The Colorado Commission on Age Friendly Communities Subcommittee and Archuleta Seniors Inc. are interested in hearing from community members and visitors of Pagosa Springs and Archuleta County to better understand what an “age friendly Archuleta community” means to you.
Save the date: the listening session will be held virtually Wednesday December 4, 2024 from 9:30am to 11am. Currently, Archuleta County doesn’t have the designation of an “age friendly community”, however Archuleta Seniors Inc. anticipates integrating this important policy work into the ASI strategic planning goals and collaborative efforts over the next three years between 2025-2027.
An age-friendly community is livable for people of all ages. Additionally, an age-friendly community is a place that adapts its services and both social and built environments / physical structures to be more inclusive and receptive to the needs of its population to improve their quality of life as they age. A friendly community encourages healthy aging by optimizing resources to improve the health, safety, and inclusion of older people in the community.
This initiative also encourages older adults to take a more active role in their communities and have their voices heard with focus on areas such as nutrition, housing, transportation, outdoor spaces & buildings, caregiving, community engagement & employment opportunities, civic participation/volunteering, community support & health services, respect & social inclusion/participation, communication & information, and combating isolation among older citizens.
A community’s age-friendly leaders and champions likely include: elected officials; government agencies; nonprofit organizations and foundations; academic institutions; Area Agencies on Aging; community coalitions; local businesses; Chambers of Commerce; residents; families; advocates and volunteers. Again the meeting will be held virtually at this web page. The meeting ID: 817 8755 1403 Passcode: 937382.
If you are unable to attend the listening session, we still want to hear your voice! Use this Google Form to input your feedback/ideas: forms.gle/vnCPQroFm8szcsFa9. For more information please contact Archuleta Seniors Inc. Executive Director Rose Chavez at rosa@psseniors.org or Kristine Burrows, Senior Specialist on Aging within the Colorado Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services at kristine.burrows@state.co.us.
Archuleta Seniors Inc. Winter Fundraiser
Thanks to the kind donation of a matching grant provided by an anonymous benefactor your generous donation during our winter fundraiser will be doubled up to $5000 through the end of December. Although we are very grateful to our current funding partners, Archuleta County, San Juan Basin Area on Aging, Town of Pagosa Springs, and grants from private foundations, still, it is not enough. 37% of our funds are dependent on our ability to fundraise, via campaigns, community events, and the generosity of people like you! Unfortunately, we have been informed that we can expect an 18% decrease in funding this next fiscal year even while our operation costs and need for services continue to increase.
But with your help, we can make a difference and enhance the lives of our 60+ community and those who care about them! Please jump in today with your 100% matched donation and join in our ongoing efforts to provide our cherished elders, who have given so much to this community, with nutritional, health, and social programming that will continue to enrich their lives.
Donations can be made directly to Archuleta Seniors Inc., located in the Ross Aragon Community Center at 451 Hot Springs Blvd in Pagosa Springs or by mail P.O. Box 3444, Pagosa Springs. CO 81147. We also take donations by phone, please call 970-264-2167 or online donations via our Colorado Gives, Archuleta Seniors Inc. winter fundraising page: https://www.coloradogives.org/story/Asifallfundraiser
Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed
For more than 50 years, the Pagosa Senior Center (est. in 1971) / Archuleta Seniors Inc. (est. in 2013) 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 will not be left. 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.
Healthy Aging & Yoga Therapy Class Series
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. We request that individuals new to the series arrive early for intake inquiries and to please communicate with our new instructor Kimberly Anderson directly by email at zinkgraf@gmail.com.
Bingo
The Pagosa Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm Nov. 8, Nov. 22, Dec. 6 and Dec. 20. The price to participate is free and all we ask is 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.
Senior Conversations
Join us every Monday 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. 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 9 am weekdays.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, November 7 – Tuna Salad on Croissant, Broccoli Salad, Garden Salad, Fruit, Vanilla Pudding, Sunrise Muffin, Milk.
Friday, November 8 – Ginger Lime Shrimp w/ Grits, Caribbean Beans, Garden Salad, Fruit, Lemon Cookies, Milk.
Monday, November 11 – Closed in Honor and Recognition of Veteran’s Day
Tuesday, November 12 – Hawaiian Beef w/ Peppers, Coconut Rice, Garden Salad, Pineapple Fluff, Milk.
Wednesday, November 13 – BBQ Chicken, Creamed Corn, Biscuit, Garden Salad, Vanilla Yogurt, Fruit, Milk.
Thursday, November 14 – Stuffed Giant Portobello Mushroom w/ Veggies & Feta, Cous-Cous, Garlic Toast, Garden Salad, Fruit, Chocolate Pudding Milk.
Friday, November 15 – Korean Pork Ribs, Quinoa Brown Rice, Glazed Ginger Carrots, Garden Salad, Fruit, Fortune Cookies, Milk.
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.
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.