I represent the Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board (LMTAAA) on the Washington State Council on Aging, and currently I serve as their chair. I was a member of the LMTAAA Advisory Council for six years and finished last year as chair. It was an honor to have been appointed by Lewis County to be on the Advisory Council of such a wonderful organization. Their goal is to provide services and resources to Lewis, Mason and Thurston seniors, persons with disabilities over the age of 18, and family caregivers. Go to their website at www.LMTAAA.org to download their Resource Directory for more information.
At the last LMTAAA Advisory Council meeting on June 2, Valerie Lamb, LMTAAA contracts manager, told us that the Area Agency on Aging does not set forth any requirements for when a senior center can open. It is the responsibility of the organizations that run the senior center, L&I, the state Department of Health and what COVID phase the county is in. LMTAAA only contracts with the organization to provide the nutritional meal service at the senior center. Through the Older Americans Act, they fund $3.71 per meal. It is up to the contracting organization to fund the rest of the actual cost of the meal. In Lewis County, they contract with the nonprofit organization Lewis County Seniors. In Thurston and Mason County, it is South Sound Seniors.
At the LMTAAA Advisory Council meeting in June, representatives from Thurston County said the senior centers there were not yet open, but they have formed a committee to open soon. Mason County representatives announced they were open five days a week.
I believe there is confusion because the senior centers are currently providing pick-up emergency meals and not congregate meals (in-person dining), that they cannot open for socialization. That is not true. Senior centers fall under the requirements for Phase3 restaurants of the governor’s reopening plan. The DOH requires a permit to re-open (eating and drinking establishment COVID-19 requirements). That permit has not been paid.
Lewis County Seniors did a great job shifting from congregate meal dining to delivery homebound meals and now frozen seven day a week pick up emergency meals. I am sure that if they met with the seniors that they serve and develop a plan with senior input, the centers could open. It is unfortunate that a site leader was dismissed for apparently questioning how to reopen the Olequa Senior Center.
Please stop blaming the Area Agency on Aging. They are such a valued organization and do not deserve the disparaging remarks.
Lynn Ford
Washington State Council on Aging, chair
