A center that watches over the elderly during the pandemic

A group of seniors from East Los Angeles listened intently to a presentation about depression. This is how they were encouraged to share the difficulties they faced for almost two years when they were in isolation to prevent the spread of covid – 14.

They also appreciated that the East Los Angeles Service Center, a Los Angeles County community center that helps seniors, reopened its doors to offer its services again in person.

Among them was Silvia Corona, from 64 years, who has been a member of the site for the past three years. She began to go with her husband, from 81 years old, who suffers from Alzheimer’s.

“Before the pandemic we both came for the lunch because what they give here is nutritious and warm ”, he expressed.

However, in February of 2020, her husband was admitted to the hospital but when he left they could no longer return to the center – the state health authorities had already given the order to close establishments due to the coronavirus.

“My biggest fear was that the covid would hit him,” said Corona. “So I started creating my own world at home… I tidied up my garden, cleaned the house and I like to take care of my cacti, I have several.”

Today she feels grateful because despite the closure, the center staff never left them. She and her husband received one phone call a week to find out how they were doing. They also reminded them that they could go pick up a food pantry.

“We passed in the car and they I put things in the trunk. There was no contact, that made us feel safe, “said Corona.

The East LA Service Center, part of the Los Angeles County Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services (WDACS), reopened its doors partial on October 1, 2021.

This is one of the 14 centers Los Angeles County Resource .

Sylvia Soto, director of the community center, said that the staff experienced the sadness felt by the members who frequented the place when they were told that the center was closed to avoid contagion.

However, they knew that they should continue to help the elderly, who he many times their visits to the center meant their only way out.

car or on foot, ”Soto said. “Later we began to take the old people the food and essential products to the door of their houses, because they could not go out.”

Also they dedicated themselves to telephoning long-time members to make sure they were okay or if they needed anything. It is estimated that there were some 200 phone calls per week.

And it was through these phone calls that the center staff also learned about the members who died .

“Here we lost seven members,” said Carmen Muñoz, in charge of programs for the elderly. “Three of them died of covid and four of other diseases.”

He said that learning of the death of any of them was something very shocking since those attending the center have become family. With affection, Muñoz talks about two ladies in particular: one was the most sociable of all and the other, always lent herself to help count the people who attended. Both died.

Soto said that although already reopened, services are limited as there is still no green light from the county for a full reopening. For example, lunches cannot yet be served within the center and now scheduling to attend in person only occurs on Thursdays.

Members They are divided into four groups, who usually receive a call from the center to remind them that they can participate in the activities.

Last Thursday , the activities began with an exercise class, followed by a presentation on the topic of depression by an AltaMed member and culminated with an entertaining game of bingo where the prizes included liquid soaps for washing dishes.

“They take these games very seriously and more when there are prizes,” said Soto as he watched them participate.

The center is open the rest of the week but without activities. Members can drop in to use the computers or drop in twice a week to pick up food.

Corona said she is anxious that the center It reopens completely to be able to clear your mind even for a moment. She said that now her husband is bedridden and will not be able to return to the center but that she enjoys going, even once a month.