Three years after the coronavirus pandemic wreaked havoc on the lives of senior citizens, the Mojave County Senior Center in Lake Havasu could benefit from a federal coronavirus grant next week.
Mojave County Superintendent Buster Johnson last month proposed using $63,500 in funds under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to benefit senior center facilities in Havasu. From that money, Johnson said he will use $32,000 to replace a cooking steamer, $18,000 to replace the facility’s 150 new chairs, $12,000 to replace the facility’s 20-year-old commercial dishwasher, He said $1500 would be appropriated to replace the coffee maker.
Mojave County Health Commissioner Chad Kingsley said much of the equipment the facility plans to replace has been in continuous use by senior center visitors for almost 20 years and is approaching its lifetime expiration. It says. ARPA funding will provide senior centers with an opportunity to replace these amenities and continue to serve the community’s seniors after the county’s ARPA funding is exhausted.
Three years ago, the coronavirus pandemic in Havasu had the biggest impact on older people and put them at the greatest risk to their health and safety. And Kingsley says the impact is still being felt today.
“During the pandemic, operations at the LHC Senior Center have been impacted by community integration and loss of health,” Kingsley said. “The LHC Senior Center has yet to return to pre-pandemic attendance figures. ARPA funds invested in the Senior Center will benefit Havasu’s senior population, making it more harmonious for all residents and senior visitors.” It will create a well-rounded and inclusive community.”
According to Kingsley, the impact of the pandemic in Havasu has served to prove just how essential socializing, healthy eating and good health are to the local older population. Kingsley said that without such services, older people face challenges such as social isolation, limited access to health care options and inadequate support systems.
“The behavioral health status of many older adults, including those at the LHC Senior Center, significantly deteriorated when group eating and socializing were stopped for good reason,” Kingsley said. .
But while the pandemic may have been difficult for local seniors, other Havasu residents may struggle to justify spending $1,500 in federal taxes on the facility’s new coffee machine — especially If you can buy a home coffee machine for about $15.
“The $1,500 includes a commercial coffee pot, water lines, delivery charges, and contingencies,” Kingsley said. “Once purchased, any remaining costs will be accounted for and managed in accordance with ARPA policy.”
A standard coffee pot can brew 12 cups of coffee at a time, according to Kingsley. Subject to approval by the Mojave County Board of Supervisors, the commercial coffee maker at the facility can brew up to 96 cups of coffee at one time.
The Lake Havasu City Senior Center receives an average of 90 visitors per day. And that number was higher before the pandemic. Kingsley expects visitor numbers to continue to grow over time.
The Mojave County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote Monday at its next meeting in Kingman on whether to approve the use of $63,500 in American Rescue Program Act funding for the facility.
