By Karissa Minn
kminn@salisburypost.com
As snow and ice on Rowan County roads interrupted some services to seniors this week, local nonprofit director are recommending people check on older neighbors and loved ones.
Rick Eldridge, executive director of Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, said it’s important for anyone to stay at home if possible when conditions are icy — especially senior adults who could hurt themselves in a fall.
“People should make sure to call and check on their neighbors who are senior citizens and go and help out if needed,” Eldridge said. “I think for the most part, older folks are pretty savvy about knowing to stay at home, and that’s probably the best thing to do.”
Rufty-Holmes was closed Monday and Tuesday. Eldridge said he hoped it would open again today — maybe later than 8 a.m. — but that would depend on on road conditions.
Eldridge said the center provides information and education to seniors before winter weather events like this happen.
“To be better prepared, have emergency supplies on hand and have a plan for these things that you might encounter,” Eldridge said. “Make sure that you have enough medication on hand and you have a place to go if you don’t have any heat.”
Eldridge says case workers at the Rowan County Department of Senior Services, which is housed in the Rufty-Holmes building, often contact people to make sure they have everything they need.
Through a senior services program called “Are You OK?” staff members also call enrolled senior adults daily to check in on them.
If a large number of power outages were to occur in Rowan County, leaving residents without heat, he said Rufty-Holmes would activate a Red Cross emergency shelter at its building.
“We would be able to bring in folks that needed to be sheltered until things got better,” he said. “That would include not only providing them warm place to stay, but also food and whatever else would be required.”
The organization is monitoring the situation closely and keeping in touch with the Red Cross, Eldridge said. Few power outages were reported by Tuesday afternoon, so the shelter was not needed.
Eldridge said anyone who needs assistance with shelter, food or other necessities should call the county emergency services department, who will find someone who can help.
Rita Sims, executive director of Meals and Wheels in Rowan County, said her organization follows the lead of the schools when deciding whether to deliver meals.
“If the schools are closed for bad weather, then we don’t deliver,” Sims said.
Schools across the county were closed both Monday and Tuesday, so no meals were delivered on those days. Sims was not sure Tuesday afternoon if the service would resume today.
Sims said Meals on Wheels currently serves about 200 people on 27 routes throughout the county. It depends on volunteers to bring weekday lunch meals to senior adults, disabled county residents and other homebound people in the county.
“We’ve given them emergency meal packs that we got out before Thanksgiving that they’re supposed to use at times like this when we can’t get out,” Sims said.
But after the Christmas weekend storm and this week’s winter, those meal packs are now running out. Sims said most people in the program have other food to eat in their home, but those who don’t have any left can call to get help.
“Each of our clients does have an emergency contact, so they do have someone they can get in touch with,” Sims said. “If they need something and they cannot reach their family or contact, then we’d ask them to call Meals on Wheels and we will get them the necessary help.”
To contact Meals on Wheels of Rowan, call 704-633-0352.
To contact the Rowan County Department of Emergency Services, call 704-216-8900.
After a winter storm, the Red Cross recommends the following:
• Help people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.
• Check on your animals and make sure that their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles. If possible, bring them indoors.
• Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task.
• Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose?fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible.
• Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power or heat during periods of extreme cold.
• Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog