With a growing sense of optimism around the possibility that the pandemic might be moving toward some sort of end—and as older residents, in particular, receive the vaccine in increasing numbers—the Madison Senior Center continues to take a cautious approach to returning its members to the building. Programs with significant in-person attendance are unlikely to resume until July or later.

Director of Senior Services Austin Hall described a slow, “methodical” return that will be predicated on safety above all else, even with well over 90 percent of Madison residents 65 years and older having received the vaccine.

“People will be hesitant probably at first, and we need to show them that we’re doing it the right way, safely,” Hall said.

The state updated its guidelines for senior center re-openings on March 19, after initially allowing some return to in-person attendance or programs back in September 2020. The approximately 15-page document allows everything from billiards to indoor movies to bingo, while recommending against “congregate meal sites.”

Across the region, different towns are taking very different approaches, with Guilford bringing back seniors this week for a limited lunch program and some other programs, while Westbrook has yet to release any timeline for a reopening.

While some have used the high level of vaccinations among the senior population as an argument to more quickly bring back popular and important fitness or social programs for older residents, the state guidance makes no direct mentions of vaccines. It also stipulates that “senior centers will phase in different group activities based on the senior centers’ determination of the ability to comply with the [state] guidelines.”

Between now and July, Hall said Madison will provide its “dial-a-ride” program, taking one person at a time to any appointment or for errands like grocery shopping. Next month, the town is also ramping up a drive-through lunch program from monthly to weekly offerings, which is something that Guilford did over the last few months to great success.

But as far as being able to come into the building, Hall said Madison seniors will be doing so only in the largest rooms, with the safest programs, and not before July.

“I wish we could just reopen and everybody could be back here like it was [before the pandemic], but we just have to do it right and make sure everybody who comes here is comfortable,” he said.

The initial in-person activities will likely take place in the cafeteria or fitness room where people can spread out, Hall said, in accordance with the guidelines, which still recommend a six-foot distance for all programs. Things like casual card games—one of the most requested things by the town’s seniors—will wait until at least the early fall.

Socialization is one of the most important opportunities that seniors centers have offered older residents, many of whom are less mobile or at risk of becoming isolated.

The first couple of programs that Madison plans to offer in July will likely be fitness focused or educational, and won’t necessarily facilitate broad or unrestricted interactions between participants, Hall said. But he added that most of the senior programs, virtual or otherwise, allow a few minutes at the beginning or end just for people to check in with each other and chat.

Town staff have also continued to conduct phone wellness checks and provide virtual opportunities for socializing along with a bevy of other programs. Hall added that a good number of seniors have learned how to use video call software themselves in order to maintain connections in the meantime, and another informal group of seniors has held regular ukulele group practice sessions.

A still-preliminary plan would have a more full reopening, with programs and the ability to sit down casually for cards or conversation, beginning Sept. 1, assuming everything else goes well, Hall said.

“It’s those little baby steps to take that will help us back to being in full force here,” he said.