Oklahoma Retirement Communities Adapt Policies As COVID Cases Increase

Retirement communities and senior centers in the area are keeping a close eye on COVID cases as infections continue to rise. 

They say they are adapting their policies and recommendations as the weeks carry on in order to keep residents and members as healthy as possible.

Senior Centers and retirement communities across Green Country are more than just a spot to play bingo and catch up with friends.

In fact, during the pandemic- men and women who work with seniors say they have witnessed first-hand the power of these spaces- to provide a family, support, and information, to people who might not have anyone else outside facility walls.

"What we have been trying to do through the whole pandemic is provide information and education for our members," said Executive Director Sean Simpson with Broken Arrow Senior Center. 

The Broken Arrow Senior Center has become a family and a meal distribution center over the pandemic.

The Tulsa and Creek Counties Senior Nutrition Program has distributed more than 40 thousand meals at the senior center alone. As the Omicron Variant spreads, they say the information is key. They keep virus statistics up throughout the building and limit class sizes.

"We want to help people make those right decisions. If it is putting on a mask, if it is getting the vaccine, if it is getting boosted- whatever those things are, everybody has those individual choices," said Simpson. 

Cedarhurst Senior Living says their COVID protocols have been working but say vaccinations have been key in that outcome.

"We are very excited to share that between residents and associates, we are 98% compliant with vaccinations here," said Executive Director Gary Frias with Cedarhurst of Woodland Hills Senior Living. 

Employees say their safety measures are comforting to residents.

"All visitors must wear masks in our public spaces- it is required, including employees. We take their temperature, and they follow the protocol questions," said Frias. 

They say they have been able to keep residents' minds off the pandemic with fun activities and events like community service and wine-making classes- while keeping safety a priority.

"We don't make exceptions for safety and that is something we are proud of at Cedarhurst Woodland Hills is we are very consistent," said Frias.