Falls prevention, driving classes scheduled at Senior Center

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A Matter of Balance is an award-winning falls-prevention program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults who have concerns about falls.

The classes help participants to: view falls and fear of falling as controllable, set realistic goals for increasing activity, change their environment to reduce fall risk factors, and promote exercise to increase strength and balance.

You can benefit from the classes if: You are concerned about falls; have sustained a fall in the past; you restrict activities because of concerns about falling; you are interested in improving flexibility, balance and strength; you are age 60 or older, ambulatory and able to problem solve.

The Pagosa Springs Senior Center is pleased to announce our fourth Matter of Balance program. The Matter of Balance program lasts eight weeks. Classes are on Wednesdays beginning on Sept. 5. Each class is from 9 to 11 a.m. Snacks will be provided. Class size is limited.

Please call 264-2167 for more information or to register. Classes are free.

Second AARP Smart Driver course scheduled

The AARP Smart Driver course, offered by AARP Driver Safety, is the nation’s first and largest refresher course designed specifically for drivers age 50 and older.

For more than 35 years, the course has taught 16 million drivers proven safety strategies so they can continue driving safely for as long as possible.

More than nine in 10 course participants report changing at least one key driving behavior for the better as a result of what they learned in the course, and more than eight in 10 participants felt that information they learned in the course has prevented them from being in a crash. Plus, you may be eligible to receive an insurance discount upon completing the course, so consult your insurance agent for details.

AARP membership is not required to take the course.

The classroom course costs only $15 for AARP members and $20 for nonmembers.

To register, visit aarp.org/findacourse. The Senior Center staff will be glad to help you register.

Due to popular demand, the Senior Center is hosting a second class on Sept. 14 from 1 to 5 p.m.

Health and wellness

The 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.

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.

The next health and wellness event is scheduled for Sept. 19.

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.

San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging: Bullying Is Ageless IV

By Kay Kaylor

As the part-time long-term care ombudsman for Archuleta County, I advocate for residents at Pine Ridge and BeeHive Homes. Federal and state laws protect residents to promote quality of care and quality of life.

How do we create a caring community in long-term care, senior centers and senior housing? We create an environment that promotes empathy with a culture of respect, accountability for bullying behaviors and everyone standing up for what is right, Dr. Robin Bonifas of Arizona State teaches. A high level of trust must be cultivated by paying attention, listening, including others, not gossiping, pleasantness, apologizing when needed and giving only constructive criticism.

Strategies include regular discussions about communal living and staff training and support around recognizing and responding to bullying and aggressive behaviors, along with policies and procedures that guide behavior and encourage the reporting of incidents. Other ideas are acknowledging those who make others feel welcome, noticing and rewarding acts of kindness, and training elders in bystander intervention.

Bullying continues and the bully is empowered if others participate or don’t intervene. Those who bully can be taught ways to vent frustrations and deal with loss, to feel more in control and to communicate positively. People who are bullied can be taught how to bolster their self-esteem, stand up for their rights and manage anger, for example.

In the final column, I will describe ideas that assisted living residents shared in the research. For further information, you may call me at 403-2164 or send an email to ombudsman2@sjbaaa.org.

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 $8.50 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, Aug. 23 — Pork green chile stew, glazed carrots, squash calabacitas, cornbread muffin with butter, milk and salad bar.

Friday, Aug. 24 — Picnic in the Park — Honey barbecue chicken, potato salad baked beans, milk, fruit kabob and cherry cobbler.

Monday, Aug. 27 — Shrimp and grits, roasted broccoli, yellow squash medley, milk, salad bar and poached pears.

Tuesday, Aug. 28 — Hot turkey sandwich, honey garlic green beans, cranberry apple coleslaw, milk, salad bar and lemon cookies.

Wednesday, Aug. 29 — Beef Bolognese with spaghetti, baked zucchini with Parmesan, spinach mandarin orange salad, breadstick, milk and salad bar.

Thursday, Aug. 30 — Hot chicken salad, shredded Brussels sprouts, steamed asparagus with lemon, milk, salad bar and ice cream sandwich.

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.