HADLEY — Most programs at the Hadley Senior Center, which operates out of the parish hall at Most Holy Redeemer Church, are being canceled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hayley Wood, director of Hadley Senior Services, announced Friday that with the exception of essential services, all public programs, classes and activities will not be held beginning Monday.
Staff will continue to be on site and respond to phone calls and emails.
The essential services that will continue include van rides, meals and brown bag distribution, and medical equipment pickups.
The van rides Monday, Wednesday and Friday will go only to grocery stores and medical appointments in Hadley, Northampton and Amherst, but not to the malls. Due to social distancing recommendations, the cap on passengers will be six.
Highland Valley Elder Services will continue to deliver lunches, which will be individually packaged so people can take them home. Delivery will be arranged for those who are homebound.
Outreach Coordinator Lauren Hannigan will continue to be available by phone for consultation regarding social services, public benefits or other individual needs, but home visits are suspended.
Foot care appointments on March 16 and March 27will be honored, and residents in need of services relating to selecting health insurance and applying for MassHealth can continue to make appointments with Wood.
People in need of walkers, wheelchairs, crutches and other medial equipment can make requests to have them delivered or picked up.
The center’s efforts follow the town’s guidelines on social distancing, hand washing and hygiene, as well as on limiting gatherings of 50 or more people — and 20 or more people 60 or over or with underlying health conditions.
Another guideline is to limit home visits by professionals with the Council on Aging, health and fire inspectors, and police officers. On-site visits will be screened for the presence of illness and officials will maintain distance from people when these are taking place.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
