The COVID 19 outbreak of 2020 was especially hard on the senior population across the country with Kentucky being no exception. During the shut down that started March 2020, the Supplemental Nutrition Education Assistant Senior in Madison County teamed up with the parenting educator also at the Madison County Cooperative Extension Office to provide both Senior Citizens Centers with nutrition information as well as senior appropriate physical activity publications, parenting & caregiver information and mental health information and activities. The last two years have had a lasting affect on this demographic of our population as many are still confined to their homes, depending on county community agencies for everyday support.

Today, the Senior Citizen Centers in Madison County are open on a limited basis, with its members attending in a staggered schedule. The center director at the Richmond location asked the Assistant Senior to resume in person nutrition classes in the spring of 2022. With only seven members attending, the nutrition program seems successful as all seven have participated in every class offered so far. One reporting that during a wellness call from her health insurance provider, she asks them not to call again. Telling them, “I have a girl at the Senior Center who teaches all about that and gives me the power to make my own decisions!” This center now has four separate groups, two in person and two outreach. The “Monday” group as mentioned above, is in person as well as a “Wednesday” group that comes for a Tai Chi class each week with nutrition classes scheduled to start in June 2022. The “outreach” groups are made up of one set that are seniors either caring for grandchildren or aging family members and one that are seniors who live alone and are homebound. The Assistant discontinued outreach publications when the centers reopened but with an outpouring of concerned phone calls, the director asked that she reconsider. The Director explained to the Assistant that the meals she delivers, and the publications included with them are the only outside contact these folks have had for the last two years. Many use the physical activity sheets for themselves as well as the loved ones they care for. They have learned to cook healthier and grocery shop healthier as well. Most all recipients have reported to the Director that these are a kind of lifeline that keep them motivated and inspire them to take charge of their own situation. It also gives them something to talk with the neighbors about.