­­­ENFIELD –  The Enfield Senior Center may currently be closed, but the staff has been hard at work providing a wide variety of fun, entertaining and helpful activities for the seniors in town. Senior Center Manager, Sheila Grady, said, “It has been a different time here at the Senior Center. We miss everyone so much. Many seniors have been utilizing our walking path and using our grounds to meet with friends, adhering to social distancing guidelines, of course.”

She continued, “We even have had some members visit through our windows. We send out weekly mass e-mails and phone calls to keep in touch and provide updates on current programs that are happening. The center is also doing grab and go meals and is still lending and accepting donations of medical equipment.”  

Some services still being offered include informational seminars on topics such as Medicare and COVID-19.

Those who previously participated in the grab and go meal plan can also still pick up meals for an entire week every Monday. Also still being offered through the center is the medical equipment loan program. All equipment is sterilized and quarantined for at least 72 hours before being loaned out.

Additionally, a virtual dementia caregivers group affiliated with Hartford Health is available four times per week. Caregivers are able to join a virtual group by calling the center.?The senior center is also offering a program which enables seniors to participate virtually in a variety of occupational therapy activities offered in conjunction with Bay Path Occupational Therapy.

Also being offered is an Ask a Realtor program, where people can make an appointment the first Wednesday of the month and participate in a free phone meeting. Lastly, various legal consultations are offering free appointments.?However, appointments need to be made ahead of time.

On June 30, the Community Health Center also sponsored a COVID testing site in the parking lot at the Center.

June saw a variety of events, such as a wreath making activity where seniors used materials provided by Wreaths at Home, which were distributed via curbside pickup at the center, and then assemble the craft at home or via a Zoom meeting with instructions.  

Another popular activity was the Puzzle Hunt, where participants were provided with clues to locate four bags of puzzle pieces hidden on the grounds of the center.  After the hunt, people took the pieces home to assemble. They could then take a picture of their completed puzzle to have it posted on the center’s Facebook page.

Two one-woman shows by Cheryl Faye were also presented via Zoom. The shows were based on the lives of Helen Keller and Eleanor Roosevelt.   

Additionally, a reverse parade took place on June 30, where seniors drove by the center to wave, say hello from their cars, and receive a sweet surprise - cheesecake.

Every Tuesday, seniors gather via a Zoom meeting at 11 a.m. to play Scattergories, and every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. to participate in a virtual coffee hour. The coffee hour also provides a chance to connect and chat with others from the safety of their home.  

A pen-pal program is also in the process of being established  for interested members. The group would allow seniors to correspond with local Girl Scout troops.?In addition to providing seniors with someone to communicate with, the program will help the Girl Scouts earn a merit badge.

Another popular activity has been the Take it and Make It program. The program allows participants to pick up a featured craft kit and take it home to assemble.  Greeting card kits have also been popular.?The kits are an ongoing program, with two craft kits made available each week.

Zumba classes have been offered online, and starting in July, stability ball classes will be available on YouTube.  Also coming in July is a virtual Trivia Night on July 8, virtual bingo at 11 a.m. on July 21 and a four-week healthy brain series presented by Hartford Healthcare.  

Grady said, “Although it is quiet here without all our seniors, we are busy answering questions and providing fun, informative and engaging activities.  It is definitely a different way of life, but together we will get through this.  We will continue to be here every week day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer questions and come up with creative ways to keep everyone connected.”   

While it’s unknown when the center will reopen their doors and how the center will run once their doors do reopen, Grady said one thing will remain the same. Grady said, “When we do reopen, the daily operations may look different, but the welcoming atmosphere will be the same.”

Those interested in activities hosted by the Center can find more information on the center’s Facebook page, or their website at www.enfield-ct.gov/seniors.?Interested people can also call the center at 860-763-7425, or send them an email at seniorcenter@enfield.org.