Mayor Eric Garcetti, Governor Gavin Newsom, and the CDC have identified adults over 65 as one of the most vulnerable populations at highest risk for serious illness related to COVID-19. The City of Los Angeles is working to keep all our seniors and their caregivers safe, informed, healthy and fed. The following information from the Los Angeles Department of Aging includes important updates on three areas vital to seniors’ health and well-being. Please note that the Department will provide updates as new information becomes available.
1) Nutrition Programs: All 85 congregate meal sites operated by the City of Los Angeles will remain closed until further notice. To ensure older adults continue to receive critically-needed meals, the City and its community partners began distributing packaged and frozen meals for older adults enrolled in its meal program at meal sites starting Monday, March 16. Adults 65 and older must send a family member, friend or caregiver who is under the age of 65 to pick-up meals at these sites. If a senior is not aware of who their meal provider is, or if not enrolled in the Department of Aging meal program, call the department at 213-482-7252 to enroll. The phone line is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM.
The City is aware that many seniors may not have caregivers that can pick up meals for them. Therefore, we are working with our providers to ramp up home-delivered meal services for seniors and reduce the need for meal distribution at meal sites. Seniors who already receive regular home meal delivery will have their services continued without interruption. This map, which is being continuously updated, shows the status of each elder nutrition site and whether or not delivery has been implemented, site by site: https://bit.ly/2JbY04T.
In addition, Mayor Garcetti has mandated that all local grocery stores set aside special hours for seniors and other vulnerable populations to shop. Call your local store for information.
2) Testing: The City of Los Angeles now has COVID-19 testing available for residents of Los Angeles with symptoms who are 65 and older. The City is working to expand testing as quickly as possible to all Angelenos who need it. If you are eligible, please make an appointment at Coronavirus.LaCity.org/Testing. If you do not have internet access, please call the Mayor’s Help Desk at 213-978-1028.
3) Additional Resources: The City of Los Angeles Department of Aging is just a phone call away for anyone who needs more information or has questions about services for seniors, call (213) 482-7252, Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PM. Social isolation is a bigger problem than ever in the face of this crisis. Seniors and caregivers should not hesitate to reach out to find out about social programs, mental health resources, food delivery and how seniors can safely interact with others via telephone or their computers.