Senior Services
Shift to Independence: A driving evaluation and rehabilitation program
Most of us take driving for granted, but it is one of the most complex and dangerous activities we perform each day. Unfortunately, illness, injury, and age can change our ability to drive safely.
The Driving Evaluation and Rehabilitation Program at St. Mary's Life Center program assures drivers--and their loved ones and physicians--they can safely get behind the wheel.
Physicians often recommend patients for driving evaluation if they experience:
- spinal cord injury
- head injury
- stroke
- multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson's disease
- Guillain Barre`
- cerebral palsy
- dementia
- age-related changes in vision, reflexes, etc.
Evaluation, training, and follow-up
St. Mary's registered, licensed occupational therapists, trained in rehabilitative driving, assess each client's strength, coordination, memory, vision, range of motion, reaction time, and other skills needed for safe driving. Following evaluation, a treatment plan may include learning and practicing new skills in a driving simulator or training car or adaptive equipment.
The driver's progress and therapist's recommendations are reported to their referring physician so both the driver and their family members can be sure they are ready to get on the road again--safely. And, therapists follow-up to be sure adaptive equipment is installed correctly and the driver is comfortable with new skills.
St. Mary's driving evaluation and rehabilitation program, Shift to Independence, may be the answer if you or a loved one:
- has recently been in an accident or been issued a ticket
- has been hospitalized or suffered a health crisis
- becomes frustrated while driving or is surrounded by frustrated drivers
- forgets familiar routes
- gets tired driving while running simple errands
- has difficulty reading street signs
- is over age 70
Gray Gourmet
Nutritional meal services for seniors
Good nutrition is part healthy food and part good company. The Gray Gourmet, a nutritional meal program for seniors sponsored by St. Mary's Life Center, provides both. With dining sites, home-delivered meals, and other nutrition-related services, Gray Gourmet is dedicated to the good health of Mesa County seniors.
Eligibility
If you or your spouse is at least 60 years old and you live in Mesa County, you are eligible for Gray Gourmet services, regardless of your income.
Dining Out
Gray Gourmet sponsors nine meal sites where you'll get a hot, nutritious meal in friendly company. Call the Gray Gourmet office by 4:30 pm one day in advance to make a reservation. Call Friday for a Monday reservation. A $2.50 donation per meal is appreciated. Tell us if you need transportation to the dining site. Meals are served at noon at these sites:
Clifton
Clifton Community Hall
126 2nd Street
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Collbran
Collbran Congregational Church
2003 High Street
Wednesday, Friday
De Beque
De Beque Senior Center
381 Minter Avenue
Wednesday
Fruita
Independence Village
225 North Coulson Street
Monday through Friday
Grand Junction
Grand View Apartments
1501 North 1st Street
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Monterey Park Apartments
999 Bookcliff Avenue
Monday through Friday
Ratekin Towers
875 Main Street
Monday through Friday
Senior Recreation Center
550 Ouray Avenue
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
Mesa
Mesa Community Center,
48973 KE Road
Tuesdays
Home-Delivered Meals
If you are 60 or older and homebound, call the Gray Gourmet office to learn about home-delivery services. Weekday, weekend, and frozen meals are available depending on your location.
Special Diets and Nutritional Counseling
The Gray Gourmet's registered dietitian assures meals meet recommended dietary standards. If your doctor prescribes a restricted diet, talk to our dietitian and we'll make sure your Gray Gourmet meals meet your needs. To learn more about your doctor's dietary suggestions, call our office to talk to our dietitian. All dietary counseling is free.
Medical Nutritional Products
If your doctor prescribes a nutritional supplement, you may be able to purchase your products at a discount through Gray Gourmet. Call our office to find out if you qualify.
Click here to view Gray Gourmet's August Menu
Senior Companions
Helping neighbors stay independent
Senior Companion programs across the country help older adults remain healthy, independent, and in their own homes. Without this help, many older adults would be forced to leave their homes for assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Mesa County seniors 60 years and older get help and friendship through St. Mary's Senior Companion program.
A Senior Companion can:
- Help with daily activities, such as grocery shopping, bill paying, and simple household tasks
- Provide transportation to shopping and medical appointments
- Become part of the senior's caregiver team, making sure they take their medicine, and alerting doctors or family members to potential health problems
- Encourage seniors to remain active
- Offer seniors contact with the world outside their homes and make their lives less lonely
- Provide support and relief to family caregivers
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