County’s Council on Aging is opening again, albeit in a limited fashion

The Auglaize County Council on Aging opened its doors to senior citizens on Wednesday, the first time post-pandemic.

The demand to gather at the center is high, and to facilitate limiting the number of seniors allowed in the center each day, agency officials drew names out of a hat.

“We are limiting up to 25 people; we are rotating the people in and out on a weekly basis,” Director Bob Warren said.

Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays seniors can participate in a meal and activities at the center.

They will be maintaining social distancing and screened before getting on the bus and screened again when they get to the center. Those on the bus will have to wear a mask.

“We want everybody to be safe. We are telling people if they have any symptoms we do not want them there,” Warren said.

If people do get the virus he wants them to stay home and get tested before they come back.

“It’s challenging, but I think its so beneficial to get the seniors back out, they have been isolated from their families,” Warren said.

He said in some cases groceries and prescriptions were just left on clients doorstep with no contact.

“It was so depressing, I think to get them back into socialization is so important,” Warren said.

This marks the first phase of the council’s reopening as they continue to work with the Auglaize Health Department.

Warren is hoping that as the COVID numbers continue to go down, they can open up even more.

He said they are working with local restaurants, and churches, to provide meals to seniors.

They have been working with Diamond Tours to bring day trips back for seniors.