CareLink uses grant to supply devices, tech support for seniors

PROVIDENCE – A grant from the Rhode Island Foundation and R.I. Commerce Corp. is helping CareLink, a nonprofit health care network that serves older adults at home, connect its members with telehealth services.

The $27,520 grant from the Nonprofit Support Fund is being used to supply training, technical support and devices to seniors who have health needs and who are homebound due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Devices are intended to help CareLink members stay in touch with doctors, as well as their friends and family.

“Older adults are primarily referred to home care agencies following an acute health need requiring the oversight of medical providers. COVID has provided a stumbling block to seniors getting the care they need to maintain their quality of life,” said CareLink CEO Christine Gadbois. “This grant from Rhode Island Foundation will enable CareLink to reduce the barriers to utilization of telehealth and decrease the digital divide for these older adults. We will put devices in the hands of people who need them, help them understand the technology, how to work around auditory and visual deficits, and teach them about internet safety.”

- Advertisement -

Candidates for devices will be identified with the help of Cathleen Naughton Associates, which will then refer them to CareLink’s Telehealth Access for Homebound Seniors program. Device recipients are also to be connected to long-term technology support.

Elizabeth Graham is a PBN contributing writer.