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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOlder Americans cope with shock and stress as vaccine effort overlooks them
By Associated Press -March 5, 2021 2:33 PM
'I thought it would be a priority when you're 88 years old and that someone would inform me.'
Jean Andrade, an 88-year-old who lives alone, has been waiting for her COVID-19 vaccine since she became eligible under state guidelines nearly a month ago. She assumed her caseworker would contact her about getting one, especially after she spent nearly two days stuck in an electric recliner during a recent power outage.
It was only after she saw a TV news report about competition for the limited supply of shots in Portland, Oregon, that she realized no one was scheduling her dose. A grocery delivery service for homebound older people eventually provided a flyer with vaccine information, and Andrade asked a helper who comes by for four hours a week to try to snag her an appointment.
"I thought it would be a priority when you're 88 years old and that someone would inform me," said Andrade, who has lived in the same house for 40 years and has no family members able to assist her. "You ask anybody else who's 88, 89, and don't have anybody to help them, ask them what to do. Well, I've still got my brain, thank God. But I am very angry."
https://americanindependent.com/covid-19-vaccine-skips-older-adults/
AS a older person in the system, 70 years old, I have been just as recently as three days ago trying to get an appointment>
I got up at 5:00 AM to see if I could get an appointment, they rotate thru every three days, now I am speaking about Maryland, and CVS, (I am also trying Walgreens and on the list with my local health center, but have to wait 3-4 weeks).
I was and am refreshing my computer to get an appointment and answering the questions, at that time in the morning I saw on my on screen the cities offering the shots and they said "Available" beside each city, as the morning progressed, I saw the cities turning to "Available to "Fully Booked" this was going on for over 3 to 4 hours at around 8:30 AM I saw all the cities booked and had to stop because there was no availability. I have been trying at various sites to get my first shot, to avail for the last three weeks.................
aocommunalpunch
(4,223 posts)It's being held together with string, bubble gum, and hope. Stiff winds are blowin'.
RobinA
(9,878 posts)the tribalness is just showing for once. My mother is 91 and never bothered to learn to use a computer. At this point it's hard for her to do almost anything official, because you need a computer. I was able to get her signed up for shots fairly early in the process through my work. If she had to get herself signed up it would never happen. I think it would be appropriate for her doctor to call her to check up, but that isn't happening either.
A good 15 years ago I was in the courthouse when two older women walked in. The one woman had the same name as some other woman who was being sued for a variety of nonpayments. The woman in the courthouse was trying to get it straightened out because she kept getting dunned by the various companies that the woman in arrears did business with. The clerk motioned her to go over to the bank of computers and pull up the case so the clerk could get the number. These two women had no idea how to use a computer, let alone that computer, which included no instructions as to how to get what they wanted. I had to go over and ask another clerk to help them, which she did. Totally ridiculous. I'll never forget it.
JI7
(89,182 posts)Most older people I talked to had relatives who helped in setting up the appointments.
Tree Lady
(11,370 posts)My daughter helped my ex, my good friend who is older than me her son got her appt.
So if you aren't close to family you are SOL...
pidge
(274 posts)moderate internet skills but the MA site was way too difficult for me.
Dawson Leery
(19,348 posts)moonscape
(4,664 posts)in the midst of the frantic scramble. Resources are razor thin, and trying to get shots in arms in the quickest, fairest way possible is going to be beyond challenging.
Most old people who live alone have family or a caregiver, or someone who helps manage. It falls on them to take the initiative, otherwise how to reach them? Phone banking and door to door can happen as things loosen up in a bit and there is data on who has been left behind, but at this point Im not critical of the herculean effort so many are making. So many sad waiting games though.
cannabis_flower
(3,764 posts)pair a nurses with Meals on Wheels people and go around and get a lot of older adults vaccinated that way.
pinkstarburst
(1,321 posts)Now that they have the J&J shot, they're sending the National Guard out to people who receive Meals on Wheels to give them the shot. J&J only requires one injection and the temperature requirements makes something like that doable.
cannabis_flower
(3,764 posts)JI7
(89,182 posts)won't get help from relatives.
