,” says Karen Hoffmann, an infection preventionist and immediate past president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, or APIC. In particular, she says, older adults who also have existing conditions including lung disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or a transplant history are most likely to experience severe COVID-19 symptoms such as shortness of breath and fever.

“When they get an infection, any respiratory infection – but particularly this new coronavirus, probably because they haven’t seen this strain before – they’re going to have more severe disease, as they would with influenza,” says Hoffmann, who is also a clinical instructor in the division of infectious diseases at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill. “That’s what we’re seeing so far.”

Public Precautions

A few weeks ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its traveler guidance in light of the increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases including COVID-19.

Older adults and those with underlying health issues are explicitly advised to avoid crowded places, nonessential travel like long plane trips and especially embarking on cruise ships.

If you’re an older adult living within the community, extra vigilance and commonsense precautions help reduce your risk of being exposed to the coronavirus. This is the latest advice from health experts on how to protect yourself (and others) in public: • Hand-wash, hand-wash, hand-wash. Wash your hands frequently and rigorously. It takes at least 20 seconds to thoroughly wash your hands, ideally with soap and tap water. “If soap is not available, then (use) hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol,” Morrison says.

Coronavirus Resource Guide3

Generation Boomer // GenerationBoomerMagazine.com

• Stay away from large gatherings. Avoiding mass gatherings and crowded settings, such as concerts, conferences and parades, is not only a self-precaution for older adults, but also a proactive measure that many locales and organizations are now taking by canceling or postponing planned events. Some workplaces and schools are temporarily turning to virtual classes and more telecommuting options to keep workers and students healthy.

• Avoid sick people. If someone has symptoms such as sneezing, coughing or a fever, don’t put yourself in the line of airborne droplets. “We are obviously telling older adults to stay away from people who have respiratory illnesses, even if it looks to be a minor cold or a seasonal upper respiratory infection,” Morrison says.

• Observe social distance. If you go out, maintain at least a 3-to-6-foot distance between yourself and others, particularly if someone seems sick. That’s how far the coronavirus appears to spread when someone is coughing or sneezing.

• Use a barrier on public surfaces. That door handle or shopping cart bar has already been touched by countless strangers. Before you grab that surface, use a clean tissue as a barrier, Hoffmann suggests, and throw it away afterward. Or some grocery stores provide disinfecting wipes at the entrance, so wipe down the bar before grabbing your cart.

• Practice respiratory etiquette. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, either with a tissue or your inner elbow (not your hand). If you’re sick, stay home or wear a mask in public settings like waiting rooms to protect those around you. (Handwashing is also a respiratory etiquette mainstay.) Wear a face mask or barrier, if you have one. This isn’t new, but standard for preventing the spread of infectious diseases including common colds, flu, pneumonia and now COVID-19.

• Don’t touch certain areas of your face. Your hands come into contact with many surfaces carrying thousands of germs throughout the day. While you’re in public spaces, avoid touching the “T-zone” of your face – your mouth, eyes and nose, which are mucous membranes where viruses can thrive, Hoffmann says. (You can scratch your ear, touch your hair or rub your chin.)

• Avoid any air travel if you can. “I’m recommending to my patients that if they don’t have necessary air travel, to avoid it if at all possible until we know a little more about this,” Morrison says. “You have a lot of people in confined spaces and you don’t know how many people have sat and touched the seat that you’re getting into.”

• If you must travel, go prepared. Morrison recommends taking alcohol wipes along, wiping down areas of the seat you’ll be touching and leaving those sections wet for up to 30 seconds. Also, wash your hands carefully and routinely hand-sanitize. When you’re in airport lounges or waiting areas, sit off by yourself rather than mingling with large groups of people.

• Look at the situation where you live. Keep up to date on how the coronavirus is affecting your area. Take extra care everywhere but be particularly mindful where current conditions indicate the infection is spreading.

• Stock up on supplies and medications. Make sure you have everyday household items, groceries including non-perishable food and medical supplies on hand in case you need to stay home for a prolonged period. Ask your health care provider about getting extra prescription medications to tide you over.

Wearing a mask if you’re sick may keep you from spreading infected droplets when you cough or sneeze.

However, although masks are getting a lot of attention as potential preventive options, they’re not particularly useful for healthy people.

Are you struggling to Navigate the healthcare maze?

Specialized Care Management can help. Specialized Care Management is offering a complimentary 30-minute telephone consultation, so call us at 1-800-916-6482.

Prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick 4 Coronavirus Resource Guide Generation Boomer // GenerationBoomerMagazine.com

Accessible version: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

Prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick If you are sick with the COVID-19 or think you might Prevent Spread of COVID-19 if you are sick If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get Accessible version: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html

have COVID-19, follow the steps below to help protect other people in your home and community.

If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow the steps below to help Stay homeother except to get in medical care. and community. protect people your home • Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and are able to recover at home without care. Docare. not leave Stay home exceptmedical to get medical your home, except to get medical care. Do • Stay home.public Most areas. people with COVID-19 not visit have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care.and Dostay not leave • Take care of yourself.

Get rest hydrated. your home, except to get medical care. Do • Get care when needed. Call your doctor before notmedical visit public areas. you go to their office for care. But, if you have trouble • breathing Take care of or yourself. rest andsymptoms, stay hydrated. otherGet concerning call 911 for immediate help.

