NEWBURY, Vt. — The Oxbow Senior Independence Program is starting a Virtual Senior Independent Program to connect with older adults in the community.
“I’m sure there’s a lot of elders out there who are socially isolated right now and don’t have caregivers so that’s who we’re targeting,” said Julia O’Donnell, executive director of OSIP.
The adult day service program has been closed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemicm and staff have been brainstorming ways to continue to assist seniors until they can safely reopen. It will be offered from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. via Zoom beginning Sept. 7.
“We’re kind of mimicking our in-service sessions,” O’Donnell said.
That includes a breakfast social, exercise programs, arts and crafts, a lunch break and a story hour.
“It all depends who is interested in what and we can adjust that,” O’Donnell said.
Caregivers may need to be on hand to help older adults with computer assistance. While the program will run for seven hours each day, participants can drop in whenever they wish.
“We’ll see what their interests are and sort them accordingly and have someone there to participate with them,” O’Donnell said.
Activity packets, socially distanced visits and tele-companion services are available to people who are already enrolled in OSIP’s in-person program.
“There is no charge for the Zoom itself. We’re running on grant funds. It’s allowing us to get it up and running,” O’Donnell said.
As of Tuesday, 10 people were signed up for the program and trial runs have started to help them connect online.
“COVID forced us into a virtual world. Our population is really vulnerable adults who don’t access internet much,” O’Donnell said. “Everything is step by step.”
Even once OSIP can safely reopen, virtual programming will likely become a permanent part of the nonprofit organization’s services.
“We won’t be open until it’s safe to do so and then we’re hoping to continue with the hybrid,” O’Donnell said.
Editor’s note: For more information or to sign up, email osipads.VSIP@gmail.com.
Liz Sauchelli can be reached at esauchelli@vnews.com or 603-727-3221.
