Jun 5, 2024 · Aging and Long-Term Services Department

State Tour North-Central, Santa Clara Pueblo and Zuni Pueblo

Secretary Tours in the North-Central region continued as Deputy Secretary Sarah Jacobs and key members of her leadership team including Esperanza Lucero of Adult Protective Services, Denise King of the Aging Network, Jennifer Scott of the Office of the Ombudsman, Debbie Gonzales of Consumer Elder Rights Division, and Andrea Lawrence of External Affairs, embarked on a journey, engaging with city, county, and tribal administrators from Las Vegas, Springer, and Raton, to Cimarron, Taos, Española, and Santa Clara Pueblo.

During their visit to Las Vegas, members of the group toured the Buena Vida Long-Term Care facility, connecting with members, caregivers, and families. In Springer, they saw the existing Colfax General Long-Term Care facility and the site of its new home. Artistic residents and staff have painted unique door designs, each representing the culture and tradition of New Mexico in a slightly different way, one evoked the serene ambiance of a forest and wilderness, as depicted in the accompanying image, while others represented church doors or a gate adorned by chile ristras.

At the senior center in Raton, Deputy Jacobs called out a lively game of BINGO. She savored morning coffee in Cimarron, and convened a productive meeting with representatives from the City of Española and Rio Arriba County. This forum fostered animated dialogue regarding the myriad services offered by the Aging & Long-Term Services Department.

The culmination of the North-Central tour unfolded at Santa Clara Pueblo, where the Office of Indian Elder Affairs and Deputy Jacobs were warmly received by tribal administration, conversed with Pueblo elders in the Adult Day Care Center, and had the good fortune of seeing school children in traditional dress performing Tribal dance for their graduation ceremony.

The subsequent week saw Deputy Secretary Antoinette Vigil and Office of Indian Elder Affairs Director Melissa Sanchez travel to Zuni Pueblo for a day filled with facility tours, a delicious meal, meaningful conversation with Zuni Elders, senior center and adult day care staff and tribal administration.

These tours are emblematic of the Department’s commitment to community outreach, enabling our leadership team to glean invaluable insights first-hand and chart pathways to better support the communities we serve.

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The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) was established in 2004 to provide connection, resources, and advocacy for seniors and adults with disabilities. The department oversees the state’s Area Agencies on Aging to elevate the quality of care at senior centers, offers advocacy through the Long-Term Care Ombudsman volunteer program, and provides intervention through the agency’s national award-winning Adult Protective Services. Additionally, ALTSD houses the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, which offers unbiased counseling, education, and connection to resources. For more information about ALTSD, visit aging.nm.gov or follow us on Facebook , X (Twitter) , and Instagram @NewMexicoAging.

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