Framing COVID-19 for the Community and the Common Good

Those advocating for older adults during the COVID-19 crisis now have communication tools available by the FrameWorks Institute. FrameWorks, which already recommends communications strategies to combat discrimination against older adults, is recommending communications strategies to help foster a sense of community and common good during the COVID-19 crisis, rather than inadvertently reinforcing differences and boundaries (us vs. them thinking). These strategies include widening the circle of “we” and avoiding framing COVID-19 in terms of “saviors” and “victims.” Consider first these sentences: Seniors….are vulnerable to severe disease. For their sakes, we need to make sacrifices, make them now, and - possibly - make them for the long term. This language suggesting there is an “us” sacrificing for a “them” can lead to intolerance of the “them” (there have been suggestions on social media that older adults may not be worth sacrificing for). The FrameWorks Institute also states that us vs. them thinking may lead people to disengage and ignore public health advice in the belief that the virus doesn’t affect them. Instead, widening the circle of “we,” COVID-19 can be framed like this: This virus is highly contagious …anyone could be spreading it without realizing. When we all stay home today, we see fewer new cases tomorrow….This protects those who are most at risk and the availability of the lifesaving health care we all depend on.” For more FrameWorks recommendations on communicating effectively about COVID-19, please see: Framing COVID-19.

Via Mobility Services Adapting to Community Needs

Via Mobility Services has been leading in accessible transportation for more than 40 years, and - like you - is experiencing swift and severe changes. The mobility concerns of older adults and people living with disabilities are shifting from traveling to community resources like the beauty parlor, to acquiring vital resources like groceries during this time of social distancing and isolation. As the pandemic progresses, Via is quickly adapting to meet our community’s changing needs, including delivering bags of food to vulnerable residents of Lyons and Allenspark, the Louisville Senior Center, and Boulder residents who benefit from the Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA). Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Email: info@viacolorado.org Phone: 303-447-2848 Check out their website and Facebook for additional information.

Additional Transportation Updates

Boulder County's Mobility for All program gathered the following information on updates from local transportation providers:

• Via Mobility Services: Waiving Fares, Increasing Frequency of Cleaning and Sanitizing Vehicles, Trying to Keep Trips to One Passenger at a Time, Delivering Groceries
• RTD Fixed-Route Buses: Increasing Frequency of Cleaning Buses, Reducing Services to Saturday Service Frequencies starting April 19
• RTD Access-a-Ride: Increasing Frequency of Cleaning Buses, Delivering Groceries to Access-a-Ride Certified Passengers
• Cultivate: Accepting New Clients for Carryout Caravan Grocery Delivery Service (60 years or older)
• DRMAC: Stay Up To Date On Transportation Services for the Denver Metro Region
• TNC - Lyft: Temporarily Stopping Shared Rides, Providing Hand Sanitizer and Cleaning Supplies to Drivers
• TNC - Uber: Providing Disinfectants to Driver, Delivering Food "Leave At Door" via Uber Eats
• bCycle: Reducing Cost of Pay-per-Trip Pass (Casual Cruiser) to only $1/trip (for the first 30 minutes)

Updates from Boulder County Legal Services

Boulder County Legal Services (BCLS) is closed to walk-in clients and the office will remain closed to any and all foot traffic until further notice. Online applications are still being accepted and all screening are now being done by phone. The Pro Se Clinic has been canceled until further notice.

Staff is working remotely and still performing all essential function, however, the Courts are not seeing cases unless they are emergent, therefore, case placement and any possible outcomes may be delayed a substantial length of time.

Phone: 303-449-7575 Leave a message. Calls will be returned within 48 hours.

Email: clsboulder@colegalserv.org

Website: https://www.coloradolegalservices.org/

Mental and Emotional Health Supports

To protect the health of clients and staff, Mental Health Partners has changed their services and are providing telehealth appointments, including for new clients. Check out their COVID-19 response here. 

Crisis services are available here. You can call Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-8255 or text "TALK" to 38255.

Infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19, as well as other public health events, can cause emotional distress and anxiety. Feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed or powerless is common during an infectious disease outbreak, especially in the face of a virus with which the general public may be unfamiliar. These feelings of distress and anxiety can occur even if you are not at high risk of getting sick. The Suicide Prevention Hotline has people available to provide free and confidential support 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8355.

