Meet The Sequoias: a senior living community that was 100% COVID-free this summer
It’s no secret that the pandemic has made it especially challenging for senior living communities to ensure a safe and healthy environment for their at-risk residents. As seniors are already a target of fraud, many families are left feeling even more nervous about the wellbeing of their loved ones when seeking out help from outside individuals or organizations.
That’s why when Adi Tzur, Director of Resident Services at The Sequoias San Francisco, reached out to Helping Hands Community on behalf of her residents, she was relieved to find out that we were uniquely positioned to address these concerns. Aside from learning about the services that limit exposure to COVID-19, Tzur also took comfort in knowing that our volunteers pay out-of-pocket for items and are only reimbursed after the recipient has obtained their essential items.
“Helping Hands is wonderful! Our residents have been very enthusiastic about this service and within the first few days, we had 10 requests completed.” — Adi Tzur, Director of Resident Services
Since The Sequoias’ discovery of Helping Hands Community in May, all 350+ residents and staff tested negative for the virus — a huge accomplishment given the severity of COVID-19, especially among the senior population. Over the course of the summer, 115 delivery requests were made by senior residents, an average of 15 per week. Best of all, the feedback from the residents and employees has been overwhelmingly positive, with “You are doing a great thing” and “We love you so much, thank you, thank you, thank you!” being common sentiments. In fact, when a resident was able to call about filling a prescription — a task that most seniors depend on — and received it the same day, she left a $50 donation for the nonprofit.
The Sequoias San Francisco prides itself on its breathtaking location in the heart of San Francisco with close proximity to shopping, dining, and everything in between. However, since the pandemic, The Sequoias has been understandably strict with its residents. For instance, if a resident chooses to leave the premises, they are forced to quarantine for 14 days. Because of this, residents were feeling restricted, unhappy, and like they lost their freedom. Helping Hands Community was able to alleviate some of these negative feelings by fulfilling requests for a variety of needs, such as grabbing groceries and picking up prescriptions.
