SENIORS RESOURCE CENTRE REOPENS
Don’t come by if you don’t have an appointment.
Knock on the door to get in because it’s locked.
Use the hand sanitizer once you’re in the door and don’t go past the red crowd control barrier because gone are the days of wandering around the Prince George Council of Seniors Resource Centre.
The re-opening protocols are precautionary to protect the most vulnerable population - seniors - from the threat of coronavirus.
The Seniors Resource Centre, 721 Victoria St., is open by appointment only Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Call 250-564-5888 or 250-552-2820 to arrange an appointment.
“We’re seeing each extreme here and this doesn’t just apply to seniors,” LolaDawn Fennell, general manager of the Prince George Council of Seniors Resource Centre, said.
“One is fear and anxiety and people aren’t wanting to go anywhere or see anybody and they’re really seriously anxious. But I’m also seeing the other extreme. Some people are saying ‘well, it’s over now, everything is reopening and it’s back to normal’ and that really frightens me.”
The Seniors Resource Centre staff will err on the side of caution and take their time with the reopening process, Fennell added.
“We know that’s hard because we know that seniors have been isolated and lonely over the last couple of months and some are really excited about us reopening and having somebody to talk to,” Fennell said.
To keep everyone safe, access won’t be permitted on a drop-in basis for the time being as they abide by WorkSafe BC regulations and the guidelines set out by the provincial health officer.
“This pandemic is still with us and we’ve been lucky in numbers in Prince George but it’s still around and it’s never very far away from us,” Fennell said.
During the closures seen through the first hit of the coronavirus, the Meals on Wheels program of home delivery of healthy meals to vulnerable seniors continued as did the Friendly Phone Calls program where volunteers at home would call seniors who wanted to chat with a phone friend.
“So we’re here to provide information and resources for those who need them because that’s our biggest role in the community,” Fennell said. “We’d like to thank everyone for their patience. I know it’s been challenging for people to get hold of us but we haven’t had anybody in the office full time.”
Going forward there will be somebody answering phones from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday. There’s no word on when those days and times will be expanded.
“This is a learning process for us, too,” Fennell said.
Currently, each staff member occupies their own office and the front desk volunteer is protected by a clear plastic shield. Everything is washed down on a regular basis and everyone adheres to the COVID19 handwashing protocol.
The new normal means other things may have to be done differently as well so Fennell is asking those interested in being part of a Zoom book club to let her know because that would be something she’s interested in starting.
Email info.pgcos@gmail.com or call to leave a message 250-564-5888.
More volunteers will be needed to cover the front desk when the Seniors Resource Centre opens full time in the future and anyone interested in volunteering can call and leave a message.
“I don’t know how long we’re going to keep these limited hours,” Fennell said. “We’re just asking everyone to be patient.”