Arlington Heights closes senior center through March
Arlington Heights village officials are closing the Arlington Heights Senior Center as of 1 p.m. Thursday through the remainder of March in light of public health recommendations related to the coronavirus.
The closure affects all group programming, social and recreational activities, though essential drop-in services would be offered, officials said.
That includes Catholic Charities' Meals on Wheels program. The agency will provide one hot meal and additional refrigerated or frozen meals that are packaged and available to take home at the front door of the senior center, 1801 W. Central Road. The organization will also add people to the program as an emergency in their Wheeling Township and Maine Township service areas. Additional questions should be directed to (847) 797-5330.
Other drop-in services that will be available at the senior center include: tax preparation, the Arlington Heights Nurses Club Lending Closet, Escorted Transportation Service Northwest, the Senior Health Insurance Program, Catholic Charities appointments and RTA reduced fare forms.
Village officials say they will consult with state, county and local health authorities and re-evaluate the closure period as deemed necessary. For more information, contact the senior center at (847) 253-5532.
The Illinois Department on Aging issued an order to state senior centers Wednesday to "immediately suspend all gathering activities," including group meals and social activities, in response to the spread of the coronavirus disease COVID-19.
"Locations where seniors gather such as congregate meal sites and senior centers may increase the risk of transmitting COVID-19 and community spreading of the virus," the department wrote in a guidance letter.
The letter directed area aging agencies to notify providers, staff and clients of the closures within 24 hours. The agencies were also directed to notify those groups of immediate alternatives that will still be available during the group meal suspension, including box lunch services, pick-up options or home-delivered meals.