WINTER 2021
VOLUME I
CONTENTS 03 Department Message 06 Senior Services
New year, new you
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Senior Services Getting ready for your return
05 Senior Services
We are here to help
11 Better Living
Exercise – “Movement Moments” Make for better living
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Employee Spotlight Germaine Mayberry
13 River People Health Center Opening in 2022
18 Craft Corner
Let’s get crafty
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Food & Nutrition Cooking with Jo
19 Brain Teaser Maze
20 Community
A look back
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WINTER 2021
SHRRP Get to know SHRRP
Department message Contact us Address 10510 E. Osborn Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85256 Phone 480.362.6350 Follow us on social media
Like us! @SRSeniorServices Managing Editor Jon Newman Copy Editor Laura Toussaint Graphic Designer Ravenna Curley Photographer Samantha Zivic Cover Photo Salt River Wetands
The New Year is a time for celebrations and a time to acknowledge the past year with gratitude while looking forward to the next with anticipation and hope. It’s also a time for new opportunities, a time for new goals and a time for new relationships. It is in this spirit that I welcome you to a new look, a new approach and a revived sense of purpose in how we here at Senior Services will serve you and the community in 2022. Together, let’s welcome the New Year as we would an old friend. And may our ties be strengthened and renewed. This is my wish for our new year together. On behalf of the entire Senior Services team, I wish you and yours a very Happy New Year! Melvin Deer Senior Services Director
SRPMIC SENIOR SERVICES
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SENIOR SERVICES
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Getting ready for your return! We have missed seeing your smiling face this past year, but we have not just been sitting around, we have been creating some awesome new spaces for you to come back to. In the Senior Services Center courtyard, we have a created a new Zen-like environment to sit and enjoy a meal or simply catch up with friends. You will be surrounded by trickling fountains, lush plants and the soothing sounds of music and wind chimes.
We also have added a wonderful patio area north of the Senior Services Center dining room. It is complete with comfy living room-style seating, fountains and plants. It is a great place to hang out and read or chat. Both areas have heaters to keep you warm and cozy in the cooler months and misters for warmer months. We look forward to seeing you soon!
SRPMIC SENIOR SERVICES
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SENIOR SERVICES
New year, new you The New Year is a great time to make a fresh start. It is the perfect opportunity to change habits that are not serving you and to create new habits and routines that help you live your best life. Unfortunately, all too often, we are good at making resolutions, but not so good at keeping them. Here are few tips to keep you on track for a great 2022.
Set goals that you actually want to achieve, not what you think you should do. If you really want to achieve a goal, you will find a way.
Make a plan.
Prepare for setbacks.
Setting a goal to run in a fall marathon is easy if you plan on smaller goals along way that build to the final goal such as running a mile a day in week one and increasing from there.
Think about possible obstacles that might derail you and plan how you might overcome them such as eating healthy snacks before a party where there will be tempting food.
Get a resolution buddy and set regular times to catch up and hold each other accountable. Share your goals and what steps you plan to take between now and your next meeting.
If you get derailed forgive yourself and get back on track. If you have a setback, forgive yourself. Remember why you set the goal in the first place and move forward. All change is a process.
Above all, be kind to yourself and remember, it is not just the goal that is important, it is the journey and progress you make along the way.
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SENIOR SERVICES
Senior Services
We are here to help SRPMIC SENIOR SERVICES
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SENIOR SERVICES
Adult Protective Services Adult Protective Services investigates reports received on abuse, neglect and or exploitation. Our client and family centered approach assists the vulnerable member and their family and helps them to reach their potential through referrals to partnering resources.
Case Management Case Management’s friendly and knowledgeable staff will help connect community seniors and adults with adaptive needs to vital services and programs. Intake Assessment Coordinators answer questions and determine eligibility a variety of services including congregate and home delivered meals, social worker and caregiver assignment, and home care assistance. Social Workers coordinate services through referrals with our partnering resources and assures the safety and wellbeing of our clients through home and facility visits.
Case Management also supports caregivers. Caregiver Coordinators help provide education, training and resources to help caregivers increase their knowledge and improve their care. Our Support Group allows caregivers to share experiences and to develop a supportive network of those who understand what it is to provide care. Caring Counselors help caregivers deal with the stresses and difficult decisions of providing care. We also provide temporary Respite services and activities.
Food & Nutrition Food & Nutrition provides meals to community seniors ages 55+ and adults with adaptive needs. We provide nutritiously balanced meals incorporating traditional foods. Our team of cooks and cook aides are educated and have years of experience in the food industry. Many have a culinary degree. With our creativity, sense of purpose, constant pursuit of knowledge and sharing of expertise, we prepare and provide hot meals to those
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who are unable to cook for themselves and to those who would not otherwise receive proper nutrition. We provide congregate breakfast and lunch at Salt River Senior Center and at the Lehi Community Building. In addition, with the help of Case Management and Transportation, we prepare and provide nearly 220 homedelivered meals to homebound elders and adults with adaptive needs who are unable to come to the centers.