And not all families are close.
I'm not sure what to do but I think mobile vaccination centers need to go around to different neighborhoods and some door to door effort will need to take place.
MustLoveBeagles
(11,563 posts)It would be similar to the Bloodmobiles.
dalton99a
(81,073 posts)MustLoveBeagles
(11,563 posts)BumRushDaShow
(127,312 posts)they have been reluctant but have finally been advertising a call-in for seniors and those who have no internet access to register for a vaccine and eventually to get an appointment.
I think this is a big issue when it comes to previous COVID bills not providing any or enough funds for stuff like staffing mini-call centers so that people can get help making those appointments through the online system - similar to what they had for healthcare.gov.
There have also been smaller organizations getting certified to try to get to the shut-ins to get them vaccinated.
IMHO, if orgs like the Red Cross can roll around cities and towns with a "blood mobile" (and that blood has to be kept at certain temps too), I can't see why the same can't happen with a vaccine-mobile.
Some towns and cities even have bookmobiles for their libraries and services for shut ins, but no one thought of them when it came to the vaccines.
turbinetree
(24,632 posts)They could have done this and anyone that came to the Mobil center could have shown an ID, gotten the shot and then put them on the list , and when to come back after having gotten the shot when they gave them a card and then update the system that night, and then set them up to come back in the 3 to 4 weeks they had to get the shot at another center close by or at the same spot just for the second shots only ...........
appalachiablue
(41,055 posts)elders was gross neglect. Same for no coordination for this population re vaccine availability, scheduling and transportation.
llmart
(15,501 posts)If it's so imperative that people get vaccinated and we're told every day to get the vaccine then the onus of getting it should not be put on the people. So many people in my senior neighborhood are just beside themselves wanting the vaccine and yet can't get it even now that the supply is ramped up. Meanwhile, the younger generation is busy planning their spring break drinking fest in Florida so that they can once again spike the Covid rates when they return.
This country has lost it's way in more ways than one.
llmart
(15,501 posts)These pharmacies and hospitals' processes for obtaining an appointment - or as some of them like to say "waiting to be invited to make an appointment" like it's some damned Governor's ball they're being invited to - are so tone deaf when it comes to senior citizens. Requiring them to send a text (many of them have never sent a text and don't know how) or go online (many of them have never used a computer or can afford to have a computer plus the cost of internet connection). Not everyone has younger relatives who can help them or even live anywhere near them. Many of these towns and cities have senior centers, so why can't those centers be the place where vaccines are made available? They have free services for tax assistance and volunteers to help with that, but can't do the same for these vaccines? Many of them have disabilities and comorbidities and numerous doctor's appointments and the stress of just taking care of all that is enormous.
I just think this part of the process has been abysmal.
turbinetree
(24,632 posts)and just waiting for the winning number to be announced every other day
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)There is a footprint for them. I dont understand why someone has not thought of using the available addresses for those people to have a mobile vaccination team visit them.
llmart
(15,501 posts)The number of junk calls and unsolicited snail mail that I get every single day is incredible. Ironically, most of it is for medical items and or funeral plots/cremation services.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Unfortunately, things become more complicated for you when federal, state (the biggest culprit) and local governments need to deliver for you.
RobinA
(9,878 posts)an organized Federal response. You know, what some people would call Socialism. Pretty much everybody has Medicare, Medicare has everybody's address. They would probably tell you that they can't do that, because the computer system isn't programmed to cough up a list of addresses. But that's just an argument against government computer systems that only have the bare minimum of functionality. Governments are supposed to respond to emergencies, but that requires planning for what you might need in an emergency, something that isn't done because they are always fighting the current emergency. Which might not even exist if they planned ahead.
Blue_true
(31,261 posts)Cha
(295,926 posts)overlooked here, though.
75 and older have gotten first priority along with Health Care Workers, of course.
llmart
(15,501 posts)It's about the hoops they are having to jump through just to get an appointment.
Cha
(295,926 posts)for us seniors here.
Celerity
(42,666 posts)sop
(9,946 posts)to Governor Ron DeSantis reside, she would have had her vaccine last January.
