We welcomed Lia Rubel as our speaker at our August 3, 2020 meeting. Lia is a rising sophomore at Emory University and is from Barre, Vermont. She spoke to us about a new organization, Telehealth Access for Seniors.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lia helped to launch the nonprofit in March. She currently serves as the Vermont Lead and National Grants and Partnership Coordinator. Throughout the pandemic, many health care providers started utilizing Telehealth programs for providing care. Realizing that this was a challenge for elderly, especially those with chronic conditions who live in poverty, a group of friends and students came together to form the non-profit. Telehealth Access for Seniors is run by college students and relies on a network of college and high school student volunteers. It is currently active in 26 states.
The organization provides elderly and low income communities with smart devices so they can connect with their doctors, friends and family, and access wellness apps. They are able to do this through the donations of un-used devices and the purchase of new donations, made possible through monetary support. They work with healthcare practices to distribute the devices and provide simple and easy to use guides on how to set them up and use apps. Volunteers provide tech support via phone and email.
To date, 1500 devices have been donated in 26 states and they have partnered with 75 clinics - focusing on those that serve Veterans, geriatric and low income patients. In Vermont, Lia has helped to set up a partnership with the White River Junction VA. There are 8 volunteers who have raised more than $10,000 and they have donated 64 devices. They expect to drop off 100 more devices by the end of August.
Telehealth Access for Seniors is in need of help to expand the program and support the demand. Options include donating devices, money or time. To learn more visit their website by clicking here.