HCA Education and Research (dba Home Care Association of New York State)

The global coronavirus has brought uncertainty and anxiety into people’s lives, workplaces, and neighborhoods, particularly for those who work to improve the health of our communities.

During this difficult time, many organizations across New York State are working tirelessly to keep people safe, especially the most vulnerable. In response, NYHealth is supporting statewide and local efforts to address emerging health care and public health needs in the wake of the pandemic. In 2020, NYHealth awarded the Home Care Association of New York a grant to help combat isolation among homebound elderly and other medically vulnerable New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under this grant, the Association virtually connected home care systems and agencies and their patients to its statewide Virtual Senior Center (VSC). The VSC provided seniors and other homebound patients with access to real-time interaction with peers; information and programming; and professional instruction on physical and mental health self-care and management. The Association helped educate and train providers to participate in the VSC and offer it to patients. It also assisted seniors and other patients with accessing the VSC, including providing those in need with iPads and laptops and addressing other technological issues. The VSC was also extended to veterans at risk for social isolation.

View a complete list of COVID-19 response and relief efforts grantees.