Although the COVID-19 pandemic was a disaster of a different kind, Compass 82 is responding with our characteristic compassion and problem-solving.
Currently, many residents have questions and concerns about COVID-19 booster vaccines and the additional third dose. Compass 82 is working hand-in-hand with the Ocean County Health Department and Office of Senior Services to provide outreach, education, and appointment scheduling during this time when accurate information can be lifesaving.
Early in the pandemic, while participating on regular state-wide phone calls with service agencies, Compass 82 Executive Director, Susan Marticek realized that, despite all the round-the-clock efforts, there was a significant population who had been overlooked. The vulnerable home-bound residents and the invaluable home health aides who care for them did not have access to vital Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Sue was quickly able to coordinate with Congressman Kim’s office and First Responders Children’s Foundation to collect and distribute PPE so that our neighbors could once again be safe and healthy inside their homes.
As the much-anticipated COVID-19 vaccines became available, another problem arose. The number of people seeking to be vaccinated far outweighed the available doses of vaccines. This dynamic meant people were setting an alarm to wake up in the middle of the night to search the internet for potential appointments. Compass 82 recognized the challenge this presented to many in our senior population. Within a matter of days we had mobilized an outreach and intake initiative, in partnership with Ocean County Senior Services and the Ocean County Health Department, to insure that all seniors had priority access to the life-saving and life-changing vaccine.