Food & Nutrition team
Home Care Assistance Home Care Assistance provides in-home service to homebound community seniors age 55 + and adults with adaptive needs. An in-home assessment determines eligibility and needed level of service. If eligible, our friendly, professional staff develop a personalized Service Plan based on the client’s needs. Our goal is to allow our clients to safely remain in their homes. There are three levels of Home Care available: • Level I: Nutritional cooking and education. Light housekeeping associated with provided services • Level II: Assistance with bathing, dressing and walking. Nutritional cooking and education. Light housekeeping associated with provided services • Level III: Extensive assistance with showering, toileting, grooming and transferring. Nutritional cooking and education. Light housekeeping associated with provided services Transportation is provided to clients for medical, personal business appointments and grocery shopping. Requires at least 24 hours advanced notice.
Recreation Our friendly event-certified recreation team provides enriching experiences for our community’s seniors and adults with adaptive needs. Organized activities, crafts and field trips keep minds sharp. Annual themed events such as our Valentine’s Dance, Senior Olympic Games,
Grandparents Day and Christmas Dinner, provide much-needed social interaction. In addition, fully escorted out-of-state trips to locations such as New York, Seattle and Washington DC add adventure, fun and social bonding.
Transportation Our friendly drivers excel at assisting our community’s seniors and adults with adaptive needs who are unable to drive or who lack transportation. Comfort and safety is our main priority. We provide transportation to and from: • • • • •
Medical appointments Errands such as shopping, banking, manicures, laundromat, etc. Community centers for meals, events and activities Recreation activities on and off the Community Deliver meals to those who are homebound
To learn more about any of our Senior Services programs, please call, 480.362.6350.
While out and about, transportation drivers can help with pushing shopping carts, reaching items on top shelves, opening doors or pushing wheelchairs in and out of buildings. SRPMIC SENIOR SERVICES
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SUPPORT SERVICES
Employee spotlight Germaine Mayberry
Meet Germaine Mayberry, Social Worker II with Senior Services. He grew up in the town made famous by the Eagles song, Winslow, Arizona. He loved growing up in a small community so close to Hopi and Navajo reservations. His Native friends and their families exposed him to tribal language, foods and culture. Germaine left Northern Arizona and attended Arizona State University where he received BA in Sociology in 2005 and where he played baseball for the Sun Devils. He was quite good and college ball led him to being a 38th round pick to play for the Cleveland Indians 1992-2005! While working in behavioral health, Germaine furthered his education with Liberty University and obtained a MA (Photo credit: Kevin Smith) in Professional Counseling in 2015. By the time he came to the Salt River PimaMaricopa Indian Community in 2014, he had I come in contact with serves as a true more than 26 years in case management blessing to us both,” said Germaine. “The experience, including working with services provided by our department are children, adults and at-risk patients. second to none. I am very competitive and Initially, Germaine assisted Tribal Courts want my seniors, and the Community I work with guardianship and case-management for, to be best in all that we do.” services for children and He fondly remembers their families through Social “The services provided one of his most inspiring Services. There, he gained a true by our department are clients, a man who was appreciation of how valuable a a double amputee, “He second to none. I am support system can be when a was special in all that very competitive and family is at its most vulnerable. he was able to do in his want my seniors, and In 2018, Senior Services was life,” said Germaine. “He the Community I work blessed to have Germaine join enlightened my spirit by for, to be best in all that showing me how good our team as a Social Worker II. He enjoys coordinating and God is in providing us all we do.” connecting our community’s with the ability to live at seniors and those with adaptive peace in this world with needs to critical services. He finds no excuses.” passion and value in working with Native In addition to his social worker duties, Communities. His approach is one of Germaine also assist with facilitating empowering and motivating his clients and 6-week Chronic Disease Self-Management their families to preserve and strengthen Program. He loves that it empowers those the family. with chronic conditions to improve their “I feel the relationship with each person health and he enjoys seeing their progress. 10 WINTER 2021
Germaine is a proud father to three sons Jordan, Jakius and Javery. When he’s not working, Germaine coaches high school football and is proud to be a part of the VALOR youth program. He also enjoys hiking, weight training, watching sports, traveling, reading his Bible and spending time with friends and family.
When he reflects on working for Senior Services and our clients, he counts it as a blessing and a privilege. He looks forward to continuing to assist our community elders while further developing his skills and enhancing his knowledge of community culture.
