SENIOR CENTER NEWS: Healthful and Educational Opportunities at the Senior Center

Join Judith Newman at the Pagosa Senior Center (451 Hot Springs Blvd) the second Wednesday of each month August 14, September 11 and October 9, 2024 to learn and/or refresh your “Emotional Freedom Technique” aka Tapping skills to support yourself with self-care, relief from anxiety, and community support. All classes start at 10 am and last 45 minutes to an hour. Please bring a friend or come alone. All are welcome.

The Healthy Aging Yoga Series continues to be offered in person at the Pagosa Senior Center on Mondays from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm and will be structured by therapeutic yoga tools and techniques with chair movement, standing stretches, gentle postures, breathing practices and reflective meditative moments. Monthly themes for the series will include topics such as sustainable strength for healthy aging individuals, brain health, heart & cardiovascular health, mental & emotional well-being, community connections, and stress management to name a few. Classes will be educational for participants to utilize practices in daily life and are meant for all levels of experience with yoga. Mats and chairs will be provided at the Senior Center, some blocks and Theraband are available too. The addition of yoga props is always welcomed. We request that individuals new to the series arrive early for intake inquiries and to please communicate with AJ directly by email at ajconnorslove@gmail.com.

Farmers Market Vouchers for older adults (age 60+) are available! If you love to shop at the Pagosa Springs Farmers Market, are 60 or older, or if you are 200% of poverty please call Deb Herera of the San Juan Area Agency on Aging at 970-403-2164 to put your name on the list for $50 in vouchers to redeem for local foods. Then visit the Pagosa Farmers Market any Saturday during the growing season (starting July 6 – end of September) to redeem your vouchers with local food artisans and growers in southwest Colorado and northern New Mexico. The Pagosa Farmers Market in 2024 will now be located in their new location on Pagosa Springs Main Street at the Tennyson Sculpture Garden & Park on Lewis St from 9 am to 1 pm on Saturdays.

Archuleta Seniors Inc. provides access to affordable medical monitoring devices to support older adults who are homebound or otherwise need support if they fall or have an emergency that they can immediately contact emergency services. Clients participating in this program can be independent or may have access to a private or family caregiver. An initial nominal fee is required to access the medical monitoring program. ASI also provides limited caregiver support through our congregate dining or grab n go/pickup meal program. These services are available for a suggested donation but no one 60 and older will be turned away for lack of ability to pay. If you are interested in any of these services or have any questions please contact Archuleta Seniors Inc. at 970-264-2167.

The Pagosa Senior Center is offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited instructor Patti Popovich each Thursday from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (meet at the gazebo in Yamaguchi park 684 S 5th St, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147) 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 at the park through October. No special special clothing or equipment is required. For more information call 970-264-2167.

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.

Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Friday
Open to All. Join us at the Silver Fox’s Den aka Community Cafe in person for daily hot/cold meals Mondays through Fridays 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 $6.00, but no one will be turned away. There is a $10.50 charge for guests under the age of 60.

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
Thursday, August 1 – Greek Chicken Wrap, Cucumber Salad, Spanakopitas, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.

Friday, August 2 – Eggplant Lasagna, Garlic Toast, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.

Monday, August 5 – Philly Cheesesteak on Hoagie Roll, Baked Cheesy Cauliflower, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.

Tuesday, August 6 – Pork Tenderloin wGold Raisin, Ginger Sauce, Roasted Potatoes, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk.

Wednesday, August 7 – Asian Chicken Salad, Pork Potstickers w/ Dipping Sauce, Fruit Salad, Milk.

Thursday, August 8 – Chicken Fajitas, Tortillas, Pinto Beans, Garden Salad, Fruit, Flan, MIlk.

Friday, August 9 – Fish Sandwich w/ Tartar Sauce, Sweet Potato Fries, Garden Salad, Fruit, 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.

Mobile Food Pantry Service
Older adults needing a ride to a local food pantry should contact the Archuleta County MET to schedule a ride with their paratransit service. For more information contact Lavonne at 970.264.2250.

Bridge
The longest played bridge game in Archuleta county takes place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1:15 pm every week. Bridge is a four-player card game with partners sitting opposite each other around a table. It is a trick taking card game using a standard 52-card deck. Come alone or bring a partner.

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/.

Rosa Chavez

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