Health Care Information

Income changes? You may qualify for MassHealth or assistance with medical insurance.  Check here.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness.  This means that most people with Medicare are at higher risk. Find more information here.

We find ourselves in a rapidly evolving situation.  It's important to stay informed.

Massachusetts Department of Health COVID19 Info - updated daily

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Self-care is of the utmost importance. 

The New Bedford Wellness Initiative is offering free daily classes through their Facebook page. Mindfulness, guided meditation, yoga and sound healing sessions are all available.

Additionally, the following sites for self-care were recommended by the Public Library Association's Social Worker Task Force.

• Care for Your Coronavirus Anxiety: An interactive and up-to-date resource from Mental Health America and Shine, with free meditations, information on isolation, and how to structure your day. It also has tips on how to talk to children about the virus.
• The Science of Well-Being: A free, structured online learning course with videos and readings, where you will engage in a series of challenges designed to increase your own happiness and build more productive habits. Offered by Yale University.
• The Happiness Lab: A podcast by Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos (of The Science of Well-Being course) that will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will forever alter the way you think about happiness.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Resource Guide: This COVID-19 resource document addresses questions about anxiety, health insurance, losing a loved one, and more.
• Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: This tip sheet from the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration describes feelings and thoughts you may have during and after social distancing, quarantine, and isolation. It also suggests ways to care for your behavioral health during these experiences and provides resources for more help