Putnam Closes Senior Centers, Adult Day Service Sites For 2 Weeks

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Putnam County will close its senior centers and adult day service sites for two weeks from Monday through and including March 27, as the new coronavirus outbreak continues to spread. Meals will instead be delivered at home for those who need them, and many services will still be available or even expanded.

There were 421 cases of the new coronavirus confirmed in New York as of midday Friday, more than half of them in the Hudson Valley. Senior citizens and people with underlying health conditions are most at risk from the virus officially known as COVID-19.

“We made this difficult decision out of an abundance of caution and concern for the health and well-being of our seniors due to the growing coronavirus outbreak,” County Executive MaryEllen Odell said in an announcement Friday afternoon. “It is based on the recommendations of the medical community, which is telling all of us to avoid crowds. Since seniors are particularly vulnerable to this virus, it is just better to be safe than sorry.”

The Office of Senior Resources will expand its home delivered meal services while the senior centers are closed. Those who currently receive home delivered meals will continue to do so.

In addition, seniors who regularly attend the nutrition sites and who have been identified as in need of continued nutrition support will get meals delivered, OSR Director Michael Cunningham said.

“No one in need will go hungry because of this necessary decision,” Cunningham said. “Our staff will continue to work throughout this period, delivering more meals than ever before. Plus, we are always just a phone call away.”

In addition to meals, services will also still be available to the county’s seniors during this time:

• Telephone reassurance and expanded outreach to our at-risk seniors and site participants
• Caregiver support
• Legal Services
• HIICAP health insurance counseling and assistance
• EISEP and home health aide support
• HEAP home energy assistance

The sites affected are the Carmel friendship Center, the Putnam Valley Friendship Center, the Friendship Center at Philipstown and the William Koehler Senior Center in Mahopac.

Here is the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19):

• The following people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness:
  • Older adults
  • People who have serious chronic medical conditions such as:
    • Heart disease
    • Diabetes
    • Lung disease
• Those of us who are at higher risk should:
  • Stock up on essential supplies and have adequate medications at home.
  • Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
  • When you go out in public
    • keep away from others who are sick,
    • limit close contact and
    • wash your hands often.
  • Avoid crowds as much as possible.
  • Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
  • During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.

Seniors who have questions can call the Office of Senior Resources at (845) 808-1700.

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