By Musetta Wollenweber
SUN Columnist
The Wellness Center will provide a lipid panel screening to Pagosa seniors at no cost. This screening includes testing for cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides, with results printed in as little as five minutes.
A blood pressure reading will also be performed at the time of the screening, along with a short counseling session to go over the lipid panel numbers.
The Wellness Center will offer the free screenings at the Senior Center on Tuesday, Nov. 13, and Friday, Nov. 16, from 8:30-11 a.m. each day, by appointment.
Please make your appointment through The Wellness Center at 731-9545, Ext. 260.
Each participant is asked to obtain a registration form at the Senior Center and fill it out completely prior to the screening date.
Each participant must fast for 12 hours prior to the screening — no food or drink except water. You are encouraged to drink plenty of water.
Medicare
The 2012 General Enrollment for Medicare Prescription Plans (Part D) and Medicare Advantage Plans is Oct. 16-Dec. 7.
Remember, all our services are free, so be sure to rescreen your current enrollment to ensure you are in the right plan to meet your needs.
For further information, or to schedule an appointment, call 264-2167.
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
Concerned about memory problems? Early detection is important. Take action, get answers.
National Memory Screen Day is an annual initiative of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in collaboration with community sites across the country. Qualified healthcare professionals administer free, confidential memory screenings. Administered face to face, the screenings consist of a series of questions and tasks, and take about five to 10 minutes. Pagosa’s site is the Visiting Angels office at 452 Pagosa St., Suite 2B.
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and it’s estimated that missed diagnosis of dementia may be as high as 90 percent. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or a related dementia enables individuals to obtain appropriate medical treatment and behavioral management interventions, be more involved in long-term planning, and obtain social services support for themselves and their families.
Who should be screened?
Are any of these your concerns?
Am I becoming more forgetful? Do I have trouble concentrating? Do I have difficulty performing familiar tasks? Do I have trouble recalling words or names in conversation? Do I sometimes forget where I am or where I am going? Am I misplacing things more often? Have family and friends told me that I am repeating questions or saying the same thing over and over again? Have I become lost when walking or driving? Have my friends or family noticed changes in my mood, behavior, personality or desire to do things? Am I making bad decisions?
Memory screenings will be held Nov. 13 at 452 Pagosa St., Suite 2B. Please call 264-5991 and schedule an appointment.
Special events
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m., Heather of @bsolute Computer Repair will provide free computer classes, “Computers Made Simple,” in our lounge. Space is limited. Call us at 264-2167 for more information and to sign up.
Due to popular demand, our stretch and breathe yoga class will continue through Dec. 26. Class meets on Wednesdays — Oct. 31, Nov. 14 and 28, Dec. 12 and 26 — at 10:45 a.m. Join instructor Margaret Burkesmith for this gentle stretch and breathe yoga class.
Help us help others
Due to budget restructuring, I am in need of a program coordinator (volunteer). Can you help answer phones that ring off the hook, create spreadsheets, enter data, come up with presentation ideas and schedule them? You must be able to work at a fast pace and be an awesome multi-tasker with a revolving door at your side.
Your reward for your assistance is the fulfillment of the many needs of our seniors. A free lunch is a bonus, too!
I am looking for a writer to help out with the weekly column. One idea for a writer would be to interview our Senior of the Week. Perhaps you or others have ideas.
Like to greet people and lend a hand? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you. We are looking for a few people who would like to greet our folks, introduce new clients to our services, show them the ropes in the dining room and offer assistance to those needing help filling out our new client form.
Special delivery
Are you struggling to get meals prepared because you are homebound, recovering from surgery or an illness? Let us do the cooking. Enjoy Cafe Fox meals delivered to your door. Our hot meal home-delivery program is available to those living close to town four days per week, with frozen meals for Thursdays and weekends. Those living farther out of town could be eligible for the frozen meal program. Meals are available to people age 60-plus for a suggested donation of $4 per meal. Give us a call at 264-2167 for further information. Donations are greatly appreciated.
Transportation
Get out in the community and let us do the driving. Get to where you need to go. Door-to door bus service is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and the second and fourth Thursday of the month for seniors age 60-plus. Suggested donation is $2 per day. Come hang out with us and enjoy our company. Call for details, 264-2167.
Weekly activities
Friday, Nov. 2 — 9 a.m. Geezers; 10 a.m. Stitchin’ in the Kitchen; 10:30 a.m. brain injury support group 12:30 p.m. Gym Walk.
Monday, Nov. 5 —12:30 p.m. Gym Walk; 1 p.m. Canasta.
Tuesday, Nov. 6 — 12:30 p.m. Gym Walk; 1 p.m. Meditation for Healing.
Wednesday, Nov. 7 — 1 p.m. Computers Made Simple, registration preferred.
Thursday, Nov. 8 — No scheduled activities.
Friday, Nov. 9 — 9 a.m. Geezers; 10 a.m. Stitchin’ in the Kitchen; 12:30 p.m. Gym Walk.
Cafe Fox menu
All meals include our great salad bar.
Friday, Nov. 2 — Hamburger on whole wheat bun, potato salad, baked beans, fruit salad.
Monday, Nov. 5 — Pork and green chile stew, whole wheat tortilla, salad, fiesta corn, pineapple tidbits, oatmeal raisin cookie.
Tuesday, Nov. 6 — Chili con carne (turkey), yellow squash, whole wheat crackers, corn bread, apple.
Wednesday, Nov. 7 — Chicken broccoli Alfredo, Harvard beets, cranberry sauce, whole wheat bread, salad, fruit salad
Thursday, Nov. 8 — Meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, tossed salad, gelatin with fruit, whole wheat roll.
Friday, Nov. 9 — Crunchy baked fish, tartar sauce, whipped sweet potatoes, creamy coleslaw, mixed veggies, banana.
Reservations required by 9 a.m. the morning of the day you would like to dine at Cafe Fox.
Suggested donation for older adults age 60-plus is $4, guests $6. Our meal program is partially funded through the Older Americans Act via the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging, United Way, Archuleta County, Town of Pagosa Springs and other donations and grants. These funds help support the cost of the meal, which is approximately $10.50. Please note our menu is subject to change. The salad bar opens at 11:30 a.m. with lunch served from noon to 12:30 p.m. Call 264-2167 for reservations.
