Valley senior centers take preventative measures ahead of potential threat of coronavirus

WASILLA — Valley senior centers like Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. make it their mission to put their residents’ health and wellbeing first, so preparing for potential outbreaks like the emerging 2019 novel coronavirus is just another step in the continuum of care.

“We want to make sure tables are disinfected, and that we’re sterilizing silverware properly and all that kind of stuff. We were doing that long before the coronavirus and we’ll continue to do it long after it’s resolved,” WASI CEO Chuck Foster said.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy recently issued an emergency declaration in response to the spreading coronavirus, anticipating an inevitable outbreak in Alaska.

As of March 10, Alaska has no confirmed cases and 47 people have been tested for coronavirus. A total of 31 tests were negative and 16 tests are still pending. Out of the 647 cases reported nationally, 25 resulted in death.

Foster said they’ve made some subtle changes in response to the coronavirus.

“Of course there is concern about coronavirus. From our operating standpoint,” Foster said. “We’re not doing many things differently. We’re always concerned with infection control anywhere you get vulnerable seniors together.”

While WASI keeps a watchful eye on the latest coronavirus updates and follows the state’s guidance regarding preventative measures, they’re more focused on the common ailments circulating the community.

“Things that really concern us are things like seasonal influenza, which has a much higher infection rate,” Foster said.

Foster said WASI managers regularly works out hypotheticals and considers options in scenarios where they need to change operations, including the impending reality Alaska’s first positive test for coronavirus.

“Certainly if we thought there was corona virus present in the senior center. We would close and erratic it,” Foster said.

In the event of a total campus closure, WASI would seek guidance from the state and would likely communicate with local centers like the Pioneer Home and Mat-Su Senior Services in Palmer.

Foster said they plan to meet with Valley service providers to see how they could support each other in times of need, like an interruption of service.

“It’s one of the strengths here in the Mat-Su, that we look at our networks as a source of strength as opposed to a competition,” Foster said.

When it comes to preventive action, “commonsense hygiene” is one of the first lines of defense against coronavirus and other infectious diseases, according to Foster.

State officials have been advising Alaskans to step up their hygienic practices, urging them to wash their hands more frequently and to use hand sanitizer when that’s not an option.

Foster said one of the biggest takeaways from all this is the fact that seniors need to be prepared for situations where they’re either withdrawing to avoid exposure or staying home because they’re potentially exposed.

He said there should be an ample supply of easily accessible food and to have emergency plans with family, friends and neighbors.

“I guess really what I’m trying to emphasize here is that everyone should have a support network, and if elders don’t have that support network, now is the time to give your senior center a call,” Foster said. “We can help with that.”

Foster wanted to reassure everyone their center is a safe place to go for a good meal, good conversation or access to care if they’re in need.

“We want to be a help to the seniors, just like always,” Foster said.

Like their WASI neighbors, the Primrose center is utilizing recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention along with local and state health departments while implementing and planning precautionary measures against the coronavirus.

Primrose staff provided an official statement with preventive measures at the end.

“We have detailed plans in place in each of our communities for COVID-19. The health and wellness of our residents continues to be our top priority. Our staff are trained in infection control practices and following those protocols every day. We are having regular communication with residents, their families, our staff members, visitors, and vendors regarding precautionary measures they can take to reduce the potential for this virus to enter our buildings. To help us prevent the spread of communicable disease, including COVID-19, please do not visiit our communities if any of the following apply: You have traveled within the last 14 days outside of the United States or to areas affected by COVID-19. You have signs or symptoms of respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, and sore throat. You have had contact with someone with or under investigation for COVID-19. For more information on COVID-19, please visit the CDC website.”

These tips can be applied to anyone planning to visit a senior center or household with a senior, especially if they’re over 80.

To contact WASI, call 907-376-3104. To contact Primrose, call 907-373-5500. Alaskan providers must immediately report suspected cases of any of these coronaviruses to the Section of Epidemiology at 907-269-8000 or 800-478-0084 (after hours). For more information and resources about the coronavirus, visit http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/id/Pages/Human-Coronavirus.aspx

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com