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

Team Kentucky, Information and Resources During COVID-19

In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Kentucky is providing information and resources to help older Kentuckians and those caring for them protect themselves from the virus and help prevent it from spreading to others.

Team Kentucky's official source with daily verified information concerning COVID-19, here: KYCOVID19.KY.gov

The COVID-19 hotline is a service operated by the healthcare professionals at the KY Poison Control Center who can provide advice and answer questions. Kentucky COVID-19 Hotline 1-800-722-5725

Kentucky COVID-19 Hotline 1-800-722-5725

Effective Monday, March 23, 2020 - Governor Andy Beshear announced all in-person retail businesses that are not life sustaining must close. More details and listing of closures, here.

If you have coronavirus symptoms, call your health care provider or local public health department to figure out if you could — and should — get tested. Signs of the virus are a dry cough, fever and shortness of breath. (Read more about coronavirus and how to stay safe)

April 15 - The 6 Questions You Should Ask Nursing Homes
Do you have a loved one in a nursing home? Here are six questions you should ask.
If you have a spouse, sibling, parent, or other loved one in a nursing home, you may be worried about their safety and well-being because of the coronavirus pandemic. AARP consulted with leading nursing home experts to provide you with some key questions to ask the nursing home, download printable copy, here:
AARP Kentucky Tele-Town Hall - Friday, April 17
April 17 - Join AARP Kentucky for a live telephone town hall conversation with First District Congressman James Comer (KY-01) to discuss the coronavirus pandemic and updates. Friday, April 17 at 10:30 a.m. EST / 9:30 a.m. CST

Kentucky COVID-19 Tele-Town Hall - Monday, March 30

Rewind and listen to the AARP Kentucky special Coronavirus live Tele-Town Hall recorded on Monday, March 30, 2020. Listen to updates from Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Attorney General Daniel Cameron, Secretary Eric Friedlander, and Dr. Jon Klein, M.D. Ph.D. about Kentucky's actions to combat COVID-19. Listen to more on how you can best care for and stay connected with loved ones (audio link below).

Listen to recorded replay of AARP Kentucky COVID-19 Tele-Town Hall - March 30, 2020

Up-to-date state and local health information:

• Updated Daily: Kentucky's Response to COVID-19 from Governor Andy Beshear
• Twitter accounts for the Office of the Governor and KY Commissioner for Public Health provide updates in real time.
• Youtube Channel for the Office of the Governor is providing real time and archiving COVID19 updates.
• Kentucky's Department of Public Health offers updates on those infected, plus tips for prevention, public resources and contact information.
• For medical, food and recovery services and information, call Kentucky 211.
• NEW: Drive-Thru Testing Locations Team Kentucky has partnered with entities across the commonwealth to open drive-thru COVID-19 testing to all Kentuckians. Learn More: Here
• Long term Care issues and information from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Secretary Eric Friedlander outlines more about recent steps and future steps that are being taken in response to COVID-19 preparedness in long term care. We appreciate the support of CHFS because, yes, we are ALL in this together. More Kentucky resources are available:
• https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dms/Pages/cv.aspx
• https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dph/covid19/guidancefortongtermcarefacilitiescv19.pdf
• Share Your Long term Care Caregiving Story with AARP: https://action.aarp.org/site/SPageNavigator/Advocacy/CaregivingStoryShare04222020.html

Kentucky Primary Elections (June 23, 2020): Vote Absentee Ballot by requesting your ballot at GoVoteKY.com (Deadline: June 15)
A lot has changed due to COVID-19, but one thing will never change. The importance of voting. And right now, with the health of Kentuckians at risk, it’s more important than ever that we have our say at the ballot box. For the upcoming election, AARP fought to make sure you can vote safely.

Food assistance resources:

• If financial difficulty is a barrier to food, find your closest food bank and other food assistance programs in your area.Feeding America Kentucky Heartland serves 42 Kentucky Counties. Call for local food pantry assistance: 1-270-769-6997
• Apply for all public assistance programs by visiting the Benefind website or by calling the DCBS Call Center:1-855-306-8959.
• Meals on Wheels – Home Delivered Meals: 1-877-925-0037 (CHFS Direct 502-564-6930 ext. 3495)

Unemployment benefits:

• How to file an unemployment insurance claim if you have lost a job or are sick due to COVID-19
• Kentucky Unemployment resources: 502-564-2900 (7 a.m.-7 p.m. EST)

Internal Revenue Service:

• IRS Tool for Economic Impact Payments – “Get My Payments” www.irs.gov/coronavirus (https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments)
• IRS General information: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus
• The IRS delayed Tax Day until July 15, 2020. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-day-now-july-15-treasury-irs-extend-filing-deadline-and-federal-tax-payments-regardless-of-amount-owed

Veterans Administration: Coronavirus FAQs: What Veterans need to know.

Health assistance resources:

• Kentuckians may apply for Medicaid only by calling the Kentucky Healthcare Customer Service line 1-855-459-6328 or contacting an application assister through the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange website.

AARP Kentucky Guide to Local Area Development Districts and Area Agencies on Aging

Downloadable Guide (PDF) to Kentucky's local Area Development Districts and aging resource centers provide a wide range of assistance services.
AARP Family Caregivers Resources

• Parent/Caregiver Guide to helping families cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019​
• AARP is providing resources and support for caregivers, including self-care for the caregiver. Downloadable (PDF)
• ADVICE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS: The Six M’s for Caregiver Self-Care During the Coronavirus OutbreakADVICE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS: The Six M’s for Caregiver Self-Care During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Community Connections AARP Community Connections, a new online platform launched by AARP Innovation Labs today, allows users to organize and find local volunteer groups to help pick up groceries, provide financial assistance or lend emotional support to neighbors, friends and loved ones. Across the country, these informal online groups—also called “mutual aid” groups—help communities stay connected at a time when people must practice social distancing to stay safe.

Fraud Watch Network from AARP
Call our free helpline at 1-877-908-3360 if you or a loved one suspects a scam.
Fraud
•Scammers are doing what they always do – using headlines as opportunities to steal money or sensitive personal information.

•At this time, there is no vaccine, treatment or cure for COVID-19. Ignore offers online or in stores that claim to offer treatment or cure.

•Be on the lookout for requests for donations to help people affected by the coronavirus. Ask the caller to send information by mail, and to defer any decision to give a donation to a cause until you've researched it. Online options include www.charitynavigator.org and www.give.org.

State and local relaxation relief:

• Visit Kentucky’s One-of-a-Kind Attractions Virtually.

More on Coronavirus

• 7 Ways to Handle Anxiety During the Outbreak
• Practical Tips to Help Caregivers Reduce Exposure