Living in the Time of COVID-19

The pandemic has affected all aspects of life. This new recurring feature tells the stories of some older Boulder county residents living in the time of COVID-19.

Beverly Lyne is a retired nurse with stories and a sense of humor (for her May birthday, she considered making a cake that looked like a toilet paper roll). So, she's partly joking when she wonders aloud, "When am I going to get to quarantine for a few weeks?" But she has been busy. She had just moved and had foot surgery when the pandemic hit. Soon after, as a surge in patients seemed imminent, Beverly (a Medical Reserve Corps of Boulder County member), volunteered to help nurses at a local hospital. Nowadays, in addition to organizing her home, gardening, and watching birds at her new feeder, she drives regularly to Westminster to help her dad's 90-year-old cousin with cleaning and the occasional errand. She hikes or bikes in the morning or evening to avoid crowds, and for the first time in months, played string quartets (she plays cello) in a friend's back yard - socially distanced and masked. "How do I cope with the pandemic?" she muses. "I wish it were easier for everyone, but it's not. It saddens me to see people not wearing masks. I don't want them to get sick. Music, nature, family, and friends - these are the things that help me." And in the meantime, Beverly so often helps others.

Pride Celebrations!

Above is a photo of the Rainbow Elders of Boulder County car for the Pride Motorcade!

Out Boulder County put on a week of events to celebrate Longmont Pride. While most of the programs and activities were presented virtually, the first ever Longmont Pride Motorcade debuted with 140 cars carrying nearly 400 participants! The motorcade was a great way for folks to gather safely to celebrate Pride. For more coverage, please the article from Longmont Times-Call.

Click here to check out video of the Motorcade on Facebook.

We were thrilled to once again partner with Out Boulder County on the annual 50+ Mixer. Unable to host the mixer in person, we hosted a virtual Zoom meeting instead for 30 people who tuned in to connect with friends, meet new folks, and celebrate Pride together. Participants rotated through three different breakout rooms facilitated by volunteers with topics ranging from how we are creating connection and community during the pandemic to how are we finding ways to celebrate Pride while standing in solidarity with groups like Black Lives Matter.

Longmont Pride’s main event concluded the week’s activities with a program of entertainment performances, inspiring messages from community members, fun photos from past Pride events, information about community resources, and a fundraiser that included Boulder County’s own District Attorney Michael Dougherty taking one for the team as a true ally, having buckets of not only water and milk, but also ice cream and yogurt poured over his head to help raise money for Out Boulder County! A must see! To view both parts of the finale hosted by the fabulous Miss Jessica L’Whor, please click for Part 1 and Part 2.

To stay connected, please consider attending the next Virtual Tea Time for Rainbow Elders. Our monthly Tea Time takes place on the second Thursday of the month and is scheduled for July 9 from 4-5 p.m. Use the link here to connect directly to the virtual meeting. 

Connect with our LGBTQ+ programs!

Rainbow Elder of Boulder County Facebook

Project Visibility Facebook

LGBTQ+ Programming

Changing the Narrative Leads Discussions on Ending Ageism

Changing the Narrative, a Colorado-based campaign to increase understanding of ageism and to shift how Coloradans think about aging, along with PBS12, have teamed up to present an online series of intergenerational conversations. Each panel will bring together leaders from across generations to discuss the current and future landscape on a wide range of issues including social connection, and the future of work and ageism against the backdrop of the pandemic.

Janine Vanderburg, initiative director for Changing the Narrative, organized the series based on a successful campaign last fall that resulted in over 60 intergenerational conversations about ageism that took place across Colorado and beyond.

"Intergenerational connection and education are powerful ways to end ageism," Vanderburg said. "We had planned another series of in-person conversations and then the pandemic arose, so we had to think differently about how these might take place. With the pandemic exposing ageism, these conversations that include leaders of all ages will show that we all have more in common than we have differences on a range of issues."

Read more and watch the first four episodes of the series here.

Check out these upcoming episodes:

Arts and Culture - What have we learned about the importance of art and culture?

Friday, July 3, 7 p.m.

Ageism - How do we experience ageism differently and how can we come together to end it?

Friday, July 10, 7 p.m.

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 Longmont Senior Services or emailing Deanne.Kear@longmontcolorado.gov.

Take a Virtual Class With the LSC!

