On March 23, 2020, Governor Whitmer of Michigan issued an Executive Order (EO) requiring all businesses to refrain from requiring workers to leave their homes except to the extent that a worker is necessary to “sustain or protect life” or “to conduct minimum basic operations” at the business.  Additionally, the EO allows individuals to “work or volunteer for businesses or operations (including both and religious and secular nonprofit organizations) that provide food, shelter, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals, individuals who need assistance as a result of this emergency, and people with disabilities.” The current EO remains effective through April 30, 2020.

The food and agricultural industries have been designated an essential service so the people who provide that service are essential. The EO allows businesses/organizations to designate specific volunteers to carry out these minimum basic operations.  Volunteers who have been designated by the nonprofit Ypsilanti Senior Center as individuals who are essential to food service and food delivery for the Ypsilanti Senior Center are part of this group. 

Volunteers should remember that while they are conducting these minimum basic operations, they should abide by the EO’s requirement to continue practicing “social distancing” and other mitigation measures recommended by the State and CDC.  The pertinent section of the EO that outlines these measures is as follows:

(1) Restricting the number of workers present on premises to no more than is strictly necessary to perform the business’s or operation’s critical infrastructure functions.

(2) Promoting remote work to the fullest extent possible.

(3) Keeping workers and patrons who are on premises at least six feet from one another to the maximum extent possible, including for customers who are standing in line.

(4) Increasing standards of facility cleaning and disinfection to limit worker and patron exposure to COVID-19, as well as adopting protocols to clean and disinfect in the event of a positive COVID-19 case in the workplace.

(5) Adopting policies to prevent workers from entering the premises if they display respiratory symptoms or have had contact with a person who is known or suspected to have COVID-19.

(6) Any other social distancing practices and mitigation measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

Should volunteers have any questions regarding duties during this time, or obligations to ensure that the above mitigation measures are being followed in the performance of duties, please contact Monica Prince.

Thank you for your continued support during these challenging times.

The Ypsilanti Senior Center will have shelf-stable food packages towards the end of next week and frozen meals the following week available to anyone over the age of 60.  Please call the center 734-483-5014 to reserve your meals. An eligibility form needs to be completed and brought to your first pick-up.  Please pass this on to anyone that might benefit.

The Ypsilanti Senior Center has closed until at least April 4 due to actions taken in relation to COVID-19.  See the notice from the Center below and in PDF.  Updates will be posted here as the situation evolves.  If you have any questions or concerns, especially with regard to receipt of meals that had been provided by the meal program, contact the Center via phone during its normal business hours to reach a staff member. 

Ypsilanti Senior Center Update – COVID-19 Preparedness

In light of Gov. Whitmer’s March 10, 2020 declared State of Emergency and related concerns over the spread of coronavirus (COVID 19) in Michigan, the Ypsilanti Senior Center’s Board of Directors has adopted the following protocol to protect the health and safety of program participants, employees, volunteers, and community members. The Ypsilanti Senior Center will continue to monitor and take guidance from federal, state, and local health organizations, including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, and the Washtenaw County Health Department.

Stage 1: Heightened Awareness

• Current health department guidelines will be prominently displayed;
• Individuals at the Ypsilanti Senior Center will be reminded that handwashing is critically important to preventing the spread of illness. Hand sanitizer will be readily available for frequent use;
• Extra diligence will be used to disinfect objects/surfaces which may harbor the virus by staff and volunteers;
• Employees/volunteers feeling sick will be directed to stay home;
• Visitors displaying symptoms will be asked not to visit the Ypsilanti Senior Center;
• Frequency of current cleaning protocols will be increased;
• Additional signage to encourage users to practice healthy personal hygiene habits.

Stage 2: Limited Closure

• Only programs deemed to be essential will take place (i.e. nutrition/meal program);
• Only essential employees/volunteers will be permitted at the Ypsilanti Senior Center;
• Ypsilanti Senior Center will take all reasonable steps to fulfill essential program needs while simultaneously minimizing contact with potentially-infected individuals (i.e. providing meals to be picked up/delivered);
• Above Stage 1 protocol will be followed.

Stage 3: Complete Closure (currently in effect)

• All Ypsilanti Senior Center programs/events will be indefinitely suspended;
• All Ypsilanti Senior Center employees will be directed to work from home.

Stage 3 is currently in effect. The stage currently in effect will be published on our website www.ypsiseniorcenter.org. Please check the website before visiting the Center.

In addition to our efforts, there are steps you can take to help keep you and the Senior Center safe:

• Stay home if you feel sick. The best thing for you and for others is to stay home.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and immediately throw the tissue in the trash and clean hands by washing or with sanitizer.
• Consider alternatives to shaking hands for greetings

The Ypsilanti Senior Center is committed to keeping all those affected by the State of Emergency fully informed. The Ypsilanti Senior Center will start development of a phone-tree system so that members of our community can be quickly informed of any developments.

Thank you in advance for your patience, understanding, and cooperation during this stressful situation. Please do not hesitate to contact the Ypsilanti Senior Center with any questions or concerns. Like “Ypsilanti Senior Center” on Facebook for updates on the Senior Center’s status.

