The Senior Center To Begin Gradual Re-Opening Beginning November 5

The Senior Center will be holding a “gradual reopening” beginning Thursday, November 5.  Although the Senior Center will be open, individuals must make an advance reservation for activities and services, as required by the State Guidelines.  Please read the details below.  Reservations for activities begin November 2nd.  We are excited about welcoming people back into the building and we will be reopening slowly, with caution.  Our population is still the most at-risk group for contracting COVID-19 and complications arising out of being infected.  Safety, for our members and our staff, will remain our highest priority. It is not only our biggest concern; it is our responsibility. In order to reopen, we must abide by state guidelines for three different sectors (per the Governor):  Senior Centers, Indoor Recreation and Fitness Centers plus the Plainville-Southington Health District.  We, more than anyone, wish we didn’t have to do this, but we are determined to follow the guidelines to keep everyone safe and healthy.  Although it won’t be the same Senior Center you left on March 17th, we are excited to offer opportunities for people to see each other and have fun.

Can I just stop by the Senior Center any time I want?  Unfortunately, no.  Per the state guidelines, individuals must make an advance “reservation” to attend a program or service at the Senior Center.  This is necessary for contact tracing in the event someone tests positive for COVID-19 and to keep track of the numbers of people in the building.  For instance, if you want to speak with Stephanie the Social Worker, you must call for an appointment.  If you want to play Bingo, you must call in advance to “register” to play.  If you want to play billiards, you must call in advance to reserve the pool table to play. If you want to work out in the PEAK Center, you must call to reserve an appointment.  If you want to take a fitness or art class, you must call in advance to reserve your spot.  Each activity will have maximum attendance limits due to social distancing, the size of the room and the activity.  Health department guidelines will limit your time at the Center to 1 hour.

MASKS:  MASKS ARE MANDATORY.  If you are unable to wear a mask, please call Shawn or Ronda at the Senior Center and we will try and make alternative arrangements for you to participate in programs or services virtually.  Masks must be worn covering the nose and the mouth completely.  Masks with ventilators are not acceptable, unless a paper disposable mask is worn over the ventilator mask.

Social Distancing:  Everyone is required to maintain a 6-foot social distance while at the Senior Center (12 feet while exercising in the Fitness Center and during exercise classes).

Hand Sanitizer/Hand Washing:  Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance of every room.  Members are required to use the hand sanitizer prior to entering a room.  In addition, please wash your hands, frequently, for a minimum of 20 seconds.

Entrance/Exit:   The “back” door with the long ramp (near where the Dial-a-Ride vehicle parks during the day) will serve as the only door people can enter.  All other doors will be locked.

Check-In:  Upon arrival at the Senior Center, all visitors will be required to “check-in” with a staff member/volunteer.  The check-in station will be located at the coat room.  Persons will be required to scan their Senior Center membership card; this is necessary for contact tracing if someone tests positive for COVID and to keep track of the numbers of people in the building.  Each person will be required to complete and sign a completed COVID-19 Assessment form and place it in the designated area. 

If a person shows up with COVID-19 signs or symptoms, they will be asked to go home immediately.  If a person presents COVID-19 symptoms while at the Senior Center he/she will be asked to go home if they are able or ushered to a holding room and the health department will be notified.  911 will be called if necessary.  The holding room will be sanitized after the person is removed.

COVID-19 Screening:  Each person entering the Senior Center will be required to complete, sign and date a CDC Facilities COVID-19 Screening.  Persons experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will not be allowed to enter.  If you have a medical condition with conditions such as chronic cough, chronic diarrhea, chronic headaches, chronic shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, we will require that you obtain a waiver from your medical physician that states that you have a chronic condition which is not a symptom of COVID-19.  These waivers will be kept on file at the Senior Center.  Please call the Senior Center to have the waiver sent to you prior to coming to the Senior Center.

 Coats:  The coat room will be closed.  Coat racks will be stationed in the blue room, green room and PEAK Center.  Please use these coat racks for your coats or put your coat on your chair.

