With Madison now reporting at least two coronavirus fatalities—both over the age of 70—and the state and federal government urging seniors to take even more precautions, Senior Services Director Austin Hall is working with various town agencies to protect and care for Madison’s older population.

“We’ve heard from a lot of seniors that they want to stay home, they want to stay safe but still need to get groceries or their prescriptions at the pharmacy,” Hall said.

Though the needs and challenges are constantly evolving, Hall said that these were his first priorities when putting together help for seniors: essential things like food and medicine.

While Meals on Wheels continues to serve about 65 meals a day, according to Hall, and the town has a list of people who used transportation services or needed extra assistance even before the pandemic, Hall said the town was worried about another group: seniors who are otherwise independent, but whose age or health conditions make it unwise for them to go to crowded public places

A group of volunteers has taken up the task of providing these essential items, Hall said, making about a dozen shopping trips so far, allowing seniors to remain at home and reduce exposure to the virus.

The program matches the same volunteer with the same senior for the duration of the program, according to Hall, creating continuity and developing trust.

“The volunteer understands what the senior wants and what the substitutes can be, so they don’t have to call and ask,” he said. “And they just kind of develop a bond and relationship to see this whole thing through until it’s over. That’s important.”

Hall said he wasn’t going to limit the program to grocery trips, saying that he and the volunteers would be willing to run any essential errand, though they have not yet had those requests.

He also said he was encouraged by the response of both by the seniors and the community. More than 40 people have volunteered to shop and deliver, and the high interest from the senior community shows they are taking the crisis seriously as well, he said.

“That really means people are staying home and staying safe,” Hall said. “It’s awesome that they reached out to us and felt comfortable enough…[and] trust our volunteers and our staff to make this program work for them.”

Hall said he is also working on initiatives that will provide for not just the immediate physical needs, but the social and emotional needs of seniors as well, as many of them remain isolated in their homes.

One program, which is still in the process of coming together, will match seniors with Madison’s students, who are also confined to their homes as schools remain closed during the pandemic.

The students and seniors will exchange emails in a sort of pen-pal program, according to Hall, sharing their daily lives, thoughts, and words of encouragement.

“If you’re self isolating on your own, it gets very lonely,” Hall said. “You talk to your family or friends, but to have somebody who is a member of the general public reach out to you and check in to see how you’re doing, ask questions, and you can ask questions about what’s going on in their life. It’s just a great intergenerational way for people to correspond at a time where we’re unable to be face to face.

“Isolation is important, but there’s ways to stay isolated while still communicating and keeping in touch with the community,” Hall said.

Hall said he already has a class from a Madison school, ready and willing to join the program as he and school officials work out details and logistics.

The mental health approach is very important, Hall emphasized, and he said he and his staff have worked to do little things to keep seniors in touch and entertained during this very stressful time.

Besides keeping tabs and staying in touch with many seniors on a weekly basis by phone, Hall said he has worked to keep the seniors entertained digitally.

A popular initiative has been regular social media posts on the Senior Center’s Facebook page that link to various TED Talks, virtual museum or art gallery tours, and a variety of other educational resources or unique online activities.

Hall dismissed the notion that most seniors were not able or willing to use social media, and said that “lifelong learning” was a big goal of his, not only during the pandemic but all the time.

“TED Talks are a big hit,” Hall said. “You can look up virtually any subject you can ever imagine and find multiple talks on that subject.”

Hall said he plans to continue to provide these sorts of links and resources as long as the shutdown lasts.

Anyone interested in the Senior Center’s programs, including Meals on Wheels, can call 203-245-5627.

Anyone in need of assistance for groceries and errands can call 203-245-5627, or email noblinh@madisonct.org.

Parents of students interested in the pen-pal program can email corbette@madison.k12.ct.us, while seniors interested in the program can email gillespiee@madisonct.org.