The current pandemic has disproportionately affected the older population. In my first blog, I discussed the COVID-19 situation and how it’s been a very difficult time for families across America and across the world. With social distancing measures in place and the rapid spread of this virus, people are becoming more isolated than ever before. In particular, seniors are most susceptible to the virus. They are more likely to be hospitalized and have severe complications than other age demographics. Many nursing homes and senior living communities have become hotspots. This puts those living in senior communities at a higher risk, as an outbreak could be detrimental to the population living there. In addition, many already have difficulty operating due to medical conditions and disabilities, requiring assistance and time to run basic errands and do basic household tasks. As precautions, many such nursing homes have limited visitation by family members, further isolating the seniors in our community.
I have experienced firsthand how difficult this time has been for the senior population through my grandparents. Both sets live in India. The city they are in, Pune, has unfortunately experienced one of the largest outbreaks of COVID cases in India. There are strict lockdowns and even occasional local curfews. There are severe restrictions on people visiting from out of town, let alone from outside the country. Stores are only open for a limited number of hours each day and social interactions are very limited. This is especially hard for my grandparents since all three of their children and their families live in the US. They rely on extended family and friends for social interactions, support and help. I speak with them every weekend often on WhatsApp video calls. I’ve seen how difficult the pandemic has been for them and people in their age group.
Hearing of their challenges, and reading about the struggles of seniors here in Illinois, the question haunting me for months was – What can I do to help this most vulnerable demographic, in the midst of the pandemic?
While it’s difficult to make an impact across the ocean, I decided it was important for me to start locally, in my own community. I wanted to find ways to help the most vulnerable demographic in this pandemic, right here in my Dupage county in the suburbs outside Chicago. After some quick online research and a few conversations, in late May 2020, I began to volunteer at the DuPage Senior Citizens Council (DSCC) with a program called Meals On Wheels. Meals on Wheels works to provide meals to senior citizens free of charge, helping those of lower economic statuses and those who have difficulty leaving the house. During the pandemic, these meals have become increasingly important for seniors, providing them with a combination of hot, frozen, and “shelf-stable” meals with little outside contact. The menu options have been created with a registered dietician and are in compliance with the Dietary Reference Intake, which has been established by the United States government. With the help of volunteers to pack and deliver the meals, along with funding received from both donations and organizations such as FEMA, the Dupage Senior Citizen Council has been able to reach a large population.
I volunteer by picking up meals and delivering them to the seniors across Dupage county. Over the past couple of months, I have volunteered over 20 hours. It has both a satisfying and an amazing learning experience! With my newly minted drivers permit, I’ve driven several hundred miles through highways, expressways, streets, and alleys of my Dupage County. I have delivered meals to seniors in Aurora, Bensenville, Hinsdale, Oak Brook Wood Dale, Westmont, and Willow Brook. Decked with a mask and gloves, I have delivered hot meals, frozen meals, and shelf-stable meals to our seniors in need. Knocking on doors in single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, and senior living communities.
A majority of these people live by themselves, some have disabilities or other medical conditions. Delivering the meals also helps DSCC ensure the wellbeing of these seniors. I have come to realize that for some of these seniors, I may be the only visitor they will have all day. They look forward to receiving the meals, often waiting by their window or leaving notes outside their front door in anticipation. I have learned to be patient at the door for those seniors who live alone and are wheelchair-bound or to be told to come to the back door and help place the meals inside the house because the senior was bed bound.
From the first doorbell I rang, I could see the happiness and gratitude the seniors had. I have come to cherish the “Thank You” and the “Gracias” and the “God bless you, child” from these seniors. Their joyful smiles warm my heart. In those moments, I think often of my grandparents living by themselves thousands of miles away. I am thankful that they are safe and in good health. I am also thankful that even in the midst of the pandemic, I am able to help dozens and dozens of seniors, our most vulnerable demographic, right here close to home in my local community.
Additionally, spending time with Meals on Wheels has opened my eyes to the very real and widespread challenge of hunger in our country. This challenge has been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially amongst our nation’s veterans and seniors. As I drive through various neighborhoods, knocking on doors and delivering meals, I have also been reminded of the vast disparity that we have in our society. These challenges of hunger and wealth disparity are social and ethical challenges for our society made even more urgent by the pandemic. Looking ahead, as we develop vaccines and therapeutics for COVID-19, how will we make sure that they are effective for this very vulnerable demographic – our seniors? I read that vaccines can be less efficacious amongst the elderly. How will we make sure that these seniors in our communities will have timely access to the remedies, even if they can not afford to pay them? It seems like my PBH (Philosophy of Biology and Health) framework is helping me better understand the challenges faced by these seniors I am serving in my community.