Older Adults of Boulder County: Judith Blair

On a select list of Judith Blair’s professional accomplishments—and there are many—Judith includes an unexpected item at the bottom of the list: “Co-founder and lead singer for the first Colorado women’s rock band, Raw Honey.” Not so unexpected perhaps, upon reflection: it’s bold, creative, and aims to be inclusive. And that’s just like Judith. Judith, who moved back to Boulder in 1997 to be with her partner, Nancy, has a long history working and volunteering in Boulder County. Although she just recently moved to California, sharing a home with her best friend, Judith continues to live in Longmont for part of each year, farm-sitting an organic Colorado Heritage farm for some friends. She says simply, “Colorado has been my home for 34 years and will always be a home for me.” For years, Judith and Nancy worked together at the company they founded, Brains at Work, which applies neuroscience to help organizations train and grow their workforce leadership. Judith and Nancy had a shared passion for neuroscience. Judith says, "We had an amazing partnership." Nancy had created a seminar that taught an accounting college semester class in one day, and the pair utilized those Accelerated Learning principles in all their work. “I am most proud of the first environmental justice course we made for government agencies, neighborhood, and tribes.” When Nancy died five years ago, Judith found she needed to put her energy into some new directions. A passionate advocate for inclusion and equity, Judith became involved with the AAA group Rainbow Elders. She expanded an in-person Project Visibility training into a web-based free course to help caregivers work well with LGBTQ+ older adults. She is deeply proud of LGBTQ+ Program Specialist Michael Chifalo as he launched a mutual vision in 2019: Rainbow Connection, which matches volunteers with county LGBTQ+ older adults who request one-to-one connection through weekly visits (these days, mostly remote). “He is doing amazing work with local grants, volunteers and participants.” Nowadays, Judith is teaching organizations how to work best in a remote environment: how to engage whole people at a distance, have effective meetings, best facilitate break-out groups, and more. She’s also a coach for Queer Asterisk, which provides low-cost or free psychotherapy services to queer or transgender people. She swims, enjoys nature, reads, connects with friends, and learns—she’s always learning. In short, Judith’s life is busy and rich, and she continues to help others with her knowledge and wisdom. Asked whether there was anything she’d like to share for this story, Judith paused briefly, then said, “It took me a long time to embrace being queer. I came out (to myself) when I was 13, in the 1950s—there were decades of oppression. My acceptance of being a woman, embracing the women’s movement, learning to enjoy life—it took time. I’m grateful to have lived this long and say I’m happy every day.”

We will continue to provide online and phone services for clients. Our staff is available to answer calls and emails from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The Boulder County Area Agency on Aging (BCAAA) responds to the needs of older adults (60+) and their family and informal caregivers in our community through advocacy, funding, direct service, planning, and education. The BCAAA works with public and private partners to respond to the unique needs in our community. The BCAAA is currently offering remote services including:

• Information, Referral, or Resources
• Financial Assistance
• Healthy Aging Programs
• Medicare Counseling
• Caregiver Programs
• Veterans Services
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman
• Nutrition Resources

Boulder County residents can connect with BCAAA resources by email at infoADRC@bouldercounty.org, by phone at 303-441-1617, or online at bouldercountyhelp.org.

Service Connection in the Mountains

Mountain Communities

Email: infoADRC@bouldercounty.org

Phone - English or Spanish: 303-441-1617

Website: www.bouldercountyhelp.org

Boulder County Public Health Guidance

We have included some helpful links to access the most updated, accurate information about COVID-19. Please refer to these links and Boulder County Public Health for COVID specific information.

Boulder County COVID-19 Main Page

Press Release (Nov. 18, 2020): Boulder County to move to Colorado COVID Dial "Red Level: Severe Risk" on Friday, Nov. 20

Learn more about the Dial Framework.

