Happy Older Americans Month, Readers!

As volunteers, employees, employers, educators, mentors, advocates, and so much more, older adults offer insight and experience that benefit our entire community. That’s why Older Americans Month (OAM) has been recognizing the contributions of this growing population for 56 years.

Led by the Administration for Community Living(ACL) each May, OAM provides resources to help older Americans stay healthy and independent, and resources to help communities support and celebrate their diversity.

This year’s OAM theme, Connect, Create, Contribute, encourages older adults and their communities to:

• Connect with friends, family, and local services and resources.
• Create through activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment.
• Contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others.

On May 2, the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May Older Americans Month in Boulder County.

Our Annual Report is Hot Off the Press

The AAA funds and provides an array of services that promote opportunities and outcomes for aging well. Our services help people engage and connect with their communities, maintain and promote health and wellness, and avoid costly life events. Highlights from our 2018 Annual Report include:

• Our Long-Term Care Ombudsmen provided 521 long-term care facility visits and 667 client consultations.
• Over 6,000 hours of caregiver respite were funded by the AAA.
• Our Veterans Services Office had 1,128 in-person meetings with and fielded 10,845 calls from veterans and their families to help them navigate and access Veterans Affairs and other benefits.
• Over 3,000 Medicare education and counseling client contacts, a 12% increase from 2017.

Click here to check out the full report.

Want to Learn More About Alzheimer’s?

The Alzheimer’s Association offers two enhanced online programs to help people increase their awareness and knowledge of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s outlines common signs of the disease and offers tips to address memory concerns. Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia explores the relationship between Alzheimer’s and dementia, stages and risk factors, current research, and available treatments.

Online training can be found here.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 13

Please join us on Elder Abuse Awareness Day for:

• A brief presentation on protections from abuse and fraud for older adults and adults with disabilities
• A panel discussion with the District Attorney’s office, law enforcement, adult protection, and Medicare counselors
• A recognition of local heroes for intervening in elder abuse

When: June 13, 3-4:30 p.m.

Where: Longmont Senior Center

(910 Longs Peak Ave.)

Register at: 303-651-8411

Do you know of someone who took a stand against elder abuse? Nominate them to be recognized! Submit your nomination here.

Aging Advisory Council Selects Subcommittees

Our Aging Advisory Council (AAC) has been hard at work this year setting subcommittees that will drive the work of the group for the next two years. At their May meeting, members presented information about the subcommittees to Commissioners Matt Jones and Elise Jones. The subcommittees chosen by the group include:

• Communication
• Health
• Aging in Place
• Support for Caregivers

At the June meeting, the AAC will be setting goals within each subcommittee and setting short- and long-term activities that will address the needs of older adults.

Do you want to learn more about our programs? Want to meet more AAA staff? Do you really just want to see our pets? All of this and more is possible on our Facebook page!

May Feature: Via Mobility Services

The ability to move is a universal need. Mobility is not a car or a bus – it’s the feeling of freedom that comes from knowing you can move when and where you want. Since its founding, Via has aspired to serve the Boulder County community inclusively, regardless of age or disability, with compassion, a commitment to serve, and the willingness to change to meet community needs. 

Via is a full-spectrum mobility manager offering paratransit, travel training,and mobility options information and referral services. Via also provides a wide range of community and group educational resources related to transportation for older adults, people with disabilities, and others living with mobility limitations. Boulder County AAA supports Via’s services through funding from the Older Americans Act and Older Coloradans Program.

Via is currently developing an accessible on-demand product to complement the existing paratransit service. The City of Boulder will host a pilot version of this service, and once the trial proves successful, the service will be expanded throughout Boulder County. 

Via has grown considerably since its humble beginnings 40 years ago, but the dreams, beliefs, and values the organization were founded upon continue to guide Via as they explore new and sustainable ways to serve the community.

Learn more about Via’s services.

For the Inner Nerd: Healthcare Data Dashboards

Curious about how the US healthcare system performs compared to other industrialized countries? The Kaiser Family Foundation and the Peterson Center on Healthcare recently updated their Health System Dashboard, which compiles data across four domains: access and affordability, health and well-being, health spending, and quality of care. While our health system has improved by many measures, overall performance continues to fall short compared to other countries, and specific health outcomes like longevity and disease are worsening. Click here to learn more.

If you’re more curious about how healthy we are right here in Boulder County, check out Boulder County Public Health’s Health Compass tool.

Upcoming Classes & Events from Senior Services

Each month, we highlight events from local senior services organizations, which offer wonderful ways to create, connect, and contribute to the community.

Boulder Senior Services

LGBT Coffee Klatch at West Senior Center

When: June 6, 10-11:30 a.m.

Registration: Call 303-441-3149

Join Rainbow Elders of Boulder county for a Coffee Klatch, which includes a facilitated discussion about caregiving in the LGBT community.

Erie Active Adults

Trivia Luncheon

When: Friday, June 7, Noon-2 p.m.

Registration: Call 303-926-2795. $10 per person. Registration deadline is May 26.

Do you enjoy watching Jeopardy? Do you want to look brilliant with little to no knowledge and effort? Then this event is perfect for you! Join the Erie Active Adults in the annual trivia luncheon. Lunch provided along with the chance to win prizes. Teams of 4-6 people will be formed at the luncheon.

Lafayette Senior Services

Senior Health & Fitness Day at Waneka Lake Park

When: Wednesday, May 29, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Registration: Call 303-665-0469 or go online. $5 per person.Register by May 22.

Join the Lafayette Senior Center as they play croquet, seated baseball, take out the paddleboats, or just a walk around the lake. There will be a guided trip around the lake to learn more about the wildlife and fauna. Lunch will be available and vendors will be present to help with fitness and health issues.

Longmont Senior Services

Advance Directives

When: Thursday, June 13, 9:30-11 a.m.

Registration: Call 303-651-8411 or stop by the Longmont Senior Center. $5 per person.

Learn about and review the various necessary documents related to advance planning such as medical power of attorney, living will, and Five Wishes.

Louisville Senior Services

Get Acquainted with People & Programs

When: Thursday, May 23, 9:30-11 a.m.

Registration: Call 303-666-7400 or go online. No cost.

Get acquainted with others who are new to the area, new to Louisville Senior Services, or interested in making new connections with other older adults. Learn more about the many opportunities and resources offered through the Louisville Recreation & Senior Center. There is no charge, but please register to reserve your space.

An Important Correction

In the April edition of Aging Well in Boulder County, we featured our magnificent volunteers with the Medicare Counseling Program.

• The $77,000 specified in the article was savings to consumers who participated in Open Enrollment Clinics during Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, while the cost-savings throughout the year was higher.
• The Medicare Counseling Program, including volunteers and staff, provided 24 Open Enrollment Clinics from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

We could not serve as many consumers and generate as much cost-savings without our dedicated volunteers. Thank you!