• Get medical care when needed. Call your doctor before to their office for ride-sharing, care. But, if you have trouble • you Avoidgo public transportation, or taxis. breathing or other concerning symptoms, call 911 for immediate help.from other people and Separate yourself

pets in your • Avoid publichome. transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

• As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from otherfrom people andpeople pets inand your Separate yourself other home.

Also, you should use a separate pets in your home. bathroom, if available. If you need to be around other • As much or as possible, in aoutside specific of room people animalsstay in or theand home, wear a away from other people and pets in your cloth face covering. home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.

If you need to be around other  See COVID-19 and Animals if you have questions people or pets: animals in or outside of the home, wear a about https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019cloth face covering. ncov/faq.html#COVID19animals  Seeyour COVID-19 and Animals if you have questions Monitor symptoms.

about pets: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019• Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever and ncov/faq.html#COVID19animals cough. Trouble breathing is a more serious symptom means you should get Monitor yourthat symptoms. medical attention.

• Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever and cough. Trouble breathingfrom is a your morehealthcare serious provider and • Follow care instructions symptom means you should gethealth authorities local healththat department.

Your local medical will giveattention. instructions on checking your symptoms and reporting information.

• Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider and local health department. Your local health authorities will give instructions on checking your symptoms and reporting information.

medical attention immediately.

Emergency warning signs include*:

•If Trouble breathing you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately.

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest Emergency warning signs include*: • New confusion or not able to be woken • Trouble breathing • Bluish lips or face • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest *This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical •provider New confusion or not able to be woken for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning you. lips or face •toBluish *This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical Call 911 for if you medical emergency.

If you have a provider anyhave otherasymptoms that are severe or concerning medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the operator to you.

that you have or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before medical help arrives.

Call 911 if you have a medical emergency. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the operator that you have or think you might have, COVID-19. If possible, putahead on a facemask beforeyour medical help arrives.

Call before visiting doctor.

• Call ahead. Many medical visits for routine care are being postponed or done by phone telemedicine.

Call aheadorbefore visiting your doctor.

• Call ahead. medical visits that for routine If you have aMany medical appointment cannot be postponed, call your care are being postponed or done byprotect themselves and doctor’s office. This will help the office phone or telemedicine. other patients.

• If you have a medical appointment that cannot be postponed, call your If you areoffice. sick, wear a cloth over doctor’s This will helpcovering the office protect themselves and your nose and mouth. other patients.

• You should wear a cloth face covering over your noseare andsick, mouth if you mustcovering be aroundover other If you wear a cloth people or animals, including pets (even your nose and mouth. at home).

• You should wear a cloth face covering over your and mouth must around other if you are alone.

• nose You don’t neediftoyou wear thebe cloth face covering people or animals, pets (even (because of trouble If you can’t put on aincluding cloth face covering at home). for example), cover your coughs and sneezes in some breathing other way. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from other people.

• You need to wear the clotharound face covering This don’t will help protect the people you. if you are alone.

If you can’t put on a cloth face covering (because of trouble Note: During for theexample), COVID-19cover pandemic, medical grade facemasks breathing your coughs and sneezes in some areother reserved workers and some firstother responders. way. for Tryhealthcare to stay at least 6 feet away from people.

You may need make athe cloth face around coveringyou. using a scarf This will helptoprotect people or bandana.

Note: During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical grade facemasks are reserved for healthcare workers and some first responders.

You may need to make a cloth face covering using a scarf or bandana.

cdc.gov/coronavirus CS 316120-A 04/17/2020

Coronavirus Resource Guide5

Generation Boomer // GenerationBoomerMagazine.com

Cover your coughs and sneezes.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.

• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean your hands often.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.

• Soap and water are the best option, especially if your hands are visibly dirty.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid sharing personal household items.

• Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.

• Wash these items thoroughly after using them with soap and water or put them in the dishwasher.

Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday.

• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in your “sick room” and bathroom. Let someone else clean and disinfect surfaces in common areas, but not your bedroom and bathroom.

• If a caregiver or other person needs to clean and disinfect a sick person’s bedroom or bathroom, they should do so on an as-needed basis. The caregiver/other person should wear a mask and wait as long as possible after the sick person has used the bathroom.

High-touch surfaces include phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.

• Clean and disinfect areas that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.

• Use household cleaners and disinfectants. Clean the area or item with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. Then use a household disinfectant.  Be sure to follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product. Many products recommend keeping the surface wet for several minutes to ensure germs are killed. Many also recommend precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.  Most EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.

How to discontinue home isolation • People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:  If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened: You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath has improved) AND at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.  If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened: You no longer have a fever (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath has improved) AND you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow CDC guidelines.

In all cases, follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and local health department. The decision to stop home isolation should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider and state and local health departments. Local decisions depend on local circumstances.

6 Coronavirus Resource Guide Coronavirus Resource Guide

Generation Boomer // GenerationBoomerMagazine.com

Coping and Managing During COVID-19 a NAMI WNV CARES operator. The

RESOURCES FOR COPING AND MAN- Warmline is staffed by trained peers in AGING DURING COVID-19 recovery, who provide support to peers • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Hotline: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746. The Disaster Distress Helpline, is a 24/7, 365-daya-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. People with deafness or hearing loss can use their preferred relay service to call 1-800-9855990.

by telephone. The Warmline provides confidential support when we want to talk to someone. The Warmline gives you a peer’s perspective on how to find support in the community by phone, text, or video. Knowing someone cares can motivate us to carry on in recovery when there is anxiety.

