14 THE QUEENS COURIER • OCTOBER 29, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
Friendly VOICES, a New Volunteer Program, Helps Limit
Social Isolation Among Older New Yorkers during COVID-19
It has been more than seven
months since the Covid-19
pandemic began and our
everyday lives were turned
upside down. While some have
grown accustomed to working
remotely and staying home,
the pandemic has led to many
older New Yorkers losing contact
with loved ones and becoming
socially isolated.
Social isolation has always
been an issue for older adults,
but COVID-19 has exacerbated
it. For older adults, social
isolation can be especially
harmful, taking a toll on their
wellbeing and leading to health
problems like depression and
heart disease.
Throughout this pandemic,
the City Department for
the Aging (DFTA) has been
working to limit social isolation
through virtual programming,
wellness checks and the Friendly
Visiting program, a successful
initiative that has matched
more than 2,000 volunteers
with homebound older adults
for weekly visits that are now
being done virtually via phone
and video calls.
In June, we ran a Social
Isolation PSA campaign and
more than 400 New Yorkers
signed up to volunteer for
Friendly Visiting. This told us
that New Yorkers want to stepup,
volunteer, and help our
older adults. Well, we heard the
City loud and clear, and we are
happy to announce the launch
of Friendly VOICES (Virtual
Opportunities Improving
Connections with Elders).
Like Friendly Visiting, this new
initiative will train and match
volunteers with older adults and
is designed to limit social isolation
and build ongoing engagement.
Friendly VOICES is different
as the program is available to
all older adults who are socially
isolated. In addition, Friendly
VOICES offers older New Yorkers
the option to have a peer-to-peer
match and be connected with
another older adult or join a
small virtual group. Becoming a
Friendly VOICES volunteer is an
easy way to brighten your day. We
recommend that anyone wlling
to volunteer or join the program
reach out to us.
I also want to remind older
adults to get the Flu Vaccine.
Doctors say getting a flu vaccine
this year has never been more
important. The flu vaccine does
not prevent COVID-19. But by
preventing the flu and having
a healthy immune system,
a person will have an easier
time fighting off a COVID-19
infection. The City Department
of Health and Mental Hygiene
has a locator map to help
you find the nearest vaccine
location. There are also outdoor
flu vaccination pop-up events
throughout the city this season.
There are also two other
vaccinations that can keep older
adults healthy: the pneumonia
vaccine and the shingles vaccine.
The CDC recommends all
adults 65 years or older get
a pneumonia vaccine yearly;
some older adults with specific
conditions may require a second
shot at another time. Shingles,
which is caused by the same
virus that causes chicken pox,
produces a painful rash and
blisters that can lead to serious
complications. Adults age 50 and
older need to get 2 doses of the
vaccine, the second dose two to
six months after the first.
This pandemic has lasted
longer than any of us expected.
But we will get through this, by
staying emotionally, mentally
and physically healthy, and by
staying connected.
If you would like to volunteer
for Friendly VOICES, call Aging
Connect at 212-Aging-NYC
(212-244-6469), or fill out an
online volunteer interest form.
Older Adults who wish to join
the program can also call Aging
Connect or fill out an online
participant form.
NYC Department for the
Aging Commissioner
Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez
New Friendly VOICES program matches volunteers with older
adults to connect on a weekly basis over the phone or video calls
and help relieve social isolation.
Adrian & Rocky's Caterers
Presents a
THANKSGIVING DAY FEAST
WHOLE TURKEY
Visit Out Website At
Social Distance Meal
Email: adrians1@verizon.net
"Just Heat and Eat"
Antipasto Supreme
Choice of:
Penne a la Vodka or Lasagna
(18 lbs. with Gravy)
Stuffing with or without Meat
Choice of:
Candied Yams, Mashed Potatoes,
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Choice of:
Peas, Carrots & Mushrooms or French Bean Almondine
Gorgonzola Salad w/Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing,
Cranberry Sauce & Dinner Rolls Plus (1) Pie
$369.00
$269.00 plus tax & gratuities
plus tax & gratuities
5-7 People Package Includes:
a la Carte:
a la Carte
Antipasto Supreme......................................................$50.00
String Beans..................................................................$30.00
Mashed Potatoes.........................................................$30.00
Candied Yams................................................................$30.00
ANTIPASTO
WHOLE TURKEY (14 lbs. with Gravy)
Stuffing with or without Meat
Choice of: Candied Yams, Mashed Potatoes,
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Choice of: Peas, Carrots & Mushrooms or
French Bean Almondine
Garden Salad, Cranberry Sauce & Dinner Rolls
For One
Turkey, Stuffing, String Beans, Candied Yams,
Cranberry Sauce, Dinner Roll, Slice of Pie
$18.95 Pick Up Only
18 lb. Whole Cooked Turkey with Gravy ... $89.00
Spiral Ham..........................................................$79.00
Fresh Fruit..........................................................$69.00
Stuffing......................................................Half $20.00
Lasagna......................................................Half $49.00
Stuffed Mushrooms.................................$15.00 doz
Stuffed Artichokes....................................$10.00 ea.
Brussels Sprouts.............................................$25.00
Eggplant Rollatini............................................$45.00
Pies.................................................................... $20.00
(Apple, Pumpkin or Coconut Custard)
Serving
15
People
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