Information, Health and Food Help During COVID-19 Outbreak in Florida

AARP has been working to promote the health and well-being of older Americans for more than 60 years. As Florida faces a surge in coronavirus cases, AARP Florida is providing information and resources to help older Floridians and those caring for them protect themselves from the virus and prevent it spreading to others. Our Florida resources are below. You can find AARP's nationwide coronavirus resources at www.aarp.org/coronavirus .

Testing is now widely available in Florida. Consult your primary care physician or your local public health department if you believe you have symptoms of the virus. Common symptoms include a dry cough, fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, headache, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.

Daily Three News Update

Online and AARP Florida TeleTown Hall Events:

• May 12, 1130a: Coffee, Caregiving and Conversation: Ethical Wills. Registration and information.
• May 19, 1130a: Coffee, Caregiving and Conversation: Advance Directives. Registration and information.

Up-to-date state and local health information:

• The Florida Department of Public Health offers updates on those infected, plus tips for prevention, public resources and contact information.
• Follow Twitter accounts for the Florida Department of Public Health and the Office of the Governor of Florida for the latest updates.
• The Florida Department of Health is asking residents to take a survey at www.StrongerThanC19.com.
• Click here for the dashboard of COVID19 cases by county.
• For medical, food and recovery services and information, call your local 211.

Unemployment benefits:

• You can apply for re-employment assistance (previously referred to as unemployment compensation) at the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Stimulus payment information:

• Social Security recipients to get stimulus payments without filing tax returns. Updated information for SSDI, SSI and VA beneficiaries as well.

Ways to beat feeling isolated

• Community Connections. Across the country, people are organizing online mutual aid groups to stay connected, share ideas, and help those in need. Whether you want to start a group, find a group, or even request a friendly call from one of our volunteers, we can help you connect with people in your community. Join today.
• Sometimes the cure for isolation and anxiety comes in a needy, furry package. Americans adopt, foster pets as they shelter in place.
• How to take care of your mental health. New problems may arise as the pandemic progresses.

Food assistance resources:

• If financial difficulty is a barrier to food, find your closest food bank and other food assistance programs in your area.
• Applying for food assistance takes about 30 minutes that can be completed online. If you qualify, you'll receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card in the mail within 30 days. For details, visit the Florida Department of Children and Families.
• Visit the Florida Department of Elder Affairs to get locations for congregate meal sites for seniors in your county.

Grocery stores:

• Publix: Publix grocery stores are open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. for customers 65+. Store hours have been adjusted to be open from 8 am to 8:00 pm daily and pharmacy hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday and normal hours on Sunday.
• Winn Dixie: The chain has designated a special shopping hour for seniors and high-risk customers from 8:00 am - 9:00 am Monday through Friday in all stores. Store operations are 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
• Trader Joe's: Stores will be open from 9: 00 am until 7:00 pm daily and everyday between 9:00 am and 10:00 am, the team will maintain an additional line outside the front door for senior customers to help them with their shopping experience.

AARP created Staying Sharp, a program that provides evidence-based information and actions you can take to maintain and improve your brain health as you age. You’ll have access to a variety of tools such as interactive activities, Brain Health Challenges, games, videos, and so much more that can easily fit into your everyday routine. Try it today!

• 7 ways to cope with anxiety during the Coronavirus outbreak.

• 7 Ways to Handle Anxiety During the Outbreak

AARP TeleTown Hall
April 9: Coping and Maintaining Your Well-Being

AARP’s Fraud Watch Network can help you spot and avoid scams. Sign up for free “watchdog alerts," lookup scams in your area or review our scam-tracking map, or call our toll-free fraud helpline at 877-908-3360 if you or a loved one suspect you’ve been a victim.

• Coronavirus scams spread as fraudsters follow the headlines.
• Reports of fake test sites for COVID-19 emerge across U.S.

State resources
Price gouging can be reported by calling the Florida Attorney General's office at 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com. For tips on reporting price gouging, click here. You can also download the NoScam app directly onto your phone. Take a picture of the inflated price while in the store and report it by uploading into the app. Download here.

FTC, FCC and SEC tips to avoid coronavirus scams

• Avoid online offers for coronavirus-related vaccines or cures; they aren't legitimate.
• Don't click on links or download files from unexpected emails, even if the email address looks like a company or person you recognize. Ditto for text messages and unfamiliar websites.
• Don't share personal information such as Social Security, Medicare and credit card numbers in response to an unsolicited call, text or email.
• Be wary of fundraising calls or emails seeking money for coronavirus victims or disease research, especially if they pressure you to act fast and request payment by prepaid debit cards or gift cards.
• Ignore phone calls or emails from strangers urging you to invest in a hot new coronavirus stock.

AARP TeleTown Hall
April 2 – Coronavirus: Managing Your Money and Protecting Your Health

Have a Question About Caring for a Loved One?
AARP’s toll-free family caregiving resource line is here to help. Sometimes, it’s easier to just ask. That’s why AARP has a dedicated, toll-free family caregiving line for people taking care of a loved one. Our agents can’t provide specific advice to callers, but they can suggest resources on a variety of topics.

Agents are available to take calls Monday - Friday, 7 am to 11 pm ET at 1-877-333-5885. The support line is also available in Spanish, at 1-888-971-2013.

• 43 million Americans are caregivers for a loved one with persistent or chronic conditions. Keeping caregiver spirits high during the Coronavirus outbreak
• Nursing Homes Scramble to Enable Televisits Amid Coronavirus
• Ways to Boost Your Loved One's Morale During Coronavirus. With visits to senior communities halted, out of sight doesn't have to be out of mind.
• Caregivers and Coronavirus: Dealing With Forced Isolation. With adult day care centers closed and loved ones at home, here’s how to avoid friction.
• Video: Caring for Someone With Coronavirus. Adults 65+ are especially prone to severe illness from COVID-19. Here’s how you can care for a loved one with a doctor’s approval for home recovery.
• Video: How to Form a Caregiving Plan During Coronavirus. Many older adults may rely more on family members’ help during social isolation. Here's how caregivers can get prepared and keep loved ones healthy

AARP TeleTown Hall

• March 26 – Coronavirus: Protecting and Caring for Loved Ones
• March 10 – Symptoms of COVID-19, How to Protect Yourself, and What It Means for Older Adults and Caregivers

How you can help others from your home

• Community Connections. Across the country, people are organizing online mutual aid groups to stay connected, share ideas, and help those in need. Whether you want to start a group, find a group, or even request a friendly call from one of our volunteers, we can help you connect with people in your community. Join today.