While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the way most Americans live their lives, almost nobody has been hit as hard as senior citizens. Nursing homes were subject to some of the longest and strictest limitations from the state, while rules about physical contact left many feeling isolated. Fortunately for Macon County seniors, their local senior center has been open to them all throughout the pandemic, even if it hasn’t always been in the traditional sense.
After a long absence of in-person activities, the Crawford Senior Center is holding physical classes in their building again for seniors to gather and enrich themselves. Many of the classes cover low-impact exercise techniques, while others focus on artistic pursuits. There’s a tight limit on how many people can be in each class since the virus is still very much a factor, but it’s a step in the right direction for seniors who couldn’t come to the center in a long time.
“Currently, we are offering seated Tai Chi, yoga, beginner watercolor, jewelry making, simple effective exercise and a life stories writing group in person,” said administrative officer Jennifer Hollifield. “All of these classes have class size limits and pre-registration is required.”
Many of these activities also have online options for anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable going out yet or who can’t travel for whatever reason. Volunteer Terry Freeman says that about twice as many people take her yoga class via Zoom as in person. It’s not the exact same feel as a physical yoga group, but everyone can see each other and interact, so there’s still a valuable social component.
“Even when we don’t get to be there in person and we don’t get that group energy, we still get to be together,” Freeman said. “It’s a way for all of us to continue working and growing.”
One of the most important programs the center offers is their congregate meals. They can’t have everyone together in the dining room, but volunteers have spent the entire pandemic providing the same food in a drive thru format. There’s also a home delivery option for homebound seniors, but its implementation is limited due to a shortage of drivers. Still, the drive thru distributes hundreds of meals every week to people in need. Jo Philips, who takes care of her husband and mother, says that being able to count on one big meal for her family that’s cheap, convenient and tasty makes a huge difference in her day.
“I’m a caregiver and these are our main meals,” Phillips said. “And you couldn’t have nicer people giving them out. When you drive up, they look at you like you’re the whole reason they came to work today.”
The center has been so successful over the past year and a half of crisis that it even earned a Center of Excellence award from the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services. It’s the second time the center has received the five-year recognition for providing various high-quality services. Hollifield credits the award to her workforce and the passion they demonstrate for helping vulnerable people in their community.
“I am very proud of the dedication my staff has shown, especially over the last one and a half years,” Hollifield said. “Their commitment to providing quality programs for the older adults in Macon County is incredible and unwavering. They are all very proud of the work they do, and it shows.”
Assuming the community keeps taking the necessary steps to alleviate the pandemic, options and capacity at the center will increase with time. Over 250 people are already benefitting from one service or another from the center on any given day, and they’d all like to see more seniors utilize one of the community’s most important resources.
“Don’t just sit at home alone all day,” said Beverly Driscoll, who takes six classes a week at the center. “There’s something for everyone here.”
Seniors interested in registering for activities at the Crawford Senior Center can call 828- 349-2058. Prospective volunteers can call the community resource center at 828-349-0211.