Whitlock: Seniors Are Excited To Return To Senior Center

Senior citizens and senior center staff feel ready to reopen after being unable to meet together since March.

This comes from McMinnville-Warren County Senior Center Executive Director Lana Whitlock. She said the center could open as early as next week.

“They’re very active here in Warren County, so I know that they’re excited to get back,” Whitlock said. “And it’s important for them to get back for the socialization, even if they’re just hanging around talking and visiting, you know, that’s a great thing for them.”

Whitlock said a proposed safety plan is awaiting the board of directors’ approval. The plan includes having a morning and afternoon session allowing no more than 40 members at a time.

Other precautions include signing in each member, checking temperatures, and requiring masks. Whitlock said the center will be closed in between the two sessions to allow for sanitizing.

While the center has remained closed, Whitlock said her staff have not remained idle. Since March the senior center has delivered over 4,000 meals.

“We’ve offered telephone reassurance, we have actually delivered commodities, groceries, medications-anything that a senior member needed  here in our area we have taken care of that,” Whitlock said. “We have been here every day since we’ve been closed so we’re taking care of seniors. Now we can get them back into our building, so that’s very important for us to actually get to do face-to-face.”

Senior centers across the state are allowed to reopen. Governor Bill Lee announced Monday to lift gathering and business restrictions.