The Center School bell tower clock rang out, and suddenly the exercise class happening on the lawn underneath it got a lot harder for seniors to hear. 

In pre-pandemic times, they worked out in a room just under the bell-tower, and instructor Karen Carcoran joked that her participants often wished they “could take the roof off.” Well, they haven’t taken the roof off yet, but they are now lifting weights outside. 

As the rate of transmission has slowed in the state, Council on Aging centers throughout the Tri-Town are cautiously reopening and resuming business as usual. 

Carcoran has been teaching classes with the Mattapoisett Council on Aging for 12 years, and has seniors who have shown up since the beginning, then in March, the pandemic paused classes (along with all other senior center activities). 

The exercise classes that the Council on Aging offers are limited in size, but are not yet limited just to Mattapoisett residents. Classes also have a permanent monitor from the Council on Aging, which takes the burden of checking people in and caring for them in the heat off of the instructor. 

Weather is sometimes an issue, as “last week was so hot, but we did it!,” Carcoran said. 

Council on Aging Director Jackie Coucci has noticed that “people are more appreciative” of activities. 

To that end, she will start plein air painting classes in September, and will offer hearing aid services, a podiatrist and a dental hygienist.  

The Mattapoisett COA started a Friendly Callers program in mid-March and promoted it extensively while the need was high. Coucci said some people have dropped out as life has become slightly more normal. But, “there’s still people, and have always been, people at home alone. This [pandemic] wasn’t the only reason for that,” she said. 

Things have changed a bit now because it is nicer out and many seniors  have more visitors, but Coucci suspects that there will be another shift in mindset when the holidays approach and visitors leave.  

She has people who are still nervous to go out. And for seniors who lose loved ones from any number of causes, grief is harder to manage without the closure of a funeral. 

For seniors who would like to speak with a therapist or other health care provider, sometimes the COA just offers a private room to use Zoom if seniors don’t have the technology. 

In Rochester, Council on Aging Director Cheryl Randall-Mach says that she has outdoor activities scheduled for five days a week. 

Before joining groups at the COA, seniors are asked to sign a coronavirus waiver, but all of them have had no problems with that. “People are willing and want to get together,” Randall-Mach said.  

One program, the Coffee and Conversation group has been steady in its membership of around 15 people, Randall-Mach said. They “come early and stay throughout the morning,” she added. 

When the Senior Center was still able to offer it, “breakfast had a lot more” people, Randall-Mach said, but “the kitchen is still closed,” so they can only serve pre-packaged breakfast pastries. 

She is gradually working to increase the number of available programs, but for now, the Senior Center still offers transportation, coupons to farmer’s markets and access to food banks. Randall-Mach said the SHINE health insurance coordinator is increasingly busy. 

At programs, seniors are “happy to see each other and want to know when we will reopen, but I don’t have an answer,” Randall-Mach said. 

Still, for every person who is willing to get out, someone else is reluctant.  

“Some people have not gotten out of the house,” Randall-Mach said, adding that sometimes senior center workers or volunteers can go to houses, or seniors can come to the senior center just for some socialization. 

As fall approaches, the Rochester director said she bought pop up tents and a patio heater to continue outdoor events through the fall. 

Down Route 105 and Route 6, on the lawn of the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center, folks are gathering outside in a tent at socially distanced chairs and tables to enjoy a snack of milk and cookies.

“I’m eating this before I’ve even had lunch!” joked Linda McCarthy.

The Marion Council on Aging has been holding events like meditation, a hot dog lunch and a doughnuts and coffee gathering since July.

“Some people still don’t feel comfortable coming back out, but that’s okay,” said Executive Director Karen Gregory.

Luckily, the COA has partnered with Old Rochester Community Television and has been streaming and posting meditation and workout sessions for those who wish to stay home.

“It’s interesting having to remember all the guidelines,” and keep an eye on all the residents, said Program Coordinator Linda Jackvony.

The council also restarted its Memory Cafe weekly event, a time where residents with dementia and their caretakers come together to interact. These days, the time spent together is at a distance.

“They wanna get out and they wanna stay safe,” Jackvony said.

During the shutdown, the council leaned on Zoom for social events.

“Zoom is okay, but it doesn’t feel the same with the social aspect,” said George Tinkham.

But through it all, the council still provided essential services like essential transportation, and now it is starting to take appointments with its podiatrist and traveling dental hygienist.

While transportation to grocery stores was limited, the town shifted towards food delivery services, which Gregory said was well-received.

“We were able to make sure people were supported,” Gregory said.

In July, a blood drive was held at the community center, and it was popular enough for the council to schedule another one in September.

Although the process for reopening the COA has been gradual, it’s been appreciated by those who frequent it.

“In the beginning, I was scared stiff to go grocery shopping,” said McCarthy. Now, she said, it’s wonderful to get out and see other people rather than sitting at home for five days a week.