SENIOR CENTER NEWS: Finding Purpose and Joy in Aging

In our youth obsessed culture, there is a lot of fear and anxiety about growing older. Aging is a natural part of life, and it can be a time of great fulfillment, growth, and joy. The Pagosa Senior Center will be offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich starting Thursday, January 4 and continuing each Thursday in the new year from 1:30-2:30pm.

Longtime local practitioner Udgar Parsons will offer a mindfulness based meditation classes from 3-4pm in the dining hall to support older adults who want to discover purpose and fulfillment in this transitional phase of life.

Tai Chi Chih and mindfulness based meditation are not martial arts, but rather tools for self-healing. Softness, flow and effortlessness are the guiding principles in these practices. For Tai Chi, it will include 19 easy to learn movements and one pose designed to stimulate, circulate and balance the vital energy, or universal life force, referred to as ‘Qi’, which is inherent in all of us. T’ai Chi Chich is often thought of as a moving meditation because of the calming effect on the mind and emotions, and the release of tension throughout the body. All classes will be free for older adults (age 60 and better) and will last approximately 1 hour in the dining hall. No special special clothing or equipment is required for either class.

We welcome and invite you to join us on your journey. We are here to support you and the community on our collective healing journey. For more information contact rosa@psseniors.org or call 970-264-2167.

Yoga Therapy Class Series
Gather with local yoga practitioner AJ Connors 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. This yoga series promotes healthy aging for 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. Class is offered Mondays 2:30-3:30pm in the dining hall.

Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Thursday
Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den aka Community Cafe in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Thursdays downtown at the Ross Aragon Community Center between 11 am and 1 pm weekly. Pickup is available all week including Fridays.

Our dining hall is open to all ages and welcomes you all with kindness and warmth. We provide hot/cold meals for anyone in the community interested in a nutritious and delicious meal. For those 60 or older we request a suggested donation of $10.00, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10.50 charge for guests under the age of 60. Meals include a main course, side dish, fruit/dessert, garden salad plus beverage. Some popular menu items include: Frito chile pie, pork tenderloin with harvest chutney, Singaporean pork ribs, vegetarian lasagna, Hawaiian shrimp with coconut rice and always a beautiful green salad. Many of our items are locally sourced and organic.

Please visit our website at http://www.psseniors.org/community-cafeacute.html to view our weekly menu. To reserve your meal for the day please make your reservation via text or phone call 970-264-2167 by 9am weekdays.

Community Cafe Menu

Friday, December 29 – Pork Tonkatsu ramen bowl with boiled egg, peas, scallions, garden salad, fruit, milk, fortune cookies

Monday, January 1 – Closed for the New Year Holiday

Tuesday, January 2 – Closed for the New Year Holiday

Wednesday, January 3 – Teriyaki beef with sauteed peppers, coconut rice, sauteed snap peas, garden salad, fruit and milk.

Thursday,January 4 – Vegetable lasagna with white sauce, garlic bread, garden salad, fruit, and milk.

Friday, January 5 – Chipotle lime tilapia, jasmine rice, sauteed kale, garden salad, fruit, milk, and cookies.

Meals on Wheels
We deliver fresh Meals on Wheels five days a week (and provide frozen Meals on Wheels for weekends) to homebound Archuleta County residents. Call or text us at 970-264-2167.

Text Us @ 970-264-2167
Don’t forget that we also offer a convenient texting service for you to communicate with us. When texting, please include your name, phone number and the days you want a meal. If you are calling to cancel a reservation, please include your name, phone number and the days you want to cancel. Texting services are available for dining-in meal reservations, Grab-n-Go meals, and Meals on Wheels recipients.

Mahjong
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.

Medicare Call by Appointment
For anyone who needs help enrolling and navigating Medicare plans, the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging helps with Parts A, B, and D. They can also help you with fraud concerns and troubleshooting any billing issues you may be having. By appointment only. Please call the Medicare line at 970-264-0501; ext 4.

Support Our Seniors
Please support our ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County. You may mail your donation to PO BOX 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or please 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/

Rosa Chavez

Rosa Chavez

Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.