Whether you are a caregiver for a family member, for a job, to answer to your passion for helping others, or for all these reasons, there is no denying that you need a strong dedication to meet the challenges you face each day. Good information can support you and help you be successful in your work and, in turn, in maintaining a positive approach over the long haul. 

Archuleta Seniors Inc (ASI) outreach includes caregiver and family member engagement and resources for wellness, aging, activities, and education. We provide ongoing material aid support for monitor units and fees for medical alert monitoring systems. While we are unable to keep the Center open for in-house dining and social activities, our ability to provide meals does decrease the isolation that those we serve are experiencing. You can contact us through our website, or by calling 970-264-9167, to get information about meals for adults 60 and better and their caregivers.

A key ally in our community service and caregiver support network for Pagosa Springs is the Mather Institute. They provide up-to-date, free industry information, ranging from facts sheets to papers and reports. You can learn more about trends, innovations, resilience, workforce wellness, and other helpful information at: Mather. 

You can go also link to Mather through our website to learn more about caregiver and other resources. And you can learn about ASI programs here in Pagosa Springs, find resources for wellness and aging, and make reservations with The Community Café for take-out and Meals on Wheels at: http://www.psseniors.org/.

​The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is where scams in the U.S. are reported and investigated, and with any luck resolved. Back in 2014, the FTC launched Pass it On based on a pair of simple truths:
• Most older adults are active and engaged in their communities; and
• Sharing what you know can help protect others in your community.

This approach is working – far from being the vulnerable victims that most people perceive older Americans to be, the FTC reports that:
• Older adults are the least likely of any age group to report losing money to scams.
• Consumers who are 60 and better spot and reported fraud before losing money at nearly twice the rate of people between 20 and 59.

That said, the scams that do gain the greatest traction for those 60 and better are phone scams. This type of fraud includes tax and benefits schemes – targeting those aspects of people’s lives where individuals feel they have little control and so are more likely to respond to phone communications. Government imposters ranked second in the November 2020 FTC list of most damaging scams against those 60 and better. The Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker reports that bogus tax collection came second in their online survey in 2019. In tax-related identity theft, stolen Social Security numbers may be used to get a tax refund or a job. Thieves posting as members of the Social Security Administration (SSA) hit record levels, up 30% in 2020. The Area Agency on Aging wrote about another government imposter scam – Medicare fraud – in the March 4th Pagosa SUN (Volume 113 – No 24).

What Can You Do?
Here at tax-time, you can foster awareness. Your experience, expertise, and trusted place in our community serve as a force for good against scammers. If you’re interested in learning more about stopping scams, you can download the free, no-registration-required FINRA report “Exposed to Scams: What Separates Victims from Non-Victims.”

You can learn more about The Community Café, take out and Meals on Wheels reservations, and other ASI programs on our website: http://www.psseniors.org/.