Show Notes
Depression and anxiety were already high among senior citizens in our community before the Covid-19 Pandemic reached Tacoma. Today we spoke with Elliot Stockstad and David Duea from Lutheran Community Services Northwest- an organization that has been serving seniors for years- about how we can support seniors in our community. David recommends reaching out to seniors in your life. His mother is in another state and he has been sending her needed items via Amazon and coordinating with her neighborhoods. David and his wife also sent out an email to his neighbors and offered to pick up items at the grocery store. Take care of your own needs and then look around and help folks around you. "There's the go-go seniors, the slow-go seniors, and the no-go seniors," says David. These seniors had been organized helping each other before the pandemic. "Now we're all slow gos!" Elliot says there was already a tremendous amount of need, and now it's an even greater challenge. In addition to meals on wheels and transportation, seniors need help with tech ordering their medicine, groceries, and other supplies. LCSNW is collaborating with other nonprofit partners and organizations to get emergency care to seniors. "We're seeing a lot of generosity and forward thinking," says Elliot. "What are the dependable strengths of different organizations?" LCSNW is focussed on being a bridge between organizations to deliver care. So many folks in nonprofits are concerned right now because their events are being cancelled, some organizations are having to lay off staff. For this reason it is important for those who can to continue to give to the organizations that they support- because the need is increasing even as funding is harder to obtain. If you can give, give. If you don't have money but you have skills, local nonprofits need that support as well. If you are home and have time your local nonprofits that support seniors can probably use your support. All of us can like and share their posts online and get the message out about their clients needs.