Join the LSC for live, online conversations and classes. They are offering free Zoom classes while the Senior Center is closed. Please register online or call Monica, Deanna, or Robyn at 303-651-8411 to register by 4 p.m. the weekday before the class begins. After you register, you will receive an email with a link to the Zoom class.

If you would like some assistance on how to use Zoom, please Visit Longmont Senior Computer Technology Center website to ask for help from their Senior Computer Technology Center (SCTC).

Check out more updates and courses through the summer GO catalog!

The Longmont Senior Center Technology Coaches are now offering virtual lectures, classes and labs. They will be conducted using Zoom video conferencing. To see the full range of offerings, more details and to enroll, visit our website at Longmont Senior Computer Technology Center. Once at the site, click "Sign up for Emails" to receive information on upcoming courses like:

Drop-In Labs

Fridays, June 12, 19, 26, 2 p.m.

Grocery Shopping Online

Thursday, June 18, 10 a.m.

Filtering Fake News

Wednesday, June 24, 10 a.m.

City of Boulder Older Adult Services

Client Services Coordinators with City of Boulder Older Adults Services 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. Coordinators are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 303-441-4388 (English/Spanish). Sign up for weekly email updates by visiting City of Boulder Older Adults Services or email GarciaW@BoulderColorado.gov.

Click here for up-to-date City of Bolder information and resources around COVID-19.

Louisville Senior Services

The Louisville Recreation & Senior Center is currently closed. Check out their Facebook page for reopening dates and procedures for use. Staff are available by phone or email Monday through Friday. Allow one business day to receive a return call or message.

Email: Ktofte@louisvilleco.gov

Phone: 303-335-4919

Upcoming Courses from Louisville Senior Services

Virtual Coffee Club

Thursdays, 9 a.m.

Virtual Art Club

Fridays, 10 a.m.

Tai Chi 1

Saturdays, July 11-25, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

$30 for residents, $38 for non-residents

Tai Chi is a self-healing exercise focusing on the essence of our life. This is an outdoor beginning class for all ages who haveno or very little exposure to Tai Chi. Class will be held outside at Annette Brand Park in Louisville. Class time may change due to weather. Please email the instructor for availability prior to registration.

Foot Care

Medical Foot Care provided by a Registered nurse from the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) is offered the fourth Tuesday of every month. The cost is $45 for first extended visits and $35 for returning visits. Call the Colorado VNA at 303-698-6496 to schedule an appointment or for any questions.

Learn more about these courses and other activities from Louisville Recreation & Senior Center.

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 Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30 p.m., unless notified differently. This meal is available to anyone living in Erie and surrounding communities. On lunch days, participants drive through the circle drive on the west side of the center and staff place the meal through an open window. 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 upon request.

Reservations are required by calling 303-926-2795 or emailing chickman@erieco.gov by Sunday evening prior to the Tuesday meal date, and by Tuesday evenings prior to the Thursday meal date.

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

The City of Lafayette Senior Services Resource Coordinator, can help you access resources, support, and services, often free or low cost:

• Short term financial assistance for when you get in a money pinch
• Home health services and grants
• Dental, vision & hearing aid grants
• Food, meals & shopping resources
• Mental health, addiction & counseling referrals
• Completing various forms & applications
• Advocacy & problem solving help
• ...and much more!

Email olderadults@cityoflafayette.com or Dinah. You can also call Dinah at 720-737-4891.

Upcoming Courses from Lafayette Senior Services

Virtual Book Clubs

For further information on virtual book clubs, please contact heideb@cityoflafayette.com.

Option 1:

Book Club - Meet once a month on the second Friday, 9-10 a.m. via Zoom.

Option 2:

Mystery Book Club - Meet once a month on the first Friday, 10-11 a.m. via Zoom.

Virtual Lunch Buddies

Tuesday, July 21, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m-2 p.m.

Email olderadults@cityoflayette.com to register and for further information.

Virtual Senior Social Hour

Every Thursday beginning at 1 p.m.

Sign up for the Senior Spotlight to learn more about upcoming programming.

