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VOLUME XVI
CONTENTS 03 Department Message Lena Jackson-Eckert
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Employee Spotlight James Nunez
04 Senior Services
Connecting Waters with Jessica Martinez
06 Team Spotlight
Home Care Services
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Senior Spotlight Iris Andreas
14 Recipes
Ground Beef & Sweet Potato Bowl
21 Kraft Korner
Let’s Get Krafty
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Better Living Social Security and Medicare
22 Mind Teasers Games
24 Community
A Look Back
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SHRRP Accessibility & Safety
Department Message Contact us Address 10510 E. Osborn Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85256 Phone 480.362.6350 Visit us online srpmic-nsn.gov/seniors Follow us on social media
Like us! @SaltRiverSeniorServices Managing Editor Jon Newman
Ske:g Taṣ Kamduum Community Elders and Seniors,
Writer Laura Toussaint
As we close out this fiscal year, we want to take a moment to recognize and honor each of you. Your participation, energy, and spirit are what give our Senior Services Department real purpose. The friendships built, the knowledge shared, and the memories created throughout this year are a true reflection of the strength and vitality you bring to our Community. As we start this upcoming busy holiday season let this be a time for reflection, gratitude, and renewal. Also a time to celebrate the joy of connection— whether with family, friends, or the community you’ve built here within the Senior Services Department. On behalf of our leadership team, thank you for the trust you place in our dedicated Senior Services staff and for the many ways you inspire us each day. We look forward to another year of growth, learning, and shared experiences together.
Graphic Designer Ravenna Curley Photographer Isaac Torres Cover Photo Lehi Matasheevm Grounds
Thank you for your support
Do va ‘ep em ñei. Nyyuunthxa.
Lena Jackson-Eckert Assistant Community Manager SRPMIC SENIOR SERVICES
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with Jessica Martinez Welcome to Connecting Waters. I’m Jessica Martinez, Community Liaison for Senior Services. In this column, I answer some FAQ’s from community seniors. Questions range from common ones about our services, to wacky ones like, My dog needs a trim. Can you do that for me? Yes, I’ve really been asked that before! Regardless of the question, I am here to answer them all!
I look after my grandkids quite a bit and want to get certified in CPR just in case something happens. Does Senior Services offer a class to get me CRP-certified?
Look at you, Grandpa or Grandma of the year! I’m so happy to hear that you get to spend time with your grandkids and are so deeply concerned about their safety that you want to learn some preventative measures. Although all of us here at Senior Services are CPR- and First Aid- certified, we cannot teach certifying classes, but you know who can? Your friendly neighborhood Salt River Fire Department. A big initiative of SRFD is community education and they offer CPR and First Aid to community members and enterprises. The classes are certified through the American Health and Safety Institute. To get your name on the list just, call SRFD at 480.362.7290.
More Questions? 480.362.7386 or jessica.martinez2@ sprmic-nsn.gov 4
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What’s Up! My name is James Nunez, but outside Senior Services, everyone calls me Jay. My parents are James and Laura Nunez, and I am a member of the Shaw family of Salt River. I spent my early childhood in Phoenix, then I moved to Salt River with my family. I grew up with my younger sister and cousins. I attended Salt River Elementary and then Powell Junior High in Mesa. I graduated from Salt River High School in 2012. Growing up, I spent a lot of time playing outside with my cousins, breaking bottles, swimming in the ditches, riding our bikes, and generally enjoying life before the internet—they were simple and carefree times. I’ve always been family-oriented and the one to take care of my family in times of need. After school, I cooked dinner and helped with other household responsibilities. After high school, I took a break and then started working at the casino in bingo. I even met Jessica Martinez there. I was only in bingo for a few months before I became a Slot Key Person. I did that
for six years, paying out jackpots, and managing the gaming floor—it was exciting to be paying out so much money—I once paid a jackpot of around $50K in cash without any mistakes! That was cool and a little scary to hold so much money. It was a good experience, but in 2022, I wanted to find a different way in life, which led me to Senior Services. I joined the Vitality team in 2023. It was such a different experience going from the hectic environment of the casino to one that is so calm and giving. I had a very close bond with my nana and papa, who helped shape me into the good and caring man I am today. With the big heart they’ve given me, I want to give back, and working with the seniors makes me feel like I’m doing them proud. I lost my papa before I joined Senior Services, and it has been hard. But working here makes my nana proud, and she’s proud of Toby too!
