Archuleta Seniors Inc. also known as the Pagosa Senior Center, will be hosting a public meeting on Thursday, February 7, starting at 2pm at 451 Hot Springs Blvd for the Older Americans Act programs and services that are primarily funded through the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging.
Stakeholders from the community are invited including those 60 and above in addition to their family caregivers age 18 plus. Planning issues that will be discussed will include: meals on wheels, meal sites, transportation, snow shoveling, home repair, legal assistance, ombudsman support, low vision, tech classes, dental assistance, Medicare, Medicaid, counseling options, information referral assistance, fall prevention, support groups, caregiver services and community education resources.
Light refreshments will be provided.
VITA Tax Volunteers to Assist with Senior Tax Returns
VITA tax volunteers will be coming to the Pagosa Spring Senior Center on Saturday February 25, 2023 from 9 am to 2 pm to prepare seniors (age 55 or better) 2022 tax returns for free. Appointments are available but limited and will be made on a first come first serve basis.
Participants must have income of $60,000 or less, and must bring all documents in order for us to complete the return. Must have ID in form of driver’s license plus social security card (or copy) or a 1099 SSA form. Please contact us at 970-264-2167 to check availability for appointments.
Free Art Class to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Next free art class at the Senior Center will be on Tuesday, January 31 at 1:15pm. No reservations are required but space is limited so be sure to be there by 1:15. We will be making a wreath from paper hearts. No art skill is required for this class – just a desire to have fun and make something pretty. All materials will be provided including the scissors to cut out the hearts. Yes, templates provided to make a perfect heart shape – or you can draw your own!
All ages are invited so if the grandkids are still in town, bring them along.
Our teacher will again be Denise Fisk, who is a retired elementary art teacher from Iowa. She loves art and loves sharing art techniques with her classes. So come to the senior center for some fun, exchange ideas with friends and see your success in creating a piece of Valentine art.
Healthy Aging & Yoga Therapy Class Series Continues
Gather with local yoga practitioners AJ Connors and Will Sechrist for a series of evidence based healthy aging and yoga therapy classes at the Pagosa Senior Center geared for adults and older adults of all ages. Start 2023 with a yoga series for healthy aging individuals with therapeutic classes offering yoga tools and education for strength, resilience, and wellness. Classes are designed to address different aspects of healthy aging and are geared towards accessibility and gentle practice. The themes for the class will include physical and mental well-being utilizing movement, meditation, and breathing practices. Mats and chairs will be provided; it’s optional to bring a blanket, and please wear comfortable clothing. Classes are offered Monday 2:30 pm-3:30 pm. First class began 1/16/23 and subsequent classes are 1/23/23, 1/30/23, 2/6/23 and 2/13/23
Volunteers Needed to Shovel Snow for Seniors
With the influx of all the recent winter weather, there is a growing need to support senior citizens with snow shoveling services. To that end, the Pagosa Senior Center is recruiting community volunteers to assist seniors in need during the remainder of the winter months. If you are interested and capable, please contact us at 970.264.2167
Mobile Food Pantry Service
The Pagosa Senior Center would like to remind the community about our mobile food pantry services we provide in partnership with Archuleta County MET to seniors age 60 and older throughout most areas of Archuleta County. In order to participate in this program, community members must visit with Barbara Noriega at the downtown Senior Center located in the Ross Aragon Community Center to fill out an application to qualify for the mobile pantry service. The application, called the dining assessment form, is also available on our website at the bottom of the Community Cafe page http://www.psseniors.org/community-cafeacute.html. For more information contact us at 970-264-2167.
Mahjong is a 19th Century Chinese tile-based game that is commonly played with four players. Each player receives 13 tiles with a goal to make matching sets and pairs (like Poker). To win, a player must form four sets and one pair. Come to the Senior Center to learn or play every Tuesday at 1:15pm.
Kitchen and Desk Volunteers Needed
The Community Cafe at the Pagosa Senior Center is requesting volunteers to help with kitchen tasks and substitutes for our Meals on Wheels drivers. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to volunteer or for more information.
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.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday,January 26 – Meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet corn, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Friday, January 27 – Pork chile Colorado, Spanish rice, garden salad, banana pudding and milk.
Monday, January 30 – Cod piccata, glazed carrots, garden salad, fruit, German chocolate cake and milk.
Tuesday January 31 – Pork chops with sauteed apples, sweet potatoes, dinner roll, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Wednesday, February 1 – Chicken and mushroom crepes, lemon asparagus with toasted almonds, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Thursday, February 2 – Vegetable lasagna with garlic bread, fresh berries, carrot cake, garden salad and milk.
Friday, February 3 – Frito pie with cheese, coleslaw, cornbread, peach cobbler, garden salad and milk.
Grab-N-Go Meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9:00 am the morning of the day you want to pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $10.00 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.00. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to make a reservation.
Please consider donating to Archuleta Seniors Inc. You may mail your donation to PO BOX 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or visit our website: http://www.psseniors.org/ (donation button). 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.