Disaster Recovery- Elders, San Antonio Puerto Rico

Our participant's nutritional needs are different because of their health and economic situation.  All of their income are from food coupons.  We have a couple who are both participants of Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza.  The husband had a critical health problem and was hospitalized twice for more than a week and in the same month.  He had a stomach condition among other ones.  His wife, 81 year old, with other health conditions was at home very worried.  Because of this situation our organization provided her (Participant #1) with emergency groceries necessary for her husband condition.   She got milk, ingredients to prepare soups, juices, desserts and breakfast ingredients.  We also provided medicines that were not covered by her husband medical plan.  The Case Coordinator took him to the medical   follow up appointments and the nurse visited him during his recovery.

The couple was very grateful for the assistance that Proyecto La Nueva Esperanza provided during this critical time in their lives.

We are distributing about 390 to 400 meals during Saturdays and Sundays at the participant's homes.  A youngster and his mother, both volunteers, were with this task last month.  Participant #2 who is handicapped, received a stew (rice and meat).    

Constant visits to a group of participants that because of their age and health required additional follow up.  They had the following conditions:  diabetes, dialysis patients, heart conditions and high blood pressure.  Visits had been made to different offices to coordinate services as part of the elderly services follow up.  The official vehicles were used to provide all services.