CULLMAN, Ala. – As many restrictions due to COVID-19 are being lifted in Alabama, none have yet been lifted for senior centers, which will remain closed at least through the month of June.
Cullman County Commission on Aging Director Dusty Baker said he hopes centers in Cullman County can re-open July 6.
“It all depends on what Governor (Kay) Ivey says,” he said.
Cullman County’s seven full-time senior centers continue to serve hot meals via drive-thru service, and delivery continues for homebound seniors.
“The only thing we aren’t doing is the gathering part,” said Baker. “They are anxious to get back and I am ready for them to get back, too. I miss them. We all miss them, and we are all ready for them to come back and things get back to normal. We are ready to see them and hug their necks.”
Many of the yearly senior events have also been canceled this year, including the Ms. Senior Cullman County Pageant, senior fishing day and Strawberry Festival- Senior Shindig. Baker said he is hopeful that restrictions will be lifted in time for thee fall health fair and Senior Day at the Cullman County Fair.
“I think we will learn a lot in the next couple of weeks about what the plans might be for July,” he said, “depending on what the numbers do.”
Even if senior centers are allowed to re-open, there will likely be guidelines to follow that will be challenging to the staff.
“Trying to be social distancing and possibly limit the capacity, it’s going to be hard,” said Baker. “I feel like I have been busier during this time than regular because we are constantly trying to coordinate things. We are used to our standard operating procedures on how we do things. Now, it’s new to everybody and we are trying to coordinate and make sure we take care of everybody at the same time, so there’s a lot more thought going into things.”
Baker and the staff at Commission on Aging have not been completely idle during this time. Besides serving and delivering meals to seniors, they are using the downtime to “spruce things up a bit,” according to Baker.
“We’ve totally painted some centers and new countertops. Just trying to make things better than it was before. We are being productive with our time, too. This is an opportunity to get a lot of things done,” he said. “When we are able to open back up, Crane Hill’s new center, we are going straight into that. It’s ready to go.”
Groundbreaking for the new Hanceville senior center will take place Friday morning.
Baker worries about the seniors the Commission on Aging serves and how being isolated at home is affecting them.
He said, “Anything we can do to promote being active, that’s what we want to do. We are working with Wallace (State Community College) where we are trying to- they are struggling for clinical hours right now because all the nursing homes are closed- we are hoping that once we are able to open back up, we can get someone up here to do an exercise program with them. They can rotate and still get their clinical hours. We could be a clinical site for Wallace, and that’s something we are working on that will help all of us- them and Wallace.”
Baker also reflected on seniors who have passed away since the centers have been closed.
“It’s just heartbreaking,” he said. “One that stands out in my mind is Ms. Mildred from Fairview. She was a pistol, too. Unfortunately, over the past five years that I’ve been here, that’s one of the heartbreaking things. You become such good friends with these seniors and then they pass on. It kind of gives us the motivation we need to keep on celebrating each other, especially our seniors, and promoting them the best we can.”
He continued, “I could listen to them all day long. I love to come in, and they’ll tell me, ‘Back when I was your age I was doing this and this.’ Especially the old war stories and stuff like that because of me serving in the military and them; it’s a common bond we have. We are in the same brotherhood even though we are generations apart.”
Baker said he would like to see the centers open back up and the seniors being able to decide for themselves.
“Getting out and being with their friends, fellowshipping over a meal or whatever, that keeps them young and keeps them going. I wish there was more that we could do to address that and make it happen as soon as we can,” he said. “I just hate that we are having to sit here and wait. I understand the precautions we need to take, and they are necessary, absolutely. At the same time, it goes back to freedom of choice for me. Let them do what they want to do. We are at where we are today because of what they have done. Let them make their own decision.”
As the restrictions continue, the Commission on Aging is grateful to the businesses and individuals who have donated time, money and materials. It has been been able to make many improvements to each center because of this generosity.
The Commission does need help with delivering meals to the homebound. It is looking for volunteers who can help one to two hours a day delivering meals around Cullman County. Those interested in volunteering can call 256-734-1241 and speak to Kristy McCarn.
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