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Program Spotlight
Home Care Assistance Senior Services has a caring team of professionals who provide three levels of in-home care to homebound community seniors and adults with adaptive needs. Our goal is to allow our clients to safely remain in their homes. After an assessment, our home care assistants create a personalized service plan based on the unique needs of each client. “At the heart of what we do is truly understanding each person’s unique needs,” says Home Care Manager Felicia Thomas. “We create a personalized care plan that supports not just their physical health, but also their emotional and social well-being. We help our clients stay as independent
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as possible—it boosts their confidence and preserves their dignity. And often, with a little gentle support, they discover they’re capable of more than they thought. That sense of self-worth really shines through.” “We want family members to know that housekeeping focuses on keeping our clients safe and comfortable, usually in the areas where they spend most of their time—like their own room if they live with family,” Felicia explains. “This approach helps empower families to take an active role in their loved one’s care. Our goal is to create a safe, healthy, and happy environment, and we’ve seen how this can really bring families closer together.”
“...Our goal is to create a safe, healthy, and happy environment, and we’ve seen how this can really bring families closer together.”
Home Care provides three levels of assistance: • Level I – Basic housekeeping, mopping, sweeping, laundry, companionship and nutrition • Level II – Level I and personal care assistance with bathing, dressing and walking • Level III – Light housekeeping and more extensive personal care assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, transferring and toileting
In addition to care in the home, the team provides fun and engaging social opportunities. “As I mentioned, we prioritize the emotional and social well-being of our seniors. That’s why we organize a variety of monthly activities, both on and off-site. From game days to
cultural outings like visits to museums, the zoo, and craft sessions, these events provide wonderful opportunities for residents to socialize, enjoy new experiences, and get out of the house,” Felicia explains. “It’s a great way for them to connect with their peers and stay engaged.”
Wanda White Eyes about HCA I feel like they are family because I cannot do some things for myself and they walk in with a smile and ask how I am doing and we chat. I am really glad that Senior Services has this program available for us seniors who can’t manage everything for ourselves and I wish other seniors who might need the help would reach out and ask about getting the assistance they need. They are a great asset to us. – Wanda White Eyes
If you are someone you know may need Home Care Assistance, call 480.362.6350 and ask for our intake coordinator.
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Iris Andreas Community Spotlight
I grew up in a family of 13 siblings. I was the youngest. Many were already grown and married, but living with us along with their kids—so there was a bunch of us. We lived in Victory Acres I.
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We had been living in a home that my dad built, but it caught fire and burnt down. We had to be housed by the Bishop of our church—I remember I was just in a diaper and my brother in his underwear when they tossed us in our car—we called that car the Green Frog. Anyway, they let my dad buy the house for just one dollar and moved it onto the community for us. My dad was a school bus driver for the community and my mom worked at Chuck & “Before his afternoon Vi’s café on Country Club. pick-up and drop-off, Because I was [my dad] would take the youngest me would take me to and not in school yet, I the restaurant to be sometimes rode with my mom. I got the bus with my to know and love the dad. Before his afternoon picktruckers because they up and dropgave me coins to play off, he would the jukebox, and they take me to the restaurant to be bought me ice cream.” with my mom. I got to know and love the truckers because they gave me coins to play the jukebox, and they bought me ice cream. When I was four, I attended the first Head Start at the day school. I was the one of the snack monitors and I loved it. It was fun to go out of the classroom—the other monitors and I had a little wagon we’d wheel down to pick up chocolate milk and graham 10 FALL 2025
crackers for the class. After kindergarten, we moved to Mesa where I went to Irving Elementary. I remember every once in a while, they would round up all us the Native kids and take us the dentist or to the doctor for shots—I wonder if our parents knew. All I know is that I did not like it. The second half of third grade, we moved back to the community, and the next year I and some of my siblings were sent to spend the school year with non-Native church families in California. My favorite family had three smaller children that I enjoyed caring for. Also they had lemon and avocado trees and that’s when I discovered how much I liked them. The mom was an artist with a studio in the back, and I
