Aging Well in Boulder County | Issue 16 | January 18, 2017

Family caregivers may see themselves as compassionate, or patient, or persistent—but they’re not likely to consider themselves heroic. Family caregivers are ordinary folks who embark on challenging journeys, face their fears, and hopefully learn how strong they are—and that makes them heroes. To help family caregivers examine their heroic journeys, we are pleased to sponsor a new, two-part workshop, “The Hero’s Journey of the Caregiver,” which promises to offer insight, inspiration, and renewal. The workshop uses a multimedia approach (video, art, poetry, self reflection, and discussion) to help family caregivers look at their unique journeys. 

What: The Hero’s Journey of the Caregiver 
When: Saturday, Feb. 4 and Feb 11
Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Where: Longmont Senior Center

Registration is open to Boulder County residents who provide any level of care for a relative, partner, or friend who is 60 or over, or of any age if the person has dementia. Pre-registration is required, at 303-678-6116 or by email.   A donation of $25 is suggested. Financial assistance for respite care is available.

Once a quarter, we recognize a special volunteer for his or her contribution to our programs. In December, Susan Damon was honored for her volunteer work in not one, not two, but three AAA programs: long-term care ombudsman, Care Connections editorial advisory committee, and “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” class leader. Susan brings an added bonus to each of her volunteer jobs: her previous experience as an AAA staff member. She’s one of those extraordinary AAA staff who retire but still keep showing up to do what they can for older adults and family caregivers.
How many people has Susan touched and helped through her extensive volunteer efforts? Dozens of Powerful Tools for Caregivers participants, hundreds of long-term care facility residents and their families, and thousands of Care Connections readers have been affected by her work. Congratulations to Susan Damon, an outstanding AAA volunteer!

For more infomation about volunteer opportunities with us, contact Kari Middleton.

This data from 2016 shows the average age of participants in several of our programs. Are you looking for answers on aging, community resources, or other support?

Visit www.BoulderCountyHelp.org or call the Resource Center at 303-441-1617.

Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, wireless doorbell cameras, and keyless entry are among the top 10 smart home technologies for homeowners age 50 and older, according to new research from The Hartford and the MIT AgeLab. “Smart home technology can make life easier for people of all ages, but it can be especially beneficial to those ages 50 and older as their lifestyles change,” said Jodi Olshevski, gerontologist and executive director of The Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence. 

Why do we think our staff so super? Follow us on Facebook to stay in the know!

Boulder County CareConnect has moved! The new location is located near the Diagonal Highway and Lookout Road in Gunbarrel.  The new address is 6325 Gunpark Dr. #F, Boulder, CO 80301.  

You can contact them at: 303-443-1933. www.careconnectbc.org

Despite rights advances, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults still worry about feeling forced back into the closet to receive the care they need. LGBT elders who live in long term care settings often face a wall of assumptions about who they are and the lives they have led. We’re hosting a Project Visibility community-based training designed to educate professional care providers, community members, friends, and family members about needs and strengths of LGBT elders. Join us to gain tools and practice skills for creating welcoming environments, anticipating the questions and concerns of LGBT older adults, and intervening when discrimination or hostility occurs.

The annual Caregiving Symposium is the only Boulder County event specifically designed for family caregivers.  Nearly 400 family caregivers and 150 service providers attended in 2016, and a similar turnout is expected at the 2017 event, which will include fifteen workshops on caregiving topics, a resource fair of 100-plus exhibitors, complimentary lunch, and more.

Our AAA family said farewell and “happy retirement” to two wonderful staff members in December: Nancy Grimes and Jan Van Sickle

Nancy served as our LGBT Program Specialist for the last seven years. Her commitment to her work with the Rainbow Elders community is palpable, from her careful, thorough conversations with vulnerable LGBT elders looking for an ear/resource, to her presence at any and all LGBT events, to her attention to grant writing to sustain LGBT programs! Nancy is a master at connecting people, and also at recruiting volunteers. We wish Nancy the best of luck as she retires to spend more time caring for her aging father, hiking, backpacking, skiing, and having countless other adventures. 

Jan worked as a Medicare Counselor for six years, providing exemplary service to Medicare beneficiaries across Boulder County. She educated beneficiaries through classes and individual appointments, helped people understand the benefits available to them, facilitated enrollment and plan reviews, and assisted with Medicare appeals. She often acted as a liaison between dual-eligible Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries and the Housing & Human Services Department. Jan has provided the Medicare Counseling team with unprecedented and unparalleled guidance.

We will all miss Nancy and Jan—the wisdom, intellect, humor and humanity they both brought to the AAA. 

After nearly ten years of committed and tireless leadership, Dean Newman has gracefully stepped down as President of the Aging Services Foundation Board of Directors. In his ten years, Dean oversaw over $1 million in grants, corporate support and individual donations, and nearly that amount in financial support back into the Area Agency on Aging’s programs and services.  We emphatically thank Dean for his sincere dedication to helping the professional community, older adults, and family caregivers better understand how to and engage in aging well in Boulder County.

We are honored to welcome Kellie Hudson as the new Aging Services Foundation President. Kellie (pictured here with AAA Manager Sherry Leach) is the owner and CEO of Hudson Integrative Health + One, and brings a broad range of business, non-profit and aging advocacy experience to the ASF. If you would like to learn more about opportunities to engage with or support the ASF, please visit the ASF website.

The federal budget process is rarely simple and straightforward—even for policy wonks. This year promises to be even more complex—and even more important for programs serving older Americans. Action has already begun to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and we've heard that significant cuts and changes to programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may also be on the horizon. Check out the anticipated timeline of events in the coming weeks and months to stay informed.

• Pain Self-Management | Thursday's Jan 19 - Feb 23 | Boulder
• Matter of Balance | Tuesday's Jan 24- Mar 14| Longmont
• Project Visibility Training | Jan 26 | Boulder
• Medicare Basics | Feb 2 | Boulder
• Aging Advisory Council | Feb 3 | Louisville
• Hero's Journey of the Caregiver | Feb 4 & 11 | Longmont
• Walk with Ease | Wednesday's and Friday's Feb 6 - Mar 17 | Louisville
• Medicare Basics | Feb 17 | Lafayette
• Medicare Basics | Feb 27 | Longmont
• Powerful Tools for Caregivers | Tuesday's Feb 28 - Apr 4 | Boulder
• Be Well Classes | Ongoing | County-wide
• Be Well Diabetes Classes | Ongoing | County-wide

Advocacy

Caregiver Programs

Elder Rights

Info & Assistance

LGBT Programs