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Caring is About More than Meals

Zuni Director demonstrates how much Zuni cares about their Elders by rubbing an Elder's back

We didn’t really need to witness the director, Karen, rubbing the back of Myers to know that Zuni cares about its Elders. The care and love is evident as soon as you enter the Senior Center or speak with the staff and Elders. It further verifies that, more than just meals, Zuni Senior Center is providing love and respect to the community’s Elders.

The center is well maintained, and a large entry way welcomes Elders and visitors alike. You’d never know that the facility was hit by a 100 year flood the third year it was opened and that some unseen hazards lurk beneath tile flooring. Karen explained that they are working to get the floor replaced; the flood damage caused areas to buckle and ultimately become tripping hazards for the Elders. She is applying for grants to secure these repairs.

The Elders are both proud and protective of their center. A few years ago, a visiting group used it for housing and didn’t take care of the facility. The Elders went to the director and asked her to ensure that if the building were used again, there would be procedures and policies to ensure their space was respected.

A large mural of a traditional “waffle” garden is displayed above our Program Partner’s desk and she shared how these earlier gardens were developed specifically to deal with the dry climate. The waffle design maintained the limited moisture available to yield the most crops. Although the center does not have a waffle design, they do have a small garden. And their tall corn stalks tell the story of the special attention they receive so that they may later be sacrificed to provide nutritious meals to the Elders.

The center was licensed through the State of New Mexico in 2007, after 3 years of effort that emphasized the Elders and their safety. Today, congregate meals are provided for 65 Elders, including those at the Adult Day Care facility that sits directly across the courtyard. There are three different routes that drivers transport meals to the homebound Elders each day. When family members come home for the summer, the congregate meals decrease in numbers, but meals are still provided at the facility and delivered, each weekday, to the homebound Elders.

The Senior Center participates in many CIN services, but they are especially thankful for the standard food packages they receive each month. The cooks particularly rely on the large cans of fruits and vegetables to ensure the Elders are receiving a balanced meal. The food service staff take their jobs seriously. They receive annual training in food service and their skills in the kitchen go beyond a typical meal. The day we visited, you could smell the freshly baked wheat rolls being pulled from the ovens. Steamed vegetables accompanied the baked chicken, and mashed potatoes were lightly topped with gravy. Even with all this work, the staff made time to sit and visit with the Elders too.

The staff further esteem the Elders through careful display of the artwork and crafts created by the Elders themselves. Birdhouses line the walkway from the Senior Center to the newer Adult Day Care Center, and a large glassed-in display case shows off many of the wares. The window sills in the large group room are lined with sandstone paintings. During my visit, Sadie was beading. Nearly blind, she keeps her mind and fingers active by threading large pony beads onto long strings of yarn. Sometimes she just unthreads the strand and starts over, and other times she has a staff tie it off and give it to someone as a present. This center serves as a community within a community, a place that encourages Elders to remain involved and active.

Participating Elders find their day filled with fun, exercise and critical social activities. Karen spoke of the importance of their activities and simply stated: “We don’t want our Elders isolated.” Aerobics, field trips, arts and crafts — even swimming — are all activities that support the Elders’ mind, body and spirit. Karen was proud to share that two staff were recently certified for Elder-specific swimming activities. It was evident at the community-wide Bulk distribution that Elders appreciate these activities… 6 or more were sporting a Healthy Lifestyles t-shirt!

So, although we really didn’t need to see the director, Karen, rubbing the back of Myers, it certainly demonstrated their mission: Zuni Senior Center is there to love their Elders!

Thank you for caring enough to support these efforts. Together, we are making a difference.