Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Seniors at the Versailles Senior Center were disappointed to hear that meals served from LifeTime Resources will no longer be available at their location after December 1.

That news was given first hand to those in attendance last Wednesday from Julie Schafer, community services and development director for LifeTime Resources.

Why? was answered in a letter passed out to those in attendance...”the Versailles site has definite ADA compliance issues.” Those compliance issues, explained by Schafer, were focused on the restrooms at the facility. She noted that they did not meet ADA requirements and due to that, the meals would no longer be delivered.

In detail, the shared letter noted that using the Code of Federal Regulations for ADA standards, the restroom designated for “gentlemen” does not meet any ADA standards. The ladies restroom had problems with the toilet stall size and arrangement.

Schafer noted that to “eliminate confusion” she emphasized that the organization she represented was not shutting down the senior center, only the meal program, which includes letting go of one staff person, Phyllis West, who is paid for three hours a day.

The residents of Versailles were offered a ride to Osgood through the Catch-A-Ride Public Transportation program, where they were invited to take part in the meal site program at the Buckeye Village Apartments.

Schafer continued by saying the ADA regulations was only one issue that was causing the meal site to be closed. The other had to do with attendance.

She explained that there has to be an average of 15 people per month eating meals to have the program continue even if the restroom were fixed to ADA standards. Then in six months, that number would need to increase to 20.

While there is a large number of people who attend the senior center, they do not all eat the meals. This was noted by some of those in attendance at the meeting. One lady thumped down a green banana, and said some of the meals weren’t fit to eat. Chester Asche, a regular at the center, agreed saying sometimes “the meals aren’t fit for a dog to eat.”

Seniors felt if the meals were better, they would have better attendance.

Schafer explained that the meals have to be in compliance with certain state standards as well and she couldn’t help what was offered. She said personally she understood why the seniors would rather have applesauce over a hard apple, but she didn’t control that.

“I thought LifeTime was supposed to help the seniors,” noted Robert Kimball, who along with his wife, Dorothy, attend faithfully. He said he was really disappointed with the situation and said he felt they hadn’t been given time to comply. He said money had been raised between those attending to fix the restrooms, but they needed time to get the work done.

Schafer explained that LifeTime Resources doesn’t make the rules, they’re set by nutrition guidelines and ADA standards. She said if the two issues she cited were fixed, LifeTime would look at coming back to the center with the meal program.

Seniors attending the meeting noted they don’t know what is next, but they do know that even though the meals might not have always been what they wanted, at least they could get a meal in Versailles for a donation. Suggested guidelines for the program are that seniors who have a total monthly income of $613 and below could eat for $1.50 or whatever they could afford. Seniors were concerned that some people who really need a meal might not be able to get it now.