• Nevada 2-1-1: Call 2-1-1 or go to https://www.nevada211.org/. 211 provides information and referrals to health, human and social service organizations.

Dialing 2-1-1 in almost every part of the United States will connect you to human and social services for your area.

• Foundation for Recovery Warmline: 1-800-509-7762. Our peer support specialists will continue to see peers at our recovery community centers. We encourage anyone who has access to a phone or computer to consider seeing peer specialists through tele-recovery supports (over the phone or video session). A full directory of our peer support specialists with emails and phone numbers may be found here: https://forrecovery.org/ meet-our-team/

• Crisis Support Services of Nevada: 1-800-273-8255; text CARE to 839863 for 24/7 crisis services.

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the US, anytime, about any type of crisis.

• Substance Use Disorder Hotline: 1-800-450-9530; text IMREADY to 839863.

• Behavioral Health Treatment: https:// behavioralhealthnv.org/ A database of behavioral health providers specializing in substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorder treatment services.

• CDC Helping Adults Cope During an Emergency ASL Video https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=xo1nz2Dc5fk&feature=youtu.be

• Children’s Mobile Crisis Response Team: If your child is experiencing a mental or behavioral crisis contact the Division of Child and Family Services Children’s Mobile Crisis Response Team.

More information also can be found at knowcrisis.com.

• Northern Nevada: (775) 688-1670, Monday – Friday 8 am – 8 pm and Saturday/Sunday 8 am – 6 pm • Rural Nevada: (702) 486-7865, Monday – Sunday 9 am – 6 pm

• The NAMI Warmline: Call or text 775241-4212. The NAMI Warmline is a stig- • Southern Nevada: (702) 486-7865, ma-free, non-crisis, phone service you Monday – Sunday 24 hours can call or text to speak one-on-one with

As more people move toward social distancing and staying home, away from public places, it is normal for many to experience increased stress, distress, and isolation.

• SAMHSA Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak: https:// www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/ tips-social-distancing-quarantine-isolation-031620.pdf • Social distancing and other mitigation strategies have been shown to slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/workplaceschool-and-home-guidance.pdf • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19: https://www.cdc. gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/ coping.html • World Health Organization Mental Health Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak:https://www.who. int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/ mental-health-considerations.pdf ?sfvrsn=6d3578af_2 • American Psychological Association article Keeping Your Distance to Stay Safe: https://www.apa.org/practice/ programs/dmhi/research-information/ social-distancing • Managing Anxiety and Stress: https:// www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html • For guidance on COVID-19, please reference: https://nvhealthresponse. nv.gov/; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Coronavirus Resource Guide Share facts about COVID-19 Generation Boomer // GenerationBoomerMagazine.com

7

Know the facts about coronavirus (COVID-19) and help stop the spread of rumors.

FACT

1

Diseases can make anyone sick regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Fear and anxiety about COVID-19 can cause people to avoid or reject others even though they are not at risk for spreading the virus.

FACT

2

For most people, the immediate risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be low.

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19.

FACT

3

Someone who has completed quarantine or has been released from isolation does not pose a risk of infection to other people.

For up-to-date information, visit CDC’s coronavirus disease 2019 web page.

There are simple things you can do to help keep yourself and others healthy.

FACT

4

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

• When in public, wear a cloth face covering that covers your mouth and nose.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

You can help stop COVID-19 by knowing the signs and symptoms, which can include:

FACT

5

• Fever • Cough • Shortness of breath Seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you love has emergency warning signs, including: • Trouble breathing • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest • New confusion or not able to be woken • Bluish lips or face This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

cdc.gov/coronavirus CS 316439-A 04/14/2020

Guidance for Large or Extended Families Guidance for Large or Extended Families Coronavirus Resource Guide Living in the Same Household Living in the Same Household 8

Generation Boomer // GenerationBoomerMagazine.com

Guidance for Families Living in the Same Household Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying conditions higher Older adultsmedical and people of any are age at who haverisk serious for severe illness from coronavirus disease underlying medical conditions are at higher2019 risk (COVID-19).

If your household includes for severe illness from coronavirus diseasepeople 2019 in these groups,Ifthen family members (COVID-19). yourall household includesshould people act in as if they, themselves, are at higher risk.

This can these groups, then all family members should act be difficult if space is limited large or extended as if they, themselves, are atfor higher risk.

This can families living together.

The following information be difficult if space is limited for large or extended may helpliving you protect those are most vulnerable families together.

Thewho following information in your household. may help you protect those who are most vulnerable in your household.

This document explains how to: This document explains how to:for errands • Protect the household when you leave • • • • • •

Protect the household when at youhigh leave household members riskforforerrands severe illness Protect household members at high risk for children and others from getting sicksevere illness Protect and others from Care forchildren a household member whogetting is sicksick Care foraahousehold householdmember memberwho whoisissick sick Isolate Isolate a household member sick Eat meals together and feed awho sickishousehold member Eat meals together and feed a sick household member

How to protect the household when you must leave the house How leave to protect the household whennecessary! you must leave the house Don’t the household unless absolutely Don’t leave the necessary!

