ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. — After being closed for the last six years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Stay Fit Congregate Dining program has reopened inside an upstate Senior Center for older adults like 84-year-old Alan Barager.
“I enjoy coming here. Don’t have to cook for myself or my wife doesn’t have to cook for these meals,” said Alan, a client of the Stay Fit Congregate Dining Program in Elma.
What You Need To Know
The older adult dining site in Elma has re-opened after initially closing during COVID
Not only do dining sites provide a good meal, but also the chance for older adults to socialize
Leaders urge older adults to still be cautious of COVID
Twice a week, the Erie County dining site provides a nutritious lunch prepared and delivered by FeedMore Western New York, a non-profit organization that works to alleviate hunger in the region.
Not only do guests get to eat, but they also get a chance to socialize and catch up.
“It’s good for people to be with other people. Eating with other people, so I think it’s great for seniors. People don’t like to be alone,” said Barager.
“We’re getting people out of the house. We’re bringing them to the senior center where they can interact with their friends and neighbors,” said Randy Hoak, commissioner, Erie County Department for the Aging.
Hoak says a lack of interaction can seriously impact an older adult’s mental and physical health.
He says that a combination of uncertainty in funding, capacity within his department, and the readiness of the site led to the extended closure.
“Long time coming. But we’ve been able to get everyone together, get everybody on the same page, and bring this program back.” Hoak said.
“Word of mouth and people saying how much they like the food is a plus. They don’t always cook a full meal because it’s just them,” said Kathy Markowski, kitchen staff, Stay Fit Congregate Dining Program.
Markowski helps out in the kitchen and says that while combating social isolation is important to older adults, they still need to be cautious about their health.
“You hear about people still getting COVID. It still is something that is going on. So it’s not like it totally went away,” said Markowski.
Barager says he’s not concerned about COVID and encourages others to visit a dining program near them.
“It’s really good food. There’s a lot going on, and keep people busy and not just sitting home alone,” Barager said.
County leaders also credit the recently passed New York state budget for financially supporting and expanding programming for older adults.