Emergency Preparedness for Winter

I don’t know about you, but after watching toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and soap fly off the shelves last March, I have tried to keep a bit more of these items on hand than I did in the past. As winter approaches, it becomes more important to keep a supply of non-perishable foods on hand as well. In years past, this was due to possible inclement weather, power outages, and illness. While those remain important reasons to keep food on hand, we must add quarantining due to a possible COVID-19 exposure to the list of possible reasons for being homebound. While we may think of fresh foods as being more nutritious, there are non-perishable foods that can be good choices as well.  

• Keep at least seven days of food on hand. Of that food, keep at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods that can be eaten without cooking in case of a power outage. 
  • This could include canned foods, granola bars, trail mix, cereal, and other staples. Think of items that don’t require refrigeration, cooking, or water.
• Be sure to include a manual can opener and disposable eating utensils.  
• Choose low sodium canned foods such as beans, corn, and soups whenever possible.
• When buying canned fruit, avoid those canned in syrup and look for those canned in juice. 
• Plan ahead for family members on special diets or with food allergies. 
• Keep one gallon of water per person, per day on hand, with a minimum of a three-day supply.
• Remember to wash hands before preparing or eating food. If running water is unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Store pet food and additional water for any household pets.
• Keep at minimum a two-week supply of all prescription medications on hand. Consider keeping backup of over-the-counter medications as well.

Check this site out for more ideas on non-perishable foods to keep on hand.

Check this site out for more ideas on what to stock, including frozen and refrigerated foods, as well as ideas for simple meals using foods on hand.

If you would like more information about this or other nutrition questions, please reach out to Patricia Murphy, RDN via email or at 303-441-4710.

This article was brought to you by Patricia Murphy, our Registered Dietitian.

Thank you, caregivers!

November is National Family Caregivers Month!

Our agency has provided support to this group of care partners since our inception. Many who read our newsletter are aware of our Caregiving Symposium; what you might not know is that it has always been buttressed by staff AND volunteers. We have a cadre of people, also volunteers, who provide respite assistance to older adults who are homebound. We have evidence-based caregiver training programs offered at no cost, which are now online, that are taught by volunteers who have attended a rigorous course of study prior to facilitating these trainings. 

As an update to the stress on caregivers during the time of COVID-19, and to highlight why these programs are so important, we offer the following only as a reminder.

Caregivers and others are as concerned about cognitive decline as COVID-19. Specific to the impact, it is widespread and significant. Some caregivers are seeing more agitation, suspicion, and marked decline in their loved ones. Visitor bans in long-term care facilities make assessing the health of the recipient harder. Caregivers say their loved ones with dementia are deteriorating more quickly as a result of shutdowns and isolation. Loved ones are more confused and agitated, and caregivers reported in a written comments to survey questions that their dementia symptoms are getting worse. Caregivers feel they can’t manage alone without outside help, which is made more challenging with social distancing.

 “My husband, who has Alzheimer’s, has lost a significant amount of ground cognitively,” one caregiver wrote. “He requires my constant attention 24/7. He has not been able to go to daycare for months now, which gave me some respite. I need a break.”

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“The little social contact I had before has now almost entirely diminished,” said one caregiver. “Seem to be more forgetful and harder to say what I mean,” another wrote.

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“Without outside means to entertain and divert him, it is harder to keep my patience with having to explain why we cannot go places every five minutes; he is more confused and needs constant supervision,” wrote his spouse.

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Our staff has intentionally pivoted to continue to serve caregivers. We have conducted two caregiver trainings in an online format – one that moved from in-person to online at the half-way mark of a course in progress. We are planning more training for early 2021. Stay tuned to this newsletter and our Facebook page for more information!

Many of the presentations set for the Caregiving Symposium have been incorporated into the Age Well Series. Check out the Series webpage for more information!

Give our Caregiver Programs webpage a look for additional resources.

Questions about caregiving? Check in with us via email!

The Number of Americans Providing Unpaid Care Has Increased Over the Last Five Years

The National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP created a Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 Report available here.