Better living
Exercise – “Movement Moments” Make for Better Living As we age, there are things we can do to stay healthy, active and independent as long as possible. Exercise is one of them. But exercise is about more than maintaining a healthy weight, it improves our lives in many ways. As we get older, we begin to lose our strength, balance and flexibility. It becomes harder to perform everyday tasks, putting us at risk of losing our independence. But regular exercise, even as little as 15 to 20 minutes a day, improves strength, balance and flexibility. It becomes easier to do the things we need to do and we have more
energy to enjoy our hobbies, friends, family and grandchildren. “A study on nursing home patients found that those who exercised showed universal improvement—progressing from walkers to canes, canes to no-canes and so on,” says Dr. Michael Truesdell, medical director of the HHS Clinical Services Program. “Muscles improve throughout life; it is inactivity that weakens us. So get up and exercise without excuses. Motion is lotion for your muscle!” In addition to changes we see on the outside, exercise does incredible things SRPMIC SENIOR SERVICES 11
BETTER LIVING
inside. It helps to lower blood pressure, improve bone density, reduce brain fog and boost our immune system. It also reduces the risk of cognitive decline, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions. Plus, all those endorphins just make us happier. So what should we be doing? Just get moving. We don’t have to run a marathon or lift an elephant. Adding small “movement moments” throughout the day can have a significant impact. Ideally, these movements would include a mix of aerobic exercise,
stretching and strength or resistance training. We can make these moments easier to incorporate in to our day by tying them to something we already do like some squats while brushing our teeth, walking while talking on the phone, standing on one foot while waiting in line or doing a set of an exercise during commercials. It all adds up and as we become more fit, we can add more movements or more moments. Any way we slice it, exercise makes for better living.
Simple things you can do now • • • • • •
Walk your dog Park further from your destination Take the stairs Stretch every time you get up Put on your favorite song and dance Get a fitness buddy.
Together is better.
Senior room at the WOLF If your resolutions include improving your health, check out the special senior fitness center at the Way Of Life Facility, affectionately known as the WOLF. The designated area has a variety of equipment and allows you to work out in a quieter environment exclusively for seniors. 12 WINTER 2021
Opening in 2022 McDowell Road & Country Club Drive Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
The River People Health Center has been a long-term goal of our Community. This new Health Center will welcome patients in 2022. This beautiful new Health Center is the result of the leadership and tenacity of our Councils for more than 20 years. Thank you to our frontline and administrative staff. We are fortunate to have these dedicated professionals who will continue to provide quality care that is compassionate and culturally respectful to all Native peoples. MARTIN HARVIER President SRPMIC
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FOOD & NUTRITION
Cooking with
Josephine Josephine is our Food & Nutrition Supervisor. She and her staff are passionate about creating nutritious and delicious menus that introduce foods that you may have never tried, including those with traditional ingredients.
Know your beets!
Nutrition Facts
3.5-ounce serving of boiled beetroot Amount per serving
Calories
Total Fat 0.2g Total Carbohydrate 10g Dietary Fiber 2g Protein 1.7g Folate Manganese Copper Potassium Magnesium Vitamin C Vitamin B6 Iron
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44 % Daily Value* % % % % 20% 14% 8% 7% 6% 4% 4% 4%
Beets contain almost all the vitamins and minerals your body needs and are so versatile that they can be added to many dishes to boost your daily nutrients. The folate and fiber in beets aid in heart health and digestion. Manganese improves bone formation, metabolism and brain function. Copper increases energy and the production of neurotransmitters, which carry vital messages between cells. Because beets are high in nitrates, which dilate blood vessels, beets also may help keep your blood pressure in normal range or even lower it. The phytonutrient betalain provides antioxidant, anti-flammatory and detoxification support that help combat obesity, heart disease, liver disease and cancer. Beets are not only nutritious, they are super easy to incorporate into your diet. They can be used in salads, dips, desserts, soups, juices and smoothies. Always choose beets that feel heavy for their size and if the greens are still attached, make sure they are crisp. Here are two delicious recipes to try.