Feeling discomfort? According to a Harvard Business Review article, it could be grief. Read their interview with leading grief expert David Kessler here. David is the co-author of "On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss" and the founder of https://www.grief.com. He talks about the types of grief we are feeling and how we can manage those feelings.

Check out the April edition of Resources for Caregivers, our monthly newsletter for informal and family caregivers. This edition features teleconnection opportunities.

The Alzheimer's Association has a list of 38 ways to spend time with a person living with Alzheimer's while sheltering in place.

Important Information about Social Security Services

The Social Security Administration suspended face-to-face service to the public in their field offices and hearing offices nationwide until further notice. The decision protects the populations served by the administration. Read more about social security services and consumer protection information here.

Working From Home with Our Companions

Lorelai helps her mom, Ashley, advocate for folks living in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across Boulder County.

Simon (Simo, Simoco, The Soft) provides ideas for our Rainbow Elders Facebook page to his dad, Michael - our LGBTQ+ Program Specialist.

Chica Linda (above) and Teagan (below) provide support through their delicious eggs and silly high jinks to Carol, a Program Manager.

Splash takes a rest between a performance of Für Elise and helping his friend, Teresa, manage our Healthy Aging Programs.

Roberto's School of Fish provide entertainment for the whole family during stay-at-home orders. Roberto serves as an Options Counselor at the AAA.

These plants are growing big so they can provide nutritious, locally grown, organic tomatoes for Lindsay later this summer. Lindsay is the author of this newsletter and wears many hats at the BCAAA. Don't worry - Lindsay will be moving these tomatoes to larger containers this weekend.

We will continue to produce monthly and special editions of Aging Well in Boulder County. Follow us on Facebook for updated information and resources in Spanish.

City of Longmont Senior Services Updates

Longmont Senior Services staff are responding to emails and phone calls, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Email: senior@longmontcolorado.gov

Phone: 303-651-8411

Sign up for biweekly email updates by visiting www.longmontcolorado.gov/senior-servcies or emailing Deanne.Kear@longmontcolorado.gov.

Senior Services is developing additional online programs and will be offering ways to receive computer and technology assistance from our Senior Computer Tech Center volunteers. Sign up for the biweekly email newsletter to keep up to date on what is happening. Resource and counseling staff are providing assistance via the telephone. Please call the main number if you need assistance.

Check out this link for more information on Longmont's COVID-19 closure.

Need an activity at home? Check out Restorative Yoga from Longmont Senior Services!

For further updates, visit the City of Longmont COVID-19 webpage or the city's Facebook page.

Town of Erie, Parks & Recreation - Active Adults Service Updates

Erie Active Adults staff are responding to emails and phone calls, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Email: chickman@erieco.gov

Phone: 303-926-2795

The Town of Erie's Active Adults program is providing a drive through meal service at the Erie Community Center (450 Powers St.) every Thursday at 12:30 p.m. unless notified differently. This meal is available to anyone living in Erie and surrounding communities. Reservations are required by calling 303-926-2795 or emailing chickman@erieco.gov by Tuesday evening prior to the meal date. On Thursdays, participants should drive through the circle drive on the west side of the center and staff will hand you your meal. This is a Weld County Senior Nutrition meal. There is a $4 suggested donation for 60+ and a $14 fee for 59 and under. The $4 is a suggested donation only. Volunteers are available to deliver meals.

Check out the city's website for information on the COVID-19 closure.

Updates from Louisville Senior Services

Staff are currently working Monday through Friday. Allow one business day to receive a return call or message.

Email: dianee@louisvilleco.gov

Phone: 303-335-4919

Louisville Senior Services Care Calling

If you are a Louisville older adult (60+) and would like a care call from the City of Louisville Recreation & Senior Center staff, please contact our Senior Services Community Resource Coordinator at 303-335-4919 or email dianee@louisvilleco.gov and leave a message with your name and telephone number. 

Be a Good Neighbor

In a community known for its neighborliness, Louisville Senior Services has a request - to take a look around your neighborhood for any isolated older adult who may be in need of groceries, a prescription pickup, transportation to a medical appointment, or some other type of assistance.  Please let us know who that is by calling or emailing the City of Louisville Senior Center’s Community Resource Assistance Line at 303-335-4919 or dianee@louisvilleco.gov .