For example, onlyhousehold leave if youunless must goabsolutely to work, the grocery store, pharmacy, or medical appointments that cannot be delayed (such as for infants or for people For example, only leave if you must go to work, the grocery store, pharmacy, or with serious conditions). or two (such familyasmembers who at higher medicalhealth appointments that Choose cannot one be delayed for infants orare fornot people with risk for severe illness from COVID-19 to do the needed errands.

If you must leave serious health conditions). Choose one or two family members who are not at higherthe household, follow tips: to do the needed errands. If you must leave the risk for severe illnessthese from nine COVID-19 household, follow these nine tips: 1. Avoid crowds, including social gatherings of any size.

1. Avoid crowds, including social gatherings of any size.

2. Keep at least 6 feet away from other people.

2. Keep at least 6 feet away from other people.

3. Wash your hands often.

3. Wash your hands often.

4. Don’t touch frequently touched surfaces in public areas, such as elevator buttons and 4. handrails.

Don’t touch frequently touched surfaces in public areas, such as elevator buttons and handrails.

5. Don’t use public transportation, such as the train or bus, if possible. If you must use public 5. transportation, Don’t use public transportation, such as the train or bus, if possible. If you must use public »transportation, Maintain 6 feet of distance from other passengers as much as possible. » Avoid touching surfaces such asashandrails.

Maintain 6 feet frequently of distancetouched from other passengers much as possible. » Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer as soon as possible after leaving public transportation.

Avoid touching frequently touched surfaces such as handrails.

Washride yourinhands use hand sanitizer as soon ashouseholds. possible after leaving public transportation.

6. »Don’t a carorwith members of different 6. Don’t ride in a car with members of different households.

7. Wear a cloth face covering to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

7. »Wear cloth face covering to help the spread of made COVID-19.

Clotha face coverings fashioned fromslow household items or at home from common materials low cost fashioned can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. » Cloth faceat coverings from household items or made at home from common Information about the use of cloth face coverings is available at www.cdc.gov/ materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure. coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

Information about the use of cloth face coverings is available at www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

CS 316538 04/17/2020

cdc.gov/coronavirus cdc.gov/coronavirus

Coronavirus Resource Guide9

Generation Boomer // GenerationBoomerMagazine.com

8. Wash your hands immediately when you return home.

9. Maintain a physical distance between you and those at higher risk in your household.

For example, avoid hugging, kissing, or sharing food or drinks.

You can find more information about running essential errands at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ daily-life-coping/essential-goods-services.html.

How to protect members of the household who are at higher risk for severe illness Adults 65 or older and people who have serious underlying medical conditions are at highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19. If your household includes people in these groups, then all family members should act as if they, themselves, are at higher risk.

Here are seven ways to protect your household members.

1. Stay home as much as possible.

2. Wash your hands often, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Information on when and how to wash hands can be found here: www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html.

3. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if you can’t wash with soap and water. » Place a dime-sized amount in your palm and rub your hands together, covering all parts of your hand, fingers, and nails until they feel dry.

4. Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

5. Cover your coughs and sneezes. » If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. » Throw used tissues in the trash. » Immediately wash your hands.

6. Clean and then disinfect your home. » Wear disposable gloves, if available. » Clean frequently touched surfaces daily with soap and water or other detergents.

This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. » Then, use an EPA-registered disinfectant that is appropriate for the surface. Follow the instructions on the label for safe and effective use of the cleaning product.

Disinfectants are chemicals that kill germs on surfaces.

EPA-registered disinfectants are listed here: www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-useagainst-sars-cov-2.

More about cleaning and disinfecting can be found here: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/preventgetting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html 7. Don’t have visitors unless they need to be in your home.

You can find more information at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-athigher-risk.html.

Age-Friendly Action Planning Progress

by Donna Clontz, Chair Reno Senior Citizen Advisory Committee

S

ince 2012 and until the present day, access to information and services in the community, affordable housing and transportation have been identified in the Reno Senior Citizen Advisory Committee’s strategic plans as our elder community’s top priorities. Since 2014, and today, these priorities are listed in the Washoe County Master Plan for Aging Services and in the activities of the Washoe Donna Clontz County Senior Advisory Board. These same top items emerged when participants at the October 2018 Age-Friendly Town Hall created a community asset map and identified goals to make the community more age-friendly. The 2018-2019 Age-Friendly Reno survey done by Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency also proved that today’s local seniors rank housing, community and health services and transportation highest among the eight AARP domains of livability.

In summer 2019, about 25 community members involved in senior advisory groups or senior service providers volunteered to take all the data gathered so far and to draft the Age-Friendly action plan with specific goals and accompanying actions, timelines and metrics. Numerous meetings and revisions resulted in a final

plan ready to submit this April to AARP and to the World Health Organization for approval by July 2020. Following is a summary of that ambitious action plan: Priority Area #1 – Housing • Work with community partners to create a program of privately-funded rent support vouchers paid to landlords of available affordable and workforce housing to bridge the rent gap for elders and disabled tenants.

• Advocate for developing more shared, intergenerational, and “missing middle” housing—duplexes, condos, small apartment complexes---to the local housing market.

• Advocate to incorporate affordable and appropriate age-friendly housing policy into master plans, legislation and regulations and for more such housing projects; support affordable housing stakeholders and developers.

• Create an age-friendly media campaign for affordable housing issues and solutions aimed at the aged 50+ community.

• Advocate and support the lead agencies working to reduce Washoe County homelessness and to support persons in transition to housing.

