Gravity Oilfield Services Donates 20 New Tablets to COVID Positive Residents in Recovery

NEW MEXICO- Across the state, COVID positive residents of nursing, shelters, and assisted living facilities have been able to maintain critical connections with loved ones thanks to a generous donation of tablets by Gravity Oilfield Services. The company, which is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has a branch office in Artesia, has partnered with New Mexico's Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) to distribute the 20 IPad 4 mini tablets to facilities, focusing on getting the devices to residents who are recovering from COVID. While in-person visits are prohibited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IPads help residents stay connected to their loved ones while minimizing the risk of spread. The IPads are also helping to provide recovering residents with grief counseling.

In March, during the early stages of the pandemic, the Department of Health took steps to protect nursing home residents by limiting, and later prohibiting visitation, to the facilities. In conjunction with these developments, the ALTSD's Ombudsman Program started accepting requests for the tablets from facilities, residents and family members. The ALTSD worked with Verizon Wireless to acquire the first set of the initial 350 tablets needed to facilitate enhanced communications between residents and their loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation of the new IPads purchased by Gravity along with cases and accessories, enhances the state's ability to ensure widespread distribution of these critical communications resources. The devices can also be used for monitoring purposes, helping to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.

Gravity is a single source service supplier for oil operations, from planning through production, with a presence in the major oil and gas producing basins, including extensively throughout the Permian Basin. In making the donation, they expressed that they wanted to help folks stay connected with loved ones in these uncertain and often stressful times.

ALTSD Cabinet Secretary Katrina Hotrum-Lopez expressed the state's gratitude to the Artesia branch business. "The support and generosity of individuals and community partners throughout the state has been nothing short of amazing. The donation of tablets by Gravity Oilfield Services provides a lifeline for older adults living in care facilities in southeastern New Mexico, connecting them with loved ones and our Ombudsman in order to maintain that important personal contact with their family, friends, and advocates." Recognizing how significant those regular interactions are for the wellbeing and quality of life of the elderly participants, caretakers have indicated that the regular interactions with family have been extremely beneficial for their residents.

To date, the Ombudsman Program has distributed hundreds of tablets across the state. The New Mexico Health Care Association has also helped with the distribution, by purchasing and delivering tablets.