Third AARP Smart Driver Course scheduled

Posted

Due to popular demand, the Pagosa Springs Senior Center is hosting a third AARP Smart Driver course on Oct. 19 from 1 to 5 p.m.

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.

Why take the course?

Over nine in 10 course participants report changing at least one key driving behavior for the better as a result what they learned in the course and over 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. Senior Center staff will be glad to help you register.

San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging:

Resident’s Voice Challenge

By Kay Kaylor

As the part-time long-term care ombudsman for Archuleta County, I advocate for residents at Pine Ridge, a 24-hour extended care home, and BeeHive, an assisted living residence. Federal and state laws protect residents to promote quality of care and quality of life.

This month is National Consumer Voice’s annual Residents’ Rights Month, so I will feature related topics. For the 2018 Resident’s Voice Challenge, residents throughout the United States submitted writings, artwork, posters, videos and photos. They may be viewed at http://theconsumervoice.org/misc/2018-rv-entries.

For example, George, a 95-year-old Idaho vet who still drives, tells in an interview of participating in an assisted living ambassador program to welcome new residents.

“Be friendly and ask for care,” he advised. In another video, a rap group, R.R.G. (Residents Rights Group), chants that “All the rights important to you/Are the rights that we hold dear to us too!”

A North Dakota resident, Edith, begins a poem with “Write a letter to mom; In the nursing home. Although there are people around, She is still alone.” In an essay, Richard advocates for residents giving “input in the selection process” for a new assisted living administrator.

Joan in Ohio writes in a poem, “You have a right to hear music, even if it’s the blues.” Pennsylvania residents each name rights, such as the right to have “any type of visitor as long as you want” and to “refuse medicine.” In an illustrated essay, “When Home is a nursing home: Treading Water Day and Night,” the author writes, “The closeness of nursing home life intensifies the sense of diminishing opportunities for me.”

For further information, you may call me at 403-2164 or send an email toombudsman2@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 $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, Oct. 4 — Turkey tetrazzini, roasted carrots, green peas, milk, salad bar and Key lime pie.

Friday, Oct. 5 — Shrimp scampi, French cut green beans, stir-fried zucchini, breadstick with butter, milk and salad bar.

Monday, Oct. 8 — Crab cakes with remoulade sauce, snap pea medley, broccoli with red peppers, milk, salad bar and poached pears.

Tuesday, Oct. 9 — Braised roast, harvest potatoes, green beans with almonds, dinner roll with butter, milk and salad bar.

Wednesday, Oct. 10 — Oven-fried chicken, eggplant gratin, spinach with Mandarin orange salad, milk, salad bar and chocolate pie.

Thursday, Oct. 11 — Barbecue pulled pork, loaded baked potato bar, cream of zucchini soup, milk, salad bar and peach cobbler.

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.