Nestled towards the top center column of the front page of the April 6th, 1978 edition of the Oakland Independent was a very brief article announcing a meeting for those interested in starting the Golden Oaks Senior Center in Oakland. It could have easily gone unnoticed at the time.
Over the years the center has become an important fixture in the community that is usually full of activity. The sound of cards being shuffled, hot coffee being blown on to cool, and laughter has been heard both morning and afternoons at the center. Today it remains as it has the past 12 months, silent.
Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be most deadly for the aged. There was no doubt early on that protecting them would be paramount as a nation, state and community. Unfortunately, that meant closing senior centers across the country.
“I remember the date well,” said Golden Oaks Senior Center Director Jami Method. “We were notified that we had to close on Mon., March 16 (2020), the day before our St. Patrick’s Day potluck.” By the end of April, the Nebraska Area Agency on Aging (NAAA) notified Method that they believed the closure could last for months rather than weeks.
Until that time, the center had been open from 8:00-4:00 p.m. daily with coffee in morning and afternoon. Patrons enjoyed weekly potlucks, cards, bingo and other activities. The center also offered several health clinics, nutritional and health education, and steady flow of information pertaining to the needs of its patrons.
It also provided something that has been sorely lacking for the elder population this past year, fellowship. “The center had been a place to come together to enjoy one another’s company,” Method said. “They really miss that. A lot of them just don’t understand.”
She began her career at Golden Oaks 17 years ago. That role developed from merely serving coffee to managing all of the reports needed to continue to receive funding through the NAAA. In that time, Jami’s heart was opened more and more to the needs of those that enjoyed the center from day to day. “This pandemic has created such a loneliness amongst the people we serve,” Method said. “I have tried to call each of them at least once a month and some more frequent over the last year. Sometimes it was simply to talk. It has been an adjustment for some figuring out how to occupy their time, especially those without family.”
Realizing an immediate need, Method set out to make masks for anyone that needed one. Face coverings were in high demand and hard to find initially. But there were other needs that required creative thinking to try and meet.
Since March, 2020, the center has not been able to offer any in-house gatherings, activities, meals or clinics. Method discovered that their Monthly Gazette became even more important in keeping folks informed. In addition, the services offered had to be adapted. “We have offered to pick up groceries and medicine when needed. We can now have individuals come in while social distancing for some of our clinics. I have come to realize even more how important this place is.”
Method said this has been a learning curve for everyone. “I have always believed that things happen for a reason with the Big Guy up above. It can be a learning opportunity,” she said.
Many have been reminded of the importance of remembering the elderly population. What once provided so many opportunities in their lives, once closed, have left a great need. Method said we can all help.
“Find a way to reach out to them. Give them a phone call. Stop and check on them. Offer to pick up things for them. More than anything, just listen to them,” she said.
Opening Soon, maybe
The NAAA has notified Method concerning opening their doors in a limited capacity. Social distancing would need to continue, there will likely not be any potlucks and coffee might be served differently, but it looks like only a few criteria need to be met before they can meet again.
First, the NAAA said that the date of opening will depend on the date the majority of Golden Oak’s patrons have their second COVID vaccine. It will be 2-3 weeks following. The Golden Oaks Senior Center Board of Directors will also need to put together a plan for reopening and submit that to the NAAA.
“The board is going to meet on Monday,” Method said. “Hopefully we can get that completed so we are ready.”
Fortunately, as needs changed over the years, the NAAA has adapted the center’s budget to be able to continue to meet the needs of its patrons. Donations and rental of the center supplement those finances. “Our donations have been down and, of course, we haven’t been able to rent the center out at this time. But we are getting by,” Method said.
If you would like more information about Golden Oaks Senior Center, to be on their mailing list for their Monthly Gazette or wish to find out how you can donate to the work they do, please call Jami Method at Golden Oaks, 402.685.5146.