Service Connection in the Mountains

Mountain Communities

Email: infoADRC@bouldercounty.org

Phone - English: 303-441-1617

Phone - Spanish: 303-441-3867

Website: www.bouldercountyhelp.org

Upcoming Active Minds Events

The mission of Active Minds is to expand lives and minds by providing outstanding educational programs. They believe in lifelong learning and fostering active minds for life. Active Minds achieves this by combining excellent teaching with thoroughly researched, compelling topics that matter. They also deliver programs on-site, customized to each audience, but always presented objectively so that all perspectives are honored. To learn more about any of the programs listed below, please visit the Active Minds website. India: A Story of Contrast Monday, July 6, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Alexander Hamilton Monday, July 6, 2-3 p.m. Women's Suffrage in the U.S. Wednesday, July 8, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The History of Tea Wednesday, July 8, 2-3 p.m. Princess Diana Wednesday, July 8, 2-3 p.m. Spices Thursday, July 9, 3-4 p.m. Say Cheese! Monday, July 13, 2-3 p.m. California Wednesday, July 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Staying Well

We've been posting many great resources on self-care and connection to mental health assistance during this time. The feature below this article shares how our staff are taking time to take care. Here are a few of our featured posts on Facebook from the past week.

• Mini Meditation for the "Sunday Scaries"
• Your Healthiest Self: Wellness Toolkits
• 4-7-8 Breathing Method
• Illustrated Guide to Showing Up For Yourself

Mental Health Resources

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

Click here for information on crisis services. You can call Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-8255 or text "TALK" to 38255.

The Suicide Prevention Hotline has folks available to provide free and confidential support 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8355.

Resource Connection & Volunteer Opportunities

Boulder County COVID-19 Resources

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

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, human services support, or questions about services for older adults, you can now connect with the Boulder County Call Center.

Phone: 720-776-0822. Currently, the call center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

COVID-19 Updates

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.

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.

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.

Information for Older Adults and Caregivers

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.

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 CDC has updated their guidance on COVID-19 in older adults. Learn more about caring for someone with COVID-19 at home.

Ch-ch-changes!

This past week, we asked our our new Business Results Program Manager to reflect on the following questions, "What has changed in terms of service to the community for the BCAAA since the beginning of COVID? How is your team better serving our clients and community partners during this time?"

"We have focused on increasing access to services in as many ways as possible. On the information and communications front, we’ve increased the frequency and resource content of the Age Well newsletter and identified gaps in Spanish communications and responded in collaboration with other county departments. Operationally, we’ve been more flexible with client financial assistance through emergency purchasing policies that allowed us to offer clients gift cards for grocery stores and restaurants. We’ve also been able to quickly contract with providers such as Mom’s Meals and Meals on Wheels to ensure that Boulder County older adults were able to safely access the food they needed during Stay and Safer-at-Home mandates.

And the reality is that we are simply doing MORE of the great work this team always has – pivoting strategic planning efforts to a short and mid-term Action Plan development, advocating for equitable policies and services which improve the lives of Boulder County residents, processing payment requests, data collection, compliance, and reporting, contracting with providers, and pivoting funds to identified community needs and priorities."

Carol Cross, Program Manager

And because the title of this article is a bit of an ear worm, please follow this link to enjoy "Changes" by David Bowie as you continue to peruse the newsletter.

Featured Provider: Ensight Skills Center

The Ensight Skills Center serves those who are visually impaired by provide people with low vision the tools, counseling, and training that empowers independent and productive living. We have a great partnership with the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging to enhance our programs for Individuals 60 years of age and older. We have also recently launched a new Assistive Technology (AT) program to help connect those we serve with tools to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ensight's new AT program works with participants who are feeling isolated during the ongoing pandemic. This program works to help individuals with low vision find ways to engage with others safely as they stay close to home. Thanks to a recent grant from the Northern Colorado COVID-19 relief fund, Ensight is able to expand its services providing low vision devices for eligible participants and to provide assistive technology and training so they can stay connected. Ensight's team will conduct a technology assessment as well as training on programs for communication, such as messaging and Zoom. Devices may include computers, iPads, and smart speaker devices.  Call Ensight today at 970-407-9999 to find out about eligibility or to learn more.

Thank you, Bill!

Bill is pictured above with Sadie, a Bernese Mountain Dog, and his grandson, Sage DeForest.

The Boulder County Long-Term Care Ombudsman program would like to thank our volunteer, Bill Nagel, for his service to the program. After 10 years of advocating for residents, he is moving on to his next life adventure. Bill worked hard to educate residents about their rights and support them in whatever way they needed. Bill will truly be missed, but we are thrilled he will be taking time for himself and his family. We chatted with Bill over email about his time with the program.

When did you start volunteering with the program?

I think that I started as a volunteer Long-Term Care Ombudsman in the spring of 2009, so I was with this program for about 10 years when I took a leave last year.

Why did you choose to volunteer with the program?