Other Resources

This situation may change quickly. Ypsilanti Senior Center Staff & Board of Directors are continually monitoring the situation with local agency partners. We are committed to sharing new information as it becomes available. Please refer to the following websites for the most current information:

Washtenaw County Health Department Updates

How to be Prepared for Coronavirus Fact Sheet

COVID-19 What you Need to Know Fact Sheet

COVID-19 Map

CDC Flu Estimates

The 2020 Census is nearly here!  There are 3 ways to fill out the census, internet, phone or paper.  We are here to help. No one will be coming to your door until May and only if you don’t fill out the survey before then.   Census workers will never ask for Social Security number or any financial information. More information is available at the center.

Are you caring for someone that is living with dementia?  The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is presenting a free Caregiver Survival seminar on March 12 at the center.  Consider registering for this valuable workshop.

The Center can use your help.  We are working hard to raise the finances needed to support and expand our programming.  Do you like to help organize fundraisers or special events?  Do you like to make phone calls to potential donors that will help at an event?   Do you like to help facilitate these events like setting up, cleaning up and helping serve at the event?  Give your contact information and interest to Monica or Nancy.

I am looking for a few good people to help with our Intergenerational Project.  I would like to form an advisory group that would meet with younger people to look at how we can become a hub of intergenerational activities.  Please let me know if you are interested.

In our backyard there is a daycare center that is run by the YMCA.  They would love to have older adults volunteer to come and read or play with the children.  I was at the daycare one day to talk with the director.  The children were very engaging.  While I waited for the director they showed me what they were doing and included me in their activities.  It was so much fun.  If your interested in volunteering follow this link:  https://www.research.net/r/AAYMCAVolunteer

— Monica Prince

February is Black History Month, “an annual celebration of achievements of African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of Blacks in US history.” Thanks to DeLois Wilson, there is an information page later in the newsletter.

In March you will receive a postcard in the mail from the US census.  Don’t throw it away!  There is a special code for your household on it.  We will have times at the center in March and April for you to fill out the census online.  We will have computers set up and helpers to assist you in filling it out.  It is very easy.  We have a sample of the questions at the center.  No one will be coming to your door, and never give out your personal information to anyone.

With the newsletter there is a short survey.  The Ypsilanti Senior Center board is doing some long term planning.  We would like to see how you think we’re doing, what you like or dislike.  We would also like to quote you in our brochures and advertising materials.  Please take a few minutes to fill it out and return it to the center.  Be as brief or wordy as you would like.  We appreciate your time and interest in our programming.

We will be starting a new phase with our partnership with Generations United soon.  If you have an interest in working with the team of seniors and young people,  please let me know.  Exciting things are happening!

The center board has formed a fundraising committee.    We would love for you to consider helping us raise money to keep the center going and expand our activities.  We are meeting monthly at this time.  There is no restriction on the amount of time you can put in.  We can use people that want to help out at fundraisers, those that can write grants, those that like to talk to potential donors and those that have good ideas.  Let me know how you can help.

Help us celebrate the 58th anniversary of the Ypsilanti Senior Center!

Sunday December 15, 2019
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Join us for cake and music.  We are fortunate to have the Community Music School of Ann Arbor in attendance.  They will perform at 4:00 pm.  We hope to see you there!

Visit the Senior Center between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm on Saturday, December 7 to shop the annual Winter Jewelry Sale!  There are many new pieces from which to select.  All proceeds go to supporting the activities of the Center.

The Ypsilanti Senior Center sat down with WEMU to talk about the Senior Center’s “We Care Connect” Memory Cafe in April 2019.  We Care Connect is a safe and judgment free environment that provides as a respite from the constant emotional turmoil brought on by dementia. This opportunity is provided to caregivers and persons living with memory loss to engage in social conversation, creative and entertaining activities, and develop friendships for mutual support.

Read the Concentrate piece on it on https://www.secondwavemedia.com/concentrate/features/memorycafe0499.aspx and listen to the full interview on https://www.wemu.org/post/otgypsi-memory-cafes-maintain-social-skills-local-seniors.

We’ve got a month and a half to go.   Heartland is sponsoring a competition among the senior centers to collect new socks, hats, gloves, and new or gently used coats to be donated to a good cause.   So far we have 3 coats, 5 hats and 1 scarf.  Please do not place other clothes in the collection bin.  Donations should be made before November 15.  The winning center will be treated to pie, ice cream and a turkey raffle all served by David Liebrecht dressed as a turkey.

We are also collecting items to send to the troops for the holidays.

Do you have a disability? Or are you a senior who needs help clearing snow off your sidewalk? The Washtenaw County Sheriff Department’s Community Work Program offers snow removal for seniors & people with disabilities. Every year the WCSO Community Work Program assists in clearing snow for approximately 170 households throughout the county. If you are interested in receiving assistance with snow removal from the Community Work Program, please call 734- 973-4867. This service is VERY popular so the earlier in the autumn you call, the better.

Mark your calendars!  The center is planning to have a Holiday craft show on November 16 from 11- 4.  If you want to show your art and craft items, there is an application in the newsletter.