Press release from SoHum Health:

To make it easier for seniors in Southern Humboldt to remain safely at home during Humboldt County’s shelter-in-place order, SoHum Health’s hospital and clinic staff are calling seniors residing in the area. The purpose of the calls is to offer a wellness check, and information on grocery delivery service, prescription refills and delivery, and Tele-health visits with their clinic provider, if needed.

Grocery delivery is being coordinated by the Healy Senior Center, in cooperation with local markets and volunteer drivers. Procedures are in place to accept credit cards, and the Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce is providing face masks to drivers.

“Routine activities of daily living can continue at home with these services,” according to Dr. Seth Einterz, a provider at SoHum Health’s Community Clinic. “There is no better protection from the COVID-19 virus for seniors than eating well, exercising and avoiding trips to town. Medicare has authorized us to conduct clinic visits over videoconference so that the risk of exposure to the virus is minimized.”

Tele-health visits are being conducted over the Zoom videoconference platform. Zoom can be accessed easily over a computer, tablet or smartphone wherever internet is available, with almost no technical knowledge required.

In addition to local markets, SoHum Health is collaborating with the Healy Senior Center, Southern Humboldt Family Resource Center, Vocality Credit Union, Redwoods Rural Health Center, Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, Bootleg, and the SoHum Health Foundation.

Seniors and others who have critical health issues should not wait for a call. Please call SoHum Health’s Senior Life Solutions at 707-922-6321 to speak with a referral coordinator or to leave a message for a callback.