Coronavirus forces Glendale’s elderly nutrition program to-go
Lunchtime at Glendale’s Adult Recreation Center usually involves groups of seniors gathered around tables, talking about their day while digging into a hot meal — then the coronavirus happened.
On Thursday the city said it will temporarily modify its elderly nutrition program in order to limit the potential spread of the novel coronavirus. Seniors who rely on the program will now have to get their meals to-go as the city has been directed by the Los Angeles County Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services Department to suspend all older adult social gatherings until further notice.
The risk of serious illness from COVID-19 is far greater for the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions, according to public health officials.
When participants began to gather in the front lobby of the recreation center to pick up their meals, workers encouraged them to quickly line up and take their food.
Many were told to refrain from carrying their food into the center and congregating.
Carin Memmer, 62, knows the changes were done out of an abundance of caution but still thinks it’s dispiriting.
“It’s frightening and the whole nation seems to be going in that direction,” she said. “I guess we’ll have to get used to it.”
Memmer said a big part of the meal program was the ability to socialize with her friends and enjoy each other’s company. Now they’re just “isolated seniors going through some line.”
Meals will be distributed at the Adult Recreation Center seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meals can also be picked up during the same hours at Sparr Heights Community Center on Mondays through Fridays and at Pacific Community Center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Seniors in the Dial-A-Ride program can still get their meals from the pickup locations and will be handed their meals by a city employee, according to authorities.
Reservations a day in advance are required to pick up a meal and can be made by calling (818) 548-3775.