liked to watch her mix the colors and paint. The dad was funny and had an old Rambler we had to push to start before hopping in. Another family raced motorcycles. On the weekends, we went all over California for the races, camping out and eating what they caught—I’ve had rattlesnake and turtle, but I preferred the hotdogs. At one of the races, I met Rocky Dennis, the boy the movie Mask, with Cher, is based on. He rode with his mom’s gang who were there to race and they were not at all rowdy like in the movie. In 7th grade, my brother and I went to Carson Jr. High. But because It was full, the grade was split into A and B sessions. My brother and I were in the afternoon B session, and it was often dark when we got home. Our dog Kimo would wait for us at the bus stop and walk home with us. The next year, B was sent to the newly built Powell Jr. High. I didn’t go to high school because I had my first child; a son. He and I lived with my parents. My dad said to me, “When you have a child, you are an adult, and your life is no longer yours—
it belongs to that child. It’s no longer I, me, mine; it’s we, us, and ours.” I stayed home taking care of my son, the house, and cooking for the family, which I thoroughly enjoyed—it was always my wish to be a mom and homemaker--something I had done all my life. When my son was three and started Head Start, I went back to school and got my GED. I also participated in the community’s apprentice program, learning to operate heavy equipment. There were three of us women “...learning to operate who completed the program heavy equipment. and worked the There were three of us equipment at the women who completed landfill. I loved it because it was the program and like driving big worked the equipment Tonka toys. at the landfill. I loved Later, I had my second and then it because it was like
driving big Tonka toys.”
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SENIOR SERVICES
third child and stayed home to be a no clocks in casinos, and I knew it was housewife. When they were old enough, time to move on when a call came from I got a temp job working on community my son asking what he should feed his roads. I ran the grader, roller, and brothers for breakfast—I didn’t even scraper and even did flagging. It was realize it was morning! fun and the money was good enough That led me to full circle—I became a that we rented an RV school bus driver for and took the boys to our community, just “I became a school Disneyland. like my dad. It was my bus driver for our Eventually, I decided favorite job. I loved the community, just like to go back to school kids and felt like my to start a career. dad was with me. my dad. It was my Unfortunately, it led to Now retired, I’m favorite job. I loved a permanent parting still taking care of my the kids and felt like for my husband and family and sewing all me, and thus I began my dad was with me.” kinds of things, from my life as a single straw cozies—before mom. I went to SCC, they were a thing— to and then got a job in Housing as aprons and hot pad emergency kits. home ownership counselor. I remained My three boys (I lost my oldest in there for nine years, then moved to 2012) live close by. One has adaptive investigations with Salt River PD. needs, and his brothers help care for However, the personal nature of some him and me as well as share household of the cases took a toll on me, and I duties. Because they live so close, moved to casino security. There are we are always going back and forth 12 FALL 2025
“Going to the movies is also a favorite. [My sons] like to take me to horror films—I think they like to watch me get scared. I asked them if they ever wanted to go without me, and they said, “No, mom. You’re our best friend.” between our houses, cooking out and playing board game. We play for hours—Phase 10 is our one of our favorites. Going to the movies is also a favorite. They like to take me to horror films—I think they like to watch me get scared. I asked them if they ever wanted to go without me, and they said, “No, mom. You’re our best friend.” Our life in the community is changing—there’s more traffic and noise—but I like the space between neighbors and having my family—my sisters, nieces, and my boys—close to me. Equipment and bus photos courtesy of the Cultural Resources Department / Huhugam Ki: Museum.
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Serves 4 This bowl is easy to make and a nutrient powerhouse. The ground beef and cottage cheese offer high-quality protein and essential B vitamins, while sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and beta-carotene. Avocados add heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Good and good for you. INGREDIENTS • 1 pound Lean Ground Beef • 3 Sweet Potatoes • 2 cups Low-Fat Cottage Cheese • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil • 1 packet Taco Seasoning to taste • ¼ cup Water • Salt & Pepper to taste
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS • 3 Avocados, cubed • 3 Roma Tomatoes, diced • ½ cup Black Olives, sliced • 1 Tbsp Honey • ½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
INSTRUCTIONS Sweet Potatoes 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Spread cubes onto baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season. 3. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until fork tender. 4. Set aside Ground Beef
Bowls
1. Brown ground beef in fry pan with olive oil, breaking meat up as it cooks. 2. Drain excess grease. 3. Add water and seasonings. 4. Set aside.
