Silver City’s Gila Regional Medical Center Offers Desert Sages Program for Seniors
Desert Sage Benefits and FAQs
Gila Regional Medical Center has been offering the Desert Sages program to those 50 and older for the past two years.
“It started out small‚” said Coordinator Leticia‚ “but now we’ve got well over 80 members.
That’s not bad for a community as small as ours!”
The Desert Sages program primarily provides members with opportunities to socialize and attend Health Talks. An annual planning event is held every year to chose group activities.
Desert Sage members are considered VIPs by hospital personnel.“We invite our Desert Sages to any event Gila Regional is having.They are very important to our community and to the hospital‚” said GRMC Marketing Director Holley Hudgins‚ ”Desert Sages have earned the right to be an important part of our facility.”
“Our latest focus with Health Talks has been Living Wills.
There’s a lot of concern among seniors in the community and a great deal of confusion.
We are addressing the needs of our members‚” said Leticia.
A ten dollar yearly membership includes Doc Talks‚ Health Talks‚ a newsletter‚ luncheon‚ invitations to all hospital functions and a discounted membership to Gila Regional Billy Casper Wellness Center.“Involvement varies.It all depends on the activity.We have a lot of Sages attending Health and Doc Talks every month. Everyone picks and chooses which activities are of interest to them personally‚” said Leticia.
By offering health information and opportunities for social interaction that are member directed‚ the Desert Sages Program provides the chance for seniors to experience and learn what they choose. Said Leticia‚ “I feel it is essential that Desert Sages be a member driven program.We want to do with seniors and not do for them.”
For more information about Desert Sages‚ call 505-538-4870.
