KINGWOOD — Eight out of 10 coronavirus deaths reported in the U.S. have been adults 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Due to this statistic and the difficulty of getting some supplies, local senior centers are changing the way they serve their clients.
Preston County Senior Citizen Director Janie Lou White said she is having problems getting Oliver trays. The center packs its take-out meals in these trays.
“We’ll make due,” White said. “Our supplier took our order but we don’t know when it will be filled.”
She said the center closed all of its non-essential services Wednesday. White said only transportation and meals are being offered to clients.
White said people who were transported to the center for meals by the Buckwheat Express are now having their meals delivered to them through Meals on Wheels.
Clients who have their own transportation can pick up take-out meals.
Debbie Clarke, Front Office supervisor at Senior Monongalians, said they too are delivering meals to clients who used van transportation to get to the center for meals.
Clarke said Senior Mons is no longer providing in-house meals. She said that changed Thursday.
“We are only providing grab-and-go meals,” she said.
White said her staff is doing what they can to make sure everyone receives a healthy meal.
“We don’t want people to go hungry because of this virus,” she said. “We prepare the meals for all of the Preston County’s centers. Last week we were sending them out in bulk, and we are trying to stay with our regular menu.”
White said the Buckwheat Express is still running its routes so people will be able to buy groceries, go to the pharmacy, and do their banking.
“I’d rather someone call the grocery store, give them their list and pay by phone,” she said. “Then our drivers can pick the groceries up and deliver them to the client. That keeps in place the social isolation.”
White said the staff is doing daily checks by phone to make sure their clients are safe and don’t need anything.
“Seniors are resilient, she said. “They know how to stretch things.”
To contact the Preston County Senior Citizens call 304-329-0464. For the Senior Mons call 304-296-9812.
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