For many, the COVID-19 crisis has upended lives and social connections. Physical and social distancing have left many people, including older adults, feeling isolated and lonely with their normal routines disrupted as senior centers, places of worship and local businesses are no longer available. And while physical distancing is important to maintaining health during the crisis, as time at home has lengthened, loneliness has set in for many older adults. Research shows that prolonged social isolation can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, depression and anxiety, and other negative health outcomes.

Create Connections Without Technology

Reach Out:

• Pick up the phone. Try to call a family member or friend every day. Whether you swap a book, meal or TV recommendations, read a book to a child or plan fun activities for the future, just making the connection is important.
  
  
• Write a note or send a card. Mailing a short note to a friend or family member is simple to do and can bring a smile to someone’s face while cheering you up in the process.
  
  
• Need extra compassion and support? Many organizations have developed call lines that provide a friendly voice who can offer emotional support. Call the Weld County Area Agency on Aging at (970) 400-6952 to learn whether one is available in your community. Or call one of these national hotlines:
  • Institute on Aging’s Friendship Line: (800) 971-0016
  • AARP Friendly Voices: (888) 281-0145 (English) or (888) 497-4108 (Spanish)

Stay Active, Mentally and Physically:

• Move more and sit less. Make a point to move frequently during the day, even if it’s just a few gentle stretches or laps around your home. If you can, walk outside keeping a 6-foot distance while talking to neighbors and enjoying the sunshine. Or turn on the radio and dance!
  
  
• Flex your brain. Feeling creative? Draw a sketch, write a poem or short story, or start journaling. This is a great time to record what you are seeing, thinking and feeling through different mediums. Why not send a sketch you’ve drawn to a friend or family member and ask for one in return?

Ways to Create Connections Using Technology

The list below contains just a few of the suggestions that are posted at www.engagingolderadults.org. Visit the website for additional ideas.

• Use online tools to connect with friends and family. Need help getting started? “Stuck at Home Guide: How to Get Online,” a guide from Senior Planet, contains helpful tips for getting started online, on social media, and on Zoom meetings. Visit seniorplanet.org/stuck-at-home-guide-get-online.
  
  
• Attend events and concerts or tour museums from home. During the COVID-19 crisis, many museums have developed virtual tours that help visitors see world-renowned artwork. Theaters, both large and small, are taking music, dance, and other performances online.
  
  
• Read a book online. Visit USA.gov/libraries to find your local library’s free offerings. Want to discuss the book? Start an informal book club with friends or family members.
  
  
• Want to help others? Volunteer and share your skills from home. Develop a virtual mentoring relationship with a student through a local college or connect with the Weld County Area Agency on Aging to find opportunities to help others during the COVID-19 crisis.
  
  
• Stay fit. Take a virtual exercise class. The Weld County Area Agency on Aging is offering classes online now! In addition, the YMCA (ymca360.org) provides many pre-recorded and live fitness classes that allow you to take things at your own pace.

Looking for assistance with staying engaged and safe at home during the COVID-19 crisis? The Weld County Area Agency on Aging and we can help connect you to resources for home delivered meals, groceries, caregiver support, and more. Contact us at (970) 400-6200, www.weldaaa.org, or email AAAinfor@weldgov.com.

You can find more ways to connect with others at www.engagingolderadults.org. Thanks to The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults for this information.

This year, Caregiver Appreciate Week events go virtual September 14-18. Make sure to register soon by clicking here!

Monday, September 14:

10:00 a.m. - Kickoff & Keynote Speaker, “A Hero’s (Caregiver’s) Journey” - Dawn Mathis.

Come kickoff the week with Dawn Mathis. For over 30 years, Dawn has worked with Students, Medical Patients, Real Estate Clients, Senior Citizens and Caregivers to help them achieve their goals, accelerate their results, and create richer, more fulfilling lives. Being a caregiver has so many emotions and roles attached to it. Rarely do caregivers think of themselves as heroes! Here are some “hero” definitions to consider: A person who is admired for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities and a real person who…combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. Sounds like a caregiver! Through your short time together, Dawn will take you through a process of traversing this journey-this tough terrain. Weaving in humor, stories, and pictures, Dawn will empower you, not just for this journey, but to dream, to envision for what could be next.

Tuesday, September 15:

10:00 a.m. - Guided Imagery Through Music

This experience combines music and the imagination. We will listen quietly to music, allowing it to stimulate imagery (thoughts, emotions, visualizations, memories, or physical sensations that arise). Time will be allotted for sharing our experiences. Please plan to listen through headphones or a medium quality speaker.

