 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:
Check out Boulder County Senior Law Day workshops from Sept. 7 to Oct. 7. Details in the right column.
Dementia Aware Series: Staging the Person with Dementia - Tuesday, Sept. 14
Check out Falls Prevention presentations in the column to the right the week of Sept. 20-24!
Malnutrition: A Closer Look - Tuesday, Sept. 28
…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.
 Did you know that one in three Coloradans have prediabetes? Left untreated, prediabetes can raise your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The good news is that you can prevent these serious complications.
The Diabetes Prevention Program provides:
- A proven behavior change program developed by the Centers for Disease Control
- A trained lifestyle coach to provide support and guidance to participants
- Skill building to help you lose weight, become more physically active, and better manage stress
What should you know?
- This is a year-long program.
- There is limited space, so sign up early.
- Classes are offered without charge to qualified participants.
- Classes for this year-long programs are held virtually on Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon.
- Learn more at our information session on Thursday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom!
Ready to learn more? Call 303-441-4710 or email infohealthyaging@bouldercounty.org!
September is National Cholesterol Education Month, and what better way to celebrate than getting the facts on cholesterol so you can stay healthy as you age!
First off, what is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a type of fat that our bodies need to function. However, too much cholesterol is not a good thing. High cholesterol increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, such as congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, and stroke, due to the buildup of fatty plaque in your blood vessels. If you understand your cholesterol numbers, you can take steps to improve them, improving your overall health and wellbeing.
Your cholesterol numbers are usually taken through a blood test known as a lipid profile. A typical lipid profile includes:
Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) Cholesterol: LDL cholesterol is known as your “bad” cholesterol. This is because it builds up on the walls of your arteries, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease.
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol: HDL cholesterol is known as your “good” cholesterol. HDL cholesterol removes LDL cholesterol from your blood, preventing it from building up.
Triglycerides: Triglycerides are a form of fat that circulation in the bloodstream. High triglycerides are normally indicative of high LDL and low HDL, putting you at risk of cardiovascular disease.
Total Cholesterol: Total cholesterol is a measure of your LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and other lipids.
Cholesterol Levels for Adults, Ages 20 and Over
(Click the image below to learn more and enlarge the table.)
 So how do you improve your cholesterol numbers? Adopting a healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat, seafood, beans, and healthy fats, while limiting saturated fat, can help improve your cholesterol. Increasing your fiber intake has been shown to lower both LDL and total cholesterol. Fiber containing foods include whole grains, fruit, vegetables, and beans. Omega-3 containing foods, such as fatty fish, can help lower triglycerides. If you smoke, quitting will greatly improve your numbers. Additionally, starting an exercise routine can also help. This can be as simple as a daily 30-minute walk!
The American Heart Association recommends having your cholesterol checked every four to six years. If you’re a man over the age of 45 or a woman over the age of 55, it’s recommended to get it checked every 2 years.
Taking control of your cholesterol can greatly benefit your health, leading to a long, happy, and healthy life. Start by taking small steps, find a support network, and always reach out to your doctor with questions or concerns.
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Open Enrollment Period, the time when people on Medicare can change their Prescription Drug Plans or Medicare Advantage plans is kicking off on Friday, Oct. 15 and runs through Tuesday, Dec. 7 this year. The changes made during this period become active Jan. 1, 2022.
Many beneficiaries find that different plans can save money for them. The Boulder County AAA Medicare Counseling team is committed to finding the best plan for our clients. Our Medicare Counselors are State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) certified, trained, and are up to date on the changes in plans. We offer skilled and unbiased assistance with no cost to you!
We are happy to meet virtually or over the phone. We can help find the best plan without it being a stressful process. To schedule an appointment, please call us at 303-441-1546 or send the team an email at medicarecounseling@bouldercounty.org. We are starting to schedule these Open Enrollment Period appointments on Sept. 15. These appointments fill up fast, so please don’t delay!
Information will be up soon on our web page boco.org/Medicare.
As an additional note, there are aggressive marketing techniques used by all Medicare plans. We are finding that people have signed up for plans that are not the right ones for them. If you want to make a change, please check with our counselors before making the final decision. We want to be sure you are making the right decision for you!
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, Sept. 7, 10-11:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 15, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Sept. 23, 1:30-3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 5, 10-11:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 13, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 21, 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.
Here are the activities that Boulder County Parks & Open Space has going on this month. You can also see all of these and more on their Hikes & Events Calendar. Registration is required.
Batty for Bats
Thursday, Sept. 9, 6:30-8 p.m.
Near Boulder. Location provided when registered.
As our only flying mammals, bats are important to our ecosystem and help control insects. Learn about bat biology, discover ways you can help bats including how to build a bat house, and watch for bats emerging as the sun goes down on this short hike. Families welcome. Register here.
Oh Deer, Elk, and Moose!
Tuesday, Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-noon
Near Nederland. Location provided when registered.
Join volunteer naturalists for a moderate two-mile hike to learn about the natural history, behavior, and ecology of mule deer, American elk, and moose. We’ll also look for signs of wildlife along the trail. Register here.
Fall Equinox Sunset Hike
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 5-7 p.m.
Near Nederland. Location provided when registered.
Celebrate the start of Fall on this sunset hike. Look for changes in plant life, watch for signs of wildlife, and enjoy a walk in the crisp, mountain air. All ages welcome. Bring layers of clothing and sturdy footwear. Register here.
Play Ball! Vintage Baseball Game
Sunday, Sept. 28, noon-3 p.m.
Enjoy watching an old-fashioned, vintage baseball game. Join the Walker Ranchers as they challenge players from the Colorado Vintage Base Ball Association in a game played with 19th century rules. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets for seating. No food will be available on site, so please bring snacks and soft drinks for your household. For more information, please email skippen@bouldercounty.org.
Foothills Hike for Seniors
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 10 a.m.-noon
Near Boulder. Location provided when registered.
Enjoy a slow-paced, fun hike with Volunteer Naturalists to learn about the area’s history, wildlife, plants, and trees. Register here.
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