Archuleta Seniors Inc. would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Town of Pagosa Springs Council members for their generosity in funding the Pagosa Senior Center. This has been our home for the past 20-plus years and we are counting our blessings that we are able to lean on the community to support us through this time of transition.
In August, we submitted a funding application for SB-290 funds to purchase the old Sears building, but were notified in October that we did not receive the funds due to a very competitive process. Ultimately, there wasn’t enough funding to support all applications, and that means that for the near future Archuleta Seniors Inc will continue to call the Ross Aragon Community Center its home. We thank the Council members for extending our lease and also providing funding to replace and purchase new kitchen equipment to help us keep up with the demand of serving almost 200 meals everyday of the week and frozen meals delivered via Meals on Wheels during the weekends. We look forward to expanding our catering services in addition to educational and entertainment programming in the near future.
Thanks to everyone who continues to support us and benefits from our services, we are grateful to be a part of Pagosa Springs.
ASI Board of Directors has multiple vacant positions open. Terms are 3 years with an option to renew for an additional term. Potential candidates should be at least 55 years of age or older and must have a passion for adult and aging services.
When Things Get Ruff
Pet ownership increases the likelihood that owners interact with other individuals, an opportunity that is of particular interest to older adults who are often socially isolated. Having a dog is especially beneficial. Studies have shown that older adults with dogs exhibit less stress, but that stress is not associated with owning any other type of animal. In response to COVID-19 safety measures, the pandemic further increased their likelihood that older adults experience social isolation. Given the social opportunities afforded by owning dogs, researchers sought to examine whether dog walking impacted the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and loneliness among older adults.
In a study that earned a Bronze 2022 Innovative Research on Aging Award, analysis was conducted by examining longitudinal data from a Florida community-based sample of adults, aged 60+ at two timepoints, September 2018 and October 2020. At both timepoints, respondents were asked to indicate the frequency for which they felt that they lacked companionship, felt left out, and isolated from others. At the later time point, respondents were additionally asked how much the COVID-19 outbreak impacted their sense of social connection and the frequency for which they walk their dog weekly.
The study found that those who reported being significantly impacted by COVID-19 exhibited higher levels of loneliness. However, those who walked their dog at least once a day did not become lonelier, despite the pandemic. The researchers acknowledge that individuals often acquire dogs to combat loneliness, highlighting that it’s difficult to infer the causal relationship between dog walking and loneliness. The study also did not measure emotional connection to pets, which might have indicated that those who are more emotionally close to their dogs tend to walk their dogs more. Consequently, the researchers argue that more research is needed to examine the benefits of dog walking on overall well-being.
Holiday Ornament Craft
Do you want to learn how to make a beautiful and easy decoration for Christmas? And the best part is that it is made from last year’s Christmas cards! Join us on Monday November 14 at 1:15pm in the Senior Center Dining Hall to learn how to make this wonderful Christmas globe. No art skills needed – no experience required – and all materials are provided for you! We will be cutting circles that have been traced on the cards and gluing them together in a special way. Our teacher will be Denise Fisk who is a former elementary school art teacher from the Iowa Public Schools. Come join us for some holiday fun!
Medicare Call by Appointment
For anyone who needs help enrolling and navigating Medicare plans, we help with Parts A, B, and D. We can also help you with fraud concerns and troubleshooting any billing issues you may be having. By appointment only. Please call our Medicare line at 970-264-0501; ext 4.
Future Programming Volunteers Needed
We are looking to implement new programming in the future and want to rely on the insight and expertise of the community to expand our offerings. We are looking for volunteers to help us coordinate new games, crafts, wellness and inter-generational opportunities. If you are interested please contact us at 970-264-2167.
Kitchen and Desk Volunteers Needed
The Community Cafe at the Pagosa Senior Center is requesting volunteers to help with greeting customers. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to volunteer or for more information.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, November 10 – Pulled pork with creamed corn, blueberry cobbler, coleslaw, salad and fruit
Friday, November 11 – Veterans Day Closed
Monday,November 14 – Baked lemon chicken, lentils, orzo salad and fruit.
Tuesday, November 15 – Beef pot roast with potatoes, creamed spinach, salad, fruit and whole wheat roll.
Wednesday, November 16 – Pasta primavera with alfredo sauce, focaccia bread, salad, cottage cheese and fruit.
Thursday, November 17 – New England clam chowder, oyster crackers, broccoli with almonds, salad, fruit and cake.
Friday, November 18 – Pork chile adovada, Mexican rice, pinto beans, salad and fruit.
ASI has an immediate monetary need to support ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County. Please consider donating to Archuleta Seniors Inc. You may mail your donation to PO BOX 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or please visit our website: http://www.psseniors.org/. Donation checks can be written to: Archuleta Seniors, Inc. We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in downtown Pagosa Springs.
For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/.
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.