Departments and Divisions
Rio Arriba County Senior Citizens Program
Introduction and Overview of the Program
Rio Arriba County is a non-profit governmental agency providing services to senior citizens of Rio Arriba County. In 1982 Rio Arriba County took over Senior Program operations from the non-proft organization callded Los Cuiadadanos Mayores del Condado de Rio Arriba. The County Board of Commissioners serves as a Program's Governing Board. Program operations are, overseen by the Richard Montoya, Program Director
For the past twenty years the County together with Area Agency on Aging have moved into the 21st Century by taking a program that only served; Congregate Meals, to a program that is now providing array of other essential Senior Services.
Mission Statement
The mission of Rio Arriba County Senior Citizens Program is to plan, develop, and provide a coordinted system of services designed to promote independence for thos persons 60 years of age and older with the primary focus on the frail, rural, and low-income minority individuals in Rio Arriba County.
Characteristics of the Program
The Senior Citizens Program operates within the entire County of Rio Arriba. Rio Arriba is located in North Central New Mexico and encompassess approximately 5,800 square miles and ranges in elevation from 13,064 feet at Truchas Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to 5,000 feet at the Rio Grande Valley south of the village of La Mesilla.
It is a quiet apparent that the cultural influences composing customs in Rio Arriba County come from an array of backgrounds, the most influencing are Pueblo Indians, Navajos, Mesicans, Spanish, Anglo selttlers and the French influence introduced by Bishop Lamy, in the 1940's. The Catholic church is mentioned because of its pre-Lamy era when the Francisans ministered to the Indian, and Mexican cultures. The spanish influence predominated culture developement for over 200 years. The Spanish culture now practiced in Rio Arriba County has been affected by many other lifestyles which have touched upon the development of this so-called sleeping giant. It is truly a configuration of cultural pluralism with a Spanish and Indian cultural forerunners. The collision of these two worlds has emerged into a historical melting pot community. The commonality of all cultures was a love for the extended family and the family's relationship to the land. Similar family values are still practiced by residents of Rio Arriba today. Through the 200+ years of Spanish European influence, culturally and economically, century old traditions and strong family and community customs continue to this day.
The county is comprised of rural towns, and villages. Our closest urban area is the city of Santa Fe. We have and will continue to transport seniors to Santa Fe for medical and other needed services. The only township that is close to been considered urban is Espanola with a population of approximately 6,000, which is located on the southern most edge of the County.
Resources of Services
- Senior Centers offer nourishing meals, transportation, information about community services and educational programs.
- Homemakers who do light housekeeping, cooking and help individuals with bathing, toileting and other personal care. This program is designed to meet the needs of seniors 60 and over. Participation is based on an assessment and on individual plan of care with high-risk.
- Adult Day Care provides services to dependent adults in a supervised, protective, congregate setting throughout some portion of a 24-hour day. Services may include social and recreational activities, training, counseling, meals, and personal care, with the addition of rehabilitative/restorative therapies, in adult day health settings.
- Family Caregivers Program provides temporary respite services that provides assistance for the primary caregiver of an eligible senior.
- Alzheimer Respite Program is based on a physician's diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia. Participation is based on assessment and individual plan of care.
Senior Citizens Program Sites
- Administration Office 1122 Industrial Park Road Espanola, NM 87532
- Richard Montoya, Program Director
- Maria K. Montoya, Administrative Assistant
- Adult Day Care ProgramContact Person: Sandra Martinez,ADC Coordinator Phone: 505-753-5492
- Dixon Senior CenterContact Person: Christine Gonzales, Site Manager Phone: 505-579-9176
- Espanola Senior Center Contact Person: Thomas Vigil, Program Coordinator Phone: 505-753-4971
- Coyote Senior Center Contact Person: Lillian Ortega, Program Coordinator Phone: 505-638-9112
- Chama Senior Center Contact Person: Loyola Archuleta, Program Coordinator Phone: 505-588-7731
- Medanales Senior Center Contact Person: Diana Joseph, Site Manager Phone: 505-685-0052
- Tierra Amarilla Senior Center Contact Person: Loyola Archuleta, Program Coordinator Phone: 505-588-7731
- Trucahs Senior Center Contact Person: Viola Martinez, Site Manager Phone: 505-689-2511