The report is the most recent update to their trended research series conducted roughly every five years. The 2020 update reveals an increase in the number of family and informal caregiving in the United States of 9.5 million from 2015 to 2020. The study also reveals that caregivers are in worse health compared to five years ago. As the demand for caregiving rises with an aging population, there is an opportunity for the public and private sectors to work together to develop solutions to support caregivers and care recipients.

Interested in local data on caregiving? Check out our Past, Present, Future Report.

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 serve as 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.

Join Us for the 20th Annual Lavender Gala!

The 20th Annual Lavender Gala is going to look a little different this year, thanks to COVID! We are moving the celebration online starting Monday, Dec. 7 and ending Sunday, Dec. 13. There will be a kick-off reception with a guided virtual tour of the history of the Lavender Gala, a mixer event to connect with others, and a live celebration with dancing, raffle drawings and more! Events include:

Monday, Dec. 7, 3-4 p.m.

Kick-off reception with guided tour of our Lavender Gala 2000-2020 virtual exhibit

Thursday, Dec. 10, 7-8 p.m.

Virtual mixer to connect with others

Sunday, Dec. 13, 2-3:30 p.m.

Finale celebration with live entertainment, dancing, raffle drawings, and more celebrating 20 years of the Lavender Gala!

All programming is offered at no cost!

Register for the 2020 Lavender Gala here!

Learn more about the BCAAA's LGBTQ+ older adult programming.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes occurs when your body can’t make enough insulin or properly use the insulin it makes. Insulin helps move blood sugar into your cells, so without enough of it, blood sugar levels rise higher than is normal. Overtime, these high blood sugar levels can cause problems with the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.

A healthy diet is a great tool in managing diabetes and keeping blood sugar levels under control. There is "no one size fits all" way to eat for those with diabetes, but there are some tips for healthy eating that can help to control blood sugar levels.

It should be noted that a healthy diabetes diet is a healthy way to eat for anyone.  

Tips for Eating with Diabetes

• Food portions and food choices are important. Carbohydrates, fat and protein need to be balanced to ensure blood sugar levels stay as stable as possible.
• Eat meals and snacks regularly (at planned times).
• Choose from whole grains (such as oatmeal, whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread) that contain complex carbohydrates and fiber. They aren’t digested as quickly as refined grains so don’t cause as big of an increase in blood sugar levels.
• A serving of carbohydrate is 15 grams.
• Some examples of 1 serving of carbs are:
• Small piece of fruit
• 1/3 cup pasta/rice (cooked)
• 2/3 cup yogurt
• 1 slice of bread
• Create Your Plate is a simple and effective way to manage diabetes without counting carbs. With this method, you fill your plate with half non-starchy veggies and smaller portions of starchy foods and protein as shown in the example below.

There are multiple resources available from BCAAA for individuals with Diabetes or Pre-Diabetes.

• Diabetes Prevention Program: 303-441-4710 
• Self-Management Classes: 303-441-4995
• Nutrition Counseling: 303-678-6115 for English or 720-930-0223 for Spanish

For more information, including program start dates, head over to our Healthy Aging Programs webpage!

Elder Justice Coalition Receives Grant

The Boulder County Elder Justice Coalition is pleased to announce they have received a federal grant through the Office on Violence Against Women, part of the United States Department of Justice, to combat elder abuse. The grant focuses on education and training of local law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and professionals working with older adults and survivors of abuse. With an increasing older adult population, elder abuse has become a bigger focus for local law enforcement, criminal justice systems, and service providers.

Mandatory reporting of elder abuse became statute in Colorado in 2014, making the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of those age 70 and over carry increased criminal penalties. In 2016, the law was expanded to include adults with intellectual and developmental delays.

The Elder Justice Coalition first received this grant in 2008 and provided extensive training to professionals working with older adults who were at-risk for elder abuse. The grant in 2008 was an important step in raising awareness of this issue and education was critical in the implementation of the new laws around mandatory reporting of elder abuse. Boulder County’s older adult population has grown significantly and is projected to grow by 30,000 over the next 15 years. The training and education will be revitalized and expanded to capture first responders, medical personnel, and more.