I had recently retired from the Boulder District Attorney’s office, where I had had some involvement with issues that arose in crimes against older adults. My parents had retired to South Carolina. After a long, pleasant, and productive time there, they moved to Boulder, to be near my brother, his wife, my wife, and me and our families. My mother died soon after moving here, but my father lived here for several years, first in independent living and then in assisted living. We all visited him often and were very involved with him. I had become aware of other issues involving older adults through my parents. When I learned that the Ombudsman program was seeking volunteers, I asked Cindy Taylor, with whom I had worked at the DA’s office and had known well for years. I was aware of her involvement with issues involving older adults, but only then did she tell about her mother’s involvement with older adults and with the ombudsman program. With that background and Cindy’s encouragement, I applied.

How did you handle challenging situations in your role?

I handled all situations by getting to know the resident. I needed the approval of the resident to act on their behalf in any way. However, often all that the resident needed was advice and someone to hear them out and to advice on how they might advocate for themselves. Even when they did not desire to do anything at that time, I tried to stay in touch with each as much as I could in case any of them wanted further advice or advocacy in the future. I often worked with the administration of the facility in trying to present or address issues, including some of those which I might have learned from a particular resident who did not desire my advocating for him. In those situations, I did not identify the particulars of the resident’s situation, but only included that situation in general discussions so that the person and his situation could not be identified.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of volunteering with the long term care ombudsman program?

The most rewarding aspect of working with ombudsman program has been to learn about the experiences of the residents and to appreciate their uniqueness and their accomplishments and their entitlement to respect and to be treated with dignity.

As you close our your time with the Ombudsman program, what’s next for you?

In this new era, I suspect that I will try, while enjoying the solitude of my home, to learn about this new virus and about how racism has long tentacles and deep roots, which must now be taken to heart if we are to hope to pursue the current and legitimate demands in ways that can be trusted.

Learn more about the program here.

BCAAA Ombudsmen are Here to Serve

If you or a loved one lives in an assisted living or nursing home, you know that COVID-19 has dramatically impacted these homes, the people who live there, and their loved ones. Those of us who live in long term care are much more isolated. The BCAAA Long Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) program is still active and a resource to residents and loved ones of residents in long term care. While LTCO are not physically in nursing homes and assisted livings, we are maintaining regular contact with those we serve, following all orders and regulations in place.

Know your rights - LTCO help residents resolve problems and ensure quality care and services. You can reach email us or give us a call at 303-441-1173 with any questions or concerns.

BCAAA Nutrition Programs: Meeting Community Needs

Pictured above is Steve Durkee, who delivers CSA shares on our Nederland route.

From canned stew to turnips, Nutrition Services helps older adults access food so they can be and feel as healthy during this COVID-19 time period. Our Lyons program, headed by the ever reliable Helen Vanderwerken, has seen a 45% increase in participants who come on Wednesdays and Fridays to get a fabulous lunch “to go” as well as any shelf stable food that is distributed at the same time. We also partner with Community Food Share to distribute Eldershare boxes.

Our CSA share program, funded by a grant from LiveWell Colorado, is in full swing! We appreciate the hard work our farm partners put in not only to raise the vegetables, but to work with us in the logistics of pick-up. Father Earth Organic Farm and Red Wagon Organic Farm are our farm partners for 2020. Our CSA shares are delivered to folks in Nederland, Lyons, Louisville, and Boulder.

Emergency food boxes, delivered by our friends at Via (pictured below), were delivered to meal providers in the county and shelf-stable food has also been available for use by our staff to deliver to older adults as needed.

In addition to providing food to the community with our partners, we offer nutrition education, our diabetes support group, and nutrition counseling, remotely and over the phone, should older adults or caregivers need some helpful support and guidance.

Read more about BCAAA Nutrition Services here.

Join us for a Virtual Medicare Basics Class

Boulder County Area Agency on Aging’s Medicare Counseling program is offering live virtual Medicare Basis Classes starting in July 2020. These lively and entertaining classes are designed to provide the necessary information to older adults when getting ready to apply for Medicare. Participants will learn about how and when to enroll, the different parts of Medicare, what is covered and what is not, Medicare fraud, and other information related to Medicare.

Interested participants will need internet; a computer, tablet, or phone; and the appropriate application for the class. There are three classes in July. Please click on any one of the class times below to register. Once registered, participants will receive instruction on how to join the class from their computer, tablet, or phone. Online courses will be using the Microsoft Teams platform.

