Next health and wellness event set for Jan. 31

Posted

The Pagosa Springs Senior Center has a pilot program expanding health and wellness services to Archuleta County seniors. The program includes wellness and blood pressure monitoring, or allows individual area seniors to discuss two subjects of their choice.

The next health and wellness date is Jan. 31.

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.

The goal of the outreach clinic is to provide care to those who are not able to travel.

Medical alert system

Medical Alert monitoring systems are available for seniors. The Senior Center 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.

San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging: Examples of verbal and mental abuse

By Kay Kaylor

I advocate for residents at Pine Ridge and BeeHive Homes as the long-term care ombudsman for Archuleta County. Federal and state laws protect residents to promote quality of care and quality of life. One of the most important resident rights is to live free from abuse and neglect.

Most people can imagine extreme abuse and neglect, but here are some less-obvious examples from Disability Law Colorado. Family and friends may need to help empower residents, who may be fearful of retaliation, another form of abuse. Due to the many frequently occurring examples, I will continue them in the next few columns.

Verbal and mental abuse includes avoiding or ignoring a resident while lavishing attention on a more pleasant or interesting one; changing a radio or television station without the resident’s permission; making a promise without intending to keep it or without explaining why it couldn’t be kept; and sarcasm, deep sighs that convey disgust or irritation, curt replies, shaking the head in exasperation and other rejecting gestures.

More examples of abuse involve not taking a complaint seriously; making assumptions or taking for granted a resident’s response, such as not inviting a resident to an outing because “she didn’t go last time” or “doesn’t like it”; refusing to allow a resident to go on an activity; having a conversation in front of or about a resident without including the resident, treating the person as a thing; and treating a resident as an infant or child.

For further information, you may call me at 403-2164 or send an email to ombudsman2@sjbaaa.org.

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. 11 — Beef goulash, seasoned green beans, cauliflower with red peppers, salad bar and chocolate pumpkin cake.

Friday, Jan. 12 — Chicken fettuccine Alfredo, green peas, green beans with bacon, salad bar and banana split.

Monday, Jan. 15 — Closed for the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.

Tuesday, Jan. 16 — Honey-barbecue chicken, glazed carrots, seasoned green beans, salad bar and chocolate chip cookie.

Wednesday, Jan. 17 — Beef meatloaf, mashed cauliflower, gravy, roasted broccoli and salad bar.

Thursday, Jan. 18 — Lemon-baked tilapia, brown rice pilaf, garlic rosemary potatoes, baked tomatoes Provencal, salad bar and pumpkin muffin.

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.