Community members are encouraged by Archuleta Seniors, Inc. (ASI) to provide feedback on the needs of local older adult residents and to comment on how well ASI is meeting these needs. Several focus group discussions and an online survey are part of a countywide effort to gather data that will inform the ASI Board of Directors as it plans for ASI’s senior services provision for the coming three years.
“We want to hear from anyone and everyone interested in maximizing the services and supports available to our community’s seniors,” says ASI Executive Director Rose Chavez. “It is important that all impacted voices are heard. To this end, we are hosting several focus group conversations, and are making the online survey available in both Spanish and English.”
Focus group discussions (sign-up requested) will be held on April 17 (9 to 11am and 1:15 to 3:15pm) and April 18 (3 to 5 pm). Both clients and non-clients of ASI and the Pagosa Springs Senior Center are welcome to participate; refreshments and door prizes will be provided. Those interested in completing a short survey may visit www.psseniors.org, or contact ASI for a printed version of the survey instrument: In Spanish – https://forms.gle/vBDSkEksaZVZmp6DA and in English.
ASI’s mission is “To promote independence and advance community resilience by empowering individuals who are 60 years old and better, their families, and other community stakeholders.” Services’ delivery is driven by the deeply-held value that older adults have an important role in the community, and includes provision of meals, social and educational activities, monitoring systems and other caregiver supports, and local referrals. For further information, to sign up to attend a focus group gathering, or to request a printed survey document, contact Rose Chavez at ASI, 970-264-2167 or rosa@psseniors.org
Fresh Local Produce For Older Adults Available This Summer
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).
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.
Bingo
The Pagosa Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm on April 5, April 19, May 3, May 31, June 7 and June 21. The price to participate is free and we ask you bring yourself and a friend for an hour of joyful fellowship. We will provide prizes from local businesses for all winners and snacks will also be provided. No RSVP required, just show up. All ages welcome but we ask those 18 and younger to come with an adult chaperone. Seats are first come first serve. For more information contact us at 970-264-2167.
Tai Chi Chih
The Pagosa Senior Center is offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday this Spring 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 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.
Grab-N-Go & Dine-In Meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9:00am 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.
Community Cafe Menu
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.
Monday, April 8 – Tuscan White Bean & Kale Soup, Ciabatta Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Vanilla Yogurt, Milk,
Tuesday, April 9 – Chicken Cashew Salad on Croissant, Deviled Eggs, Broccoli Salad, Garden Salad, Fruit, Key Lime Pie, Milk.
Wednesday, April 10 – Beef Pot Roast with Root Veggies, Mashed Potatoes, Garden Salad, Fruit, Sunrise Muffin, Milk.
Thursday, April 11 – Salmon Cakes w/ Tartar Sauce, Sauteed Greens, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.
Friday, April 12 – Pork Tenderloin w/ Burgundy Peppercorn Sauce, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Garden Salad, Fruit, Banana Brunch Cake, Milk.
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 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 1:15 pm.
Mindful Drawing is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Join our friendly instructor Roberta Strickland, CZT. Classes are every Wednesday at 1:15 pm in the Pagosa Senior Center. This activity is open to all ages. Help us create an intergenerational community. For those under 18 and/or with disabilities you are welcome to join us, but we kindly ask you to please bring an adult chaperone with you.
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.
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/.
Rose Chavez is Executive Director for Archuleta Seniors, Inc. and Public Health Consultant at Archuleta Food System/Food Equity Coalition.