SENIOR CENTER NEWS: The Winter Fundraiser

Thanks to the kind donation of a matching grant provided by an anonymous benefactor, your generous donation to Archuleta Seniors Inc. during our winter fundraiser will be doubled, up to $5000 by the end of December. Although we are very grateful to our current funding partners, Archuleta County, San Juan Basin Area of Aging, the Town of Pagosa Springs, and grants from private foundations, this funding is still insufficient. 37% of our funds depend on our ability to fundraise via campaigns, community events, and the generosity of people like you!

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 at 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.

Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed
For more than 50 years, the Pagosa Senior Center (est. in 1971) and Archuleta Seniors Inc. (est. in 2013) have 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 and 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 per 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.

Medical Monitoring Devices & Caregiver Supports Available
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 as well as access to social/educational programming.

We are also in the planning stages to offer a caregiver support group in the new year, stay tuned for more details! 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.

Healthy Aging & Yoga Therapy Class Series
Our 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 our new instructor Kimberly Anderson directly by email at zinkgraf@gmail.com.

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
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 9 am weekdays.

Community Cafe Menu
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.

Monday, November 18 – Chicken & Dumplings, Romanesco Broccoli, Garden Salad Fruit, Cherry Pie, Milk.

Tuesday, November 19 – Beef Frito Pie, Cornbread,, Sour.Cream, Avocado, Cheese, Blueberry Cobbler, Garden Salad, Milk.

Wednesday, November 20 – Baked Cod, Broccoli Hollandaise, Bread Pudding w/ Rum Sauce, Garden Salad, Fruit Milk.

Thursday, November 21 – Pork Tenderloin w/ Cranberry Ginger Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Garden Salad, Cottage Cheese, Fruit, Milk.

Friday, November 22 – Beef Lasagna, Wilted Spinach & Onions, Garlic Bread, Garden Salad, Fruit, Cranberry Nut Muffin, Milk.

Covid-19 Test Kits
The Pagosa Senior Center will no longer be distributing free covid-19 test kits. Please stop by the Archuleta County Public Health Department at 502 S. 8th St., Pagosa Springs, CO. These kits are available to anyone in the public that needs affordable access for health promotion and disease prevention.

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 1:15 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.

Support Our Elders
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.