For people who can’t read standard print, the Colorado Talking Book Library (CTBL) keeps them connected to reading, stories and adventure.  

For 90 years, CTBL in Denver has provided free library service to print disabled residents in Colorado. Library service includes audio, braille, large print books and descriptive video delivered directly to your door, postage paid or via download. This service is available to Coloradans of all ages and there is no fee for membership.

Who is eligible for CTBL service? Anyone who cannot read standard print, which can be caused by blindness or low vision, macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, cataracts or glaucoma, or from physical conditions such as diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis and traumatic brain injury, as well as learning disabilities.

Persons eligible for CTBL services must complete an application signed by a certifying authority such as a librarian, teacher, service provider, your support group leader or doctor. Applications are available by calling CTBL at 800-685-2136 or on the website, www.myctbl.org. Just click on the “Get Started” button.

Audio or braille books can be downloaded from BARD, the download service, with the use of BARD Mobile for iOS or Android. More information can be provided on request. BARD works with a smartphone or tablet and allows the patron to listen to audio books and get books 24/7.

Alternatively, audio books on cartridge or physical braille books and magazines can go through the mail postage paid. A player for the books is provided as part of the service at no charge. Cartridges are created specifically for the patron based on book requests or subject interest. There is no due date for audio book loans.

CTBL partners with the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) at the Library of Congress. Every state has a similar library, creating a national network of libraries.

For more information or to donate to the library, please contact CTBL at 800-685-2136 toll free or at http://www.myctbl.org.

After a long winter of cold weather and COVID isolation, sunshine and warming weather will be a welcome change. These five activities will hopefully brighten the day of both young and old alike!

1. Get outside and enjoy nature

It will feel great to get some fresh air and sunshine. Remember to stay safe and comfortable with plenty of layers, a hat, gloves, and of course, a mask! For those that are not mobile, simply sitting in a room with windows open to the fresh air or sitting outside to appreciate blooming trees and flowers can bring joy. Colorful birds are becoming more active, so a window bird feeder or hummingbird feeder near a large window offers fun birdwatching. Other ways to enjoy nature are:

• Walking around the block or in a park
• Eating a meal outside
• Visiting a plant nursery
• Taking a scenic drive

2. Decorate with a spring theme

It’s fun to mark the season with festive decorations. Here are some DIY projects:

• Find some spring-themed coloring pages and hang them around the house
• Color eggs and use for decoration or have an outdoor egg hunt for kids/grandkids
• Make some pastel-colored paper chain garlands and hang around windows or doorways
• Place some wildflowers in empty bottles or glasses to brighten up a table

3. Create an indoor garden

Having plants around the house brings a little piece of nature indoors. Spring is a great time to start an indoor herb garden, grow flowers or get a miniature bonsai tree.

4. Do some spring cleaning

Spring is a great time to get rid of unnecessary clutter. This could turn into a meaningful activity by going through keepsakes and old photos, which can lead to remembering special times.

5. Other activities to help stay busy and active:

• Jigsaw puzzles
• Card playing
• Adult coloring books
• Chair Yoga for Older Adults
• Tai Chi

Are you raising your grandchildren and over the age of 55? Please stay tuned for information regarding the 2021 Spring Event. This will be an educational session touching on a topic you are interested in, such as:

• Assistance with remote or on-line learning
• Sharing custody with parents
• Mentoring for teenagers

The goal is to provide information and support for grandparents raising their grandchildren. Further details will be coming your way! Contact Lisa Mielke at (970) 400-6133 or lmielke@weldgov.com if you are interested in other topics for future events.

Learn more about the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program by visiting the AAA Internal Services webpage.

Stress is an unavoidable part of our lives. No one is exempt. Stress is your body’s reaction to perceived challenge or demand. The body can react in physical, mental and/or emotional ways. Positive short-term stress can be good and motivating, but negative stress can creep in when faced with continuous challenges without relief or break. This negative stress can begin to control our lives and affect one’s health.

Caregivers have reported some of the highest incidences of stress as a result of the increase in care demands. Research estimates 17-35% of family caregivers view their health as fair to poor. Higher hourly caregivers are even more likely to report their health as fair to poor (22%).*

We know caregiving can be stressful. You are not alone! The Weld County Area Agency on Aging offers a FREE evidence-based class just for family caregivers called Stress-Busing for Family Caregivers. Taking the holistic approach to addressing the emotional, physical, spiritual and cognitive needs of the caregiver, the class provides an opportunity for participants to try new stress management techniques each week.