“The impact of the 2008 project has been invaluable and we look forward to the positive impact the second phase of elder abuse training will have on our community,” said Erica Corson, Elder Rights Program Manager.

To learn more about elder abuse, please visit our Elder Rights webpage. For more information about the grants and elder rights programming, contact Erica Corson.

Wellness Social Hour: Gratitude Edition!

Join our virtual community on Tuesday, Nov. 24! Connect with wellness program participants and meet new friends. As we continue to physically distance, we will be celebrating the upcoming holiday season virtually with some fun conversation and activities! Stay safe and stay engaged from the comfort of your own home.

Click here to register for the Tuesday, Nov. 24 (11 a.m. - noon) Wellness Social Hour

Questions? Please email us!

Aging Advisory Council Recruitment Opening Soon!

The Aging Advisory Council (AAC) will be recruiting new members in early December. The AAC serves in an advisory capacity to the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging. The AAC helps in the administration and planning of the Older Americans Act programs by gathering information and ideas that help to coordinate the delivery of services, and by responding effectively to the strengths and needs of older adults throughout Boulder County. The AAC meets the first Friday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon, except for July and November.

Members of the public are welcome to AAC meetings. Our next meeting will be on Friday, Dec. 4 beginning at 9 a.m. Details here.

If you would like to receive notification when the application opens, please contact AAC Liaison Lindsay Parsons at lparsons@bouldercounty.org.

Senior Law Day Resources Available Online

Now that Senior Law Day sessions are complete, we can reflect on this event that took on a new form in 2020. Despite the change in setting, this year’s Senior Law Day succeeded in providing needed information to our community. The series of eight workshops drew over 500 attendees and the recordings continue to be available on YouTube.

You are invited to visit the Boulder County Senior Law Day site for details on resources right here in Boulder County!

You can join the flu fight!

Your work is essential!

Protect yourself and others from flu and COVID-19 this fall and winter:

• Mask Up - Wear a face mask that covers your nose and mouth. Keep your distance (at least six feet) from others when you can.
• Lather Up - Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Sleeve Up - Getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever. Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine every season.

From AAA Staff:

I was able to get my flu vaccine in mid-October at my husband's company. There are so many great options for getting your flu vaccine this year. I'm doing this for everyone - my family who can't get vaccines, and for everyone in my community. Cheers to a healthy holiday season!

Lindsay Parsons, Aging Policy Advocate & Planner

I've always been a person to give myself the best opportunity to stay healthy and have taken care to get an annual flu vaccine for as long as I can remember! This year seems especially important given the fact that our hospitals are already preparing for a possible inundation of COVID-19 patients. In addition, when working with older adults and possibly immuno-compromised folks, it's especially important for me to protect not only myself but to protect them. Besides, who likes body aches, fevers, chest congestion, headaches...blech!

Colleen Sinclair, Mountain Resource Specialist

Join our Veterans Service Officer, Karen Townsend, for the last two presentations of our series on benefits available to veterans, including:

Survivors Benefits

Tuesday, Nov. 24, noon-1 p.m.

Suicide Prevention

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 3-4 p.m.

Learn more and register for these upcoming sessions 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. 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 much more!

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

• Thursday, Dec. 3, 2-3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 9, 1:30-3 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 14, 10-11:30 p.m.

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

La Agencia de Servicios para Adultos Mayores presenta “Medicare Cafecitos” ofrecidos por medio del programa de Medicare del Condado de Boulder cada tercer Lunes del mes.

El “Medicare Cafecito” en línea usará la plataforma de equipos de Microsoft (MS Teams) y por la línea de conferencia. El Cafecito ofrece información imparcial y actualizada.

Acompáñenos para conversar sobre sus preguntas del Medicare. Todos son bienvenidos – beneficiarios, familiares, empleados/proveedores de servicios, y miembros de la comunidad.

Medicare Cafecitos ocurren cada tercer lunes del mes a la 1:00 pm.

Para registrarse: 21 De Diciembre Medicare Cafecito