If an aging loved one is unable to safely leave home to pick up groceries or other necessities, the neighborhood social networking app Nextdoor may be able to help.

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Recently, Nextdoor introduced two new features — Help Maps and Groups — designed to connect neighbors at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus symptoms with nearby volunteers offering free, no-contact grocery shopping and other support.

In the Help Map, you can easily connect with local volunteers offering assistance. Many offer grocery or pharmacy delivery, while others volunteer to do outdoor chores or check in by phone or in person.

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

“We have thousands of people all over the country willing to help,” says Anna Akullian, a project manager at Nextdoor. “This is a great way to offer peace of mind for people who are long-distance caregiving or can’t stop by and check on their elderly parents themselves.”

In the Groups feature, people can use the “Shopping Help for Neighbors – Walmart” group to ask for help getting groceries or prescriptions, or they can offer to pick up items for a neighbor from a nearby store. “We partnered with Walmart because 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a Walmart,” says Akullian.

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Our advisors help 300,000 families each year find the right senior care for their loved ones.

Click to join the Help Map or find a Group near you.

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Kim Acosta

Kim Acosta is managing editor at OurParents. She’s produced digital and print content for more than 20 years as an editorial leader at Shape magazine, P&G, Hallmark, and others. Her work has appeared in national media outlets including Family Circle, Parents, Lifescript, BuzzFeed, Living Fit, Natural Health, WorkingMother.com, and HomeCare.

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