CHARLESTON, WV (WOAY) – The Office of Gov. Jim Justice issues the following press release on behalf of the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services:
The Bureau of Senior Services is working with our county-based provider network and Area Agencies on Aging to address the needs of our seniors regarding novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Early this morning, we received new guidance and policy related to our funds from the Administration on Community Living.
All the senior providers have emergency plans for operations.
New Federal policies will allow us to use our Federal Title funds to address the priority nutritional needs of our seniors.
Home-delivered meals will continue and arrangements are being made for our congregate meal recipients to also continue to receive meals.
Shelf stable and emergency meals are being provided to all our current meal recipients.
In-home services will also continue. There could be some variance in the schedule. Providers are required to maintain contact with their homebound and nutrition participants.
Seniors can still call their Senior Center for information.
Our kitchens will remain open to continue to provide services, both hot meals and some shelf stable meals.
We also strongly encourage seniors to follow State and Federal guidance if they are at risk.
For more information about COVID-19 prevention and more, call the State’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-877-4304 or visit Coronavirus.wv.gov. You can also visit cdc.gov/coronavirus for more information.