Timewas
(2,174 posts)Has not had many for us. I am 79 and there has been no chance to get a vaccine, actually I have no number to call to find out where I might get one... This morning my daughter called and asked if we would like to get our shots, it turns out the indian casino has a bunch of extra that their employees don't want so they told my SIL that if we wanted we could get our shots there so now we have our shots scheduled...state can't get the stuff but the casinos can
Grasswire2
(13,564 posts)...in his 70s, Parkinson's, other illnesses, can't get an appointment for love nor money.
The system stinks. He has mobility issues and requires a drive through.
Still no appointment.
Timewas
(2,174 posts)System is a cluster f , the rethugs screwed it up so badly that it may never be fixed...
turbinetree
(24,632 posts)have to have an appointment and I live over two hours away and I can't go across the MD /DE border to get the shot
obamanut2012
(25,911 posts)For their employees and tribal members. They are looking after their folks.
BatteriesNotNeeded
(48 posts)we are on a list with the county health board, and our service provider. It's frustrating, but we realize that there has to production of vaccines to catch up before we'll get one. My mom is 86 and I hope my sister has helped her out, I live too far away. Mom doesn't have internet or a computer or a smartphone.
Tree Lady
(11,370 posts)They don't drive anymore and have mobility issues. I live out of state from my older mom in her 90's, i got her cancellation appt at Rite Aid across town on a Saturday, her senior apt only has shuttle during the week. She had to get taxi, not set up for Uber doesn't know what it is.
She is on a walker, I was lucky to reach a live person to ask if there is a waiting chair for after since she has no car. Taxi only takes cash and it was a miracle she had some. My daughter does her bills now because she lives the closest hour away. She would have taken her but had to work that day.
It worked but not easy. And we have to repeat in a few weeks.
radius777
(3,624 posts)sites have seemed to go well. The Federal Gov't should just setup a website and FEMA and DOH should handle everything. It's too much of a patchwork of various locations, websites etc. Just develop a uniform system with uniform methods and roll it out everywhere.
yonder
(9,631 posts)That is what governments do: provide for the common defense, health and welfare of its citizens.
llmart
(15,501 posts)You get it. I'm old enough to remember the polio vaccinations. The families didn't have to make their own arrangements for their children to get vaccinated.
tblue37
(64,982 posts)triron
(21,916 posts)I'm in the same category as anyone over 16 with some health risk. So
even a 20 year old with a 'health risk' such as hypertension could get an appt. before me.
Seems unfair, but that's our categories in NM (even though I know people who have already
received 1 or 2 doses and they are younger than me without any significant health risks).
Seems to be a lottery system here.
tblue37
(64,982 posts)there are none available, and usually the site won't even load.
Ziggysmom
(3,374 posts)Call your local city or county health department, office on aging, human services, everything possible. Dont give up so easily. Sometimes people expect the help to just come to them without asking - definitely not the case now. I worry about people like this woman who lives alone in her same house over 40 years. If she cant care for herself and her health needs independently , maybe its time to downsize and consider assisted living.
I had a stubborn mom who wouldnt move out of the house, which she couldnt keep up, after dad passed on. It didnt end well and caused a lot of hardship to all our family.
We cannot watch over our neighbors and loved ones day and night, but we can pray and wish them Godspeed.
llmart
(15,501 posts)Maybe you should try to place a phone call to my local county health department to get a Covid vaccination appointment and see if you can EVER get something other than a busy signal. Oh, and they only take calls on Tuesdays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. However, the appointment slots are all taken up by 8:45 AM, so don't bother to hit redial all day long.
I have no idea how old you are, but I have a feeling that if you live to be 75+ you are going to look back at your younger attitude and regret your lack of empathy towards the elderly. I only say that because I have been guilty of your exact same attitude about older people staying in their homes when they should have had the foresight to move into something smaller and more accessible. I now see that I was too harsh and I try to be more understanding of that mindset. For myself, change has been a constant in my life and I have never been attached to one place or home, so moving or downsizing isn't so overwhelming. For others who have never known anything else, I'll just say this. As one ages, familiarity with one's surroundings tends to be much more important, and the thought of changing everything is terrifying to some.
