By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Some of the most vulnerable residents of Wood County will be reassured next week that getting the COVID-19 vaccine is safe.
That message will come from Dr. Tom Milbrodt – a retired Bowling Green physician, who serves on the boards of both the Wood County Health Department and the Wood County Committee on Aging.
“I think they’re looking for reassurances,” said Denise Niese, director of Wood County Committee on Aging. “They’re not sure about it. They’ve heard so many myths about it.”
So Milbrodt is the perfect person to put seniors’ minds at ease about the vaccine, Niese said.
“He’s a familiar face,” she said.
“We want to encourage the older adult population to take advantage and get the vaccine,” Niese said.
Milbrodt talked about his Zoom presentation on vaccines during Wednesday’s meeting of the Wood County Committee on Aging. He plans to talk about the history of vaccines, and the safety of the COVID vaccine.
The Zoom program on the vaccine is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 2 p.m. Anyone interested may access the Zoom Link at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87578029670?pwd=TXErYkwzck9JRDhNaXQzUm82YlhWUT09 with meeting ID: 875 7802 9670 and password: vaccine.
Initially, the Wood County Committee on Aging and Wood County Health Department were planning to partner up, with nursing staff riding along with the home-delivered meals staff. However it was determined that would not work, Niese said, since people need to be observed for at least 15 minutes for any adverse reactions from the vaccine.
So instead, seniors will be asked to schedule appointments to get the vaccine when it is available. But Niese assured that if seniors couldn’t travel to the vaccine, then it would be brought to them.
Also at Wednesday’s meeting, Jim Stainbrook gave an update on the new senior center being constructed on South Grove Street. The project is now 85% complete.
The first piece of equipment ordered last February for the new facility – the elevator – will finally be installed starting on Thursday.
“We’re very pleased, as I’m sure you are if you’ve ridden our existing elevator,” Stainbrook said.
Interior painting, shelving, restroom fixtures, and the center stairway are being worked on this week. The gas to the lounge fireplace will be installed next week, he said.
Staff will be trained on the new facility in February.
Niese reported that the committee of Nadine Edwards, Beverley Hirzel and Nancy Orel have selecting floor coverings, countertops, tiles, restroom tiles, door finishes and are discussing furnishings. They have finalized the selection of furnishings for the lounge/coffee area and dining room chairs. The Friends of WCCOA will be covering the cost of these furnishings.
Also at the meeting, board president Eric Myers thanked Niese for her leadership during a difficult year.
“We are so lucky to have her as the leader of our organization,” he said.
Myers also praised the staff for adapting to the pandemic – requiring frequent COVID testing, and the delivering of about 700 meals a day.
“I can’t say enough good things about the people we employ,” he said.
Myers announced his goals for 2021:
- Successful move into the new facility.
- Revision of the bylaws.
- Successful audit.
- Passage of the levy in November,.
- Opening of all eight senior centers, and resumption of programming.
Also at the meeting, new board members Tim McCarthy and Jim Miles were sworn in by Wood County Probate Judge David Woessner.
In other business, Niese reported on:
- Staffing, saying that the North Baltimore driver position has been filled, and the final interview process for a program and wellness specialist is underway.
- Reopening plans at senior center satellite sites. The Perrysburg Area Senior Center is beginning to offer programming in January. All offerings are limited to less than 10 participants, with registration required. The Wood County Health Department/Wood County Wellness Center continues to assist with the testing by providing clinical staff to supervise the swabbing process. There will be no congregate activities or in-person exercise classes until the state restrictions are modified.
- AARP Tax Assistance normally offered at the senior center. Appointments began to be taken on Jan. 11 with the tax preparation/processing beginning Feb. 16 through March 31. This service will be conducted from the future adult day area of the new WCCOA/WCSC building. Mosser Construction has made it possible that the area will have occupancy permitted for the tax program.
- COVID-19 Testing, explaining the WCCOA continues testing every two weeks of all staff and for volunteers upon request, if they have a concern or suspect that they have had an exposure. Further, testing will be offered to all AARP tax aide volunteers to reinforce the safety of this service for both volunteers and the clients.
