October 18, 2020

 Delaware County Council has partnered with Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic Mercy Fitzgerald Campus to offer free drive-thru flu shots to all residents of Delaware County, 3 years of age or older, Monday, Oct. 19, at Trinity Health locations, The first shots will be given at the Trinity Health location at Springfield Square South Shopping Center, 1001 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, in the back of the shopping center from 1-3:30 p.m.

 On Friday, Oct. 23, from 1 to 3 p.m., shots will be administered at the Mercy Medical Associates at Providence in the Providence Shopping Center, Providence Road, Secane. Flu shots will also be given at the Trinity Health Medical Office Building, 1501 Lansdowne Ave., Darby, 1-4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, Wednesday, Oct. 28, and Friday, Oct. 30. Drivers are asked to enter by the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union driveway.

High dose vaccines for residents 65 years of age and older are not available. Residents are asked to pre-register by calling 610-891-6129. Walk-ups will also be allowed. No insurance is required.

The drive-through format is intended to make it safer and more convenient for older residents, those with disabilities, and parents with small children, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Delaware County has already held other free flu shot events in Upland, Broomall, Millbourne, Tinicum, Middletown Township, and other locations throughout the county.

All residents are urged to get a flu shot. The intensity and severity of flu seasons are difficult to predict, and the effectiveness of the flu vaccine is dependent on many variables. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found immunization reduces the risk of flu illness by 40-60 percent during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine.

Receiving a flu shot is the first and most important step in preventing the flu and decreasing the risk of severe flu-related illnesses. Each year, 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized due to complications from the flu. The CDC recommends that everyone six months and older should get vaccinated against the flu.

All residents must wear short sleeves and a mask/face covering to the flu clinic. In the event of inclement weather, the flu clinic may be canceled.

Foundation For Delaware County announces contributor to housing stability program

The Foundation for Delaware County has announced that S1 Medical recently made a $10,000 contribution to the Housing Stability Program that will benefit low-income, vulnerable women, children and families in need of affordable housing in the City of Chester.

The project is a partnership between The Foundation for Delaware County and the Chester Housing Authority. S1 Medical is one of five investors to contribute to this new initiative and will receive tax credits under Pennsylvania’s Neighborhood Assistance Program.

“The Foundation for Delaware County is grateful to S1 Medical for their contribution to the Housing Stability Program. Our clients would not have this option for safe, stable and healthy housing without the support of our funders,” said Frances Sheehan, president of The Foundation for Delaware County. In May, S1 Medical achieved the status of a verified B Corp balancing profit and purpose. The organization has supported 12 charitable organizations, donating more than 7% of its profits, launched initiatives for employee wellness, and reduced carbon emissions.

“The Housing Stability Program is a classic example of nonprofits combining resources to deliver enhanced service,” said Steven A. Fischer, Executive Director of the Chester Housing Authority. “In operation for a year now, it has proved to be effective in housing younger families. By bringing together a multi-disciplinary team, we better assist and educate consumers on the housing search itself, and on becoming good tenants in their community which ultimately reduces eviction rates. In this time of a public health crisis in which staying home has been the mantra, it has proved to be that much more valuable.”

The project was approved in November 2019 for funding by the state Department of Economic Development as part of the Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program. Under the project, program participants in the foundation’s Healthy Start and Nurse-Family Partnership programs will receive assistance and support to allow them to access affordable housing units provided by Chester Housing Authority.

A public charity founded in 2016, The Foundation for Delaware County, with headquarters in Media and service sites in Eddystone, Upper Darby and Springfield, is the largest philanthropy serving Delaware County. For more information, visit www.delcofoundation.org and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @DelcoFdn.

S1 Medical is the country’s first B Certified medical cost containment company. S1 is a service provider within the managed care industry, which means the group focuses on helping employers minimize and manage the medical expenses related to their employee’s health care. For more information: www.s1-medical.com.

SCS offers range of online courses for senior learners over fifty

Senior Community Services offers an array of classes to educate, inspire and encourage older adults. Created specifically to serve adults over 50 throughout Delaware County, the Center for Life Long Learning offers adult education and enrichment. SCS, a non-profit agency, also works in many other ways to keep older adults living independently. Established in 1977, SCS today operates Senior Centers and provides meals, health and wellness programs, recreation and social activities and volunteer opportunities. Visit www.scs-delco.org for more information. These Center For Lifelong Learning programs will be presented virtually through Zoom meetings or UberConference (teleconference).

Registrants will be contacted prior to each program to provide them with Zoom link or the telephone number for teleconference. Whenever possible, SCS will also record programs and make them available afterwards on YouTube.  Programs include:

Adapting to New Elder Law: Estate Planning and Financial Strategies for Older Adults During The Pandemic: Christopher Murphy, Esq.,with Mark Meloro, Financial Advisor, will co-present this program. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m. Topics covered include financial changes to consider in the future; rethinking estate plan and long-term care and living plans; and new tax strategies.

Safety and Fall Prevention: Bonnie Magliochetti, RN, MA,  Main Line Health Community Educator, will discuss how to prevent falls by making your home safer and by improving balance with simple strategies, and exercising, 2 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21. Falls are common, costly and a real threat to independence. Forty percent of nursing home admissions are fall related. The presenter,

Book Club: Dianne Caggiano will facilitate a book discussion group 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11. Readers are invited to join the book discussion group, enjoy stimulating conversation and make new friends. “The Samurai's Garden” by Gail Tsukiyama is the first book to be discussed. Participants should read the book before the discussion.

Healthy Nutrition and Your Overall Health: Penn State University Delaware County Extension will teach how to cook and eat nutritiously, 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 and Dec. 8. People can avoid medical problems and increase their longevity by improving their cooking.

To register for any of these free classes, contact Farah Esfahani at 484-496-2143 or [email protected].