Ziggysmom
(3,374 posts)As I noted, my own mother refused all offers of help to downsize. It killed her. She laid in her yard with a fractured pelvis for hours. I hate to see others in the same situation and this story triggered many painful memories.
Im over 60 and work full time while I am also the main caregiver for my over 70 husband with late stage COPD & pulmonary hypertension, on continuous oxygen and needing a wheelchair. I know firsthand nothing comes easy and we have to fight like hell for every benefit and service we can get. (Ive had some luck with Eldercare to provide information and they have an 800 number, 800-677-1116.
https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Resources/LearnMoreAbout/Index.aspx )
When I am with the elderly, I see them as not just an individual but also someone's cherished parent, grandparent or great-grandparent. I am struck by the sudden frailty of my beloved husband and best friend who now faces his own mortality. If I come across as lacking empathy, please understand its just caregiver compassion fatigue bordering on burnout. There are many days where I feel like a walking open wound.
I spend many sleepless nights here on DU and I am truly grateful when someone takes the time to reply to one of my posts like you have. I am sorry if I came across too harshly. I really do care, but sometimes the self preservation and fear takes over.
llmart
(15,501 posts)I actually agree with you about people being more realistic in their approach to aging, but I also know that just because I tend to be a realist doesn't mean everyone is capable of taking that first major step. I live in a community where most of us are seniors. In the eight years I've lived here I've seen many instances of people who just plain stayed too long in their homes. On the one hand, I get irritated when I see their yards are not kept up to snuff bringing down the home values of everyone else. In fact, I bought my house from a couple who were 88 and 91 and they finally were convinced to move into assisted living when they kept falling or driving their car into a closed garage door - stories I've heard from many of the neighbors when I moved in. The amount of stuff they had crammed into the basement was incredible. They kept asking me if they could rent from me one more month (I gave them two to start with) because they just could not seem to tackle getting rid of anything. They had two grown children in the area who finally just pitched it all when I told them I could not let them rent for one more month.
My parents were both dead by the time I was 22, so they never really got the chance to age. Neither one made it to 61. I have a very hard time relating to my cohorts who have either already gone through this or going through it now with their parents, and I just have no idea what my parents would have been like.
You have a lot on your plate and now I can understand why you may have come off as being unempathetic.
Ziggysmom
(3,374 posts)When my mom passed I could barely walk in her basement. She was young during the Great Depression and saved everything for fear of having nothing. I hauled out over 50 trash bags of old rags, empty plastic containers like those for cottage cheese or margarine, and glass jars with covers like from Mayo or jelly.
I see the fear of change and letting go daily with my husband. He has about 50 old shirts in his closet that no longer fit, but in his mind he needs them for when he gets better and we can travel. I dont ask about them any more and go along with his travel stories, often not letting him see my eyes tear up.
Im gonna look over in the Chronic Health Conditions Discussion and Support (Group) area on DU and see if there are other caregivers like me to chat with. Its really lonely and depressing some days.
Best to you 🙂
RobinA
(9,878 posts)a bit "harsh" also. I am 63. I have seen too many situations where elders put their loved ones through months and years of torment by insisting on staying in houses that aren't safe for them anymore. The adult children are ripping their hair out worrying about Mom, who won't move. They love their parent. They don't want anything to happen to them. They go running over (if they can) every time Mom gets in a jam. But Mom insists upon living in a cluttered house with no safety features. Mom can't operate the TV, she can't get in the bath tub safely, there are steps. She loses the cordless phone. All the while, daughters (it's almost always daughters) are losing sleep at night wondering if Mom is OK. Nope. I'm moving into continuing care. I don't want to put my loved ones through that.
obamanut2012
(25,911 posts)Like Florida and other states have anything like what you suggest. It is literally like the lottery or the Hunger Games to get a vax, and that is only if you are tech savvy, and even then? It's luck.
