Our relief and recovery commitment

While Covid-19 has been a different experience for each of us, our work in health care tells us there are people who are especially impacted by it, both directly in their physical health and indirectly in their social and mental health. We thought about those individuals when committing $50 million to national and community service organizations that support essential workers, food security, and behavioral health. I hope you’ll look at the list of organizations and find a personal way to give back, too.

For me, one story that stands out is Margaret’s. She regularly attends Older Adult Technology Services (OATS) classes through Senior Planet San Antonio funded by The Humana Foundation since 2018. In the courses, Margaret is learning to engage with technology specifically designed for her and her peers. During the pandemic, the classes are available via video conference.

Because of these courses, Margaret is familiar with video chat apps, and she’s had regular video calls with her daughter and other family members, helping her stay socially connected. Shortly before Margaret’s first telemedicine appointment, she attended a Senior Planet class on the topic. She learned what to expect and how to plan for a virtual appointment, preparing her to get the most out of the conversation with her doctor.

Our world has changed with the pandemic. By becoming more comfortable with technology, Margaret and her OATS classmates have more confidence in continuing to interact with doctors, nurses and other clinicians through telemedicine. It also opens the possibilities for other health services through technology and empowers seniors, including those who are homebound.

That’s the goal of The Humana Foundation’s recent financial commitment (which includes additional funding for OATS) - to support individuals who need help coming through coronavirus in ways that benefit them long after the crisis has passed.