Page 6 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - June 2020 - 27-06

Page 6
Senior Times - June 2020
COVID-19 CHECKLIST FOR REOPENING
By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher
The world may be working toward re-opening, but vigilance against the coronavirus is still crucial, especial-
ly for our seniors. Governor Whitmer’s recent Executive Order 2020-100 extends Michigan’s Safer at Home order until June 12, 2020, so we have a bit more time to plan.
First and foremost, you do not have to go out just because someone said it is OK.
No change? You may be directed to call
ones that are bound to be identified as this continues, the following items are at least a great place to start.
9-1-1.
5. Take appropriate care when you experi-
Masks and Gloves – By now, we’ve all received the memo about social distancing. Now wearing face coverings or masks in public has been added to safely interact in public. Gloves can be helpful, too, when touching communal things like gas pumps or ATM machines – as long as you promptly, and appropriately, remove and safely discard contaminated gloves before you touch other surfaces, or worse, your own face.
ence symptoms such as those identified for COVID-19, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, per- sistent pain or pressure in the chest, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste or smell.
There are still many programs that are serving seniors that choose to stay home or are homebound. But if you are like many, you are truly aching to get out, see your grandchildren, visit with friends, or simply go out to eat, then these steps might help.
Moving beyond awareness is prepared- ness. What do you need at home to respond to concerns pre-emptively? Your personal situation might be different from others and will impact the items you’ll want to have on hand. As the symptoms mimic other heath issues you may already have many of these items, which puts you a step ahead in pre- paredness.
Remember, we all wear a face mask pri- marily for others’ protection (although there is added protection in both directions when you and an individual you come into contact with is also wearing a mask). “The mask, you should always wear,” says Maryam Mahmood, M.D., an infectious disease spe- cialist at Mayo Clinic. Still, she adds, “The important thing is hand washing. Gloves are not going to magically stop COVID. The key areas where COVID gets into body – nose, mouth and eyes – you [must] not touch those areas before you wash your hands.”
Whether you’re concerned about COVID-19, or any other infection, be aware and take action to reduce your risk.
Interestingly enough, we are learning new information every day:
• A significant number of individuals experi-
1. Be aware of current risk factors, including other chronic conditions. Be sure you are getting appropriate care for those con- ditions. Nearly all those diagnosed with COVID-19 have additional health issues.
ence no symptoms.
• A significant number of individuals have
2. Reduce your exposure to infection.
3. Boost your immune system. Eat right;
been positive for the Coronavirus.
• The recovery rate is higher than originally
If you are caring for a sick family mem- ber, limit direct contact with the infected person without protection, don’t share house- hold items, and frequently wipe all surfaces with a disinfectant. Protective gear, hand soap, and cleaning tools are important.
drink plenty of water; get moving.
4. Identify symptoms that you are experi-
thought.
• Indirect contact from other surfaces is no
encing, not just COVID-related, but also any symptoms that are unusual for you such as allergy symptoms, slurred speech, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, challenges in memory, and more. If you’re not ready to go out yet call your docotor but also make note of them. Re-evaluate how symptoms are doing. Better? Worse?
longer considered to be as high a risk.
• A healthy immune system is beneficial for
antibodies that did not even know they had
all, no matter your age.
• Those in the high-risk categories should
Thermometer to Check Temperature – There are easy-to-use digital thermometers nowadays as well as the traditional thermom- eter that you might stick under your tongue. All kinds can help you identify whether you are experiencing a temperature. The goal
apply all precautions that they can and take swift action when experiencing any symp- toms.
As a result of these changes, and new
SENIOR DINING CENTERS
CITY
Hastings Woodland
Albion Battle Creek Battle Creek Battle Creek Marshall Tekonsha
Jackson Jackson Napoleon Spring Arbor
LOCATION
COA Building Eagles Club
FACILITATOR
Theresa Lancaster Leona Rairigh
PHONE
(269) 948-4856
(269) 367-4041
DAYS TIME
M-F 10am-2pm
M,W,F 10:30am-1pm
BARRY COUNTY
Delton
Faith United Methodist
Angela Soya
(269) 579-3918
M,W,T
11am-1pm
Nashville
Main St. Banqets
Jenny Burlison
(517) 213-9212
M-F
10:30am-1pm
Meals provided by Barry County Commission on Aging. A program sponsored by Barry County United Way.
BRANCH COUNTY
Coldwater
Coldwater Church of Christ
Alisha Carr
(517) 279-8249
M,T,Th,F
9am-1pm
Lunch Served at 12pm
Meals provided by Community Action Food and Nutritional Services. Funding sources AAA 3C, Branch County United Way, USDA, and private donations.
CALHOUN COUNTY
Albion
Albion Forks Senior Dining Center
Cynthia Rose
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W,Th,F
11am-1pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Clarence Township Dining Center Bedford Manor Dining Center Lakeview 900 Territorial Dining Center Westbrook Place Dining Center Heritage Commons
Tekonsha Community Hall
Mark Rice Billy Castle Karl Hoard Michelle Dove Kitty Knoll
Senior Health Partners
(866) 200-8877 (866) 200-8877 (866) 200-8877 (866) 200-8877 (269) 558-6150
(269) 441-0948
M,T,W M,T,W,Th,F M,W,F M,T,W,Th,F T, Th
T
10:30am-1pm 10:30am-1pm 10:30am-1pm 10:30am-1pm 12-1pm
10am
Lunch served at 11:45am Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 12pm
Senior Fit & Fun, Lunch after
Athens
Athens Lighthouse Community Center
Senior Health Partners
(269) 441-0948
Th
10am
Senior Fit & Fun, Lunch after
Battle Creek
Cherryhill Manor Senior Center
Constance Siegel
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W,Th,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Battle Creek
Springview Towers Dining Center
Eileen Worthington
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W,Th,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Homer
Homer Presbyterian Church
Senior Health Partners
(269) 441-0948
T
10:30am
Senior Fit & Fun, Lunch after
Marshall
Marshall House Dining Center
Deb Trescott
(866) 200-8877
M,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 12pm
All sites have hot and cold meals. Meals provided by Senior Services SW MI. Funding by Calhoun County Senior Services, CareWell Services - AAA 3B, USDA, and private donations.
JACKSON COUNTY
Grass Lake
Grass Lake Food With Friends
Annie Lavergne
(517) 788-4364
T, Th
10am-3:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Crouch Senior Center
King Rec Center, Food with Friends Napoleon Township Hall
Spring Arbor Senior Center
Laurie Mead Laurie Mead Gail Jamieson
Shimone Glaspie
(517) 788-4364 (517) 788-4364 (517) 788-4364
(517) 750-1010
M,T,W,Th,F M,T,W,Th,F T, Th M,T,W,Th,F
8am-4pm 10:30am-1:30pm 10:30am-1:30pm
9:45am-1:45pm
Lunch served at 12pm Lunch served at 12pm Lunch served at 12pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Jackson
Park Forest
Laurie Mead
(517) 788-4364
M,T,W,Th,F
10:30am-1:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Michigan Center
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church
Laurie Mead
(517) 788-4364
M,W,F
10am-2pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Norvell
Norvell/Township Hall
Gail Jamieson
(517) 788-4364
M,W,F
10:30am-1:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
To have your senior dining center added or changes to your listing, Call Sherii at (269) 979-1479 ext. 302 or Email: ssherban@scenepub.com.