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SENIOR CENTER GOES SENIOR LIVING
VIRTUAL
written by SUSAN HURD, RSVP PROJECT MANAGER GUARDIANSHIP CARE MANAGER AND COMMUNITY EDUCATOR WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING INC./AREA AGENCY ON AGING On March 12, 2020, Gov. Larry Hogan issued an executive order closing all the senior centers throughout the state of Maryland. The Washington County Senior Center staff, understanding the importance of following the governor’s direction, feared that our members would become isolated. Isolation can lead to depression, which can exacerbate other health conditions. So, our innovative staff members decided they would continue to give all the senior center members the opportunity to stay engaged, interact with each other, learn new things, remain active and challenge themselves at home through virtual options. It wasn’t long after that the Washington County Senior
Desiree Myers leads stretches weekly on Facebook Live for Washington County Senior Center followers. Submitted photo
in to the Washington County Commission on Aging’s Facebook page. Then, through collaborative efforts with RSVP
Center did what it set out to do. The first showing of a vir-
volunteers and senior center staff, tai chi became another
tual gentle yoga class was available for everyone who tuned
weekly offering through the Facebook page.