1. Make individual bowls: sweet potatoes, ground beef, cottage cheese, optional vegetable ingredients. 2. Optional: drizzle with honey and red pepper flakes.
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BETTER LIVING
Taking Care of What You’ve Earned: A Message to Our Salt River Elders about Social Security and Medicare by Marisa Carlson and Jasmine Acevedo To our respected Elders and community members, You’ve worked hard your whole life, whether it was raising families, working, ranching, running businesses, or caring for our community in many different ways. Now it’s time to make sure you receive the benefits you’ve earned. We want to encourage all Salt River seniors to apply for Social Security retirement and Medicare—two important programs that can help bring peace of mind in your later years.
Now let’s anwser some common questions. What is Social Security Retirement?
income is based on the work you’ve Social Security is a federal program done over the years and the taxes that provides you with a monthly income you’ve paid into social security. once you reach retirement age—usually Even if you’ve worked part-time, starting as early as 62. However, you helped in seasonal jobs, or had breaks are entitled to full benefits only when in your work history, you may still you reach your full retirement age. This qualify. And if you’re not sure, that’s 16 FALL 2025
Benefits Coordinator Manager Marisa Carlson helps Myrna Seletstewa understand and apply for her Medicare and Social Security benefits
okay, our Benefit Coordinators are here to help guide you in checking your eligibility.
What is Medicare?
Medicare helps pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and more. If you’re 65 or older, you may qualify —even if you’re still working or not yet receiving Social Security Retirement. This program helps cover medical costs so that health care is more affordable and accessible as you age.
drugs, or go to the hospital. Medicare fills those gaps, ensuring our Elders get the full care they need without heavy financial burdens. We want you to stay healthy, strong, and supported—not just for yourself, but for your family and the generations that look to you.
How to Get Started
If you need help applying, you’re not alone. There are Benefit Coordinators at the River People Why It Matters for Health Center who will “Our Elders carry our walk with you through Our Community Far too often, Native stories, traditions, the process. Whether people have been you need help with and strength. Taking left out or overlooked paperwork, phone calls, care of your health when it comes to or understanding what’s benefits like these. and well-being means best for you, someone Some Elders haven’t is here to support you. you can continue to applied because they Don’t wait! The sooner be that wisdom and didn’t know they you apply, the sooner qualified or thought you can begin receiving light for our younger it was too hard to the support you generations.” sign up. But these deserve. programs are here Our Elders carry our for you—and you’ve stories, traditions, earned them. and strength. Taking care of your Getting Social Security and Medicare health and well-being means you isn’t about asking for help—it’s about can continue to be that wisdom and receiving what you’re owed for all your light for our younger generations. years of contributing to your family, and Let’s make sure you’re cared for— your community. just as you’ve cared for others. Health coverage is especially If you have questions, reach out important for our Native Elders. As the Benefits Coordinator Team we get older, many of us face chronic at River People Health Center or health issues like diabetes, heart Senior Services. disease, arthritis, or vision problems. While Indian Health Service may Em wui, tt vam vem ñio ’imbi ha’ap. help, it’s often not enough to cover Mkipm nykshuunaavthxa. everything—especially when you need We look forward to speaking to you to see a specialist, get prescription soon. SRPMIC SENIOR SERVICES 17
SHRRP
Building Accessibility & Safety Kathy Garza first used the Senior Housing Repair & Replacement Program during Covid. She was caring for her grandchildren one day when her son noticed a smell when he came to pick them up. “I was feeling a little lightheaded and knew what happened right away. I told my son to get the kids out of the house and to help me open all the windows and doors,” said Kathy. Due to Covid, Kathy could not smell the gas. Concerned for her safety and that of her family, she reached out to SHRRP for help. “I was scared for myself and my grandchildren. They told me I was a priority and came right away,” said Kathy. “I worried what would have happened if my son had been a smoker and came with a lit cigarette or if we had lit a candle. SHRRP converted everything to electricity so we wouldn’t have to worry about a gas leak again and I could feel safe in my home.” Since then, SHRRP has completed several projects for Kathy. “They’ve helped me with lots of things, like when the AC was blowing hot air, they got it going again right away. They told me about the importance of changing my filters and now they give me filters every month. I didn’t even know we were supposed to change them,” explained Kathy. Most recently, SHRRP remodeled Kathy’s bathroom to make it more accessible. She suffers from lymphedema and arthritis, making it 18 FALL 2025
