Senior center assessing ability to reopen
In March, the Coshocton Senior Center, like so many of the businesses in the community, was forced to close the doors to its guests. While its was no longer permitted to have seniors visit the facility, the most crucial service of senior meal delivery had its most rapid period of growth ever. The senior center secured grant funding and donations through various community and national sources to help accommodate this growth, hired new staff to deliver the meals, and developed whole new routines for making meal delivery safe and socially distanced, while still friendly. These past months have offered quite the set of challenges. They are excited to now be included in the Responsible Restart Ohio plans, but understand that this will bring a whole new set of challenges.
During the initial reopening phase for senior centers and adult day care centers, they are being given permission to open, as well as the guidelines and expectations the facility, staff, and seniors will be required to adhere to in order to reopen successfully. They are not being compelled or required to open, but are hopeful about moving toward that goal. The current guidelines for providing in facility services to seniors are extensive and would require additional funding and staff to provide. Though it is very much the goal to open the facility to seniors wishing to participate in activities and congregate meals, the senior center is unable to safely provide those services under the current guidelines, without vastly restricting its current food programs.
As guidelines are updated and they are able to secure funding, materials, and staff, the senior center will reassess the situation and need in the community to determine the proper steps to ensure seniors continue to receive the meals they rely on. Once staff is able to finalize reopening plans for the Coshocton Senior Center, a reopening date will be announced.
Category: People & Places
