SENIOR CENTER NEWS: Support Services to Help Seniors Age Safely at Home

Save the date for April 19 from 11:30am to 12:30pm to gather for a lunch and learn opportunity with Archuleta Seniors Inc. Come for an onsite demonstration with Apollo Remote Caregivers.

Apollo helps keep people safe in their homes by providing 3 to 4 scheduled check-ins daily and are available 24/7 on demand, using 2-way video via a tablet to provide medication, meal, and appointment reminders. These check-ins are provided by trained and licensed caregivers that have a background in senior care. They also help reduce isolation and loneliness by establishing a relationship with their clients.

Apollo is dedicated to enhancing the safety and well-being of your loved ones by providing cutting-edge remote support solutions, allowing them to thrive in the comfort of their own homes. Through the use of secure two-way video technology on tablets, their highly skilled remote caregivers conduct scheduled check-ins and are available 24/7 for immediate assistance, providing a reassuring presence whenever needed.

Come learn about how their comprehensive assistance goes beyond traditional care. You will meet with a representative who will answer questions and will discuss how they provide support with medication and appointment reminders, coordinate transportation, ensure kitchen safety, and employ state-of-the-art technology to detect falls promptly. Recognizing the importance of addressing emotional well-being, Apollo actively combats feelings of isolation and loneliness, fostering a sense of connection and community. Their services are designed to be accessible and flexible. They offer convenient funding options through Medicaid, Long-Term Care Insurance, or Private Pay, ensuring that their innovative solutions are within reach for those seeking personalized, high-quality care in the comfort of their homes.

If you would like to attend and have lunch please RSVP by 9am Friday April 19. For more information contact Archuleta Seniors Inc. at 970-264-2167.

Nourish Colorado
This 2024 growing season, Archuleta Seniors Inc. and Terrawalk Farms are partnering with Nourish Colorado to bring low income older adults (age 55 and older) in Archuleta County locally grown, seasonal, organic produce shares through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). CSAs or farm memberships are a means of creating a mutually beneficial connection between consumers and their farmers. These partnerships result in a bi-monthly bounty of vegetables for the Subscriber. Terrawalk Farms is a small family farm located off Highway 151.

If you are interested in participating in this FREE fresh produce program, you must meet one of the minimum requirements to be selected as a Subscriber. The criteria for being selected is either: 1. Being a NEW or current client of ASI through our congregate, Meals on Wheels, or pick up/grab n go meal program OR 2. Being a resident of the low income senior housing community (Socorro, Archuleta Housing for the Elderly, Casa De Los Arcos, or Lake View Estates).

Participating Subscribers will receive a fresh local organic produce box alternating weeks throughout the growing season which spans from June 2, 2024 to September 29, 2024. Subscribers will pick up their bi-monthly fresh produce boxes either on site at the Ross Aragon Community Center on Tuesdays or at a to be determined location in Pagosa Springs on the weekends. Details are still being finalized and Subscribers will be notified.

In addition to your weekly food, you will receive the following perks:

  • A quarterly newsletter that includes simple relevant recipes, musings, and photos of the farm you support.
  • The opportunity to directly support young farmers. CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture”.
  • Optional opportunities to learn and work on the farm! There will be 2 community days throughout the season. One will be in July and another in September.
  • Attend monthly recipe tastings during Archuleta Seniors Inc. upcoming “Fresh Conversations” nutrition education and healthy aging circles starting April through September.

Please call 970-264-2167 or stop by the ASI office at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to sign up to be considered for this Older Adult Fresh Local Produce Box program. The first thirty interested clients who meet the minimum requirements will become Subscribers and will be eligible to receive their fresh produce boxes throughout the growing season of 2024. For more information contact Archuleta Seniors Inc at 970-264-2167.

Tai Chi Thursdays
The Pagosa Senior Center is offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday in the new year from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm in the dining hall to support older adults who want to discover purpose and fulfillment in this transitional phase of life. Tai Chi Chih is not a martial art, but rather a tool for self-healing. Softness, flow and effortlessness are the guiding principles in this practice. All classes will be free for older adults (age 55 and better) and will last approximately 1 hour in the dining hall. No special special clothing or equipment is required. For more information call 970-264-2167.

Senior Conversations
Join us Mondays at 1:15 pm for a series of “Senior Conversations” with local Bill Salmansohn. He will lead the group through mindfulness exercises and discussion of various topics pertaining to aging in Archuleta County. Explore and discover for yourself answers to your questions and concerns. Hold space and show up for sacred conversation. The meeting will be held at the Pagosa Senior Center in the dining hall. Snacks will be provided.

Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, March 28 – Pork Ziti Pasta with Marinara Sauce, Broccoli, Focaccia Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Carrot Cake, Milk.

Friday, March 29 – Crispy Cod Fish w/ Tartar Sauce, Glazed Carrots, Garden Salad, Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp, Milk.

Monday, April 1 – Baked Herb Chicken, Cous-Cous, Glazed Carrots, Garden Salad, Fruit and Milk.

Tuesday, April 2 – Broccoli-Cheddar Soup, Focaccia Bread, Beet Salad with Walnuts & Goat Cheese, Fruit and Milk.

Wednesday, April 3 – Ham Steak with Apricot Glaze, Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, Dinner Roll, Garden Salad, Fruit and MIlk.

Thursday, April 4 – Beef Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Broccoli, Garden Salad, Fruit, and Milk.

Friday, April 5 – Baked Cod Fish, Orzo Pasta, Zucchini Medley, Garden Salad, Fruit and Milk.

Grab-N-Go & Dine-In Meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9:00 am the morning of the day you want to dine in or pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $6.00 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.50 also. Please call or text us at 970-264-2167 to make a reservation.

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.

Covid-19 Test Kits Available
Stop by the Pagosa Senior Center to pick up a pack of 6 free covid-19 tests kits for your personal use. These kits are available to anyone in the public that needs affordable access for health promotion and disease prevention.

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/.

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 21 years of age or older and must have a passion for adult and aging services.

Rosa Chavez

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