The Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) across the country seek to address the frustration many older adults encounter when trying to access resources. We believe in easy access to services to allow an individual to remain independent and in their home for as long as possible.

The Weld County Area Agency on Aging Information and Assistance line aims to serve Weld County residents 60 years of age and older and ages 18 and over with a disability. While visiting your loved ones this holiday season, if you notice them struggling to find resources or in extra need of help, the information and assistance line is a non-emergency phone line to help individuals navigate community services and supports. Services and supports can range from transportation, peer counseling, home-delivered meals, in-home Medicaid programs, legal assistance, caregiver support, housing options, food assistance, adult financial programs, referral to veteran services, Medicare counseling, and many others.

Contact the Weld County Area Agency on Aging information and assistance line at (970) 400-6952 or email at AAAInfo@weldgov.com.

December 

Friday, December 2, 2022 - Friday, January 6, 2023: Healthier Living Colorado 

Take charge of your chronic condition at a Healthier Living workshop! Learn skills to manage living with a chronic condition(s) like heart disease, depression, stroke, and other concerns.

Six weekly sessions from 9 -11:30 a.m. at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley. Call Tyler at (970) 400-6117 to register.

January

Tuesday, January 3, 2023 - February 21, 2023: A Matter of Balance - Greeley

Learn ways to reduce the fear of falling and break the fear of falling cycle by addressing physical, social, and cognitive factors affecting the fear of falling.

Eight weekly sessions 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Birchwood Apartments in Greeley from 1/3/23-2/21/23. Call Tyler at (970) 400-6117 to register.

Monday, January 9, 2023 - February 27, 2023: A Matter of Balance - Frederick

Learn ways to reduce the fear of falling and break the fear of falling cycle by addressing physical, social, and cognitive factors affecting fear of falling.

Eight weekly sessions 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation Center in Frederick from 1/9/23-2/27/23. Call Tyler at (970) 400-6117 to register.

Monday, January 9, 2023: Strong People - Greeley

Maintain and improve strength, flexibility, and balance. Hand weights and leg weights are provided. Learn proper technique and intensity specific for you.

Twelve weekly sessions: 9 -10 a.m., 11 a.m. - noon, and 5- 6 p.m. at various locations in Greeley beginning 1/9/23. Call Tyler at (970) 400-6117 to register.

Monday, January 9, 2023: Tai Chi: Introduction to Moving for Better Balance - Evans & Milliken 

Improve your balance, and increase strength, mobility, and flexibility while reducing your fear of falling. Learn 8 of the 24 Yang-style Tai Chi forms. Learn to practice while standing or sitting.

Twelve weekly sessions 9:30-10:15 a.m., 10:30-11:15 a.m. at Evans Recreation Center, and 10 -11 a.m. at Milliken Senior Center beginning 1/9/23. Call Tyler at (970) 400-6117 to register.

February

Monday, February 6, 2023: Tai Chi: Introduction to Moving for Better Balance - Eaton

Improve your balance, and increase strength, mobility, and flexibility while reducing your fear of falling. Learn 8 of the 24 Yang-style Tai Chi forms. Learn to practice while standing or sitting.

Twelve weekly sessions 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Eaton Community Center beginning 2/6/23. Call Tyler at (970) 400-6117 to register.

Wednesday, February 9, 2023: Healthier Living Colorado Diabetes - Erie

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.

Six weekly sessions 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Erie Recreation Center from 2/8/23-3/15/23. Call Tyler at (970) 400-6117 to register. 

Meet Jessi, the new registered dietitian with Weld County Area Agency on Aging and the Friendly Fork program.

The Older Americans Act (OAA) offers free nutrition education and counseling sessions to participants!

Nutrition counseling utilizes evidence-based nutrition principles and practices to support healthy aging through diet and lifestyle choices.

If you have questions or concerns about your diet or nutritional status, call Jessi at (970) 400-6118 or email jlike@weldgov.com to schedule an appointment.

The Home Safety Program provides reimbursement funds up to $400 to older adults for grab bar installation.

The program is designed to help maintain independence by increasing the safety of individuals living at home.

Eligibility

• Must be 60 years old or older.
• Must be a Weld County resident.
• Must complete an application for the program with details about their needs.

How it Works

After approval into the program, participants must hire a licensed contractor to complete the installation of the grab bar(s). Participants pay the provider for services rendered and receive reimbursement up to their voucher amount.

Exceptions

Participants who rent their home must complete a property owner consent form (not all  rental circumstances are eligible). Please consult the Program Coordinator for verification. The Home Safety Program Coordinator must approve services before the work can begin. 

 For referrals, contact Michelle Shepard at (970) 400-6305 or mshepard@weldgov.com.

Adult Protective Services (APS) protects at-risk adults by investigating allegations of abuse, exploitation, caretaker neglect and self-neglect. 

When appropriate, APS can assist the at-risk adult in arranging for services. An at-risk adult is anyone age 18 or older who is unable to meet their own basic needs or arrange services to meet their basic needs without assistance due to a physical or mental condition.