Priority Area #2: Access to Community & Healthcare Services • Increase the number of those aged 50+ who report knowledge and receipt of more in-home and community support services to enable them to remain at home. In-home support is case management, housekeeping, food preparation and delivery, health care assistance, Activities of Daily Living assistance, senior companions, respite, home modification and repair, yard work, bill-paying, or other service that keeps a person in their own home.

• Increase meaningful social interaction and social opportunities for elders to decrease isolation and senior suicide rates. Engage with the “Hello Project” (a new platform to educate and inspire personal connections with elders, see www.hellostartsnow.org), HOAs, NABs, and senior recreation and education programs to identify isolated seniors and connect them with others.

• Advocate for more local service coordinators in senior housing developments.

• Improve print and social media to increase elders’ knowledge and access to health and community services.

Priority #3: Transportation • Advocate for more accessible, affordable transportation services for elders, such as RTC’s Flex-Ride and N4’s Lyft program.

• Increase the number of seniors who can find transportation and other resource information online and via other means.

• Investigate and help remedy the expressed barriers and challenges to seniors accessing transportation.

• Leverage idle buses/vans to create a new transport system.

• Advocate for a regional transportation ombudsman or statewide transit association.

24

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May 2020 // www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com

Your questions and feedback are always welcome at donnanorm1@yahoo.com or 775 240 2745. Stay safe out there until the world gets back to normal.

this ‘n that

by Anne Vargas annevargas3@gmail.com

W

Our New Normal

hen I was writing last month‘s article we were freshly into the “new normal”, unsure of what to expect as we pondered our toilet paper supply and wondered where to find masks.

As I write this article, we are entering week six of repeating blank canvass days over and over, each being just like the one before. Humor helps; jokes and funny videos fly around the internet. A few of the ones that made me laugh are scattered in red throughout this article.

“Leap year 2020 is unique; 29 days in February, 300 days in March and 10 years in April”.

With all this time to spare, there has been a lot of reaching out to one another virtually, sharing ideas on dealing with cabin fever while sheltering in place. Everyone does it differently; basically, whatever works. Many are now “Zooming”. I thought that word just meant to move rapidly; little did I know it could connect us visually with family and friends, resulting in less of a feeling of isolation.

“8 p.m. is now the official time to remove your daytime pajamas and put your nighttime pajamas on.”

Not surprisingly, there were lots of lists of projects to tackle; some have been completed, some not. My own announced goal six weeks ago was to absorb culture by spending time every day reading about a famous composer while listening to the corresponding music. I did that twice. It was a delight-

ful afternoon but… Who knows how long this way of life will continue; it may happen again, but I have spent the past 42 days perfecting the art of doing nothing. Well, almost nothing; I have been eating. My husband copes by cooking which keeps him happy and I cope by showing my appreciation. The buttons on my jeans are now social distancing!

“I finished three books yesterday. And believe me, that’s a lot of coloring.”

A food bank is a non-profit organization that collects and distributes food to hunger-relief charities, primarily acting as food storage and distribution depots for smaller front line agencies.

Nicole Lamboley, Director of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, explained how the organization works. They partner with more than 145 agencies in the fight against hunger, a fight now greatly magnified. Ninty-one-thousand people are normally served each month in the Northern Nevada area and 18,200,000 meals were provided here last year; who knows what those numbers will be now. There was a sharp increase (Normal page 26)

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Normal / from page 25 in the lines almost overnight; people who haven’t needed help before, suddenly are out of work. The situation is expected to get worse as families face uncertainty and food concern becomes the focus of daily life.

Their primary goal is to connect people who need food with sources. Although local charities like faith-based missions and soup kitchens sometimes receive donations directly from private citizens or businesses, they often turn to food banks as their primary source for staple, nutritious foods.

“Is it too soon to put up the Christmas tree?”

There are a number of programs providing assistance through the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, www.fbnnv.org. All the information is easy to access on line; just click the GET HELP tab. (If you don’t have access to the interment, you can call 775-331-3663). Seniors are served by the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), a USDA program in which the Food Bank distributes monthly boxes of food to seniors in need. Boxes are distributed at many sites around northern Nevada and can include cheese, cereals, beans, rice or pasta and canned fruits and vegetables. In addition to the standard box of supplemental food items, clients are able to receive fresh produce during CSFP distributions.

“This virus must be wreaking havoc in India. I haven’t gotten a call about my extended car warranty in three days”.

Food donations from caring community members are also an essential part of fighting hunger in our community. However, at the present time, food donations from individuals must be halted. When restrictions are lifted and we revert to the “former normal”, people will then be able donate any of the following non-perishable items: Canned stews, soups, Spaghetti/Ravioli (Low-Sodium Preferred), peanut butter, tuna, salmon, tuna chicken, dried or canned beans, grains (cereal, oatmeal, rice, pasta), fruits canned, dried, applesauce (no sugar added), vegetables, (no salt or low sodium preferred), shelf stable milk, kid friendly snacks: granola bars, popcorn, graham crackers, animal crackers, baby formula, instant cereal, baby food. NOTE: All items should be non-perishable and non-expired.

These contributions can then be dropped off at any of these locations: Gold Dust West, Rail City Garden Center, Sundance Books & Music, Safeway on Vista in Sparks, Pitts Orthodontics, Washoe County Senior Center, South Reno Methodist Church or call The Food Bank at 775-331-3663 for information.

