CASS Seeks Alternate Shelter Solution For Homeless Seniors
Across the country and Arizona, more and more seniors are experiencing homelessness for the first time. But what happens if this especially vulnerable population contracts the coronavirus?
Lisa Glow — CEO of CASS, the Central Arizona Shelter Services — says on any given night about 30% of the people staying at CASS are seniors. In fact, Glow says at last count, there were about 250 people over the age of 55.
"And they have chronic conditions and medical challenges and disabilities. So we are doing everything we can to find some place that we can move them so they can be isolated. Right now staying in dorm rooms with 150 people," Glow said.
Glow says the ideal setup would allow each senior to have their own room so if they do catch the virus they can be isolated.
