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SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state of Michigan rising daily, local facilities are taking precautions to ensure the health of those most at risk.

Following recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, southwest Michigan senior centers have decided to close amid concerns about the spread of COVID-19, known as the coronavirus. The Buchanan Area Senior Center and the Cass County Council on Aging both closed their doors Tuesday to help protect their clientele, primarily senior citizens who are considered to be a population at high risk of serious illness due to the virus. The Greater Niles Senior Center has been closed since Monday.

“This was a difficult decision,” said Marty Heirty, chief executive officer of the COA. “It was something we struggled with because a lot of the programs and services we have are so needed that we don’t want to close down. But we also recognize that the population we serve is very susceptible to this.” 

“Usually, we try to stay open as much as possible to keep our seniors healthy, so it’s a real reversal of the norm,” added Adam Burck, director of the Buchanan Area Senior Center.

While doors at both COA locations may be closed, the COA will continue to provide services. Its Meals on Wheels program will continue to deliver to homebound seniors throughout the facility’s closure, with extra frozen meals prepared to be delivered in cases where staff cannot reach all routes. While the COA’s dining rooms in Cassopolis and Dowagiac are shut down during the closure, the COA will be allowing seniors to pick up congregate meals curbside at its Cassopolis location. Meals can be reserved by calling the day before or by 9:30 a.m. the day of to request a meal for take out.

Additionally, for any seniors in Cass County who are planning to self-quarantine as a precaution, the COA can deliver up to five meals free of charge.

Outside of its meal programs, the COA will continue its in-home care services. In cases where the COA may be short-staffed, cases will be prioritized based on need. The COA’s medical transportation rides will be limited to only medical appointments identified as a high priority, such as dialysis and cancer treatments. Other appointments are recommended to be rescheduled.

Finally, the COA’s Adult Day Services, which cares for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, will be operating on an emergency base only.

While the COA’s services may be limited for the next few weeks, staff said they would be happy to help connect any senior to resources they may need if they call the facility at (269) 445-8110.

“We are here to help people,” said Lori Hardy, care services team lead. “If [seniors] are needing assistance, we ask that they call and share what they are needing, so we can see how we can help them.”

Heirty is hoping the COA will be able to reopen April 6 but is preparing to potentially extend the facility’s closure based on guidance from the state and the CDC.

“With the way things are changing, that’s a hope at this point,” he said. “We will try to open as soon as possible — as soon as it is safe for our seniors.”

Roughly 24 miles away in Berrien County, the Buchanan Area Senior Center will also continue with meal services at this time, delivering Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors and providing packed lunches for those who get congregate meals to pick up at the center.

The Buchanan Senior Center plans to close until March 31 and reevaluate the closure April 1, depending on government advice.

Though director Burck said the decision to close was not made lightly, he believes it is the right decision to help protect the health of local seniors.

“We hope that you stay healthy during this unusual time,” he said. “We will miss our daily interaction with our senior patrons, but we had to make the difficult decision to close to keep our seniors healthy.”