Food banks and food-related charities need manpower in order to operate and are dependent on volunteers. The virus guidelines now in place have greatly impacted the program by reducing the allowed number from 30 to 10. At the time of this writing, 20 members of the National Guard are assisting with operational activities.

The rapidly changing COVID-19 situation is impacting and changing the means and manner of distribution; many program segments are temporarily halted. But despite current constraints, help is still needed and necessary precautionary measures are being taken to keep employees, volunteers, and partners safe. If you are feeling well and want to help in serving the community in this way, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada would welcome you under these parameters: During the crisis, volunteers aged 10-64 only. Volunteers will be working in small groups of 10-12 people with tasks set up to allow for necessary social distancing. Volunteers are required to wash their hands frequently and wear gloves and masks during all tasks.

“This is it; the day dogs have been waiting for. The day they realize you can’t leave the house. Dogs are rejoicing everywhere. Cats are contemplating suicide”.

If you cannot do that but still want to identify with the problem and feel part of the solution, here are a few suggestions: Discuss hunger with your loved ones in order to increase awareness. Try feeding your family on $4.45 a day, the amount the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps) offers the needy for a day’s worth of food.

Discuss results with friends, or start a blog of that experience.

“I’ve eaten 14 times and taken 6 naps and it’s still today!”

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Food Banks also need money. One possible suggestion would be to host a dinner party and take up a collection to help hungry families. Donations can be made directly to our local Food Bank of Northern Nevada, 550 Italy Drive Sparks NV 89437.

You can also go to their website, www.fbnnv.org, click the HOW TO HELP Tab. Supporting businesses that donate to food banks or conduct regular food drives is another way you can show your support for food related charities.

“If you cannot feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”

Mother Teresa

Tinseltown Talks:

By Nick Thomas

W

Paul Petersen remembers TV Mom, Donna Reed

hile most of us will be remembering mothers on May 10 this year, entertainers who worked as child actors in television sitcoms may also have special memories of their ‘TV mom.’ For Paul Petersen, that was Oscar winner Donna Reed, matriarch from “The Donna Reed Show.”

In 2018 for the anniversary of the show’s first broadcast, Petersen (and coauthor Deborah Herman) released “The Donna Reed Show: A Pictorial Memoir” (see www.micropublishingmedia.com).

“It’s kind of an archival look back at an iconic television show,” said Petersen who, like Reed, appeared in all 275 episodes during the series run from 1958 to 1966. “I wanted the book to not only examine the people who made the show, but to put television in the historical context of the period. During the 8 years, we went through a lot including illnesses, accidents, and national incidents from that era.”

One of the most memorable was the 1963 Kennedy assassination.

Paul Petersen, Donna Reed, Carl Betz, and Patty Petersen.

Diabetes Self-Management Education

We were rehearsing and a guy from the radio station across the street called with a real quiver in his voice asking for Donna,” said Petersen who remembers answering the phone.

“Donna then told us the president had been shot and it shut down the studio. We just packed up and went home for a very painful weekend.”

Most of Petersen’s memories of the show are far more pleasant, however, like the first day filming on the set.

“Donna was from a little town in Iowa called Denison, in the county right next to where my mother was born around the same year,” he explained. “When I got the job, the most excited person in my family was my grandfather who insisted on taking me to work to film the pilot. He marched right up to Donna and said, ‘Donna Belle Mullenger (her birth name) I knew your dad!’”

Reed was gracious, and remained personable and well-liked throughout the series, according to Petersen. “We all got together for lunch and were very close – uniquely close compared to other television families.”

(Tinseltown page 28)

Take control of your diabetes through: • • • •

A one-on-one consultation with a dietitian A personalized education plan Six fun group education classes Cooking demos with your favorite foods Visit accesstohealthcare.org/diabetesclasses Call 775.284.1898

PHONE & VIDEO VISITS AVAILABLE!

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Tinseltown / from page 27

A potentially tragic incident occurred when Paul crashed his Pontiac Grand Prix during the series. But Donna came to his rescue.

“The accident was my fault and for punishment I had to ride a bicycle 8 miles to work every day.

But Donna and Tony (her Paul Petersen today. husband) felt sorry for me and gave me a brand-new Volkswagen Bug. I loved that car!”

During the show’s run, Petersen obviously called Reed ‘mom’ while filming, but it was always ‘Miss Reed’ away from the set.

“It wasn’t until four years after the show ended when I was in my mid-20s and we were at Chasen’s restaurant that I remember her learning across the table and saying, ‘Paul, I think it’s time you started calling me Donna!’”

Having a close ‘second mom,’ especially a famous one, could have created friction between Petersen’s real mother and the actress.

“I remember in an interview my mother said, ‘how could I ever compete with Donna Reed?’ But she understood I had an ongoing professional relationship with Donna that sometimes

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Patty Petersen, Donna Reed, Carl Betz, and Paul Petersen.

required spending more time with her than my actual mother.”

“Donna was my de facto mother and guardian on the set, a pretty safe person to leave your kids with,” added Petersen.

“She was an Iowa bred farm girl, the oldest of five children, who had lived through the depression and came out to California to be a Hollywood star and succeeded. She was a wonderful role model.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery and writes features, columns, and interviews for newspapers.

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BIGGEST Little City

by Harry Spencer

I

Sister Seraphin

n the middle of the last century at St. Mary’s Hospital in Reno there was a diminutive, but dedicated, nun named Sister Seraphin who ran the hospital with an iron fist. She was always on the lookout for ways to raise money for improvements to the building and she often called upon me to publicize her efforts.