As another poster said: this attitude is heartless, especially when you are talking an 88-year-old home-bound woman.
sciencescience
(109 posts)She didn't say people who give up don't deserve the vaccine. Obviously things should be more orderly and efficient. But it's a good idea to encourage people to keep fighting because we can't depend on the current system to treat everyone fairly, although it should.
KentuckyWoman
(6,666 posts)I hear you. I really do. My empathy goes out to you regarding stubborn parents who created hardships. I've been there.
Most people in their 50's or 60's don't understand how much harder it gets in late 70's, 80's or older. The decline accelerates, and it is not at all uncommon to become "pedestrian" in life. Without someone highly motivated to keep an eye on things, older people living alone very often end up in situations. The costs to move are ridiculously high, and buying help to come in is a maze and expensive too.
Here is a lady with some outside support, but not enough. She thinks she's sharp, but she isn't. She obviously lacks the ability to fight for herself. She is not alone. There are millions of her. That's the reality and I am glad attention is being called to it. I'd like to see us fix this so when the 50 and 60 somethings hit their 80's we aren't still in the same underfunded, overworked situation.
Edit to add that you have my deep respect. Full time caregiving is a really hard job especially adding to full time work. ON that score, I have been there. It's HARD.
treestar
(82,383 posts)not blaming her, just wondering. My parents in their 80s have 3 children in 50s, 60s. My sister is a barracuda, making sure everything is taken care of - she scheduled their vaccines and she and I took them. She's on top of their medications and always planning something to help them. I do the shopping, cook, take them where they need to go - not a lot now with the pandemic. I guess we are just lucky.
They have a nearby granddaughter and son in law who help with lawn, computer issues - they use the computer, but as most older people, can get stuck and be unable to solve the issues, whereas younger minds seem to adapt much more easily to the tech stuff.
I guess she may have them with jobs in distant places, or not have kids, siblings, or people nearby. Nobody but social workers, seems depressing.
llmart
(15,501 posts)She has never married or had any children, thus no grandchildren. Two of our siblings are dead and I live in another state. It happens all the time. She served in Viet Nam but because she was with the Red Cross and not the military she got zero benefits for volunteering to go to a war zone. Fortunately for her she lives in subsidized housing and they came to her building. She didn't have to go searching for an appointment.
Let's face it. This country treats their elder people poorly.
KentuckyWoman
(6,666 posts)My husband is gone and we did not have children. There are a couple of nieces local that kindly include me in their lives. I moved to a senior village when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. We were lucky, we could figure out the money to do so. Most can't.
One of my friends here in the village has outlived all her children and even a couple grandchildren. She's mostly on her own. So even having kids is no guarantee.
We are living better for a longer period of time thanks to Medicare. We are still working out the kinks on how we will support older people with a lot of needs during those last 5 years.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)out they will focus 100% on distribution. Not sure what he can do to force states to get their act together?
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)The usual: financial incentives. In addition, the feds are apparently taking on as much of the organizational burden as the states wish to cede.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)at least one dose. Low-population states, though, while TX is #2 after CA.
Interesting figures. Improving the % of doses used obviously must be a new focus of heavy attention. Maybe they can learn from the Bureau of Prisons, which seems to have used the entire 107% of its allotments.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Time for coffee.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Highest percentage of population vaccinated. My *guess* is that most people live in the major cities like Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks?. So the rest of the huge state with tiny populations are probably not vaccinated???
MoonlitKnight
(1,584 posts)This should be national. Lots of local emergency services have this. It can be targeted to seniors and other at risk groups who get signed up in case of disasters and other emergencies. It automatically calls people. It could call and give the option to stay on the line to schedule an evacuation, for example. In this case to schedule a vaccine appointment.
Maeve
(42,224 posts)She has a computer--that she never uses anymore--and I had her signed up for the county's waiting list. They did eventually call her, but her step-daughter got her in to a local pharmacy before that (she's related to the owner and had been making an appointment for another family member).
There has been a remarkable improvement here in Ohio in the last couple of weeks on appointment availability--ever since, you know, Biden got things moving....
spinbaby
(15,073 posts)Shes in her 70s, not on the Internet at all, and just assumed that her doctor or pharmacy would contact her when it was her turn. I told her to ask her daughter to try to set up appointment.
tavernier
(12,322 posts)Its especially hard when the competition starts at 7 am and that is when Im showering and getting ready for work. Yes, many of us in our 70s still hold a job.
