The Pagosa Springs Senior Center has initiated a pilot program expanding health and wellness services to Archuleta County seniors.
The program includes wellness, blood pressure monitoring or allows individual area seniors to discuss two subjects of their choice. There is no charge for Medicare enrollees. Participant IDs will include Medicare card, photo ID and, if necessary, any supplemental insurances. No Medicaid is accepted at this time. Participants are encouraged to bring a list of their current medications.
Clinical assessment will be provided by Tabitha Zappone, FNP-C. Zappone has been a nurse practitioner for six years and is a longtime resident of Pagosa Springs. She understands the difficulties obtaining health care in a rural area and how these obstacles can be greater for seniors. The goal of the outreach clinic is to provide care to those who are not able to travel.
The next scheduled visit by Zappone will be Jan. 23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Computer center
The Senior Center is now providing computer access to seniors who are members of the Discount Club.
Computer stations are available by the hour. If no one has signed up for the next hour, seniors may continue to use the computer for an additional hour(s). Computer and Internet access is available during business hours when staff is in attendance and classes are not in session.
New volunteer for computer help
A volunteer will be at the computer center on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help with your computer issues. Bring your computer or use one of ours.
Medical alert system
Medical alert monitoring systems are available for seniors. We can help you get set up with a system and assist with the monthly service charges or if you already have a system in place, we can help supplement the monthly service fees. Please call 264-2167 for more information or to sign up.
Medicare Mondays
Are you turning 65? Do you need some help with Medicare? The San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging has openings every Monday at the Senior Center to help you with your Medicare enrollment questions.
Here are some quick tips: If you are collecting Social Security, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare parts A and B. We can help you pick a Part D Prescription Drug Plan. If you don’t enroll in a Part D plan, you could face penalties. If you are new to Medicare, you have an eight-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for parts A, B and D around your 65th birthday. Medicare starts after your employment ends or the group health insurance plan based on your current employment ends, whichever happens first. You do not pay late penalties if you enroll within the eight-month Special Enrollment Period. COBRA and retiree health plans are not considered coverage based on current employment.
Important dates: General enrollment runs from Jan. 1 through March 31 each year and coverage starts July 1. Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 is open (or annual) enrollment for switching plans for Part D and a Medicare Cost Plan; coverage starts Jan. 1.
If you would like to talk to a Medicare counselor, please contact the Area Agency on Aging to make an appointment. Please call 264-0501, ext. 2. We will put you in touch with one of our talented and experienced Medicare counselors.
Memberships
Senior Discount Club memberships are offered Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Menu
Everyone is welcome to join us for lunch. If you are a senior (60 years and older), for only a $4 suggested donation, you are eligible for a hot meal, drink and a salad prepared by our kitchen staff.
The guest fee for those 59 and under is $10 and children 10 years and under can eat for $5 each. Access to the salad bar is only $6 for those under 60.
Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 12 — Chicken tortilla soup, three-cheese quesadilla triangle, steamed asparagus with lemon, black bean with mango salsa and salad bar.
Friday, Jan. 13 — Open-faced tuna melt, shredded Brussels sprouts, baked tomatoes provencal, salad bar and baked apples with pears.
Monday, Jan. 16 — Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce and salad bar.
Tuesday, Jan. 17 — Sweet and sour pork with egg, fried brown rice, roasted cauliflower with red peppers, Chinese stir-fried mustard greens, salad bar and almond shortbread cookie.
Wednesday, Jan. 18 — Chicken cordon bleu, linguine, marinara sauce, whole wheat roll, spinach with mushroom sauté, roasted asparagus with walnuts and salad bar.
Thursday, Jan. 19 — Lemon-baked fish, baked sweet potatoes, yellow squash casserole, split pea soup and salad bar.
Reservations and cancellations are required. You can make a reservation at 264-2167 by 9 a.m. the morning of the day you would like to dine in the Community Cafe at the Senior Center.
For your convenience, you can make your reservations in advance or have a standing reservation on days you know you will always attend. Please cancel if you cannot attend on your standing reservation days.
