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
Posted: March 22, 2020 by ypsisradmin
Meals Available for Pickup
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.
Last Updated: March 13, 2020 by ypsisradmin
Center Closes until April 4 due to COVID-19
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
Stage 2: Limited Closure
Stage 3: Complete Closure (currently in effect)
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:
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
Posted: March 1, 2020 by ypsisradmin
March 2020 – From the Director
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
Posted: February 9, 2020 by ypsisradmin
February 2020 – From the Director
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.
Posted: December 5, 2019 by ypsisradmin
Anniversary Party December 15
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!
Last Updated: December 5, 2019 by ypsisradmin
2019 Winter Jewelry Sale December 7
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.
Last Updated: November 9, 2019 by ypsisradmin
We Care Connect Memory Cafe Radio Interview
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.
Posted: November 9, 2019 by ypsisradmin
November 2019 – From the Director
The Census is coming in 2020. A postcard with a special code number will come in the mail by April 1, 2020. You will be directed to a website to fill out your information. Don’t throw away that postcard. It is important that everyone is counted. Michigan is allocated about $1800 of Federal funding per person per year that is counted in the state. In April we will have a completion day at the center. I am hoping to get students with laptops to help anyone that needs to fill in their information for the census. The Area Agency on Aging is making a video about possible scams that may be coming from the census. When it is completed we will show it at the center and give a link to watch it online. Snow Birds: Make sure you fill out the information for your Michigan address.
Mark your calendars: December 7 is our Jewelry sale. Help us out by setting up on Friday or working on Saturday. We will have flyers out soon. Pass them out to your friends and post them where you can. Come and shop the beautiful selection that were donated.
We are all caregivers. Whether it is a spouse, a neighbor, a child or a friend, we all care for others. In the new year we will host a few workshops for caregivers. It will be a way to make sure everyone is taken care of including the caregiver. I am hoping it will also strengthen our community. More to come.
The center is planning to have a Holiday craft show on November 16th. from 11- 4. If you want to show and sell your art and craft items see Monica before November 8. If we do not have enough crafters signing up we will need to cancel the event. Stay tuned.
Last Updated: November 9, 2019 by ypsisradmin
October 2019 – From the Director
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.
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