Welcome to Aging Services!

May is Older Americans' Month

This year’s theme is “Working Together for Strong, Healthy, and Supportive Communities.”

Boulder County Aging Services is a nationally recognized leader for innovation and superior services to older adults and caregivers. Our programs such as the Creating Vibrant Communities In Which We All Age Well Strategic Plan – www. allagewell.com Medicare Ombudsmen, Project Visibility, have received national  awards and recognition.

On May 12^th, The Administration on Aging has recognized Boulder County Aging Services Information and Assistance program as a model of partnerships that enable a high quality of life for older adults.

The program, called “Any Door is the Right Door-Person of the Day” program, helped Aging Services staff increase their ability to deliver timely and accurate information and assistance. Staff trained throughout last year and adopted a paradigm shift to recognize that they are all professionals in information and assistance. In January, all program staff began rotations as “Person of the Day” which means that they take turns in answering calls from older adults and caregivers.

For more information on this program, please see: http://www.aoa.gov/PRESS/oam/May_2008/ program_champions.asp

May 13, 2008

Caregiving Symposium

The third annual Caregiving Symposium, sponsored by Boulder County Aging Services with assistance from the City Senior Services of Boulder, Lafayette, Longmont, and Louisville, is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., at Calvary Bible Church, 3245 Kalmia Avenue, in Boulder. This free educational event, for families and friends of elders and others interested in caregiving issues, offers an unparalleled opportunity for building caregiver skills and learning about local resources. The Caregiving Symposium features a large resource fair of services for older adults and caregivers, individual consultations with County and City senior services staff and other professionals, a wealth of educational materials, lunch, and twelve one-hour workshops:

·  11:00am - 12:00pm

·  Hospice Services: Caring for Patients and their Loved Ones Throughout the End-of-Life Process - Kim Mooney, HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties

·  Caregiving from a Spiritual Perspective: Finding the Gifts - Adelle Britton, Author, The Hokey Pokey IS What It’s All About: Words of Wisdom for the Stressed, the Overworked, the Diagnosed, and Those Who Love Them

·  Gimme a Break! Making the Most of Respite Resources and Time Off - Kim Yuskis, LCSW, Resource Specialist, City of Boulder Senior Services

·  12:30pm - 1:30pm

·  Needs Assessment: Determining if Your Older Loved One Requires Assistance - Mary Kirk, Director, Dignity Care, LLC

·  Understanding Financial and Legal Matters for Caregivers - Martha L. Ridgway, P.C., Martha Ridgway Law

·  Headed for a Fall? Improving Balance and Preventing Falls in the Home - Jean Cannella, OTR, Physical Medicine Department, Longmont United Hospital

·  2:00pm - 3:00pm

·  Improving Communication and Understanding Behaviors of Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s - Patricia Holley, Family Services Director, Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter

·  Hearing Loss Awareness for Caregivers - Rebecca Herr, President, Hearing Loss Association of Boulder

·  From a Distance: Successful Caregiving When Your Loved One Is Far Away - Sally Seggerman, Owner, Take Care ... Eldercare Solutions

·  3:30pm - 4:30pm

·  Still a Caregiver: Caring for a Loved One in an Assisted Living or Nursing Home - Susan Damon, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Boulder County Aging Services

·  Bringing Family Members Together to Care for Mom or Dad - Anne Togher, President and Founder, Toghers - What Caregivers Need

·  Protecting Self: Setting Appropriate Limits and Knowing When and How to Say “No” - Andrew Bunin, M.S., Licensed Professional Counselor

Registration is free. Pre-register by calling 303-441-1685, or simply register at the door (come for all or part of the event). For general information, call 303-678-6116. Free on-site eldercare (respite care) is offered by reservation only; financial assistance for respite care at home or at an adult day program also is available. Call 303-678-6284 as soon as possible to learn more. Whether you're currently a caregiver or anticipate becoming one, don't miss this special event -- it's just for you!

Caregiver Wellness Days

Over 120 caregivers of older adults were celebrated at Caregiver Wellness Days, hosted by Boulder County Aging Services Division (in collaboration with City Senior Services, Alzheimer's Association, HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, and PrestigePLUS), on November 8 and 10, in honor of National Family Caregivers Month. Caregivers, many of whom have attended the event several years in a row, relaxed with massage, Reiki, reflexology, paraffin wax hand dips (even the guys enjoyed!), and other individual therapies, as well as group therapies and classes such as Acupuncture for Destressing, Caring Conversation support group, Seated Yoga, and more. They had good laughs during the keynote speech of humorist Brad Montgomery, enjoyed lunch and conversation with fellow caregivers, learned about local resources available to assist them, and received gifts and door prizes donated by local agencies. Caregivers were grateful for the special days in their honor, and many made comments such as, "As a new full-time caregiver, it was nice to have some time to get away and be pampered. While we wrestle with reduced program services and where to cut the budget, an event such as this is well worth the expense when compared to the daily work that we, as caregivers, expend for those we love. It was a day of sunshine and a breath of fresh air."

November 27, 2007

Ritter signs bills for aging, disabled
Colorado Springs Gazette, 5/31
Ed Sealover

DENVER - Programs that benefit senior citizens and residents with cognitive disabilities will get financial boosts, thanks to a series of bills signed by Gov. Bill Ritter.

The first-year Democrat penned 21 measures into law Wednesday during two ceremonies and one late-afternoon flurry of signings.

At the second ceremony, Ritter focused on bills aimed at Colorado's aging population. The number of Coloradans at least 65 years old will rise from 560,000 to 1.2 million by 2020, the governor said.

One of the new laws increases from $3 million to $5 million the amount of money going to the Older Coloradans Fund, which pays for community-based services such as Meals on Wheels and in-home medical services. Sen. John Morse, a Colorado Springs Democrat and sponsor of House Bill 1100, said the money, including an additional $200,000 expected to go to the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging, will keep seniors independent by serving them at home.

"It's important because not only is it the cost-effective way to do this, but it's the right way to do this," Morse said. "Why would you put somebody in a nursing home if you can keep them in their own home?"

June 4, 2007

Aging Services Takes Silver

From left to right: Phil Hernandez, Theresa Schulte, Sarah Rebman, Mary Johnson, Diane Evans, Michele Waite, Claudine Low, Amanda Trosten-Bloom. Not pictured: Rosemary Williams.

Boulder County Aging Services and the senior services divisions of the cities of Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont and Louisville were selected by the Denver Regional Council of Governments as the Planning with Vision Silver Winners for our collaborative strategic plan, Creating Vibrant Communities in Which We All Age Well. The award was presented during the 2007 Local Government Awards dinner in Lakewood on April 11th.

April 18 2007