Updated: YMCA, City of Lexington suspend senior programming over COVID-19 concerns
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton announced Wednesday that all city programming for senior citizens has been suspended in light of the novel coronavirus.
Beginning Friday there will be no programming for seniors at the Lexington Senior Center, the Charles Young Center, the Bell House or the Black and Williams Center.
All of those senior centers will be closed to the public.
The YMCA of Central Kentucky, which has six locations in Lexington and Frankfort, announced it was also suspending all of its senior-related fitness and wellness classes beginning Friday. Classes that will be canceled include: Silver Sneaker classes, Enhance fitness classes and senior water fitness classes. Also suspended are other programs for health conditions including: Livestrong, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes prevention, according to an email sent to all YMCA members.
General group exercise classes will continue and YMCA facilities will remain open, the statement said.
“However, we are closely monitoring the situation and will make operational adjustments as needed,” said the email from Paula Anderson, chief operation officer of the YMCA of Central Kentucky.
Gorton, a nurse, said seniors are at highest risk for complications from the virus.
“Senior adults and those with chronic health conditions are at higher risk for complications of COVID-19,” said Gorton. “The CDC recommends people over the age of 60, and anyone with heart, lung or kidney disease, cancer or diabetes, stay at home as much as possible. We know this virus is most dangerous for our seniors. We need to take steps to protect them.”
City staff who typically work with seniors will shift to home outreach, Gorton said.
Bluegrass Community Action Partnership will deliver lunch to seniors who typically receive meals at the senior center.
Gorton said senior programming will be reinstated as soon as it is safe to do so.
As of Wednesday evening, there were eight cases of COVID-19 statewide. Two of the cases were in Fayette County.
This story was originally published March 11, 2020 at 6:26 PM.
