Current Matters - COVID-19
Please be sure to not take in too much stressful material; click here if you need help relaxing.
Should you need support working through a loss, I offer my condolonces; in addition, related resources may be found on the Coping and Recovery page.
WIshing you health and peace of mind,
Page index
1) Current News
2) Finances
4) Obtaining Mental Health Resources at Home
5) Ways to Help
Current News
Finances
In relation to quarantine-related safety in Michigan, employment has been significantly impacted; Kalamazoo Hope's Employment and Finances Booklets will hopefully be able to aid in securing financial stability. The booklets are below, and are also available on KHOPE's Booklets and Directory page (along with other resource booklets), and contain information related to various areas, including obtaining benefits, working from home, prescription assistance, and tuition.
For information related to Economic Impact Payments (sometimes referred to as stimulus checks) please visit the website of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Obtaining Mental Health Resources at Home
Working With Health Care Providers
If available, telehealth provides the opportunity for one to interact with a healthcare provider (such as a counselor, psychiatrist, or physician) from a service location or home. This option may be covered by one's insurance; to learn more, please contact your insurance company, as well as your medical specialist, to see what options exist.
Telehealth: Technology meets health care (Mayo Clinic)
What are Telehealth and Telepsychology? (American Psychological Association)
Medicare-related links (please note: Medicare has made changes to its telehealth coverage in response to COVID-19.
Coding and Reimbursement (American Psychiatric Association)- Medicare billing codes for psychiatric services
Telehealth Insurance Coverage (Medicare)
Telehealth Services (American Psychological Assocation) - Medicare billing codes for counseling services
If you need support but are unable to connect with a service provider at this time, Support Services are listed on the Immediate Help page.
Prescription Delivery
Prescriptions can be obtained by mail, depending on factors such as one's insurance provider or pharmacy; below are a few which allow one to have their medicine delivered or mailed straight to their home! For additional information, both for individuals and service providers, please read below, or contact your insurance company or pharmacy.
Sources for Prescriptions by Delivery/Mail
3) CVS Pharmacy
6) Kalamazoo Long Term Care Pharmacy - offers prescription delivery services to FACILITIES that provide ongoing care for individuals; for more information, please contact Beth at (269)-388-4850, x224
7) TRICARE
8) Walgreens
9) Walmart
Ways To Help
A sense of helplessness can greatly increase one's stress; it is hoped that these options will provide a way for one keep busy, regain a sense of control, provide support to others, and save lives!
Provide Supplies
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and related materials are desperately needed by health care workers at this time, including masks, gloves, and cleaning materials; please see the following for specifics.
Of note: scented cleaners may cause an allergic reaction with some individuals - please ask the organization you wish to donate to if they accept such items.
Reaching Out - Being involved in the local Kalamazoo County area can provide a life-changing service at this time. Some of it can be done on one's own from home, while others can be integrated into a weekly shopping tripping, or worked on online with others.
Being there (figuratively, if not literally) - with most people staying at home, things can get lonely; a great thing one can do for virtually nothing is to call, text, email, or otherwise contact individuals one knows, and just touch base with them for a little bit. A quick hi, asking about their day, sharing a funny meme, or going up against them in online gaming can provide a type of soothing comfort, recognition, and touch with humanity that can't be purchased.
Expressing appreciation - people who are at work right now have a significant likelihood of exposure; thanking them, whether it is in person, or simply by calling up a service you like (a local grocery store, a government office, or transportation service, for instance), and simply thanking them for their working is quite a lot, and lets individuals know that they are being thought of, and providing a reminder of how important they are.
Mix in donation shopping - while one is out on a run for supplies, perhaps something might be spotted that isn't needed, but could be invaluable to a local medical service (please see above), or could be provided to a distribution organization that is helping people stay supplied at this time. Some extra paper towels, food, or other items can make an amazing difference, especially for those who have difficulty getting around in general and/or have resource limits.
Showing Patience and Understanding - during this time, a significant and continuous amount of stress is present; trying to keep this in mind, and giving a bit more leeway, as well as showing more patience, can mean quite a lot (also important - be sure to do this with yourself!).
Work with others (safely!) - Various community groups have developed to help address issues that have arisen in relation to COVID-19 needs; one may have outlets that appeal to your interests and could use skills you possess.
1) Michigan's Coronavirus website has a page listing numerous ways to volunteer in ways that can provide assistance in relation to COVID-19 at this time.
2) The SWMI Protective Gear Project unites individuals in helping to make and distribute masks to those who need them.
3) Volunteer for COVID-19 Relief Efforts (Gryphon Place) - a listing of various volunteer opportunites.
4) There is currently a significant need for blood donors