Volunteers of America, Caring for Seniors Across the U.S. During a Pandemic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 16, 2020—For almost 125 years, Volunteers of America has assisted the country’s most vulnerable populations, from homeless veterans and families to the disabled and seniors. Each year, Volunteers of America assists more than 1.5 million people. While coronavirus (COVID-19) is a threat to everyone Volunteers of America serves, it is particularly challenging for the more than 8,000 seniors the organization houses and cares for at 20 locations. These are seniors in need of skilled nursing care and assisted living.
VOA is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of affordable housing for seniors and a major provider of professional long-term care, including assisted living, home health care and nursing home care. The organization offers a continuum of services that extends to elderly and disabled people requiring long-term health support, including nursing care, assisted living, memory support, home health care and rehabilitation.
“We’ve been following the CDC guidelines and protocols,” explained VOA National President Mike King. “And, we’re working closely with health departments in each area of our operations.”
Volunteers of America has long been known for its dedication in helping people. To date, the organization has no known cases of COVID-19 within its communities. “We take the health, safety and security of all of our residents, our employees and their families very seriously,” added King.
King continued, “We understand how frightening and stressful our ever-changing, day-to-day life has become and we want to ensure that the public and families of our employees and residents know that we are doing everything we can to ensure everyone’s health and safety.”
Mindful of the severity of the situation, VOA has taken a number of steps to slow the spread of the virus and protect all—employees, residents, their families and local communities. This includes restricting access to assisted living and nursing care communities to staff and only those with a critical need to enter. Anyone entering is being carefully screened. Additional VOA staff – those employees not involved in direct client services – have been sent home and are working remotely until at least the end of March. This protects both their safety and that of any vulnerable people they may encounter.
“As always, our priority remains the safety, security and health of our residents, employees, communities and all of their families,” said King. “We are continuing to work with CDC guidelines and with local health authorities in an effort to provide minimal disruption and the least amount of stress possible for our residents.”
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About Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America’s most vulnerable groups, including veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human service programs, including housing and health care, Volunteers of America helps more than 1.5 million people in over 400 communities. Our work touches the mind, body, heart and ultimately the spirit of those we serve, integrating our deep compassion with highly effective programs and services. Learn more at www.voa.org.
Contact:
David Burch, Volunteers of America
703-341-5054 or dburch@voa.org