NHHS grant will allow seniors to connect virtually

NEWPORT — Newport Hospital and Health Services Foundation recently received an $8,000 grant from Innovia Foundation’s second round of COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund (Eastern Washington and North Idaho).

The grant will provide much-needed virtual communication technology for the hospital district’s two assisted living communities, River Mountain Village and River Mountain Village Advanced Care, NHHS officials said in a press release.

Early on in the pandemic, an emerging social need for residents of the two facilities became evident amid district visitation restrictions. NHHS Foundation officials worked with residential care services leadership and NHHS information technology to plan a communication infrastructure for residents to use for social communication with family and friends and improved access to telehealth visits with their providers. The funds will provide communication technology equipment that includes 20 tablets and two smart televisions. This project will benefit residents even after the pandemic is over, especially those with loved ones out-of-town and those who are not easily able to travel to the clinic for primary care.

All shared equipment will be thoroughly cleaned between uses and stored in a secure location. Ac

“It will be exciting to help people connect more with loved ones and increase their access to virtual visits with their doctors,” Jenny Cooper, residential care activities manager said.

“As soon as the equipment is available, the Activities Department will roll out the process and procedure for resident use.”