Golden beet soup Serves 6-8
INGREDIENTS 1 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, diced 2 carrots, diced 2 celery stalk, diced INSTRUCTIONS 1. Heat oil in heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. 3 garlic cloves, minced Add onions and cook for 3 minutes. 2 large golden beets, diced 2. Add carrots, celery and garlic. Cook for another 3 8 cup chicken broth minutes. Season with salt and pepper. 2 Yukon potatoes, diced 3. Add beets and one cup of broth. Bring to a simmer 1 yellow bell pepper, diced and cook for 10 minutes. 1 zucchini, diced 4. After 10 minutes, add remaining broth and potatoes. 3 tbsp parsley, chopped 5. Once potatoes are hallway cooked, add bell peppers, 3 green onion, sliced zucchini and herbs. Continue to simmer until potatoes 3 tsp salt are fork-tender. 3 tsp pepper
Chocolate beet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting Serves 12
INGREDIENTS 2 cup red beets, peeled and diced 2/3 cup buttermilk 1 ½ cup flour ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp baking soda ½ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 1 large egg ¼ cup canola oil FROSTING INGREDIENTS 1 ¾ cup powdered sugar 2 tsp vanilla 5 oz cream cheese INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12-cupcake pan with paper liners. 2. Heat water in a pot with steamer basket and add beets. Steam for 10-12 minutes or until tender. 3. Transfer beets to a blender, add buttermilk and puree until smooth. Reserve two tablespoons and pour the rest into a bowl.
4. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt into another bowl. 5. Whisk egg, oil, vanilla and one cup of powdered sugar into the beet puree. 6. Stir the dry ingredients into beet puree until just combined. 7. Spoon batter into cupcake cups about halfway. 8. Bake cupcakes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes. Place on cooling rack and let cool. 9. In a medium bowl, combine frosting ingredients with the 2 tablespoons reserved beet puree and beat until smooth. 10. Top each cupcake with frosting and enjoy! SRPMIC SENIOR SERVICES 15
SHRRP
Get to know SHRRP:
SHRRP field employees, Diane C.
Housing Repair and Replacement Program SHRRP provides day-to-day services that seniors and those with adaptive and medical needs may find challenging such as changing air filters, repairing exterior doors that do not close correctly or windows that are not properly sealed. When a new call is received, SHRRP schedules a home assessment with the customer to determine any health and safety needs within the home. Those
Who is eligible? Qualified individuals must be members of the community, age 55+ or qualify with medical disability, and have a home condition that detrimentally affects the individual’s health, welfare or safety. 16 WINTER 2021
needs are entered and then work is scheduled with the homeowner. Rito Lopez, SHRRP Supervisor, advises potential clients, “Even if you’re not sure if it is a SHRRP service, call us and don’t wait too long if you notice something little like a water leak or running commode. It is best to take care of things when it’s small so it doesn’t become something bigger.”
Services can include complex projects such as renovations and retrofitting of interiors to meet health or safety need. These can include, but not limited to: • • • • • •
Handicap Bathrooms Roofing Kitchen Cabinets Flooring Ramps Exterior Door Covers
If you think you or someone you know may qualify, call the SHRRP helpline Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm at 480.362.7800.
At first I was hesitant to call SHRRP thinking I could do the work myself. As time went by things started to get away from me. Eventually I called them to set up an appointment. I had so many questions and the person I spoke with was so helpful and nice. It has been several years since that initial call and I am still using the SHRRP program today. Every season they come out to check on my air conditioning unit to make sure it is working efficiently. They even worked on my roof, which has made a huge difference. The SHRRP team always goes above and beyond and I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate the program. Diane C.
-Diane C.
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CRAFT CORNER
Let’s get crafty
Here is a fun and simple craft you can do with your grandkids using supplies that you likely already have around the house. Make your piece more unique by choosing a colored plate, using ribbon or scraps of fabric and by adding beads and other embellishments.
Step one
Step two
Step three
Gather your supplies: paper plate, scissors, pencil, yarn, plastic needle and a holepunch.
Draw your shape.
Cut out your shape.
Step four
Step five
Step six
Punch holes around your shape.
Thread your needle and begin “sewing” across the shape.
Continue until the shape is as complete as you like it.
Step seven
Viola, you creation is done!
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MIND TEASERS
Exercise the mind Did you know that mazes, word finds, crossword and other puzzles keep your mind sharp? They are for our brains what physical exercise is for our bodies. Find your way to the center of the maze.
Answer
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COMMUNITY
Take a look back
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Winter 2021
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Senior Services 480.362.6350
Police – Emergencies dial 911 480.850.9230
APS – After hours 480.362.6350
Salt River Clinic 480.946.9066
Dialysis Center 480.362.1044
Salt River Clinic Pharmacy 480.946.9227
Food Distribution Center 480.362.7277
Senior Housing Repair and Replacement Program (SHRRP) 480.362.7800
Finance 480.362.7700 Fire – Emergencies dial 911 Osborn Station 480.362.7291 Lehi Station 480.362.7292 Indian Bend 480.362.7293 Indian School 480.362.7294
Tribal Council 480.362.7466 480.362.7469
Our SRSeniorServices Facebook page is the place to go for the most up-to-date information about Senior Services events and programs. There, you will find out about upcoming craft projects and fun events like bingo, see our Weekly Eats dining menu and learn about vital services that help you live your best life. Visit and Follow us today at facebook.com/SRSeniorServices.