2:00 p.m. - What’s in Your Toolbox

Learn helpful coping tools and create art to remind yourself of those tools. Please plan to have some basic art materials including paper and something to draw or write with.

Wednesday, September 16:

10:00 a.m. - What’s in Your Toolbox

Learn helpful coping tools and create art to remind yourself of those tools. Please plan to have some basic art materials including paper and something to draw or write with.

2:00 p.m. - Tai Chi 

Join Whitney from the Area Agency on Aging for an introduction to Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance. Learn ways this practice can reduce your fall risk, and help manage stress.

Thursday, September 17:

10:00 a.m. - Tai Chi

Join Whitney from the Area Agency on Aging for an introduction to Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance. Learn ways this practice can reduce your fall risk, and help manage stress.

2:00 p.m. - Guided Imagery Through Music

This experience combines music and the imagination. We will listen quietly to music, allowing it to stimulate imagery (thoughts, emotions, visualizations, memories, or physical sensations that arise). Time will be allotted for sharing our experiences. Please plan to listen through headphones or a medium quality speaker.

Zoom will be required for all virtual sessions.Sign up includes the keynote, virtual pampering sessions, and care package. Space is limited. This event is for unpaid caregivers caring for a loved one or friend who is 50+; We will be contacting those caregivers that register for the event to schedule a time for a contact-free delivery of your care package.

Thank you to our top sponsors:

• Aspen Club, A program of UCHealth
• 50+ Marketplace News
• Brookdale Senior Living
• Greeley Village
• Suncrest Hospice of Colorado
• crumbl cookies
• innovage
  
  

And thank you to our planning committee:

• City of Greeley
• Weld County Area Agency on Aging
• Home Instead Senior Care
• alzheimer's association
• RSVP 
• Pathways
• The Lydia Dody Breast Cancer Support Center

Please note that this information is subject to change. This list was updated 8/17/2020. For other resource options, please call the Weld County Area Agency on Aging for Information and Assistance at (970) 400-6952 or AAAinfo@weldgov.com

Friendly Fork Meals: Must be 60 years of age or older or a spouse of a someone over the age of 60. Must call the listed phone number the business day before by 11:00 a.m. to make a reservation.

Meals on Wheels: Specially prepared, nutritious meals are delivered to the home. For more information, contact Meals on Wheels. In Greeley, please call (970) 353-9738. For Carbon Valley and Fort Lupton, please call (303) 833-3021.

Carbon Valley Help Center: Will remain open Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. They are meeting clients at the front of the office to fill out the intake form. They have perishable food and toiletries for any clients needing them currently. They are currently interviewing people by phone and email for financial assistance. They are only offering limited help utilities. For questions, please call (303) 833-6626.

Weld Food Bank Older Adult Program: The Older Adult Program is for adults over 60 years of age. Older adults can either come to the Food Bank or delivery may be an option for homebound older adults. Complete the application online or call 970-356-2199 ext. 311.

Food Resource Hotline: Helps anyone needing help to find food, keeps information confidential, has bilingual staff, and helps in applying to federal nutrition programs such as SNAP. Please call (855) 855-4626.

60+ Food Delivery Program: 60+ Ride, in partnership with the Area Agency on Aging/State Unit on Aging, United Way, Weld Community Foundation, King Soopers, Walmart, and Weld Food Bank, 60+ has started a grocery delivery program in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. If you are 60 or older and in need of grocery delivery, please call (970) 702-6413 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Need personalized, peer-to-peer assistance understanding and organizing your finances? AARP ElderWatch can help! Call 800-222-4444 option 2 or email aarpelderwatch@aarp.org to request financial counseling.

How it works:

Pick the area you need assistance in: connection to financial resources, finances after the loss of a loved one or checking credit reports. NOTE: We do not provide financial support or advice, only education and referrals.

• Checking Credit Reports: Only 25 percent of Coloradans do it, but checking your credit report is a free and easy way to make sure your finances and identity are kept safe. Volunteers will guide you through the credit report process and assist with identity theft protections to empower you to have full control over your finances.
  
  

• Finances after the Loss of a Loved One: Has a partner or spouse died in the past year? Are you struggling with managing and organizing your bills and bank accounts? Volunteers will assist in helping you create a budget, organize your financial accounts and stick to a financial plan.
  
  

• Connection to Financial Resources: If you are struggling with covering your basic expenses, volunteers will do an assessment and connect you with local financial resources including applying for benefits to help manage

A trained AARP ElderWatch volunteer will reach out to you via phone or email to set up the first hour long session.

You will meet virtually with the volunteer who will give you personalized assistance and schedule a follow up session if needed.

Understand and be empowered to manage your finances!