1,000+ Local Seniors Can Now Have Virtual Visits with Family

TCC Gives provides iPads to 20 senior facilities

CINCINNATI – Thanks to the generosity of TCC Gives, more than 1,000 local senior citizens can now virtually connect to their family and friends during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

The national nonprofit donated 25 iPads for distribution at retirement homes and nursing homes throughout Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Representatives from the City of Cincinnati and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati (UWGC) spent Monday delivering the tablets, which will serve 20 facilities that house about 1,500 seniors.

Most of these facilities are affordable or low-income housing.

“I am grateful we have compassionate nonprofit leaders in our community who learn of a need and act quickly to meet it,” said Mayor John Cranley. “Providing technology to connect seniors to their loved ones who they would otherwise have no means to contact speaks volumes about our city. Let’s continue to take care of each other.”

“We’re honored to support this initiative put forth by Mayor Cranley and help to connect low-income seniors with their families during this time,” added Julie Moorehead, executive director of TCC Gives, a national nonprofit that provides community grants to support various types of projects. “TCC Gives continues to look for ways to help the seniors in our communities and knew this was a need we could help meet.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently issued orders closing nursing homes and assisted living facilities to most visitors in order to protect seniors, who are considered most vulnerable to COVID-19. The limited access to loved ones and extended isolation may prove to be difficult on many seniors, particularly those on fixed or low incomes. The City of Cincinnati has received numerous calls from individuals concerned about their inability to connect with their elderly family member(s).

In response to the situation, UWGC and the City’s Office of Aging and Accessibility collaborated to help link low-income seniors with technology for connecting with those they care about. That led to a partnership with TCC Gives, which donated the 25 tablets so these seniors, who otherwise would have limited means to stay connected to their families, could take part in video messaging.

“Technology is a huge positive for our home during this time,” said Sarah Steffen from Little Sisters of the Poor, one of the facilities benefitting from the donation. “We are able to use these tablets to let families and residents visit virtually. It is keeping spirits and smiles up! Thank you.”

“This is a really challenging time for many people, especially the elderly in our community, and we’re committed to showing up for them quickly,” stated Moira Weir, President/CEO of United Way of Greater Cincinnati. “We’re proud to bring these resources together so people can stay connected to their families.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of people across the globe over the past several weeks. In recent days the disease has been more than just a headline for Greater Cincinnati residents, as the number of cases in the region multiplies by the day.

UWGC and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation established the Cincinnati Regional Response Fund to aid the local response to COVID-19. The fund supports the region’s most pressing needs, including assisting those in the community most disproportionately affected by – and most vulnerable to – the health, economic, education, housing and social impacts of the crisis.