Virtual Activities Launch
in NEW Subscription Memberships!
Kathryn Cherkas, MIPH
Back on March 16, when we had to close our physical doors in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Friendship Center staff immediately began finding ways to reach out and support our community from a distance. Considering ourselves warriors against isolation within our group of senior friends, staff have worked hard on creating unique forms of engagement and inclusion for our members. These activities include our robust schedule of ten daily Zoom classes, weekly tele check-ins, letter writing and supply delivery, Take Care Totes, Drive-In activity hours, porch visits, resource referrals and more.
We are pleased to have been able to offer these activities and services at no cost to our senior friends up for the last seven months. As the light at the end of the tunnel (the signal that we can safely reopen our onsite day program) has become a bit foggy, we need to amplify our services as our main priority in keeping our community connected and engaged; and in doing this, we will need your help.
Starting Monday, October 12th, our services will be offered through an online membership starting at the low price of $200 per month, with options for low income individuals. In addition to offering a bolstered version of our existing activities and services, this membership includes 24/7 access to a library of staff-led activities, activity supply coordination/ delivery (including lending a Wi-Fi capable tablet from FC, if needed), tech support, virtual caregiver hangout/ peer support sessions, and a caregiver hotline, plus two x thirty minute care consultations per month and a memory screening session (using the tools of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America) offered by a trained staff member with advanced degrees in health and dementia care. As this membership subscription grows, so will the service and activity offerings to best suit our members.
In addition to offering this subscription to individuals, we welcome congregate living facilities and other day centers to join our program with fees between $400-$600 per month, depending on facility type and size. Our ‘corporate’ subscription will act as a partnership between Friendship Center staff and facility staff, whereas our vibrant and intelligent FC team members can support and empower staff at other organizations to successfully embrace a new form of engagement for seniors. Just because the pandemic has changed the way we can enjoy our time doesn’t mean should stop having fun!
We are extremely hopeful that this new, user-friendly membership program will support our seniors and their families, as well as our hard working staff to continue with their meaningful jobs.
Check our website for regular updates to our program and feel free to contact us with any questions. As we have been for the last forty-six years, we are absolutely committed to making sure anyone who wants to be a part of our program is able to do so, despite finances or abilities.