Visiting:  Per state guidelines, people will not be allowed to drop-in and “visit” for hours.  We will have established “visiting” times throughout the week and people will have to call in advance to reserve a seat to visit.  The living room will not be available for sitting and visiting.  There are a few seats set up in the living room for individuals to sit and wait for their appointments with the nurse and/or social worker.

Billiards:  You must call the Senior Center to reserve a play time.   We will only be allowed to use one pool table at a time. Two players maximum. No spectators.  Bring your own cue stick (if possible).  Players are responsible for washing/sanitizing the pool balls, bridge, pool table and cue stick if they borrow one both before they begin play and after ending the game.  We hope that the billiards players might enjoy tournaments at Shooters in Southington.  Details to follow.

Setback/Cards/Mexican train/Maj Jong/Scrabble:  Unfortunately, state guidelines do not permit games that cannot be thoroughly cleaned (cards, board games, etc.) to be allowed in the Senior Center.  It is also impossible to social distance (6-feet) while playing card and board games.

Bingo:  Bingo will be allowed for up to 20 people plus Bingo volunteers.  You will need to call to reserve a seat.  Paper bingo cards will be used instead of our regular bingo cards.  Dabbers will be available to purchase ($1.00) or you can bring your own.  You are not allowed to borrow other people’s dabbers.  If you forget your dabber, you can purchase another one ($1.00) from the Senior Center.  Bingo will be 1 hour per State guidelines.

Classes: Classes will resume gradually and will have space limitations based on the size of our rooms and social distance requirements.  Participants will have to register for classes in advance.  Be sure that you can attend each session before signing up; we don’t want to see an empty seat that could have been filled by someone else.

Chair Fitness Classes (Power Burst, Chair Yoga):  These classes will have a limit of 8 students per class and chairs will be spaced 6 feet apart from each other.  Please be sure to stay in your designated area during the class.  Masks must be worn during class.

Zumba Class:  Limit of 6 students per class.  Students will remain in a predesigned 12-foot square box and will not be required to wear a mask while participating in the class activity.  Masks are required in the room until the class begins and anytime you are not in your 12-foot square area.

PEAK Fitness Center:  PEAK Center members will be required to make an appointment to reserve a time to work out.  Equipment will be limited and spaced to allow for a 12-foot social distance between individuals, so that masks will not be required while exercising.  There will be separate days/times for cardio equipment and the weight training equipment.  There will be a maximum of 5 people per time slot during the cardio appointments and 1 person during the weight training appointments.  Individuals will be required to wear a mask while walking around the fitness center; individuals will be allowed to remove their mask once they are on a piece of equipment. 

Available equipment includes:  2 NuSteps, 1 treadmill, 1 elliptical and a choice of either the Expresso bike or the recumbent bike.  All weight machines will be accessible during the weight training appointment times only.  Use of the weight machines will not be allowed during cardio appointments.

Arts & Crafts Classes, Coloring Club, Open Quilting, Open Knitting, Open Painting:   Students/participants must pre-register for classes/craft programs ahead of time to reserve their space.  Classes such as ceramics, and acrylic painting, will be limited to 20 students + 1 instructor.  Per state guidelines, students will be required to bring their own supplies (paints, glazes, brushes, fabric, knitting needles, yarn, etc.) and are not allowed to share materials.  Classes will be 1 hour long per Health Department guidelines.

Meals/Eating/Drinking:  Per state guidelines, the congregate meal program (Bonnie’s lunch) is not allowed to operate.  Because of social distancing requirements, our Senior Center Le Petit Café, will also not reopen at this time.

We will not be offering coffee or tea.  There is one water station available, but you must bring your own water bottle.  The water station is in the hallway from the “blue” room to the café.  All other water fountains are not available.

Computers:  Three computers are available for use by Senior Center members. Advance appointments are necessary to reserve a computer.  Time limit is 1 hour.  Individuals must sanitize the keyboard and mouse prior to and after using the computer.

Trips:  We will not be offering trips until sometime in 2021 (hopefully).