The next class meets once a week for six weeks, starting Monday, April 5 through May 10, 2021, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. As a COVID-19 precaution, all classes will be meeting virtually on Zoom from the comfort of your home. Contact Whitney Janzen-Pankratz today at (970) 400-6117 or wjanzen-pankratz@weldgov.com to reserve your spot!

*AARP Public Policy Institute. (2011). Valuing the Invaluable: The Economic Value of Family Caregiving. 

Sodium is a mineral that is crucial in maintaining fluid balance and blood pressure. It also helps nerves conduct impulses and muscles contract properly. 

Sodium is one of the nutrients the Friendly Fork Senior Nutrition Program monitors to provide no more than 1/3 of the daily requirement for a healthy 70-year-old male, which is 1200 milligrams (mg) per meal.

Only about 500 mg of sodium are required per day, although most adults consume between 4000-5000 mg per day. A diet high in sodium may increase the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension). If experiencing high blood pressure, limit sodium intake to 2000 mg per day. (For more detailed information about sodium in foods, request the “Low Sodium Diet” handout.)  

Lorrie Wellman, Registered Dietitian, would be happy to provide more detailed information related to Hypertension, Hydration, Low Sodium Diets and sodium in foods. Please contact Lorrie at lwellman@weldgov.com or (970) 400-6118. She can also provide detailed information about the sodium in recipes on the Friendly Fork menu.

Sodium is found in a variety of foods, such as:

Convenience and processed foods

• Canned soup, vegetables or meats
• Main dish extenders like Hamburger Helper
• Stuffing mixes
• Frozen TV dinners
• Breading for frying poultry or fish
• Fast foods

Smoked, salted and cured meats

• Bacon and sausage
• Corned beef
• Salt pork and ham hocks
• Hot dogs
• Ham and luncheon meats
• Smoked or canned fish

Dairy products

• Processed cheese
• Cottage cheese

Salted snack foods

• Potato, corn and tortilla chips
• Salted crackers and nuts
• Cheese puffs

Foods prepared in salt or brine

• Pickles and olives
• Sauerkraut
• Sardines

Salt-based seasonings and condiments

• Ketchup, mustard and BBQ sauce
• Bouillon cubes
• Soy sauce
• Foods containing Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
• Garlic, celery and onion salt
• Meat tenderizers
• Chili sauce
• Smoked or canned fish
• And, of course, salt (which is approximately 40% sodium)

If you want to lower your salt or sodium intake, you can:

• Use salt-free seasonings
• Do not have saltshaker at table
• Buy fresh fruits and vegetables, or frozen and canned with no added salt
• Rinse canned foods
• Buy low-sodium or reduced-sodium versions of products
• Read food labels
• Choose more baked, broiled or roasted meats instead of breaded meats
• Avoid processed meats

Learn more about the Senior Nutrition Program and view meal locations, closure dates, menus and more by visiting the Friendly Fork webpage.

Aging Mastery Program

Build your own personal playbook for aging well. This fun, innovative program empowers you to take key steps to improve your well-being, add stability to your life, and strengthen ties to your community. Meet new friends and provide encouragement to one another as you take the Aging Mastery journey together. FREE for people 60 and older, but registration is required by calling (970) 400-6117.

Wednesdays, 3/3/2021 through 5/5/2021, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Online via Zoom

Powerful Tools for Caregivers Workshop

If you are caring for a loved one at home, this workshop will help you learn to reduce stress, guilt and anger; develop new relaxation techniques; set goals; and hone problem-solving strategies (family caregivers only). Workshop meets once a week for six weeks. FREE, but registration is required by calling (970) 400-6130.

Mondays, 3/1/2021 to 4/5/2021, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Online via Zoom

Healthier Living Diabetes Workshop

Become a better self-manager of your diabetes by learning to apply the knowledge you already know such as reading nutrition labels and healthy eating, preventing low blood sugar, developing an exercise program, and setting achievable goals. Workshop meets once a week for six weeks. FREE for people 60 and older, but registration required by calling (970) 400-6117.

Wednesdays, 3/10/2021-4/14/2021, 2:30-5:00 p.m., Online via Zoom

OR

Thursdays, 4/29/2021-6/3/2021, 1:30-3:00 p.m., Location TBD

A Matter of Balance Workshop

Learn ways to reduce the fear of falling and break the fear of falling cycle. A variety of activities address physical, social, and cognitive factors affecting fear of falling by focusing on practical coping strategies. Workshop meets once a week for 8 weeks. FREE, but registration required by calling (970) 400-6117.

Tuesdays, 3/30/2021 to 5/18/2021 from 1:00-3:00 p.m., Eaton Area Parks and Recreation District, Eaton

Learn more about available classes by visiting the Weld Aging Well webpage.