Project Access Safety Net Rural Elderly & Disabled

It's hot and the air is full of smoke coming across borders and from forest burning.  This has not deterred Soda and Gai from visiting our elders and disabled to make sure they have fans and are keeping hydrated, along with trips to the doctor and general wellness care. We have 98 active clients, including 24 new people.  We reached close to our target of 1000 visits last year (932)  and should exceed that this year.  The issues of geriatric and long-term care are rising in public and government awareness and our team has been invited to explore ways to expand coverage in our District.

As you know, we work alongside the government's Public Health organization in several of Phrao's sub-districts (11 sub-districts in Phrao with about 5000 people in each). We are always looking for ways to engage the local public health infrastructure. We provide a safety net for gaps in the system.

This year we have a new Head of Phrao District, and she has been allocated an initial budget for elder care.  Soda and PJ, our head of operations and community liaison, joined a meeting to present our program and discuss ways to have community health volunteers reach elders with supplies and access to care.  As the elderly population grows, this network is more and more critical. Unfortunately, these budgets come and go.  Our program has maintained continuity in the community. We leverage these budgets as much as possible when they are available.

We have been working with a professor of Geriatric Nursing, Usar Suragarn, to review our work and structure the Fall Prevention program.  The program includes training of community caregivers, fall risk assessments for each of our constituents, and recommendations tailored to each person.  Where home accessibility modifications, like grab bars, can be used, we can make modifications, based on available funds. Usar has also connected us with the faculty at one of the major hospitals in Chiang Mai.  They are looking for practicum placement sites for the nursing students and will visit in the next few weeks.

Thanks to your gifts, we have been able to be a continuing source of support for the elders and disabled people in our community, delivering smiles and essential care.

Best wishes for the months ahead,

Dana, Michael, Evelind and the Access to Care Team