We want to take this opportunity to let you know that 60’s Plus Dining is taking the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak very seriously. We also want to update our communities on steps that we are taking to ensure the health and safety of our clients, caterers, and staff.

As you know, guidance from the CDC and WHO along with State and Federal officials are changing on nearly a daily basis. Currently, 60’s Plus Dining program provides services to nearly 3,000 clients at 49 different locations in eastern South Dakota. Each community is unique and appropriate mitigation strategies will vary based on the level of community transmission, characteristics of the community and their populations, and the local capacity to implement strategies.
Following guidance from the CDC and the WHO, all sites located at healthcare facilities have suspended onsite congregate services; however, they are currently providing home delivery and pick-up meals. We encourage each community to evaluate their meals program and make plans for when or if services need to be suspended. Should your community make the decision to suspend senior meal services, we will inform clients and offer alternative meal options.
Effective immediately, all congregate and star card locations that elect to remain open will be required to offer a take home option for the senior meals. Local site managers are to provide all necessary disposable containers at no cost to the caterer. It is our recommendation that area seniors contact local caterers to find out their pickup and/or delivery options.

To assist area seniors who will be limiting their exposure outside their homes, a new frozen meal program is being created at our Brookings, Madison, and Watertown kitchens. This new, choice-menu option allows seniors to select a pack that includes: 7 frozen meals (selected from a list of 10 options), a small loaf of bread, ½ gallon of milk, and fruit juice. The packs will be offered for a free will donation with a suggested amount of $27.00. Meal choices will include the following:

Roast Beef, Roast Turkey, Baked Pork with Celery Sauce, Lemon Pepper Cod, Goulash, BBQ Chicken, Ham, Cranberry Meatballs, Sweet & Sour Meatballs, and Orange Chicken.

These meals will be cooked, assembled, and ready for pick up at these kitchens. For seniors who wish to receive these meals but need assistance in having them delivered, arrangements will be made through area managers. We currently have estimated pick up date of March 27th. Pre-orders will begin on March 20th.

Area Manager Contact List:

• Brookings, Julie Scubelek, 1-800-721-8727 or 605-692-1407
• DeSmet, Sue Koistinen, 605-854-3701
• Flandreau, Julie Wood, 605-997-2824
• Madison, Sarah Hock, 605-256-6645
• Watertown, Rita Rahlf, 605-882-2166

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all dining sites use following steps and tools:

• Exercise social distancing, proper hygiene, and handwashing.
• Know where to find local information on COVID-19.
• Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if clients/residents or staff become symptomatic.
• Review and update emergency operations plan (including implementation of social distancing measures) or develop a plan if one is not available.
• Encourage personal protective measures among staff, and clients who live elsewhere (e.g., stay home or in residences when sick, handwashing, respiratory etiquette).
• Clean frequently touched surfaces daily.
• Ensure hand hygiene supplies are readily available in all buildings.

As this situation evolves, we encourage you to monitor the Department of Health (DOH) or Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website below as you make decisions related to COVID-19.
DOH - https://doh.sd.gov/news/Coronavirus.aspx
CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
We will continue to monitor this evolving situation and adjust procedures, if necessary.
We thank local caterers for their service and commitment to their community and area seniors.