Through the month of February — and throughout 2023 — the Pagosa Senior Center is working to bring in donations to support services for seniors. The campaign, “A Sweetheart Deal, Buy A Senior A Meal & More,” makes it possible for community members to directly support and donate hot nutritious meals and more for local seniors in Archuleta County. In addition to a nutrition center, the Pagosa Senior Center serves as a community hub where food and other resources/supports are available to help seniors stay independent, active, engaged in our community, and living in their homes.
ASI delivers the following to support senior wellness, health and quality of life:
Meals and Supplemental Nutrition
- 25,000 fresh and nutritious meals (salad, entrée, dessert, beverage) are provided annually, available 5 days/week via drive-thru carryout, delivery (Meals on Wheels) and onsite dining. 15% of all meals are provided to caregivers who also are age 60 or better.
- Menu planning and a commitment to high nutrition ensure that those with special dietary requirements – including cultural preferences and religious requirements – generally are accommodated (heritage foods are regularly integrated and vegetarian foods are readily available, etc.).
- A mobile food pantry service, tailored to the needs of homebound seniors, provides for those living in outlying areas of the region served.
Social Connection Activities; Educational, Other Resources and Referrals
- Afternoon onsite and offsite social, service and future field trip activities, including games, discussion groups on sports or movies, yoga and stretching, etc. are provided, benefiting an average 15 individuals per activity via average 2.5 activities per month.
- Educational workshops and presentations – e.g., healthy habits, VITA tax support, financial literacy, fall prevention – benefit an average 15 individuals per activity via in-person and remote educational offerings/month.
- Informed and comprehensive referrals to other community organizations provide for assistance through a variety of services, materials/resources, and other supports.
Isolation Prevention and Caregiver Supports
- Residents of congregate housing for individuals of low-income utilize walkable access to and delivery service of meals
- An average 20 local individuals benefit each month from on-demand transportation to and from the Senior Center for meals, and social and educational programming.
- Typically, 35-40 individuals are visited daily (five days/week) by Meals on Wheels, which includes an at-home wellness check.
- Electronic monitoring devices (hardware, subscription service) for 24/7 assurance are provided for 15 individuals annually.
- Caregivers have access to informational/educational materials specific to their needs (e.g. meals, future counseling services).
All meals have a suggested donation of $10, with social events and educational offerings provided at no/low cost. For more information about our services please contact us at 970.264.2167.
Seasonal Free Art Class
Next FREE art class at the Senior Center will be Tuesday, February 21 at 1:15pm. No reservations are required but space is limited so be sure to be there by 1:15. We will be making a piece of art that reflects all the symbols and colors we love about St. Patrick’s Day. No art skill is required for this class – just a desire to have fun and make something creative. All materials will be provided including the scissors, paper, glue and watercolors. Yes, we are going to learn just a few basics about watercolors and why they are such special paints. Templates will be provided to trace and cut out the symbols of St. Patrick’s Day – or you can draw your own! All ages are invited so find a friend and bring them along. Our teacher will be Denise Fisk, who is a retired elementary art teacher from Iowa. She loves sharing art techniques with her classes. So come to the senior center with a friend and see your success in creating your own work of art.
Senior Conversations ~ New Group
Join us February 27 at 9:30am for a first in a series of “Senior Conversations” with local Bill Salmansohn. He will lead the group through a mindfulness exercise and discussion of various topics pertaining to aging in Archuleta County. Explore and discover for yourself answers to your questions and concerns. First group will be 2/27.
Volunteer Coordinator for Growing Dome Program
The Pagosa Senior Center is looking for volunteers to assist with our new growing dome program. These individual(s) will be responsible for helping to coordinate volunteer opportunities at the Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership Community Garden Dome on a twice monthly basis. The program is new and will partner with other growing dome participants for group activities and opportunities. For more information and to pick up an application please visit us at 451 Hot Springs Blvd at the Pagosa Senior center.
Zentangle
The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. “Zentangle” is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com or 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..
Engaging Pictures are needed from seniors and their families who live, work and play their best lives in Archuleta County. We are looking for pictures that convey people’s active lifestyles, families, culture and more. We would like to use these pictures in our grant applications, on social media and our website. Please email all pictures to rosa@psseniors.org or feel free to drop them off.
Community Cafe Menu
Thursday, February 16 – Beef cottage pie with roasted cauliflower, garden salad, fruit, bread pudding and milk.
Friday, February 17 – Vegetarian tempeh chili with cornbread and honey, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Monday, February 20 – Closed for President’s Day
Tuesday February 21 – Barbecue chicken, sweet corn, baked beans, garden salad, fruit, milk and chocolate cake.
Wednesday, February 22 – Meatballs and marinara with hoagie roll, green beans with bacon, garden salad, fruit, milk, and chocolate macadamia nut cookie.
Thursday, February 23 – Singapore coffee barbeque pork ribs with rice, sauteed squash, garden salad, fruit and milk.
Friday, February 24 – Chicken Dijon with glazed carrots and dinner roll, garden salad, fruit, milk, and banana pudding.
Grab-N-Go Meals
Reservations and cancellations are required. Please call or text by 9:00 am the morning of the day you want to pick up a meal. A suggested donation of $10.00 helps to sustain our program. No one will be turned away for their inability to donate. For ages 59 and younger, the cost is $10.00 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.
Requesting Donations
ASI has an immediate monetary need to support ongoing operations and programming that provide critical services to some of the most vulnerable in Archuleta County. Please consider donating to Archuleta Seniors Inc. You may mail your donation to PO BOX 3444, Pagosa Springs CO 81147 or please visit our website: http://www.psseniors.org/ (donation button).