WCCOA Senior Centers to remain closed through Nov. 2
The Ohio Department of Aging released the guidelines for reopening senior centers throughout the state of Ohio on Friday, Sept. 11.
Based upon the requirements/guidelines which must be satisfied in order to reopen the senior centers operated by the Wood County Committee on Aging, WCCOA has determined that Wood County senior centers will not reopen on Monday, Sept. 21, as announced by Gov. Mike DeWine.
Current requirements/guidelines released by the Ohio Department of Aging, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Health, require the following to occur prior to reopening:
• Testing of all senior center staff and volunteers (initial baseline and at least once every other week thereafter).
• Strategic testing of participants with an initial baseline and at least once every other week thereafter. (Note: this is still being clarified as to how many people and demographics.)
• The state will support the training of the WCCOA registered nurse to conduct the testing for staff, volunteers and identified participants (supply nasal test kits, lab capacity, baseline and repeat testing).
• All services will be by appointment only once WCCOA has satisfied the requirements to reopen.
Based upon these restrictions, all WCCOA Senior Center locations, including Walbridge, Pemberville, Perrysburg, Rossford, Grand Rapids, Wayne, North Baltimore and the Wood County Senior Center in Bowling Green, will remain closed to the general public through Monday, Nov. 2.
WCCOA will continue working with the Wood County Health District to ensure its ability to reopen safely. WCCOA will continue to offer modified services during this time.
Online programming is being offered via the WCCOA Facebook page and the Zoom meeting platform. For a schedule of these programs and/or additional information, email programs@wccoa.net or call the office at 419-353-5661 or 1-800-367-4935.
WCCOA also encourages the older adults who participate at the senior center congregate dining sites to take advantage of home-delivered meals during this time. Wood County residents age 60 and older in need of home-delivered meals or other assistance should call WCCOA or email WCCOA@wccoa.net.