ASI will be hosting High Tea today, Thursday, July 24, from 1:15 – 2:15pm at the Senior Center Dining Room.
Come by and try our cucumber sandwiches and scones. All ages are welcome.
Living Independently as a Senior
Part of the mission of Archuleta Seniors Inc. is to provide services that help seniors live at home, including the dine-in and grab ‘n’ go lunches, Meals on Wheels, classes such as Stretching and Mobility and Tai Chi, and programs such as Medical Alert Monitoring and Caregiver Support.
To continue living at home, your home must be adapted to your current physical ability to prevent falls. More than half of falls happen at home.
Why focus on falls? According to the Council on Aging, “Falls remain the leading cause of injury death for older Americans. Falls threaten seniors’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs. Every second of every day, an older adult (age 65+) falls in the U.S.”
”More than one-fourth of Americans aged 65+ fall each year. Falls result in more than 3 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations and more than 32,000 deaths.”
“In addition to pain and suffering, and the high cost of rehabilitation, falls with or without injury also carry a heavy quality of life impact. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, often self-limit activities and social engagements. These limitations can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.”
The Council on Aging concludes: “This potentially bleak future for aging Americans is not inevitable; evidence-based interventions that target individual risk factors for falling have been shown to reduce falls and promote falls self-efficacy.”
So, what can you do to make your home safer and prevent falls?
In your bathroom: Invest in a shower seat, grab bar, and adjustable-height handheld shower head. If affordable, replace a bathtub with a walk-in shower.
Around the house: Use bright, non-glare lightbulbs and nightlights to see where you are going. In your bedroom, use a chair, so you can sit while getting dressed.
One of the best things to do in the house is to take out area and throw rugs. It’s so easy to catch your foot on a rug and fall. In general, keep things neat and put away so nothing is on the floor and stairs that you can trip over.
Wear good-fitting shoes at home. Unsteady, loose-fitting slippers increase the chance of slipping and falling.
Be smart and prevent fall hazards to stay safely in your home.
Senior Conversations
Join us every Monday at 1:15pm for a series of “Senior Conversations” with local Bill Salmansohn. Salmonsohn brings to our conversations a variety of topics designed to stimulate discussions within a safe and comfortable environment as we explore our well-being and shared experiences. This is a unique opportunity to connect with others in the Archuleta community, fostering friendships and togetherness.
Snacks will be provided. Afterward, stay for a get-together created for those who wish to continue the conversation. This opportunity is typically from 2:30 pm – 3:30pm, following Senior Conversations. The group occasionally reconvenes as an informal gathering at various local restaurants.
Stretching & Mobility Weekly Class
Community members are invited to attend free weekly classes every Tuesday from 10:00am to 11:00am at the Pagosa Springs Senior Center at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in the back of the Ross Aragon Community Center. The stretching and mobility classes for adults aged 55 or better are designed to help build balance in the body through functional exercises that aim to improve mobility and flexibility. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of techniques that can help enhance overall movement efficiency. Though not necessary, a mat is recommended for this class. The program is instructed by local dance instructor Dee Pitchon, who will provide modifications to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the exercises.
Bridge
The game of Bridge is hosted on Tuesdays at 1:15pm every week. It has also been added on Wednesdays at 1:15pm. 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.
Mindful Drawing
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 1:15pm 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.
Bingo
The Pagosa Senior Center usually hosts bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 to 2:30pm. Join the group on July 25.
Participation is free, and all we ask is that you bring yourself and a friend for an hour of joyful fellowship. We have prizes from local businesses for all winners and snacks are also 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-served.
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 p.m. 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 and tricks for scrapbooking and more.
Dine-In and Grab ‘N’Go Lunch Monday through Friday
Join local elders, their friends, family, and community at the Community Café. To reserve your meal for the day, please make your reservation via text or phone call (970) 264-2167 before 9 a.m. weekdays. Be sure to say whether it is dine-in or Grab ‘N’ Go. Our dining hall is open to all ages and welcomes you 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. Meals include a main course, side dish, fruit/dessert, garden salad, plus a beverage.
Community Cafe Menu
Please note that occasionally the menu must be changed on short notice.
Thursday, July 24 – Giant Stuffed Mushroom with Vegetables & Feta Cheese, Baked Sweet Potato, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk
Friday, July 25 – Beef Gyro with Pita Bread, Tzatziki Sauce, Tabouli Salad, Spanakopita, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk
Monday, July 28 – Pasta Primavera with Alfredo Sauce and Vegetables, Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk
Tuesday, July 29 – Crispy Cod with Tartar Sauce, Quinoa Rice Pilaf, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk
Wednesday, July 30- Asian Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing, Chicken Potstickers, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk
Thursday, July 31 – Beef Barley & Vegetable Soup with Ciabatta Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Milk
Support the Senior Center
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. Another way to donate: Are you 70.5 years old or better? Do you have an IRA from which you need to take a distribution? Did you know you can make charitable donations directly from your IRA without paying taxes on the distribution, up to $100,000 per year? The donation from the account would be payable to Archuleta Seniors Inc and sent to PO Box 344, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147. This gift option is called the IRA charitable rollover or qualified charitable distribution (QCD).
We are located at 451 Hot Springs Blvd., in downtown Pagosa Springs. For more information about ASI, please visit http://www.psseniors.org/