Police, others assist elderly, disabled during COVID-19 shutdown. How to help.
Chester police officers want to help residents in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
City of Chester Police Department officers plan to assist Chester residents who are disabled or elderly as stores close and people are forced indoors due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
“Our plan is during the Coronavirus Crisis to help the elderly and disabled who need assistance getting groceries and other needs, but are unable to or have difficulties leaving home during this time,” states a release shared by the department Thursday.
The department is asking the community to let them know who may need help.
Residents who want to request help for someone should call the police department at 803-581-9677 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Residents are asked to provide the person’s name, number and address.
People can also reach the department on Facebook or Twitter.
Cpl. Randall Marsh, spokesperson for the police department, said officers may help pick up groceries or medications for residents who are unable to leave their homes. Marsh is a Chester native.
“We know there’s a lot of people, elderly and disabled, who are having a hard time right now getting the supplies they need,” Marsh said. “We want to let them know we are here for them.”
Officers may also help residents get to government offices to pay bills or other necessary tasks, Marsh said. He said responses already were coming in Thursday.
“If we find out more ways we can help serve the elderly and disabled, we will try to do our best to help in any way possible,” Marsh said.
Other first responders are also willing to help citizens.
The City of York Police Department received donated face masks from TSI Filtration Technologies in Charlotte. The department sent some masks to Tender Hearts Ministries and the York Senior Center to give to home-bound, at-risk residents who receive meals from the organizations, The Herald previously reported.
Rock Hill officers will assist residents when needed, said Lt. Michael Chavis with the police department.
“If we get requests or calls, we will do all can to help our older residents,” he said in an e-mail to The Herald. “Some of our officers often help any citizens in need from their own finances or efforts.”
Police officers have to balance helping citizens while minimizing risks associated with COVID-19, Chavis said.
“We have to walk a fine line during this time as its been stated the older population is more susceptible to COVID-19 so we have to balance our assistance with caution,” he said.
The Lancaster Police Department has asked the public to inform officers if anyone needs help, said Kayla Vaughn, spokesperson for the department.
“If we do get any calls we will be happy to do what we can to help,” she said.
For more information, citizens should call their police department.
Phone calls to seniors
Right at Home, which provides in-home care and assistance, is helping senior citizens combat loneliness through phone calls, a release from the organization states.
Right at Home’s Rock Hill location serves York, Chester and Lancaster County citizens. Two other locations serve the Belmont/Gastonia and the Charlotte/Lake Norman areas.
Once a day, someone from a Right at Home location will call individuals or couples and check how they are doing during the shutdown, according to the organization. The program is a free service.
“The fear and anxiety caused by this virus affects our senior and disabled adult population the most,” reads the release. “Sometimes just talking to someone can provide them with a calming reassurance that someone does care and is looking out for them.”
Phone calls can help seniors and disabled individuals get help with food and medication needs, according to Right at Home.
“One phone call a day can provide them with information to help keep them safe and happy.” reads the release.
For more information, call Right at Home in Rock Hill at 803-227-3087.
This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 10:35 AM.
