National Nutrition Month takes place during March, and is a good time to take a look at other factors that might be interfering with your efforts to make sure you and your loved one are eating healthy. There’s no question that selecting fresh, healthy ingredients is fundamental to older adult nutrition. As elders living alone and as caregivers, we’re often called on to plan meals, prepare food, shop for groceries and sometimes eat alone or serve meals to our older adult loved ones.
Besides making sure food and snacks are on hand and properly stored, we also may need to ensure items that become spoiled, stale or otherwise past their prime are promptly discarded. But what if you’ve done everything to motivate yourself to inspire meal prep and/or follow what the experts recommend and Mom or Dad just will not eat? If you’ve already ruled out medical conditions or side effects from a prescribed medication, you might consider adjusting other parts of the food routine to see if it changes your results.
Start with timing. We all know that people are supposed to eat three meals each day at standardized times during the day. But as an older adult or if there is an older person in your care – and particularly his or her metabolism – may not have received that message. It can be useful to serve the meals you/they want when you or your loved one is actually hungry for them. Even if vegetables aren’t your particular idea of a well-balanced breakfast, if that’s when you or your older adult wants them, who are we to judge?
Adapt serving styles to your/their preferences. As we get older, our abilities for different tasks change in ways that are unique to each individual. If you suspect you or your elder may be uncomfortable with certain utensils, find a work-around. Serving soup in a coffee cup, for example, or cutting roast chicken into finger-friendly strips may be a solution.
Don’t be afraid to spice things up. Nobody likes to eat food that tastes like nothing. As we age, our sense of taste can change or diminish. Some families we serve have found success with adding extra herbs and spices to an older adult’s food, even if they previously didn’t care for stronger flavors. Just be conscious of salt intake and any other dietary restrictions.”
At Archuleta Seniors Inc., we take proper nutrition seriously and are always looking for ways to make healthy eating more enjoyable and accessible for those in our community. If you are an older adult 60+ or are a caregiver of an older adult who needs nutrition support, please reach out to Archuleta Seniors Inc. to learn more about our signature meal program, how to benefit from supplemental nutrition options like meal kits/produce boxes and/or receive nutrition counseling. Contact ASI at 970-264-2167 or stop by the office at 451 Hot Springs Blvd in the rear of the Ross Aragon Community Center.
Join the New Caregiver Support Group
Here in Pagosa Springs, the Senior Center will be hosting a new support group beginning in March of 2025. If you are caring for a family member or friend with physical/mental disability, or emotional health needs, or cognitive decline; this group was created for you. Note: This group is not limited to only caregivers of older adults. Caregivers of all types are welcome. This group offers a safe, welcoming space for caregivers seeking connection, empathy, and encouragement. Whether you’re looking for understanding during difficult times or just need a community to lean on, we’re here for you. These sessions will also offer educational resources to grow you in the knowledge and skill to strengthen self care, to care for your loved ones and empower you to navigate your role as a caregiver; one day at a time. Dates for the monthly caregiver support gathering in 2025 include: March 27th, April 24th, May 22th, June 26th, July 24th, August 28th, September 25th, October 23rd, November 20nd and December 18th and all meetings will be held at the Ross Aragon Community Center in the West Conference Room from 10:30 am to 12 pm. If you have questions or would like to be added to our announcement list, please contact Yeun Fiedler at (970) 946-5810, or Madeline Sutton at (970) 507-1574.
Scrapbooking & Crafters Club
The Pagosa Springs Scrapbooking Club and Crafters club continues to hold monthly meetings the second Saturday of each month in 2025 at the Ross Aragon Community Center from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm at 451 Hot Springs Blvd within the dining hall in the Pagosa Senior Center. This creative tradition has been happening since 2005 and we invite all creative individuals to come and share ideas, connect with new and old friends, learn/share creative techniques, share supplies and indulge in a potluck lunch together. Bring your scrapbooking projects – or any crafting project that you may want to work on with the group! Help us create an intergenerational community. Ages 18 and older welcome, and for those youth aged 17 and younger, we kindly request that an adult chaperone accompany them. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please send your request to copenhavercreative@gmail.com, and you will receive notification each month of the upcoming meeting along with tips & tricks for scrapbooking and more!
Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed
For more than 50 years, the Pagosa Senior Center (est. in 1971) / Archuleta Seniors Inc. (est. in 2003) has been meeting the social and nutritional needs of older adults (age 60 and better) in our community. We serve thousands of nutritious meals annually in Archuleta County and volunteers deliver Meals on Wheels and friendly visits / wellness checks to homebound older adults. We depend on more than 55 volunteers annually to help us serve and deliver meals and provide other wrap-around services. The cost of each meal is $10.50 but we only ask for a suggested donation of $6.00/meal. Meal recipients are asked to contribute what they can afford and no one is ever turned down. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday. Participants must be at home to receive meals. Meals on Wheels volunteers receive background checks and training prior to delivery. Typically a volunteer shift is one day a week from 10:30 am to 1 pm depending on the size of the route. Staff works closely with volunteers to allow for periodic breaks. If you are interested in volunteering, please stop by the Archuleta Seniors Inc. office at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to pick up an application. Questions, please call ASI at 970-264-2167.
Senior Conversations
Join us every Monday at 1:15 pm for a series of “Senior Conversations” with local Bill Salmansohn. Bill brings to our conversations a variety of topics designed to stimulate discussions within a safe and comfortable environment as community members explore wellbeing and shared experiences. This is a unique opportunity to connect with others living within the Archuleta community for friendship and togetherness. Snacks will be provided. Afterward, hosted by Robin Williams, is a get-together created for those who wish to continue the conversation. This opportunity is typically from 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm, following Senior Conversations. The group occasionally reconvenes as an informal gathering at various local restaurants.
Share Lunch and Dine Monday through Friday
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. Meals include a main course, side dish, fruit/dessert, garden salad plus beverage.
To reserve your meal for the day please make your reservation via text or phone call 970-264-2167 by 9 am weekdays.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, March 13 – Beef Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Cottage Cheese, and Milk.
Friday, March 14 – Mushroom & Spinach Crepes, Peas & Pearl Onions, Garden Salad, Fruit, Carrot Cake, and Milk.
Monday, March 17 – Beef Chili w/ Cheese, Wilted Spinach, Jalapeno Cornbread, Garden Salad, Fruit, and Milk.
Tuesday, March 18 – Chef Salad, Fresh Berries, Croutons, Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Tomato Basil Soup,and Milk.
Wednesday, March 19 – Crispy Cod w/ Tartar Sauce & Lemon, Rice Pilaf, Broccoli, Garden Salad, Fruit, Cottage Cheese, and Milk.
Thursday, March 20 – Pork Tenderloin w/ Harvest Chutney, Sweet Corn, Garden
Salad, Banana Pudding, Muffin and Milk.
Friday, March 21 – Potato Leek Soup, Focaccia Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Dessert Bar, and Milk.
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.
Hand & Foot Card Game
Whether you are new to Hand & Foot or interested in learning, please join us most Tuesdays at 1:15 at the Senior Center. This card game involves 4 rounds of playing until the final round is reached – some 2 to 3 hours later. Plan to stay and meet some new friends or catch up with those you have missed over the last couple of years. No experience is necessary so come willing to learn.
Support Our Elders
Please support our ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to 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. Please stop by our offices at 451 Hot Springs Blvd. to pick up an application or call 970-264-2167 for more information.