Older Adults of Boulder County: Bob Olsen

“I have a couple of skills that are a bit unusual, maybe,” Bob Olsen admits when the interviewer for this story comments that his work and volunteer experience has been, well, intense. A trauma nurse for ten years, and in his “retirement” doing volunteer work that includes working with children who have experienced abuse and neglect, Bob is compassionate, strong, and level-headed. It is not surprising that in these interesting times, Bob, who self-identifies as a type A personality, is if anything more involved with the community, not less. Nursing was a second career for Bob. He earned a degree in business management and, moving to Colorado in 1976, built a career in operations and production in the corporate world, quickly ascending to management. But, after 30 years, he says, “I was looking for something that wasn’t boring.” He wanted to teach, but the certification requirements were stringent, and as retired professional, he found the starting pay laughable. So, at 50, Bob began nursing school. Sharing classes with all younger people, mostly women, he finished an accelerated program and worked the hospital floor for a while until offering to take a shift in the Emergency Department—and there, having found his niche, he stayed. Eventually Bob was charge nurse at the trauma center at the Medical Center of the Rockies, where helicopters came and went, he walked around with two phones, a radio, and a scanner, and at any moment faced patient emergencies ranging from gunshot wounds to skiing accidents. Or hangnails—they got a few cases like that, too. Now retired, Bob and his wife like to travel, although this year they have canceled more trips than they have taken. They share their home with two dogs and a cat, take twice-daily walks, and visit family (including two grandchildren in Oklahoma) when they can. Bob’s also a self-described gym rat, but has had to cut back during COVID. Recently he began volunteering for Boulder Voices for Children as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, working with children involved in the judicial system, frequently as a result of witnessing or experiencing domestic violence or parental substance abuse. He’s also a Medical Reserve Corps of Boulder County volunteer and does wellness checks for COVID-19 Recovery Center residents. For Cultivate, a nonprofit that serves older adults and for whom his wife also volunteers, he’s a volunteer grocery shopper and, soon, “SnowBuster.” Most meaningful in all this service “is being involved with somebody who appreciates it. Most people are extremely appreciative.” Bob did mention Type A personality: He also volunteers twice weekly in the Emergency Room at Longs Peak Hospital in Longmont, where he can hobnob with former colleagues—and, he adds, “get a little of the ‘ED fix’.” (Now that’s not something you hear every day.) We’re rooting for the day when Bob can safely reschedule some of those canceled trips. But in the meantime our community is undoubtedly richer for his being right here.

Home for the Holidays: Staying Connected

The holidays will look a bit different for many of us this year. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and interact with one another. For many older adults, this can mean a loss of social connections that, if left unaddressed, can have serious negative mental and physical health consequences. 

Launched every year during the holiday season, Home for the Holidays is intended to help families and friends discuss difficult topics with their loved ones. A new consumer brochure is the focus of this year’s campaign, Staying Connected and Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Resources for Older Adults and Caregivers, which highlights the importance of social connection, its impact on our physical and mental health—and ways the Area Agencies on Aging can help older adults connect to their communities during this time of limited in-person social interactions. We can inform and connect consumers to programs that provide a variety of ways to stay connected to others in their communities. This is all part of our mission to help older adults maintain existing and develop new social connections to reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Looking for ways to stay connected to the community? Consider:

• Reaching out to others. Make a phone call to a friend or family member to share recipe ideas or to chat about the latest movie or TC show you've watched. Or, send a letter to a loved one to help brighten their day and yours.
• Getting physical. Engaging in physical activity such as a walk or online group exercise class can boost endorphins and reduce feelings of loneliness.
• Honing your online skills. Use online tools to connect with friends and family. Check out this guide to get started.
• Volunteering to help others. One way to stay connected to other is by volunteering to share your skills from home.
• Getting creative. Engaging in art, whether joining a (virtual) singing group, or taking an oline drawing or dance class, can offer your brain and body an outlet for expression and engagement.

Wondering how to tell if you or a loved one is socially isolated or lonely? Ask these three questions from the UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale:

• How often do you feel that you lack companionship?
• How often do you feel left out?
• How often do you feel isolated from others?

Do you need a hand getting started on any of the above ideas? Follow us on Facebook or reach out to us at bcaaa@bouldercounty.org or 303-441-3570.

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

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.

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

Check out our website for more information and a peak at our January classes.

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

Be a flu fighter!

Flu vaccination can reduce the burden of flu illnesses on our medical systems so they can focus on patients with COVID-19. There’s still time to get vaccinated! Make a plan to get vaccinated during National Influenza Vaccination Week.

Click here for more information.

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.

Transition Services for Nursing Home Residents

Since 2015, our Resource Specialists assisted more than 300 people navigate the first steps of transitioning out of a skilled nursing facility and moving back to the community. We have contracted with the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to conduct Options Counseling meetings with residents in skilled nursing facilities, or nursing homes, to review Transition Coordination services and other community resources.

Transition Coordination is available to nursing home residents who are receiving Long-Term Care Medicaid benefits. In order to make informed choices, the Options Counseling meeting helps individuals understand next steps in the transition process, and the support and services they will receive. Dependent on individual care needs, Transition Coordination takes the responsibility in planning the use of Medicaid's Home and Community-Based Services to meet independent living goals.

Nursing home residents, staff, family members, community members, Long Term Care Ombudsman, or other professionals can request an Options Counseling meeting through this link.

For more information about Transition Coordination and other transition services benefits through Health First Colorado, please visit the HCPF Transition Services webpage.

