Palisades Village is sorting through all of the information and trying to provide an up-to-date source of local information from reliable sources. Please visit this page regularly as the information will continually be updated. With things changing so quickly, we recommend checking with providers for the most accurate status.
Current Office Operation Status:
Our Palisades Village logo is an open fence. This is a friendly reminder that you are welcome to “virtually come inside” to call us at 202-244-3310. Even though we are working remotely, a friendly voice will call you back quickly.
Current Policy on Programs and Services:
Palisades Village Gradual Reopening Based on Volunteer Availability
Recently we completed surveys of our members and volunteers. 47 full and associate members responded to 13 questions ranging from their well-being to handling the COVID-related challenges including transportation, technical assistance, home repairs, social isolation, and engagement.
Generally, our members are doing well. Some mentioned that they are experiencing a bit of anxiety about staying healthy and wearing a mask, miss the social connections, need some motivation to walk outside, have some transportation and/or technical challenges, need a haircut, are a bit bored, and/or are in need of home repair assistance. Many are enjoying the virtual social programs that the Village offers in addition to the outreach we have been providing through our volunteers.
After we assessed the members, Palisades Village created a volunteer survey to see how we could best address our members’ needs with our volunteer workforce. 31 volunteers responded to the survey. We asked how comfortable volunteers would be during the DC Reopening Phases. During Phase One and Phase Two, the majority of volunteers were very comfortable providing contactless services. Palisades Village is offering grocery shopping and delivery, free masks and running errands. The Village also has emergency contact captains for each neighborhood who check in with our members. We have also set up phone buddies. In addition, some members have been receiving regular meals from our volunteers. Palisades Village volunteers have also provided special deliveries to the Village community. We are so appreciative of all that our volunteers have been doing to help our members and help Palisades Village.
Many of our volunteers felt comfortable during this Phase to walk and or visit outside with a member. Other volunteers offered to do simple home repairs for our members. We also have technical support available. We will provide transportation for members to essential medical appointments if a volunteer is available. If you would like to walk or visit outside with a Village volunteer, need technical support to connect to a virtual program or computer help, or need a simple home repair completed like changing a light bulb, moving a plant, changing a screen, etc., please call the Village office at 202-244-3310. These services are based on volunteer availability.
Palisades Village is taking a very cautious approach because of our senior at-risk population. During all phases, until a vaccine is developed, Palisades Village will:
In order to ensure the safety of all, Palisades Village has a series of questions that it will ask the member and the volunteer to make sure they are feeling healthy to minimize risks. The office will be noting your responses. These questions include:
Palisades Village is concerned about the health and well-being of our members, volunteers, and staff. We are following the evolution of the coronavirus in our area very closely and are coordinating our response with other villages, with DC health authorities, and with national centers including the CDC. Our mission — to help older adults live comfortably and safely in their own homes — will not change. We will, however, adapt the services we provide and the events we sponsor to changing circumstances, following recommended best practices and follow recommendations from the CDC.
Facts on COVID-19:
Sibley Memorial Hospital: In partnership with Palisades Village, Northwest Neighbors Village, and Cleveland & Woodley Park Village, Sibley Memorial Hospital is committed to supporting seniors in Wards 3 and 4 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DC Department of Health: Everything DC residents need to know about the Coronavirus, updated around the clock
World Health Organization: Read the latest information
CDC: The latest information on prevention, symptoms, and resources
KNOW THE SYMPTOMS
Free testing is available on a walk-in basis at some DC Fire Stations. The closest in Ward 3 is:
Demand for the vaccine is high, and they anticipate the appointments to fill quickly. If you have internet access, you should register for an appointment by visiting vaccinate.dc.gov. If you do not have internet access, call the District’s hotline at 855-363-0333 to register for an appointment.
Appointments will be released to eligible residents every Friday at 9 a.m. going forward.
DC has a Vaccination Information Guide that walks you through you the process of registering.
Responses to FAQ from DC Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) 1-13-21:
Additional priority groups are not currently being considered than those outlined by the Mayor on Monday.
With the current vaccines that are able, DC is only able to provide vaccinations for seniors who are housebound in a large living community.
For seniors who are homebound and never leave their home, their risk of acquiring the infection will be reduced because 1) they do not leave their home, and 2) their healthcare aids were the first people in the District to be vaccinated beginning the week of December 14th.
DC encourages seniors (and everyone!) to post signage at their home to remind people to wear a mask when they enter their home to keep them safe and reduce risk of exposure.
DC is optimistic that more vaccines to prevent COVID-19 will be approved for use by the FDA this spring. These vaccines are not expected to have the same storage, packaging, and use limitations as the two vaccines that are currently available and should allow for more options.
DC is unable to definitely state when each group will be able to access the vaccine. The decision depends on: 1) the amount of vaccines received from the federal government; and 2) the pace and uptake of the vaccine in the previous phase/tier.
All providers are required to observe residents who receive the vaccine for 15-30 minutes.
There are a limited number of options across the city because DC is following CDC recommendations of the operational requirements for sites and the administration requirements for the two vaccines that are currently available. DC is optimistic that more vaccines will be approved for use by the FDA in the spring, and these vaccines are not expected to have the same administration requirements. This would allow DC to open more sites.
There will be information on appointment availability (the time period that’s available) when appointments are released.
OCTO is looking at this as one of the potential improvements to the appointment reservation process. Thank you for the recommendation!
New appointments will be available when DC receives additional vaccines. Sign up for alerts via email or text here: https://coronavirus.dc.gov/vaccinatedc. DC will send updates when more appointments are available, which depends on when DC receives vaccines from the federal government.
To register through medical providers:
Sibley/Johns Hopkins
Schedule a Health Center Appointment:
District Health centers are also scheduling their patient population of DC residents 65 years and older. If you are a patient at one of the following health centers, please contact them to see if there is any scheduled availability for appointments. Of note, allocations of vaccine are very limited.
While in the car:
Food Assistance:
Need help getting groceries? Palisades Village members can have volunteers do their shopping for them. Contact the PV office at (202) 244-3310 to arrange all requests.
The Department of Aging and Community Living’s hotline is operational, and seniors who need information or assistance should call (202) 724-5626. The call center will conduct a quick assessment and connect you to the appropriate service.
COVID Informational Webinars:
Sibley Memorial Hospital, Cleveland and Woodley Park Village, Northwest Neighbors Village, and Palisades Village are offering three informational webinars for older adults.
Session 1 September 30, 2020: Get Your Answers from Sibley Medical Experts. The recording is available here.
Session 2 October 21, 2020: Staying Healthy Doesn’t Just Mean Staying at Home with Dr. Laura Sander, MD, MPH. The recording is available here.
Session 3 November 18, 2020: Building Resilience in the Wake of a Pandemic. The recording is available here.
Establish a Pet Plan During COVID-19:
Guidance from the Humane Rescue Alliance - The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) is urging community members to have a plan in place for their pet during the COVID-19 outbreak. Residents may experience a hospital stay or severe sickness, potentially leaving untold numbers of companion animals in need of care. Below is the HRA's guidance for a pet preparedness plan:
For more, please see the Humane Rescue Alliance./