Reopening Putnam Senior Centers Deemed Unsafe

Putnam County Senior Centers will remain closed for at least three more weeks after the county and state both saw spikes in COVID cases last weekend.

All four county centers collaborated with the county executive office and determined reopening at this time to be unsafe. Cookeville Senior Center Assistant Director Julie Leforest said the center still offers limited activities until a time frame of reopening is known.

“You can be put on a call list to be called every single day. We will check up on you and see how you are doing,” Leforest said. “We also offer bingo in the parking lot on Wednesdays weather permitting at 1 o’clock. You just bring your own chair and your mask.”

Leforest said once centers do reopen, activities will still be limited. Activities such as playing cards and social meals will be discontinued until a vaccine is available. Classes will also be limited to 40 participants.

“The Area Agency on Aging and Disability has guidelines that are set,” Leforest said. “Classes like exercise class are normally at 60 to 70 capacity. Now, we can only fit 40. Some classes are going to be compromised.”

Leforest said classes will be available through appointment only to maintain social distancing once reopening. Classes that will continue are chair yoga, exercise, Tai-Chi, drawing 101, sculpting, beginning Spanish, intermediate Spanish, guitar lessons, technology assistance, pickle ball (limit 2), table tennis (limit 2 per table), rock painting, and bingo.

Currently, the center serves about 80 sub meals from Firehouse subs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for those 60+ at 11:30. To be placed on the call list or the sub sandwich list, call (931) 526-9318.