Coronavirus Update – Alder Health Services (April 2020)

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

UPDATE 4-1-2020: Alder Health Services continues providing care by switching to telemedicine to avoid COVID-19 spread

NEW - LGBT Center of Central PA, one of Alder Health’s leading partner organizations, has created a virtual community network at Slack to support LGBTQ+ people in Central PA who have acute financial and mobility needs during this time. Details below.

Dear Alder Health Family,

First of all, we want you to know that we are here for you and will provide care for the community through the COVID-19 crisis.  Based on the public health information and guidance that we are receiving from the PA Dept. of Health and the CDC, we will be providing primary care, behavioral health and psychiatric services through telemedicine only to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our communities. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation for any changes. We hope to resume our normal activities as soon as possible, and will provide regular updates when any changes to operations occur.

The following programs will be suspended until further notice:

• WEDNESDAY NIGHT WALK-IN STI & HIV TESTING:
• MPOWER PA PROGRAMS
• WELLNESS CENTER AT ALDER HEALTH ACTIVITIES 
• PERSONS WHO INJECT DRUGS (PWID) OUTREACH

 Services to Continue with Modifications

• Primary medical care will continue on a limited basis via telemedicine.  Our Medical Director, physician, pharmacist and the medical clinic team will triage patients for acute care, follow-up appointments, prescription refills, and other priority health care needs.

We ask that you follow these guidelines to help us keep our staff, other patients and YOU healthy:

• If you are sick, call us at 717-233-7190 and share your symptoms (cough and/or a fever) BEFORE planning to visit us. To limit your exposure to additional illnesses, our team will evaluate and treat you over the phone if possible. If you still need to come to Alder Health to be treated, we will coordinate with you and our providers to have you seen as quickly as possible.
• We will give you a mask to wear and get you in a private room when you arrive if you are here for a medical appointment. Before receiving a mask, cover any coughs and sneezes with a tissue to help prevent the spread of germs and throw all used tissues in the trash.

PLEASE DO NOT WALK IN TO THE HEALTH CENTER WITHOUT  BEEN PRE-SCREENED BY OUR MEDICAL STAFF

• Behavioral Health Services (therapy and psychiatry) will continue via telehealth/telepsychiatry.  Your therapist/psychiatrist or the scheduling team will contact you to explain how to access behavioral health services remotely.  Please contact your therapist if you have questions.
• Case Management & Support Services will continue via phone only until further notice. There will be no home or office visits but your case manager will be available to address any needs you may have. Please contact your case manager if you have questions or require medical or support services.  

Support for Higher-Risk Community Members

We know that some of our community members are at greater risk of being affected by COVID-19, including our LGBTQ+ older adults and people with compromised immune systems. As we have always done in times of increased need, we are encouraging our communities to support and care for one another.

The LGBT Center of Central PA, one of Alder Health’s leading partner organizations, has created a virtual community network at Slack to support LGBTQ+ people in Central PA who have acute financial and mobility needs during this time. If you are able to provide services, goods, or financial support, please join an existing channel or create a new one. Anyone is welcome to utilize and participate in this resource, although its primarily focus is on the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Please direct your questions regarding the Center’s virtual community program to Amanda Arbour, Executive Director, at aarbour@centralpalgbtcenter.org, or 717-920-9534.

In conclusion, the team here at Alder Health Services and our Board of Directors is committed to ensuring the ongoing delivery of care in the safest way possible. We will update you with more information as it becomes available. We are here if you need us and will continue to be responsive to the needs of our community.   Please take care of yourself and your loved ones… stay informed and alert.  Be prepared, not scared.

Yours in Health,

Rosemary Browne

President & CEO