The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Senior Center to remain closed
Curbside lunch program to continue, remote programming to be announced
As of Oct. 17, Ohio senior centers were granted permission to reopen in phases under the Responsible RestartOhio plan.
However, after consulting with Lake County General Health District, Mentor officials announced that the city’s senior center will remain closed, at least through the remainder of 2020.
“This decision reflects ongoing concern for protecting the community’s highest-risk population as we continue to confront the COVID-19 pandemic,” an Oct. 19 news release said. “This concern is heightened in congregate settings as we enter the flu season.”
The center will continue to offer its daily curbside pick-up meal program, which costs participants $4.50 per meal. In addition, staff are working on remote programming options for members.
“I’m very sad because that was basically my main source of socializing,” said eight-year member Barb Fatica. “I’ve met many friends through the center.”
“We’re all feeling very strange,” she added, “but we’re staying in touch through phone calls or eating in the park when the weather is nice.”
State Interim Health Director Lance Himes’ order included seven pages of precautions and protocols to be implemented prior to such centers reactivating. Requirements not only addressed distancing, masks and sanitation, but also recommendations regarding air circulation within buildings, congregate activities and transportation.
“During the closure, the city of Mentor will continue to work with the Lake County General Health District to develop a plan for a safe re-opening of the Mentor Senior Center to include proper testing procedures and protocol, staff training, and coordination with state and local health officials and hospitals,” the release said. “A decision to reopen the facility will be reviewed again in January.”
The center closed at the end of the day March 16, along with a couple of other holdouts in the county, in light of government orders to limit gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic. The city already had cancelled all center activities and programs unrelated to health and wellness.
Membership is down to 3,852, from 4,953 last year. About 280 seniors visited the center daily, on average, pre-COVID-19.
“The seniors have kept in touch through calls and email, often letting us know how they are doing and often asking when we will be reopening,” Recreation Manager Renee Ochaya said. “They are wanting their lives to return to normal. I try to send an update email as we have information to share, about once a month. …
“I also keep up with many seniors at the curbside lunch and produce distribution. For some seniors, not only is this their only homemade meal of the day, it is also their only social interaction of the day. This is usually the highlight of my day. I certainly miss the hustle and bustle of activity and interacting with the seniors each day.”
The center has distributed more than 10,000 meals since closing. The program is being conducted in partnership with the Cleveland Food Bank.
“Once we reopen, we plan to continue to provide online options for those folks not yet comfortable venturing out, in-person options for those who are ready to interact indoors, and some outdoor options such as hiking and biking groups for those who want activity and interaction, but aren’t yet ready to be near others indoors,” Ochaya said.