A brand-new team has been created for seniors and adults with adaptive needs in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

“The Vitality Team is here at the Way of Life Facility (WOLF) in the Senior Room and we welcome all seniors or adults with adaptive needs,” said SRPMIC Health & Wellness Program Manager Celinda Joe.

The staff on the new Vitality Team are James Nunez (Recreation Coordinator I), Tracy Beltran (Recreation Coordinator I), Ashley Billie (Secretary), Cheryl Tate (Caregiver Program Coordinator), Kahneena Jones (Cultural Coordinator), Celinda Joe (Health & Wellness Program Manager) and Erin Manuel (Senior Manager, Vitality).

The Vitality Team focuses on five core areas of wellness: physical, social, emotional, spiritual and mental.

“We have been blessed to have amazing support from our seniors and other departments within the SRPMIC,” stated Joe. “We’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with several different departments, such as Diabetes Prevention, Injury Prevention, the Tribal Library (Recreation Education Division), Youth Services and Cultural Resources. We continue to gain recognition from the Community, as we are a new program within Senior Services.”

On April 11 at the WOLF, the Vitality Team held an open house from 2 to 7 p.m. to meet and greet Community seniors and those interested in receiving services from the new team. Refreshments were provided as Joe and the Vitality Team members introduced themselves and informed the seniors about the team’s upcoming events.

“Currently we have … caregiver, cultural, and health and wellness programs that feature classes and resources available to Community seniors and adults with adaptive needs. The caregiver program focuses on providing support services specifically for family caregivers of seniors. The cultural program helps to enrich the Community seniors with their O’odham and Piipaash cultural heritage,” said Joe.

In addition, the team continually works to offer fun classes and gatherings. Seniors members can now review films in the new Senior Culture Cinema Club, which will meet on the first Saturday of every month at the WOLF from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In May, the Vitality Team will also be hosting aquatic fitness classes at the WOLF in addition to their tai chi, cooking, book and walking clubs.

“Our Vitality Team is here to serve the seniors and adults with adaptive needs by providing fun and engaging social activities to improve their health, prevent caregiver fatigue and [preserve] cultural heritage,” said Joe. “Our team is here to empower seniors to take positive steps to improve or maintain their quality of life.”