The Region VII Area Agency on Aging provided its annual report to Huron County this week, which highlighted the work the agency has done during the COVID-19 pandemic and its future plans.
Region VII provides health programs to ensure that elderly residents can keep their independence and not have to go to nursing homes. It covers a 10-county area made up of Huron, Sanilac, Tuscola, Bay, Saginaw, Gratiot, Midland, Gladwin, Isabella, and Clare counties.
The agency acknowledged that the pandemic that made its way through Michigan in 2020 affected its normal operating procedures, with some congregate sites shutting down, staff working from home, and visits over the telephone.
Still, during the pandemic, Region VII was able to provide the following to the areas it serves:
• 25,000+ pairs of gloves
• 500+ packages of disinfecting wipes
• 10,000 disposable gowns
• 100,000+ face masks
• 2,000+ boxes of fresh produce
• 2,000+ face shields
• 500+ pairs of shoe coverings
• 917,254 meals to keep seniors safe at home
• 200+ gallons of hand sanitizer
• Vision services to 76 participants
• Dental and orthodontic services for 119 participants
• Hearing services for 139 participants
• Eight dry wells dug to provide safe drinking water after floods in Midland, Gladwin, and Saginaw counties.
The agency received approval from MDHHS to be a vaccine administrator in November 2020, starting off with 250 influenza vaccinations before providing 1,000 COVID-19 vaccines to clients, primarily to those homebound and vulnerable to the virus.
Region VII also worked to continue providing meals to clients, have contingency planning in place for prioritizing service in the event of a 10% funding reduction, and advocated on behalf of older adults and disabled persons.
Some of Region VII’s goals for the upcoming year include continuing to ensure appropriate care delivery to program participants, building and maintaining professional relationships to ensure quality care is provided, continue implementing its Community Living Program, and updating its website for the services it provides.
The Huron County Board of Commissioners voted to approve the plan and to send a letter of support for it during this week’s commissioners meeting.
The Human Development Commission, which provides Region VII services to four Upper Thumb counties, is expected to receive $266,578 to support elder care services in Huron County, which include case coordination and support, transportation, personal care, home delivered meals, and homemaking. It will also receive $20,000 for minority outreach/advocacy services.
The full report can be read on Region VII’s website at www.region7aaa.org.
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