VALDOSTA, Ga. (WTXL) — In south Georgia, a nonprofit is offering patients in need the ability to connect virtually so that they, too, can Rebound.
Old iPhones, iPads, tablets, and laptops. Telehealth Access for Seniors will take them if you have an extra one.
Joyce Liu is a volunteer with Teleheath Access for Seniors, a non-profit that just started in March, which is no small feat during the pandemic. She volunteers in Valdosta.
"What we do is collect devices that are camera-enabled and gently used and we donate them to local hospitals," Liu said.
Local hospitals like South Georgia Medical Center put them to use with low-income patients, veterans, and senior citizens who may not have access to a camera-enabled device.
The devices connect them to things like virtual doctor's appointments which, in the age of COVID-19, can literally mean the difference between life and death.
"If we can keep them out of the doctor's office, keep them at home as much as possible so they're not being exposed, then that is a definite possibility that we can help them from becoming infected with COVID," said Dawn Taylor, the nurse manager at SGMC.
With the devices, patients can also download vital medical applications, order grocery, and medication delivery, and connect with family and friends.
"There's definitely been an increase in need and a lot of clinics we've reached out to ask if they need donations have been excited and said, 'Yes! We really do need these,'" Liu said.
Helping the most vulnerable in our community stay safe and healthy and connected one device at a time.
"The patients in particular that don't have the financial means to connect are very appreciative and thankful for this group that has allowed them to connect," said Taylor.
All of the devices are donated by people in the community. To donate used camera-enabled devices or money to buy accessories like chargers, click here.