• Thursday, July 9, 2-3:30 p.m.
• Monday, July 20, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, July 21, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 6, 2-3:30 p.m.

For more information, or to set up an appointment, please call 303-441-1546.

Save the date!

Boulder County’s older adults need your help as they face health risks due to social isolation worsened by COVID-19’s stay-at-home orders. Please make a donation to the Aging Services Foundation (ASF) during the GIVE65 fundraiser July 15-17 presented by the Home Instead Senior Care Foundation. Your gift will help ASF support sustaining social engagement and learning for adults 60+ through technology. We will purchase refurbished smart tablets and install apps that allow older adults to connect through video conferencing, texting, e-book reading and links to community resources. The tablets will be installed in secure kiosks in nonprofit communities serving low-income older adults as well as in senior and age well centers in Boulder County. Donating is easy! You can schedule your donation of $10 or more beginning on July 13. Donations to the 65-hour fundraiser will be matched! To learn more about ASF’s plan and to make a donation visit www.give65.org/asfboulder. Your neighbors thank you! 

Welcome to National Blueberry Month!

July is the peak of blueberry season so make sure to eat some blueberries while they are full of flavor and prices are low. A cup of blueberries contains just 80 calories and are a good source of important nutrients, such as vitamin C and fiber. For questions regarding healthy eating and nutrition please contact Patti Murphy, BCAAA Dietitian, by email or phone at 303-441-4710.

Check out one of Patti's favorite blueberry recipes at the links below!

Blueberry Pistachio Parfait

Spinach, Avocado, and Summer Berry Salad

Avocado Blueberry Muffins

Changing the Narrative Wants to Hear from Older Workers

Are you a Coloradan age 50+? Whether you’re employed, unemployed, looking for work or not, Changing the Narrative in Colorado would like to hear from you. Please take this less than 8-minute anonymous survey—you could win a $100 gift card, and most of all, help inform the kind of workforce policies and programs that will make this a better state for all of us.

Take the survey by following this link.

Workforce Boulder County Career Workshops are Virtual!

Virtual Career Workshops

Workforce Boulder County offers a variety of FREE workshops to assist you in your job search and career transition. Check out the details below.

Sign up for any of these virtual workshops here.

Questions? Email Workforce Boulder County.

• Career Exploration
• Updating & Tailoring Your Resume
• LinkedIn 101
• LinkedIn 201
• Virtual Job Search
• Interview Preparation

Check out further information here.

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Virtual Computer Training Center

The Self-Directed Lab (SDL) offers CustomGuide tutorial software that allows you to learn Microsoft Office along with several other applications at your own pace. The SDL lab facilitator will help you determine your training needs if you are unsure. Learn the following:

• Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, OneNote, Project, Teams, Office Fundamentals;
• Google Gmail, Docs, Drive, Sheets, Slides
• And... Business Writing, Effective Presentations, Email Etiquette, Zoom

Check our further information here.

Working From Home - Surprising Revelations

The change in how we are doing our work at the BCAAA has been dramatic, and we're not alone. This month, we're taking a look at what surprising things they have learned during this time.

"I'm not exactly sure this is surprising, but, I've learned how selfless and generous people can be in the most difficult of times. In my reassignment to work with medical volunteers, I saw many, many people not just offering to help, but eager to help, even if it meant potentially putting themselves at risk. At the AAA, many community members also reached out to me as an AAA volunteer coordinator to lean how they could help older adults who were quarantining and/or experiencing isolation. On a personal note, in the early days of the pandemic, when shelves were bare and we heard so much about hoarding, my neighbors were telling each other, 'Let me know if you need anything' and offering to share what they had."

Kari

Respite & Companion Volunteer Coordinator

"The state and county have been able to quickly pivot and made help more accessible during COVID."

Kate

Fiscal and Compliance Specialist

"I have learned that we have an incredible group of innovative folks in this agency who can adapt urgently to the needs of our clients, even in an unprecedented event as this public health crisis. I'm so impressed with how quickly forms were  converted from handwritten to PDF-fillable to allow us to continue services uninterrupted. And community-wise, I found out how resilient the folks are in these litle towns and how willing people are to step forward quickly and support their neighbors!"

Colleen

Mountain Options Counselor

"I've learned that we can adapt to most everything. We've learned new and innovative ways to do things. We're all learned to make it work!"

Karen

Veterans Services Officer