By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County’s senior centers remain open for business despite staffing shortages due to COVID.
On Wednesday, Wood County Committee on Aging President Paul Herringshaw thanked the staff for their efforts keeping the centers and services in operation.
“It’s been a rough couple of weeks being short staffed,” Herringshaw said during the monthly meeting of the WCCOA.
Currently, nine of 42 staff members are out sick, according to Denise Niese, WCCOA executive director.
The senior centers are continuing to require all unvaccinated staff to be tested every two weeks, Niese said. The testing is also offered to other staff who want to check on their status.
“We are experiencing breakthrough situations,” Niese said.
The remaining staff has been flexible and working hard to get services covered, she added.
“Staff has been stretched,” Niese said.
The WCCOA is continuing the more stringent protocols of allowing staff to return to work 14 days after testing positive, and after a negative PCR test for COVID. The CDC has shortened those required days away from work, but Niese said she wanted to stick with the previous requirements.
“We are maintaining the highest standards because of the vulnerable population,” she said.
The senior centers are also continuing to require that masks be worn by all in the facilities.
Despite the staffing shortages, the seniors are continuing to show up for the services offered. Reservations for the annual Great Decisions programs are up. All the senior centers are still offering in-person lunches. The lunchtime at the busiest location, in Bowling Green, has been extended from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., to allow seniors to space out more in the dining room.
The exercise classes still have attendance caps, and reservations must be made for movie showings.
“Some days we have to move it to a larger room,” Niese said.
In other business at Wednesday’s meeting:
- Wood County Common Pleas Judge Matt Reger swore in new board president Paul Herringshaw, and board members John Calderonello, Susan Hart-Douglas, Louis Katzner and Nancy Orel.
- Learned from Niese that the production kitchen’s walk-in cooler floor has deteriorated to the point of needing replacement. The work will cost $22,215.
