A nonprofit that provides activities, food and transportation to Sumter's older adults closed its doors because of the pandemic, but as vaccines are becoming more widely available, the center is slowly returning to normal operations.
"We are reopening some of the senior services. First of all, we're actually doing it in stages, so we're slowly working our way to fully reopening," said Gail Wilson, executive director of Sumter Senior Services. "As of right now, we have three small groups of around 52 seniors in attendance. They come Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. For two hours, we do activities with them, we play games with them, and we just let them be and tell us what's on their mind."
For many local seniors, not being able to access the organization's programming and services during the pandemic was detrimental to their mental and physical health because, for many, it is their main source of socialization.
"Many say it was almost as if a family member had been away for a long period of time," Wilson said. "Returning for the first time has brought great joy to our hearts when they walked in the door, and they were so excited to be here. A lot of them share with us that during the pandemic, they were alone most of the time. One particular senior said recently that when we closed down, it was as if a part of her shut down as well."
Along with initiating a slow transition back to normal operations, the center is still practicing COVID-19 safety protocols.
"When they come, they can see we're going through to make sure that they remain safe. We are requiring everyone to wear masks, and when we play games, we put on gloves. Knowing that these extra precautions have taken place means a great deal to the senior population of the county. It means a lot for them to have something to look forward to," Wilson said.
The center is not asking attendees if they are vaccinated, but they are checking temperatures upon entrance, and everyone is seated in a socially distanced fashion.
Statewide and locally, residents aged 65 or older are vaccinated at the highest rate. They are also the most at risk for developing severe illness or dying from COVID-19.
Nearly 14,000 of the more than 36,500 Sumter County residents who have received at least one vaccine are 65 or older, according to state public health data. However, Sumter County has the fourth-worst rate of vaccination completion and is the 15th most populous county in S.C. in terms of overall population and those aged 12 and older and therefore eligible to get the vaccine.
According to sumterseniorservices.org, the center has "begun its phased reopening plan for limited client attendance on a 'by appointment only' schedule. Center activities including bingo, fitness and more. Small groups are scheduled for attendance periodically throughout the month. Social distancing guidelines are enforced, and masks are required. See center calendars for more details or call (803) 773-5508."
https://www.theitem.com/stories/sumter-senior-services-transitioning-into-post-pandemic-operations,367387?
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