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The Yankee Express

Dudley COA during the pandemic year

Jun 22, 2021 02:50PM ● By Chuck Tashjian
Throughout the pandemic, the Dudley COA has been actively working behind the scenes, from zoom meetings, conference calls, webinar meetings, all communications have been quite frequent, crucial and sometimes overwhelming. Senior outreach has never been more important, as seniors were taking the brunt of the COVID-19 in illnesses and fatalities. Many remained in lockdown for months on end giving rise to possible emotional/mental health concerns, as well as recognized setbacks for those who have dementia, Alzheimer’s, or other cognitive issues. 
The COA is considered by the State of Massachusetts to be an essential service, and we have remained active and vigilant, throughout the pandemic even though our usual office setting had been closed since March 2020. We have been working with Tri Valley Elders Inc. for Elder Nutrition, emotional support, and crisis support throughout these many months. It’s been an ongoing challenge for everyone in  finding new and creative ways to reach to out our seniors, as many aren’t online and many don’t want to be. It has also been challenging reaching out and staying in contact with our  professional support systems, our colleagues, who kept us in focus of our direction in helping seniors get through this dark and unprecedented time. It felt dark and ominous to me at times too, but the seniors gave me hope, if they could persevere so could I. Special thanks to MCOA and The Office of Elder Affairs as they have never lost sight or waivered support in direction of our community members, our questions, concerns, solutions, or even bright, workable ideas to share amongst other COAs.  Their clear focus being always on our Massachusetts Senior Population and helping navigate the ever changing foggy terrain, week to week at our many meetings we attended. MDPH and Gov. Baker also kept us up to date with regular meetings, about virus transmission, masking, social distancing, schools, contact tracing, vaccine sign ups and clinics. COAs were always invited to leave questions we wanted answers to before any meetings.
Margaret Bussiere, 
Director Dudley COA