Hancock County Senior Centers, update
By Ralph Dickerson
Hancock County Senior Services Director Lona Morton said the county’s senior centers will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to the COVID-19 virus. Morton cited two factors for the centers remaining closed: social distancing and lack of guidance from the Department of Aging and Independent Living.
“Socialization and recreation is a big part of our activities,” Morton said. “With social distancing guidelines, I do not see how we can hold activities.”
Morton said many of the seniors come to the center to play cards, bingo or shoot pool. She said social distancing requirements make these activities impossible.
The Hawesville and Lewisport centers also hold meals at their respective locations. Morton said since they serve them buffet style, they cannot hold the meals because guidelines forbid buffet style serving. “We can’t observe meals with social distancing,” she said.
Both Lewisport and Hawesville centers offer drive through meal service. Hawesville serves its meals on Monday and Friday from 11a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Lewisport offers meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the same hours.
“If you can drive out to either one of the centers, call us and reserve a meal,” Morton said.
To reserve a meal, call 270.927.8313.
Morton said the number of meals served via drive through service has increased, as has the number of home delivered meals.
Meals-On-Wheels program continues to operate as normal with meals delivered by the drivers at their appointed times. Morton said the number of meals served through this program also has increased due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Morton said another reason the centers cannot open is because of a lack of guidance and guidelines from the state Department of aging and Independent Living.
“There has been no word on how we can reopen,” Morton said. “Are we going to have to wear masks, do temperature checks?”
She said if the local centers open on their own, they might run into a situation where they are open in violation of any guidelines the department does issue. Morton did say that senior centers would be in the last phase of the economy to reopen.
“It’s probably going to be awhile before we reopen,” she said.