Chillicothe Nursing Community Creates Care Package Program for Vulnerable Seniors

Andrea West, a registered nurse in Chillicothe, Ohio, was inspired by her own COVID-19 infection and quarantine to start a care package program for seniors in her area, reports the Chillicothe Gazette . She approached the staff at CareCore's Westmoreland nursing community with the idea based on an already available free grocery program. Every two weeks or so, CareCore staffers deliver packages to seniors 65 or older within a 10-mile radius. Deliveries may include groceries, a pre-cooked meal, or household supplies. About 60 people are currently participating in the program. West said the care packages also have an important psychological aspect, with staff greeting recipients and performing wellness checks, maintaining connection to the community and reducing the sense of isolation. "We do all of these things because we know how important it is to give back to seniors," she said. "They have our heart and they need us right now."