- April 23, 2024
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Flagler County has a three-person paramedic team that is doing much more than providing medically-homebound seniors with their COVID-19 vaccinations – they are lifting the spirits of a group of residents whose circumstances have left them especially isolated during this yearlong pandemic.
“These people are so grateful to see us, and it’s not just because we are coming to give them a shot,” said Community Paramedic Caryn Prather, who heads up the team that includes paramedics Rob Errett and Jason Feldman. “The isolation is taking a toll. We see people who are only leaving the house to check the mail and take out the garbage.”
To date, the team has met with and vaccinated 108 homebound residents – 41 of whom have received both first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Emergency Management Planner Nealon Joseph schedules and tracks the appointments, and also sets up efficient routes for the team.
“Many of these residents are in tears over the phone just hearing that their vaccination has been scheduled,” Joseph said. “It’s been a long year for all of us, but it has been especially hard on our homebound residents.”
Weary, depressed, frustrated, and distraught are just some of the terms they have used to describe themselves.
“We have some who aren’t even scheduling in-person health care appointments,” Prather said. “Until one of us shows up, 100% of their contact with family and friends has been over the phone – no person-to-person contact in more than a year.”
The 15 minutes of one-on-one conversation with paramedics eases the isolation for these residents as they are under observation to watch for an adverse reaction. For second-shotters, there is a genuine feeling of hope.
“You can feel their stress melt away,” Errett said. “They are so thankful. One woman who was getting her second shot was so excited because her daughter who lives in Maryland is flying in for a visit. She hasn’t had any physical interaction with any of her kids in the past year.”
Feldman echoes his co-worker’s sentiments.
“It’s humbling, sad, joyful, and gratifying all at the same time,” Feldman said. “I think they see renewed hope, and I treat them like my own family. It’s hard for them. They haven’t been out for a year – seen their kids, hugged their grandchildren, or touched the face of a great-grandchild. It’s hard when all you have is a sporadic phone call.”
Prather asks residents with homebound neighbors to mask up, and check in on them.
“It’s a small thing, but it can make a big difference in their lives,” she said. “If you are limiting your contact with others to limit exposure, that’s good, but remember to get outside by yourself and take a walk. Fresh air and sunshine is a mood booster.”
For the latest information on vaccine eligibility and to register for a vaccination appointment, please visit www.FlaglerCounty.org/covid for details. Those who do not have internet access should call the state appointment hotline at 866-201-1541. Registrants will be contacted in the order that they signed up.
For Flagler County residents who are 65 years old or older, and who are also medically homebound or require transportation assistance to the Flagler County Fairgrounds, please contact the Emergency Operations Center at 386-313-4200, or by email at [email protected] to discuss available options.