Bissett, Grant Davis, Elmo DeRicco, Orsie Graves, Bud Garfinkle, Les Gray, Paul Laxalt, Bob Larson, Joe Libke, Jim Melarkey, Jack Mathews, Louis Mendive, Archie Pozzi, Bruce Roberts, Harry Spencer, Gordon Thompson, George Vucanovich, Ken York, Max Dodge, and Dean Croft.

As I was Editor of the Catholic newspaper, I was happy to accommodate her and in essence I suppose she was my first PR client.

The roster of the Blue team was headed by Pat Brady followed by Bud Beasley, Lee DeLauer, Will Elder, Link Piazzo, Jim Olivas, Jim Archer, Marv Byars, Scott Beasley, Ed LeBaron, Duke Lindeman, Bear Quilici, Mike Mirabelli, Don Manoukian, Frank Peterson, Al Solari, Gordon Surber, Charlie Springer, Dick Trachok, Myneer Walker, and Rick Ricciardi.

One of her most famous creations was that in 1951 she founded the St. Mary’s Hospital Guild, which consisted of women who participated in many fundraising activities for the hospital.

I don’t recall the score of the game, not that it mattered who won, because the post-game celebration was held at the Coney Island Tamale Factory where most guys forgot about the contest and concentrated on drinking.

Harry Spencer

One of the Guild’s major functions was the naming of a Queen each year from a selection of nominees who garnered votes by raising money where $1.00 counted as one vote. Each of the contestants was assigned two gentlemen known as the Mystic Krewe who were in charge of fundraising for their candidate.

During the year that Dick Trachok’s wife Fran was a contestant, he created an athletic event that was probably the most memorable local basketball game. It was played in the old Manogue High School gym when the school was adjacent to the University of Nevada. Two teams were selected of 21 members each, which included athletes from several decades. As far as I know, only three of the players are still with us and they include Trachok, Ken York, and the writer.

What triggered the memory of that event was that both the NBA season and March Madness have been canceled this year.

The teams were divided into the Blues and the Whites. The coach of the Blues was Dr. Wesley W. Hall and the Whites were coached by “Doc” Martie. The referees were Jake Lawlor, Pat France, Pio Mastroianni, and John Galletti. The doctors on hand were Jim Herz, Chuck Lanning, John Brophy, and Mario Gildone. The equipment manager was John Legarza. The water boys were Lou Spitz and John Robb. Tickets were handled by Frank Marfisi and programs by Bert Caton. The announcer was Allan Abner and the scorer was Hugo Quilici. Technical advisor was U of N Basketball Coach Jack Spencer.

The teams were then divided into three squads of seven players, and each squad got to play some three minutes at a time.

Members of the White team included Roy Bankofier, Roger

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Pictured above is the 1965 Mardis Gras Queen of St. Mary’s Hospital Guild, Ann Spencer. She won the crown by raising the most money for the hospital that year. She is flanked by pages, Caroline Hall (left), and Jackie Callahan (right).

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Simply Smart Travel

By Jeff and Virginia Orenstein

Virtual Travel and Travel

Planning In The Covid 19 Era

T

he Simply Smart Travelers are joining most of the world’s travelers and staying at home for a while to avoid catching or inadvertently spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. But since travel is so exciting to us and to our readers, we have adapted. Here are some of our adaptations that you might enjoy as well.

Get There Virtually: You may not be able to travel by rail, air or cruise ship but you can still visit fascinating and exotic places virtually, It’s easy and fun to do. Each day our inbox is filled with announcements from locations, attractions and lodging venues that are putting themselves online with webcams, virtual tours and similar ways of keeping their sites and scenes virtually accessible. You can find them, scores of them by Googling “travel destinations with webcams”. Here are some interesting ones that

SOLUTION FROM PAGE 31

we have discovered so far, and more are available each day as enterprising venues and tourist offices find ways to continue to be in the traveling public’s eye.

Check out • https://www.youtube.com/ (search virtual travel and see how many delightful places pop up.)

• https://www.buzzfeed.com/laurenkeary/virtual-vacations-webcam-travel • https://www.alltrips.com/vacations/webcams • https://www.earthcam.net/tourism/ • https://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/hotel-webcams-virtual-tours-views • https://www.afar.com/magazine/live-streams-of-citiesbeaches-and-wildlife-for-virtual-travel Taste Your Favorite Destinations Are you hankering for a wine tasting in Temecula, Sonoma, France, or your other favorite wine regions? Is your mouth watering for that special cheese or delicacy from you-know-where? Why deprive yourself? Use the Internet to order a few bottles of that wine you would like to taste, order the accompaniments that you would have with it if you were on site and have a special travel happy hour or dinner.

Along these lines, here’s a great promotion we discovered.

Unexpected Atlanta, a private travel promoter, for example, has an interesting promotion going which might catch on in other places. They have launched the ATL Food Tour Box, which brings the tastes of a food tour to your doorstep with six tastes from four local food entrepreneurs with an hour of chef and local history videos and non-expiring gift certificates to local tour companies. The $180 package includes shipping to most places and serves six.

Use Your Travel Down-time to Plan Future Trips We have used our stay-at home time to plan some future trips in detail. You can too and probably already have the

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tools of the trade available. We use our computer, our smart phone, travel books, and a not-yet-obsolete road atlas to replan the road trip we had planned for late April and into May and are using the computer to take advantage of the excellent resources available for no cost from convention and visitors bureaus which you can find online.

