Sandoval County Strengthens Senior Services, Expands Meals and Transportation

Sandoval County is operating a coordinated network of senior centers and a meal site that serve older residents across the county. The program includes the Bernalillo Senior Center, Corrales Senior Center, Cuba Senior Center, Jemez Senior Center, Placitas Senior Center and a Rio Rancho Meal Site. Together these locations provide congregate lunches, home delivered meals for eligible homebound seniors, transportation to and from centers and to medical appointments, enhanced fitness classes and a range of educational and recreational programs.

County staff prepare and deliver meals with a centralized approach. The Bernalillo and Rio Rancho sites prepare meals that are distributed to multiple meal locations, allowing smaller centers to offer regular congregate lunches and enabling home delivery after a client assessment determines eligibility. Transportation services help older residents attend center activities and medical visits, addressing a common barrier to care in rural and suburban parts of the county.

The centers offer enhanced fitness classes that use evidence based group exercise models to support balance and mobility, along with recreation, resource and benefits assistance, and outreach and home visits for residents who may be isolated or need extra support. These services aim to keep seniors healthier and more independent while connecting families with information about benefits and local supports.

For Sandoval County residents the program has practical value. Congregate lunches provide a reliable midday meal and an opportunity for social interaction. Home delivered meals and outreach reduce the risk that homebound seniors will go without nutrition and essential services. Transportation to medical appointments helps maintain continuity of care, which can reduce emergency room visits and hospital readmissions. Fitness and wellness programming contributes to long term mobility and quality of life for older adults across the county.

Residents can find monthly newsletters and lunch menus on the county senior centers page, and those seeking eligibility details or program registration may contact the Rio Rancho Meal Site using the phone numbers listed on the county site. More information is available at https://www.sandovalcountynm.gov/departments/community-services/senior-services/senior-centers/?utm_source=openai