COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Seniors receiving in-home care say they want the Covid-19 vaccine and BrightStar Care is working to bring it to them.
“They do live a fulfilling life, they get out, they do things, they want to resume that life, but they would feel more protected with the vaccine. These seniors are at home, most of them have a cognitive disease whether it's Alzheimer's disease, dementia Parkinsons, ALS, and they're vulnerable, and they don't have the means to get out and get the vaccine," said Susan Nimnuan, Vice- President, BrightStar Care.
Susan Nimnuan Vice President of BrightStar Care, a home health care service based here in Southwest Florida says, seniors in the home are just as vulnerable as seniors in a facility.
“They’re also residing in the home with other people, so is that school-aged children? Is there another adult in the home that’s working that's going out?, and then there’s just the general things that everyone does,” said Nimnuan.
Nimnaun adds with over 300,000 seniors across the state receiving in-home care, it's hard for many of them to wait in line to get the vaccine.
“A senior that maybe just got a knee replacement, or needs to, it's hard for them to stand, or to sit in a car and wait. For anyone with Alzheimer's or dementia, it's taxing to get to a doctor's appointment, now add the stress of trying to register and get a vaccine, it's difficult,” said Nimnuan.
4 million seniors call Florida home Nimnuan says, and while a big chunk live here in our backyard, Nimnuan is working to protect them too.
“25% of people in Collier County are people over 65 that's a big number. We want to help them, and we want to bring it” said Nimnuan
BrightStar Care does service seniors between Lee and Collier County, telling me they are willing to partner with corporations, health departments, doctors' offices, and more to make sure all of Florida’s seniors are protected. For more information be sure to visit the BrightStar Care website.