For our future road trip, we are leafing through our travel books and past trips for “should-have-done-that-while-we-were-there” destination ideas, using our smart phone to estimate distances, travel times and getting on the computer to research features and attractions of potential stops along the way. Don’t neglect YouTube videos of your favorite destinations. Just search for them at Youtube.com.

Deal With Cancelled Trips If you had a trip planned and booked, be sure you know your rights under the laws and don’t hesitate to ask for what you want, whether you get it or not since the situation is fluid.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, airlines must give you a refund rather than credit for a future trip for cancelled flights. Hotels and tour operators have varying policies that are changing often so check with them. Even if you do not get the concessions or refunds you want now, it is worth asking since they may change their minds as they see what competitors and the government are doing.

because planes are not likely to be crowded. Be sure to clean you seat area, seat belt, tray, etc., with sanitizing wipes. Bring your own. Don’t trust the airline to do it.

• By train, Amtrak is still running a limited schedule as of this writing but, as with air travel above, take precautions. If you just want your train fix, try VirtualRailfan.com to see some trains running.

• Cruising at sea is not advised because of the close quarters on a ship, even if it were possible. But you can plan for future trips.

• By car, minimize overnight stops if possible and keep your car clean inside and on the door handles with sanitizing wipes.

Bring your own food for the trip if practical.

(Smart Travel page 34)

If You Absolutely Must Go: Unavoidable Travel.

While discretionary travel should be avoided, sometimes family or medical emergencies crop up and you have to travel. If you must, here are some things to keep in mind.

• By air, airlines are still flying, although some are on reduced schedules.

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Smart Travel / from page 33 Ginny O’s Tips For Dressing The Simply Smart Travel Way For Virtual Travel: Since you will be web-surfing from home, you can dress as casually as you like. If you are participating in a video conversation, dress decently from the waist up at least.

This Destination At A Glance: Over 50 Advantage: Staying home and relaxing while others scurry around.

Mobility Level: Low. Simply Smart Travel Tip: To visit world-famous museums from the comfort of your office chair, download the Google Arts & Culture’s collection from your app store. It is free.

When To Go Virtual Traveling: Now and for the duration of needed physical distancing.

Here are some of our indispensable travel tools for virtual travel and travel planning in the COVID-19 era. As long as you have an internet connection, you are ready to plan and enjoy travel the Simply Smart way.

Credit: Jeff Orenstein, Simply Smart Travel.

What you will need: Time and the Internet.

Special Travel Interests: Travel dreams.

Mental Health / from page 15 how you feel, and allow yourself to take a step back from the ever-changing news cycle.

small increments throughout the day, or once a day depending on how your mind and body feel.

Find time to focus on yourself.

One of the biggest setbacks caused by the COVID-19 crisis is our limit on regular activities and schedules. Change your perspective from being “stuck inside” to having more time to focus on improving yourself and your home. Begin spring cleaning, tackling long-avoided tasks or enjoy time to slow down and read a new book or watch a new movie/documentary. Focusing on what you can control can ease feelings of isolation and anxiety. You may even find a new level of rest, peace, and ease by gaining time to reflect and slow down.

Remain active.

Moving your body has the power to improve your mind, body, and soul. There are ways to utilize your living space or backyard to remain active and move your body. Take this time to stretch and maintain simple balancing exercises daily. There are many resources available online to guide you through a free yoga class, strengthening workout, or exercise of your choice. If you don’t feel familiar with finding these resources online, reach out to a friend or family member to assist you with finding the workout that works best for you.

Stay connected with your loved ones.

Although we can’t physically be around our loved ones due to social distancing guidelines, we still have technology at our fingertips. Schedule a virtual “hang-out” with Skype, Facetime, Zoom or a simple phone call with friends and family members.

If you are feeling isolated and alone, it is important to reach out to those you trust. Simply connecting with others can transform the way we feel. This time allows us to gain a newfound appreciation for the simple moments to have a conversation and check in on the important people in your life.

Try your best to avoid staying sedentary, even if that means pacing a few laps inside of your house or taking a walk around the block. Just be sure to keep your distance from others as much as possible.

Be mindful.

Stress, anxiety, and depression can wreak havoc on our immune systems. Practicing mindfulness can immediately calm the nervous system by just taking a few minutes to focus on your breathing and come back to the present moment. Rather than constantly fear the future, mindfulness helps us to focus on the things we have to be grateful for right now. This practice allows us to be less reactive to social media, news, and the world around us, and focus on how and what we can control.

Mindfulness does not take long and can be done in

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Schedule a Telemedicine appointment.

If your feelings of depression, anxiety, or other related issues become unmanageable, there are professionals available to help you through the situation. Telemedicine appointments are available with Behavior Health specialists. Many therapists and psychologists are offering telehealth appointments over HIPAA-compliant video chat platforms to maintain privacy and comfort for the clients. Take this time to see what your behavioral health professional is offering or find a professional that works for you. These services are a useful way for patients to seek help without having anxiety around leaving their homes.

Dr. Biondi is the Medical Director for Prominence Health Plan.

The Prominence Health Plan team is here to help you thrive during social distancing within COVID-19. To learn more, please visit prominencemedicare.com or call 800-880-7457.

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