Thank You to Our AAC Co-Chairs, Kellie and Dale!

This interview was conducted by Lindsay Parsons, the Liaison to the Aging Advisory Council.

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Kellie Hudson and Dale Porter are long-time volunteers with the Boulder County Aging Advisory Council (AAC), having served seven and six years respectively. Kellie and Dale currently serve as the co-chairs with the AAC and their terms will be ending in Feb. 2021. Each were drawn to the AAC because they wanted to get a better understanding of services available to older adults paired with challenges for service connection and availability for Boulder County residents.

While both Kellie and Dale were drawn to the AAC to learn more about the service landscape for older adults in Boulder County, Dale stayed on the AAC with a mission to take the information he learned and share it with community members. Kellie echoed this point and shared that she was, "...fascinated by the intricacy of providing services to older adults." Through their subcommittee work on the AAC, both were able to better understand local service delivery for older adults and help shape those service offerings in the community. Dale remembered his first site visit to a local service provider and being impressed with their operation with Kellie adding, "The things Rocky Mountain Legal Center talked about, wanted to accomplish, and who they partner with is so impressive." Dale continued, "When visiting Via, it was easy to see how forward thinking they were in trying to digitize so many of their operations and find ways to give people rides all over the county. It was impressive."

When asked about what they'd like to tell community members considering joining the AAC, Dale joked, "Tell them to look at the number of acronyms!" (If you're curious, check out our acronym page for AAC members.) Kellie added, "Folks should open their minds and expect to learn so much about the needs and fulfillment of needs in the community. Be prepared to have a rich experience learning about what services are delivered, how they're delivered, who needs them, and how those needs are answered."

Dale and Kellie both cited the ability to be active as a top reason they like aging in Boulder County. Dale shared, "One of the reasons I'm in Longmont is that when we were approaching 80 years old, we decided we didn't want to live in the mountains anymore. I have family in Longmont and the winters are very easy - especially compared to Michigan where I grew up. It's easy to get out and move in this area and walk my dog, Jesse. Jesse is 14 human years old, which makes Jesse and me about the same age. We both need to get up and do our arthritis stretches in the morning."

As we were wrapping up our virtual meeting, Dale said, "We've both been chairs now for two years and I'd have to say that the BCAAA staff have made it easy and fruitful to chair the AAC. They've been really helpful and very supportive, including running meetings online." Kellie continued, "The wisdom and innovation around how we prepare for the future of aging from the BCAAA has been so beneficial. I would be a fish out of water if it wasn't for the guidance and wisdom from the BCAAA."

Right back at you, Dale and Kellie.

It was a challenge to hold back tears thinking of the relationship we've formed with Kellie and Dale over the past several years. We wish them the very best in their next adventures and want to thank them for their commitment to Boulder County's older adults. Aging well in our community is possible because of dedicated volunteers like both of you.

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.

Join our friends and community partners for a special presentation on Suicide Prevention for veterans on Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 3-4 p.m. The presentation will review why it's important to talk about suicide, understanding and navigating a mental health/suicidal crisis, and resources to support veterans in suicide prevention. Presenters include:

Ms. Kristin Erner, LCSW, BCD

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Board Certified Diplomate in Social Work

Boulder Vet Center

Dr. Edgar Villareal, Ph.D.

Suicide Prevention Program Manager

VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS)

Ms. Collette Archibald, LCSW

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Director of the Boulder Vet Center

Watch past sessions and register for this upcoming session here!

Diabetes Support and Education Group

Join us on Monday, Dec. 21 from 11 a.m. to noon for this month’s topic, “Managing the Holidays.” This program is conducted by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who is also a Certified Diabetes Educator. Please email us for more information about this virtual group.

This group is for Boulder County residents (60+) with a diabetes diagnosis or those caring for someone with a diabetes diagnosis. 

The DASH Eating Plan

According to the CDC, 45 percent of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease. Normal blood pressure is considered a systolic (top) number of 120 or less and a diastolic (bottom number) of 80 or below. If your numbers are between 120-139 (systolic) or between 80-89 (diastolic) you are in the pre-hypertensive range. Hypertension is diagnosed by a physician after a patient has multiple readings of 140 or higher systolic pressure or 90 or higher diastolic pressure.

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, Eating Plan is one dietary approach that has been shown to reduce blood pressure. A balanced DASH Eating Plan would include:

• 7 to 12 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
  • 1 serving vegetable =1/2 cup raw or cooked vegetables, or 1 cup leafy greens. 1 serving fruit =1 medium piece or ½ cup
• 6 to 11 servings of grains per day — such as whole-wheat bread, pasta or pitas; oatmeal; brown rice 
  • 1 serving = ½ cup cooked rice or pasta; 1 slice bread
• 2 to 3 servings of fat-free or low-fat dairy products daily
  • 1 serving = 1 cup of milk or yogurt
• 6 or fewer servings per day of lean meat, poultry and fish
  • 1 serving = 1 ounce (This is considerably smaller than what is often used as a serving of protein.)
• 2 to 3 servings per day of fats and oils — focusing on monounsaturated fats avoiding trans fat and lowering saturated fat intake
  • 1 serving = 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 3 to 5 servings per week of nuts, seeds and legumes
  • 1 serving = 1/3 cup nuts or seeds; 2 Tablespoons nut butter, ½ cup cooked legumes
• Limited amounts of sweets and added sugars — 5 or fewer servings per week
  • 1T sugar, ½ cup sorbet, 1 cup juice

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.