difficult for her to get around and do everyday things. “The floor was so bad; it was hard to roll. They widened the door, put in a higher toilet, a walk-in shower with grab bars all around,” said Kathy. “They even replaced the vanity with a smaller sink so it’s easier for me to get around with my walker, but the shower is my favorite. I’d see it on commercials and imagined what it would be like. Now I have one.” SHRRP renovates bathrooms with accessibility and functional issues that can affect the safety of seniors and adults with adaptive needs. Each project is assessed, and a design is created specific to the house. It is then submitted to compliance for a permit. “If someone is having surgery or is finding it more difficult to get around, they should call as early as possible,” said Jamie James, SHRRP Program Supervisor. “Because each renovation is designed specifically for the property and has to be permitted, the process can take a bit to get started, but once we start, work is usually completed within one or two weeks.” Kathy knows. She has been on the list for her remodel for a while. “Because of what happened with my propane and AC, I know SHRRP must prioritize their projects and keep seniors who may have a greater need safe. I have another bathroom that they added a few things to make it better for me while I waited for this project and the wait was worth it,” exclaimed Kathy. “They don’t forget about you. They want to help and to keep us seniors safe.” Kathy encourages other seniors not to hesitate to ask for help.
If you think you or someone you know may qualify, call the SHRRP helpline Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm at 480.362.7800.
“I was a little embarrassed about my clutter, wondering if they would judge me. I didn’t need to be. They don’t judge. They are compassionate and patient. They explain everything and listen to your concerns,” said Kathy. “It’s such a breakthrough for me to have something so nice. I am so grateful for all SHRRP has done for me to live a safe and happy life, even with my challenges.” In addition to ADA bathroom remodels, SHRRP provides a variety of other services to qualified community residents. These can include complex renovations and retrofitting of interiors to meet health or safety needs such as, but not limited to: • • • • • •
Kitchen Cabinets Flooring Handicap Bathrooms Ramps Exterior Door Covers Roofing
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.
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20 WINTER 2023
KRAFT KORNER
Here is a fun and simple craft you can do at home. Make for yourself or as a gift!
Step one: Gather your supplies:
Step two: Cut a length of rope and
Step three: Turn the piece over and
Final step: Continue filling in spaces
Hot glue gun, scissors, floral ring, rope, embellishments of choice.
begin gluing your twigs in evenly spaced segments.
glue the end, then weave it in and out of the floral ring wires. Repeat until the wreath is completely covered.
with twigs until your sunburst is complete. Voila, your creation is done!
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MIND TEASERS
Yarn Maze
Find the Missing Piece Solve the table on the left. Then search and find on table on right.
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! y n n a D y a d h t r Happy Bi
Aww, Birthd ! e s Chee
ay Hugs!
O O K L BACK A 24 FALL 2025
. X I e l t i T t a t r a p Doing our
Go Cards!
Tee Time with the Homies
! y a D l l a DBacks
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Mmm... Cake!
Ball game an s e i t Cu
d food!
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) : s e l i m s l l A
Birthday G
irl
let’s make lemonde
Lov
s e i d a L e h t h t i w y a ely d
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Senior Services 480.362.6350
Police – Emergencies dial 911 480.850.9230
Adult Protective Services 480.362.6350
Legal Services 480-362-5670
Ask a Nurse 480.362.6619
River People Health Center 480.278.7742
Crisis Intervention 480.850.9230
RPHC Pharmacy 480.946.9227
Dialysis Center 480.362.1044
Senior Housing Repair and Replacement Program (SHRRP) 480.362.7800
Food Distribution Center 480.362.7277 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 Wellness Center 480.362.5555
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.