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BRUNSWICK — The People Plus Center senior center has been closed to foot traffic and activities since March 16., but the work of the People Plus Center, which supports an engaged, healthy and independent life for older adults, continues.
Since members cannot come to the center, it now goes to them — virtually via their computers, televisions and phones, as well as by bringing vital services to them at home.
Executive Director Stacy Frizzle records a weekday Community Update video with information on local community news and services, fun activities to do while home and current events both locally and at the state level. She also includes anecdotal stories from her home at the Mossy Ledge Farm.
Additionally, People Plus has partnered with community members and now offers dozens of videos featuring guest hosts and exercise instructors. With topics designed to entertain and engage members at home, the videos include nature, book readings, beekeeping, birdwatching, gardening, building a sauna, cold water plunging, healthy nutrition tips, cooking shows, and more.
In addition to all of these great videos, the historical library of all People Plus lectures and presentations is available on the People Plus Vimeo page and YouTube free of charge. There are presentations by Senator Angus King; Captain Kirk of the Zumwalt; Clayton Rose, the president of Bowdoin College, and more.
All of the People Plus exercise classes have been made into free videos with the instructors you know and love leading a class. Members can maintain their exercise routines with their favorite instructors right from their own home. Videos include Zumba, Loosen Up, Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, Chair Yoga and meditation.
Over the last four weeks, there have been more than 4,000 views of the center’s videos on our Vimeo and YouTube. Local cable stations Brunswick TV3 and Harpswell TV14 are airing the exercise videos as well along with other taped presentations from past events at the Center. More than 40,000 households have been able to watch them on TV.
The Wednesday Outing Club, Spanish Club, Fiber Arts Club and Apple Club, as well as board and committee meetings, have started meeting via Zoom. More clubs are looking into this option as well.
The People Plus Volunteer Transportation Network has shifted focus to keep homebound seniors well supplied. Normally, drivers are taking participants to doctor appointments, physical therapy, grocery stores, hair appointments and more. Now volunteer drivers are grocery shopping and getting prescriptions for area residents and members alike. Deliveries are made right to your front steps. In the last two weeks of March, volunteers made more than 120 grocery deliveries to seniors at home.
Pople Plus staff and volunteers are also calling local seniors on a regular basis to have a chat. Sarah Deck, office coordinator, called more than 400 people to check in on them and see if they would like a daily phone call. This list has gleaned about 60 participants. Volunteers are paired up with people who are sitting at home alone and welcome nothing more than a friendly call.
Volunteers are also making facemasks and donating them to People Plus for members. The center has been able to get masks to members, volunteer drivers, senior housing units and community members.
Contact the Center if you need a mask at 207-729-0757 and if you’re interested in any other services, visit www.peopleplusmaine.org.
PHOTO: Members who want masks may contact the center. (Submitted photo)