Check out the Louisville's website for information on the COVID-19 closure.

Service Updates for City-Level Services

City of Boulder Older Adult Services  

Client Services Coordinators assist residents of the City of Boulder 60+ and their caregivers with referrals to community resources, counseling on available options, and financial support for eligible clients.

Phone - English or Spanish: 303-441-4388

Lafayette Senior Services

Information, Referral, and Resources

Email: dinah.pollard@cityoflafayette.com or dana.bellomy@cityoflafayette.com

Phone - English: 303-665-9052

Mountain Communities

Email: infoADRC@bouldercounty.org

Phone - English: 303-441-1617

Phone - Spanish: 303-441-3867

Website: www.bouldercountyhelp.org

Boulder County Call Center

For questions on the Stay-at-Home Order or the enforcement of this order, general questions on COVID-19, public health assistance, workforce questions, or human services support, you can now connect with the Boulder County Call Center.

Phone: 720-776-0822. Currently, the call center is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Volunteer and Donation Opportunities

Help those affected by volunteering or donating with HelpColoradoNow.org. Boulder County staff are monitoring local volunteer sign-ups through this site. Clinical volunteers are also needed for the Boulder County Medical Reserve Corps - learn more and sign up to volunteer.

Learn more about local donations needs here.

Recommended Resources for Information on Coronavirus

Boulder County Public Health is continuing to closely monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and is in close and regular contact with public health partners. Check out local, updated information on COVID-19.

Boulder County is working with community partners to help those impacted by COVID-19. Check out this webpage for resources on accessing emergency assistance.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is sharing status updates on the outbreak. Click here to learn more about risk, to access fact sheets, and status updates.

Please reference the Administration for Community Living's COVID-19 page to learn more about what older adults and people living with disabilities need to know about the virus.

Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 site for updated information on the outbreak around the world.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has created a webpage specifically for older adults and their families concerned about COVID-19. The webpage provides basic information, information about staying healthy, and information on connection and maintaining routine.

The Administration for Community Living has information specific to older adults and people living with disabilities.

Advisory and Resources for Those Suffering Abuse During COVID-19

While our community takes important and necessary precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, some community members are at greater risk due to stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures now in place. Due to isolation and economic uncertainty that exist because of the pandemic, underlying stressors leading to domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse may worsen during this time.

District Attorney Michael Dougherty advises Boulder County community members that law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, medical professionals, and local non-profits in Boulder County remain available to assist those in need. The District Attorney’s Office encourages the community to remain vigilant in identifying and reporting abuse, while offering support to those suffering from abuse in the home.

Review Resources for Survivors of Abuse During COVID-19. Learn more about efforts from the Community Protection Division. and follow the DA's Office on Facebook.

Take a Self-Care Break!

At the BCAAA, we are managing many new tasks and many of our staff are being redeployed into new areas. The transition can be difficult. Luckily, Cindy Smith - our department's Solution Focused Facilitator and Trainer, provides self-care tips to our team to help support the new landscape. The following is some recent advice from Cindy.

Take a break to give your nervous system some love. Most important is the Vagus nerve which resets the "fight or flight" signals in your brain. Vagus means wandering because it innervates all of the organs in our bodies. The level of strength in the vagal response is know as "tone". Higher vagal tone is associated with better health including better digestion, reduced inflammation, increased emotional resilience, and longevity. Lower vagal tone is associated with negative moods, inflammation, and heart attacks. Here are a few things you can do to strengthen your vagal tone:

• Cold Exposure
• Singing, Changing, Humming, Gargling
• Acupuncture
• Yoga & Tai Chi
• Probiotics
• Meditation
• Exercise
• Massage - Scalp massages reduce cortisol and increase serotonin.
• Socializing and Laughing
• Nose Breathing
• Fasting
• Sleeping or laying on your right side leads to higher vagal tone. Laying on your back leads to lowest vagus activation.
• Sunlight

Pose These Questions to Yourself and Share Them With Your Community

Learn more about these Six Daily Questions to Ask Yourself in Quarantine. Check out more information from Greater Good Magazine later in this newsletter.