Join us as we continue the ninth annual Age Well Series! This series of presentations is open to the community at no cost. The series includes the following presentations:

Dementia Aware Series: The Nine Most Common Forms of Dementia - Tuesday, Aug. 3

Project Visibility: Creating Inclusive Communities for LGBTQ+ Older Adults - Tuesday, Aug. 31

Dementia Aware Series: Staging the Person with Dementia - Tuesday, Sept. 14

…and more to come!

Learn more about and register for the Age Well Series here.

We will continue to update this webpage as new presentations are added, so keep checking back with us!

Any questions about the Age Well Series? Please contact us at bcaaa@bouldercounty.org.

Thank you, Ron!

Ron Blidar is a Healthy Aging Program volunteer who co-facilitated our Spring 2021 Healthier Living: Chronic Conditions Self-Management class. His extensive knowledge in health education, openness, and understanding were very much appreciated by our participants. He jumped into virtual facilitating with grace, determination, and a positive outlook. He is an asset to our team of volunteers and we are looking forward to continue working together.   Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you have been up to this past year. I am a native of Ohio. My wife and I moved to CO in 2011 for our jobs and to enjoy the many wonders of the state. I have a Master's degree in Community Health Education and am a certified health education specialist (CHES). I retired from full-time work at Kaiser Permanente in 2019, where I  engaged in a variety of roles from project/program management, workforce health consulting, and training/teaching all along the continuum of health from lifestyle and clinical prevention to managing chronic conditions. How long you have volunteered with Healthy Aging and when did you start? Why did you choose this program? My history with self management programs like the Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP) goes back to 2000 when I became the program manager, leader, and Master Trainer at  Kaiser Permanente Ohio. I moved to Colorado to become the project manager for the Healthier Living: Chronic Conditions/Diabetes Self-Management programs at Kaiser Permanente Colorado. I started volunteering for BCAAA in the spring of 2021 to teach the (CDSMP) program virtually. These self management programs are evidence-based and incorporate key educational strategies like action plans, peer support, a little peer pressure, and the keys to building self-efficacy for participants to be successful in managing the challenges they face with ongoing conditions. Tell us how you have been handling all of the transitions this past year in your volunteer work (and your personal life, if you would like to share.)  Professionally, the past year has been a bit challenging working from home, doing project work, and teaching remotely for several organizations.  Teaching remotely has its own pros and cons. I work in my dining room since my wife uses her office to meet virtually with clients and she is a "loud talker." Of course my dog is barking when I am in meetings/teaching adds to the "real" nature of working from home. Personally, I have kept physically active despite my recent back surgery to maintain emotional and physical health. I would say though, that the challenges I have faced are small in comparison to all of the barriers and hardships that people have faced connected to the pandemic. Why is volunteering important to you and what drives your volunteer work? One of my goals in retirement was to become more involved in the greater Colorado community. I am truly and always will be "purposely engaged" in enhancing the health of individuals/groups.   Volunteering for BCAAA gives me that opportunity to contribute and help fulfill this goal. I have a great deal of experience and facilitation skills that I feel I can bring to help members of the community help themselves to improve their total well-being. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your volunteer experience? I am grateful that BCAAA has provided me with an opportunity to work alongside wonderful, talented, and caring staff/volunteers. We're grateful to work with you too, Ron! Thank you!

Join Us for a Virtual Medicare Basics Class

Boulder County Area Agency on Aging’s Medicare Counseling program offers live virtual Medicare Basics Classes. These lively and entertaining classes are designed to provide the necessary information to older adults, and those caring for 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. This online course uses Zoom.

• Tuesday, Aug. 3, 10-11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 11, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 19, 1:30-3 p.m.

Check out our website for more information.

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

Medicare Cafecitos y Más

Drop-in Spanish classes talk about Medicare coverage, Nutrition and Wellness!

Participe con nosotros todos los meses via Zoom o por conferencia telefónica para conversar sobre sus preguntas del Medicare y otros temas como la prevención del fraude y las clases de bienestar. Proporcionamos información en español sobre una variedad de servicios tales como la navegación de recursos, el asesoramiento nutricional y la entrega de comidas para los adultos mayores de 60 años, los veteranos, los cuidadores familiares y las personas con discapacidades en Medicare. La Agencia de Servicios para Adultos Mayores del Condado de Boulder proporciona información para la comunidad que es imparcial y sin fines de lucro.

• 17 de agosto, martes a 11 a.m.
• 21 de septiembre, martes a 11 a.m.

¿Tiene preguntas? Conéctese con Karen Herrera: 303-678-6113 o kherrera@bouldercounty.org

Do you have questions about Medicare?

Our Medicare Counseling team can help you!

• Local, objective Medicare insurance counseling and assistance
• Medicare Basics Class offered three times a month
• Virtual and phone appointments with counselors
• SHIP (State Health Insurance Programs) Certified
• Assistance available in English and Spanish
• All services provided at no cost

Contact our team at 303-441-1546 (English), 303-678-6113 (en Español), or at medicarecounseling@bouldercounty.org.

We 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. We are 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.

Falls Prevention Week 2021 is just around the corner!