To file a report of abuse or neglect of an at-risk adult, call the Weld County Adult Protection Hotline at (970) 400-6700.

By Jim Herlihy, Senior Marketing & Communications Director Alzheimer's  Association 

Holidays can be stressful enough, but when you add in a person living with dementia, gatherings with family and friends become more complex. Finding the right gift for our loved ones can be challenging. The Alzheimer's Association offers a caregiver holiday guide that shows how, with careful planning, family celebrations can be a meaningful part of the holidays while ensuring safety, comfort and enjoyment for everyone. 

If you have a caregiver or a person with Alzheimer's on your gift-giving list, we've got some suggestions to make your shopping a bit easier.

Gifts for people with Alzheimer's – in the early stages

Items to help remember things:

• Magnetic reminder refrigerator pads
• Post-it notes
• Baskets or trays that can be labeled within cabinets or drawers
• A small pocket-size diary or notebook
• Erasable whiteboards for key rooms in the house
• A memorable calendar featuring family photos – write in special family occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries

Items to help with everyday tasks: 

• A memory phone that can store up to eight pictures with the names and contact information of family and friends
• Automatic medication dispenser that can help the person living with Alzheimer's remember to take medicine
• Nightlights that come on automatically when it gets dark
• A clock with the date and time in large type

Items to help keep the person engaged: 

• An outing to a movie, play or concert, sporting event, museum or possibly an organized holiday shopping trip with friends and family
• Favorite musical CDs or a CD with a compilation of favorite tunes
• DVD collection of favorite movies
• Activities such as scrapbooking or other craft projects

Activity gifts that can give a sense of accomplishment:

• Wooden toolbox set (includes wooden tools, nails, screws, nuts and bolts)
• Lacing beads (large wooden beads and a shoelace)
• Magnetic spelling trays
• Flower arranging (fake flowers, foam block and a vase or basket)
• Plastic nuts and bolts set
• Having your loved one help in making homemade gifts for the family (painting ornaments, decorating stockings, table setting decorations or place cards, etc.)

Gifts for people with Alzheimer's – in the middle-to-late stages

Gifts that stimulate the five senses may bring back pleasant memories:

• Scented lotions
• A fluffy bathrobe in a favorite color
• A soft blanket or afghan to keep warm
• Comfortable clothes that are easy to remove and washable, such as sweatsuits, knits, large banded socks, shoes with Velcro ties, wrinkle-free nightgowns, nightshirts or robes 
• Music – research shows that music has a positive impact on individuals with Alzheimer's, bringing them back to good times, increasing stimulation and providing an opportunity to interact with family members
• Framed photographs or a photo collage – insert the names of the people in the photo and put in frames or in a photo album created specifically for that person
• Enroll the person in MedicAlert, a 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for wandering and medical emergencies.

Soothing gifts that can help with anxiety:

• Weighted blankets
• Weighted fidget mat
• Handheld massage ball
• Diffuser with lavender essential oil
• Activity and sensory apron
• Gelwave activity pad
• Stuffed animal
• Photo blanket
• Sensory pillow or wrist cuff
• Diffuser with lavender essential oil

Gifts for caregivers

The most important gift you can give a caregiver is the gift of time:

• Self-made coupons for cleaning the house, cooking a meal, mowing the lawn or shoveling the driveway
• Time off so a caregiver can do something to meet their needs
• Gift cards and certificates for restaurants, laundry/dry cleaning services, lawn care services, computer/technology support, maid services, and personal pampering services such as massages and pedicures
• Books – in addition to giving novels on the caregiver's "must read" list, there are a number of books on caregiving

The Alzheimer’s Association is the premier source of information and support for the more than 6.2 million people in the United States with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association offers education, counseling, support groups and a 24-hour Helpline at no charge to families. In addition, contributions help fund advancements in research to prevent, treat and eventually conquer this disease. The Alzheimer’s Association advocates for those living with Alzheimer’s and their families on related legislative issues, and with health and long-term care providers.

For information call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 bilingual Helpline at 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org.

The population of community-dwelling people with dementia is growing in the United States. About 5.8 million Americans – roughly 10% of all adults aged 65 years or older – are living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. An estimated 33-60% of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias have a firearm in the home, and 38% of their caregivers identify firearms as an issue to address. Caring for someone with dementia can be hard. There are physical, emotional, financial, and lifestyle changes to face. Making a plan about what to do about firearms in the home can be difficult.

In collaboration with caregivers, dementia and firearm organizations, and other experts, the Safe at Home team developed a free online educational resource to help caregivers of persons living with dementia. This resource can help caregivers clarify values and make decisions about firearms access, driving, or take steps to improve safety at home, and then commit to implementing their preferred option. 

To learn more, visit https://www.dementiasafety.org/safe-at-home-aging-english/.

The Poudre River Trail offers FREE trishaw rides (weather permitting) for seniors, individuals with mobility challenges, or those in supported living situations. Their guest are also welcome! 

30-60 minute rides are offered on weekdays. 

To learn more, go to poudretrail.org/cycling-without-age or call Tess at (970) 352-2986.