Art classes will be provided by the Pagosa Springs Arts Council.
The next class will be April 9 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
The instructor will be Michele Turney, the medium will be pastels and materials will be provided. Transportation will be provided from and to the Pagosa Springs Senior Center. Please RSVP: jenmwaite@gmail.com or 264-2167.
San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging:
Senate hearing on
nursing homes
By Kay Kaylor
I advocate for residents at Pine Ridge, a 24-hour extended care home, and BeeHive, an assisted living residence, as the part-time long-term care ombudsman for Archuleta County. Federal and state laws protect residents to promote quality of care and quality of life.
On March 6, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee held a hearing titled “Not Forgotten: Protecting Americans from Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes.” Not always easy to hear, the recording and written testimony are available online using the following link: https://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/not-forgotten-protecting-americans-from-abuse-and-neglect-in-nursing-homes. The video, including questions from the Senate committee, lasts two hours and 45 minutes and is divided into two parts.
Listening to or reading the hearing panels is an excellent way to become familiar with multiple issues concerning nursing homes and ideas for possible solutions. The first panel of witnesses includes daughters of two rape and neglect victims, as well as David Grabowski from Harvard and David Gifford from American Health Care Association. The second panel has staff from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Department of Justice and the Ohio office of the attorney general.
Advocates such as the Center for Medicare Advocacy, however, considered the hearing “hollow” and submitted a statement for the record about their concerns. The center said it was a “missed opportunity to have a serious conversation about ongoing resident concerns, such as inappropriate antipsychotic drugging, transfers and discharges, ownership concerns and ‘no harm’ deficiencies.”
For further information, please call me at 403-2164 or send an email to ombudsman2@sjbaaa.org.
VITA tax preparation
VITA will be returning to prepare federal and state income tax returns at no charge as part of the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
The last 2019 date is April 13 by appointment only. The gross income limit this tax season is $54,000. Please call 264-2167 for more information or to make an appointment.
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 date will be April 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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.
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, March 21 — Pork zuppa Toscana, eggplant gratin, focaccia bread with butter, milk and salad bar.
Friday, March — Teriyaki salmon, corn chowder, green bean casserole, milk, salad bar and banana pudding.
Monday, March 25 — Sliced ham, black-eyed peas, broccoli with lemon butter, cornbread with butter, milk and salad bar.
Tuesday, March 26 — Grilled chicken with pistachio pesto linguine, green peas, Irish carrots, milk, salad bar and cherry pie.
Wednesday, March 27 — Beef meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, zucchini medley, milk, salad bar and chocolate pie.
Thursday, March 28 — Sliced turkey with gravy, baked sweet potato, roasted asparagus with walnuts, cranberry sauce, milk 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.