Fortunately it appears this week that President Biden has finally broken the clog and the vaccine availability has shot through the roof. I got in easily this week and so did my kids and coworkers at the high school.
Of course Ocean Reef citizens had no wait list due to political donations and hopefully Governor DeSatan will have to answer to that.
area51
(11,868 posts)after all, we don't even have a healthcare system in this country. With a single-payer system, everyone would be in a database and their ages and medical conditions would be known and prioritized, but hey, the free market will solve everything, like it did for Texas power, and current health care prices and medication prices ....
LisaL
(44,962 posts)scheduling an appointment. It's all done on line. I had to schedule an appointment for my older relative.
lindysalsagal
(20,444 posts)Grasswire2
(13,564 posts)His physician's office notified him.
cmf
(1,832 posts)Anyone with two brain cells can see that the people who are most vulnerable to the virus are also the ones least likely able to navigate a patchwork of corporate pharmacies and their respective online scheduling systems.
We should have set up a national call center (employing laid off restaurant and retail workers) that could assist people with scheduling appointments. But that would be responsible government, and we don't do that in the United States.
dalton99a
(81,073 posts)ananda
(28,783 posts)So overlooked.
Mossfern
(2,375 posts)Essex County NJ, there are robocalls at least weekly informing people about covic vaccines with a phone number for people to call if they don't or can't register on line. I get the calls on my land line. Municipalities can do this as well through their health department. There is no need for older people not to be vaccinated.
turbinetree
(24,632 posts)I have to drive one hour away from where I live down to Baltimore at M&T Stadium mass vaccination site, and have to arrive at least 15 minutes early for check in, so will have to get up early ...........
I was on the phone for about an one hour waiting to speak with a representative from The University Hospital staff which is helping out with this issue, and I am sure I will be meeting with someone from the Maryland National Guard giving me the shot or someone else, if you are in Maryland the phone number is:
1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829)
I hope this helps and that you meet the early qualifications phases to get the shot .............
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)the whole nation on an emergency basis, everyone who consents. That's a whole different thing from the disorganized half-assed efforts of some states to make it possible, for whoever really wants it, to scrabble for available vaccine.
As part of this giant federal attack on the virus, special programs are being put together to find people who need special help, like the angry woman in the OP, and get them vaccinated.
Interestingly, I read that, when Biden came in, as a group indigenous Americans had the lowest vaccination rates in the nation and the highest death rate, and now (as a result of course) they already have the highest vaccination rates. That's just a small fraction of their whole so far, like everyone else, but still a big turnaround from what was happening.
turbinetree
(24,632 posts)I hope you and everyone can get this shot(s), lets face it it has been a total nightmare for the last year and counting and we are Not out of the woods yet, at least we now have some people that are doing something and those that wanted to do something, and now are leading this thing forward like it should have been last year, and what is really disgusting is that POS down in Florida took the shot in secret, they should put on a billboard down there what kind of a POS he really is..........he couldn't even do it in the open, but I digress, again thank you, and everyone on this thread and beyond we are all in this together ................what is ironic I had left home to go to my sister-n laws house and I got a call while I was away, and just heard it when I got back home from the health department in my town, its been about 4 weeks and she was right it would take four weeks, and now I got on the list in some other venue to do the shot and not at my health department .............
dsc
(52,130 posts)Medicare and/or their doctor's office to schedule this? I am a teacher and I got my first one on 27 Feb (my state opened up for teachers on 24 Feb). My school had me fill out a form, and a coworker had also sent out a link to a clinic. I got mine at the clinic, had that not worked I would have gotten it through the school. If a school can do this, and remember, providing medical care isn't our first job, then how aren't doctor's offices and Medicare doing this?
triron
(21,916 posts)appt. No one else is involved except administering the vaccine. Maybe that will change soon.
dsc
(52,130 posts)we have these people over 65 who live in your area please vaccinate them?