What can I do to prevent a fall? Join us to learn more about the steps you can take to keep yourself and those you care for safe with our diverse selection of presentations including home safety, meditation, risk screenings, physical activity, nutrition, and much more during Falls Prevention Week 2021.

One in four Americans aged 65 and over fall each year. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older adults. A fall can have serious impacts in terms of long-term health, day-to-day function, and independence. The good news is that falls are NOT an inevitable consequence of getting older and MANY falls can be prevented. 

This year Falls Prevention Week will be held Sept. 20 – 24. Our goal remains the same - educating the public on the many ways to prevent falls, with both in-person and virtual activities.

Learn more at boco.org/FallsPrevention!

Special Programming from Our Medicare Team Ahead!

Myths of Medicare (in conjunction with City of Boulder Age Well Center)

When: Wednesday, Aug. 18, noon - 1 p.m.

What: When it comes to Medicare, there is a lot of inaccurate information. It’s important to have Medicare facts straight, because what is not known, or misunderstood, could be costly. Boulder County Medicare Counselors will dispel some of the most widely circulated myths during this online presentation regarding the myths and misunderstandings around Medicare and will be available to answer questions live during the presentation or by private appointment by calling 303-441-1546. The presenters are members of the Medicare Counseling Team which is part of BCAAA. This is not a sales event.

Register: Online or by phone at 303-441-3148.

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Medicare Fraud Prevention and Education

When: Thursday, Sept. 16, noon - 1 p.m.

Register: Online or by phone at 303-441-1546.

Boulder County Parks & Open Space Upcoming Events

Here are the activities that Boulder County Parks & Open Space has going on this month. You can also see them on their Hikes & Events Calendar. Registration is required.

High Country Night Hike

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 8-10 p.m.

Near Nederland. Location provided when registered.

Join volunteer naturalists to hike about one mile round-trip on an easy trail. By starlight, listen for night sounds, and learn about nocturnal habits of the critters that live here. Bring water, closed-toe hiking shoes and a flashlight. Registration required. Register here.

Astronomy: Wish Upon a Falling Meteor

Saturday, Aug. 14, 7:45-10 p.m.

Location provided when registered.

Enjoy a starlit night at the height of the Perseid Meteor Shower. A brief program about meteors--what they are, where they come from, and when to see them--will take place at the picnic shelter at this north Boulder County open space, followed by stargazing with telescopes, provided by the Longmont Astronomical Society. Registration required. Register here.

High Country Hike for Seniors

Friday, Aug. 27, 10 a.m.-noon

Near Nederland. Location provided when registered.

Join volunteer naturalists for a moderate hike to explore and learn about the unique geology, history, plants, and wildlife of these beautiful properties. Registration required.  Register here.

Visit the Agricultural Heritage Center

(8348 Ute Hwy, Longmont)

Open Friday-Saturday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through October 31.

Get a glimpse into the history of agriculture in Boulder County and enjoy the rural surroundings and mountain views. Farm animals on site April through October, including chickens, pigs, draft horses, and sheep.

Upcoming Healthy Aging Programs!

Check our Healthy Aging webpage to keep up-to-date on upcoming classes from our Healthy Aging team.

Diabetes Support and Education Group

The Diabetes Support and Education Group meets monthly in a virtual setting. This program is conducted by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who is also a Certified Diabetes Educator. Please email infohealthyaging@bouldercounty.org or call 303-678-6115 for more information about this virtual group.

Carbohydrate Counting and Glycemic Index Free

Monday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m. - noon

Traveling and Dining Out with Diabetes

Monday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m. - noon

Fresh Conversations

"Staying Whole in a Processed World"

Monday, Aug. 9, 1-2 p.m. Register here.

During this month's Fresh Conversations, we will be talking about what influences people to choose the foods they do, how we can make healthier choices and what information to focus on when reading labels on food packages.

"How Much is Too Much?"

Monday, Sept. 20, 1-2 p.m. Register here.

Join us as we take a closer look at alcohol intake recommendations and health effects.

To learn more, email infohealthyaging@bouldercounty.org.

Conversaciones Frescas

(Fresh Conversations in Spanish)

Conversaciones Frescas es una oportunidad gratuita para vincularse con otros adultos mayores con el fin mantener conversaciones amigables centradas en la educación sobre la nutrición. Acompáñenos desde la comodidad de su hogar para participar en una conversación divertida que lo ayudará a aprender sobre cómo mantener su salud e independencia. Esta conversacion se enfoca en el tema de salud actual y ofrece consejos prácticos y soluciones sensibles a los problemas cotidianos que se interponen en lo que la mayoría de las personas quieren hacer: ¡vivir bien y comer bien!

El tema de agosto es "Mantenerse completo en un mundo procesado"

Cuando: 25 de agosto de 1-2 p.m.

Programa realizado virtualmente a través de Zoom, conferencia telefónica disponible

Inscribase para Conversaciones Frescas aqui

Contacto: Nina Christensen a 303-441-3774

Nutrition Counseling

Individualized counseling and coaching from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist are available for Boulder County residents. Call 303-678-6115 (English) or 720-930-0223 (en español) with your contact information.