Under a grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, HCA Education and Research (HCA E&R)* and Selfhelp Community Services are working together to build up capacity and expand access to Selfhelp’s Virtual Senior Center (VSC), so that all patients or clients served by home and community-based care providers can access this powerful platform in every region of New York State.
*HCA E&R is a 501c3 affiliate of the Home Care Association of New York State (HCA)
The VSC combats social isolation and the associated high-risks to health, by enabling homebound older adults to connect with peers, volunteers, professional caregivers and community members in virtual social sessions, educational and exercise classes, personal and cultural enrichment, health self-management and wellness activities. Most importantly, it helps older adults to maintain and expand their social network.
Participants can log into the VSC whenever they choose (24/7), review the weekly calendar, and join classes that interest them.
Independent evaluation has found that joining the VSC has multiple emotional and physical health benefits: it reduces isolation and loneliness and increases connectedness and self-reported health status.
Social isolation has long afflicted older adults, and it is linked to higher physical and mental health risks. With COVID-19, this kind of social isolation has intensified exponentially.
The VSC can help bridge this gap for patients who may be struggling with isolation.
Realizing the need, HCA E&R and Selfhelp have partnered on this initiative to make this platform available to a greater number of providers and their patients or clients by expanding access to thousands of New Yorkers who receive care at home and could benefit from this service.
Individuals, especially in home care but not limited to, who:
- Are homebound or socially isolated
- Want to have social interaction/meet people
- Are open to learning, group engagement and want to contribute in class discussions
- Are willing to learn or know how to use a computer or to be assisted with
- Have access to the internet
- Have access to a computer, tablet or other device
To enroll your patients, please follow the referral procedures below:
- Contact Selfhelp with interest in enrolling your patients or clients. (Live demos are available.) You can call or use the online Community Partners form and a member of Selfhelp’s VSC will follow-up with further instructions.
- Assess your patients/clients for participation using Selfhelp’s Screening Form.
- Obtain a signed VSC Contract from patient/client.
- Make referrals to Selfhelp’s team.
- Selfhelp’s VSC team calls all referrals/participants to verify devices and internet service, teach participants how to login, and follow-up to navigate any issues.
Join This Special Opportunity for Veterans in Your Care
The “Virtual Community for Veterans” Pilot
HCA urges all home care providers, managed long term care plans, hospices, FI/Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Plans and home care waiver programs caring for veterans to join in this special effort to be part of the “Virtual Community for Veterans” Pilot.
This special support service is made possible through a generous grant to HCA from the New York Health Foundation. The pilot supports homebound and medically needy veterans with daily peer socialization, self-care and wellness guidance, professional assistance, and an array of additional services specific to veterans’ needs, interests, quality of life enrichment, and enjoyment.
How it Works / Access it Now – The pilot operates on the platform of the Selfhelp Virtual Senior Center (VSC), an outcomes-based social wellness platform, and is a pilot tailored specifically for veterans.
There is no fee for participation in the pilot, and the link to registration providing a step-by-step, facilitated walkthrough for signup is below.
The service is easily accessed direct-to-consumer through an app that was also created through the HCA/NY Health Foundation grant. Individuals access a world of live experiences driving engagement, connections, and conversations from anywhere, 24x7x365.
How to Connect Your Veteran to this Service – Complete this online form. A member of Selfhelp’s VSC Team will follow-up.
Watch this Video Testimonial with VSC Participant John Gaidis
‘It’s Like Having a Whole New Family’ (article in Jewish Week, May 2020)
CBS 2 News Features the VSC (April 8, 2021)
Launch webinar: In July 2020, HCA E&R and Selfhelp Community Services held a webinar to show first-hand this powerful, interactive Virtual Senior Center (VSC) platform open for all home and community-based clients to enroll. You can watch an archive of the webinar by registering here.
Onboarding Webinar: In October 2020, HCA E&R and Selfhelp Community Services provided further background and a series of membership options for providers or plans to offer patients seeking to enroll in the VSC. You can watch an archive of the webinar on YouTube here.
Assessment Training Webinar: In December 2021, HCA E&R and Selfhelp Community provided further background and instructions on the VSC Assessment and Reassessment Protocol. You can watch the webinar by registering here.
Handouts:
Intro to the Statewide Virtual Senior Center Platform Webinar – PLUS Client Assessment and Reassessment Guidance: In July 2022, HCA E&R and Selfhelp Community Services provided a comprehensive overview of the VSC Platform and guidance on client assessment and reassessment protocols to ensure targeted engagement with those who can most benefit from this unique virtual social support. You can watch the webinar by registering here.