Aging at Altitude - October 21, 2018

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Writers

Brittany Anas, Linda Thorsen Bond Emma Castleberry, Judy Finman, Adam Goldstein, Sarah Huber, Julie Kailus, Wendy McMillan, Elise Oberliesen, Andy Stonehouse Darren Thornberry, Shelley Widhalm

Editor/Designer Greg Stone

Marketing Consultants

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Aging at Altitude is a marketing feature of the Daily Camera, Broomfield Enterprise and Colorado Hometown Weekly. For advertising information call your consultant or 303.473.1400. ©2018 Prairie Mountain Publishing.

Features SMART PLANNING

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Real estate tips for seniors Right-sizing and revitalizing your home It’s time to learn more about your loved ones Quality of life: A bevy of housing communities ensures a right fit Helping hands for aging in place Estate, end-of-life planning is caring for your loved ones Social Security: Use a calculator to evaluate your retirement income needs Caring for caregivers

AGING HEALTHFULLY 22 Health for seniors 25 Aging and memory problems: When to seek help 27 Social Security: Medicare, explained 28 Keep skin fresh with new technology in beauty enhancements 29 Physical therapy for back pain 30 Seniors and pets: Getting a pet can improve aging in place 31 Taking steps to prevent falls 33 Cannabis for aging adults

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS 34 36 37 38 40 41 42

7 surprising benefits of doing jigsaw puzzles The benefits of staying active Lifelong Colorado initiative launches Social media and technology foraging adults New technologies help seniors age in place – and not feel alone Converting Colorado’s written word to the airwaves Wellness programs

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Real estate tips for seniors

By Brittany Anas Aging at Altitude

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hen it comes to buying, selling and financing, senior citizens – who are the fastest growing demographic in Boulder County – have special real estate needs. Thankfully, there are several local real estate experts who understand the real estate nuances that are important to seniors. Here are some of their best real estate tips for seniors.

Senior Real Estate Specialists and Teams Can Make The Process Easier Senior citizens oftentimes have special considerations that factor into their decisions when buying or selling a home.

A Senior Real Estate Specialist or Senior Resources Team can make the process seamless.

“There are financial, legal, medical and assisted living care matters that vary with each individual,” explains Mary Romano, a real estate agent with Blue Sky Colorado Real Estate. Blue Sky Colorado is associated with the Senior Resources Team, which has experts in social security, probate, real estate, senior housing and mortgages.

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Seniors have different criteria when looking for homes When it comes to buying, seniors often want to be able to “age in place,” which means adapting their homes so that they are safe for years to come, says Pamela Outlaw, a licensed Realtor and Senior Real Estate Specialist with Coldwell Banker Residential.

That could mean having a main-floor bedroom and laundry appliances, bathrooms that can accommodate those with walkers or wheelchairs and anti-slip floors installed. Outlaw, a Senior Real Estate Specialist, says she’s noticed seniors also value small yards (if they want a yard at all); large, open-concept kitchens for entertaining

families during the holiday season, extra bedrooms for hosting visiting family members and wider doors.

Get your home in tip-top shape before listing it Spending the time and energy to get your home in great condition will help you sell your home more quickly and

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for more money, explains Bill Allen, a broker with RE/MAX of Boulder and a Senior Real Estate Specialist.

When you overlook areas, whether that’s landscaping, or typical inspection items like roofing, repairs and sewer lines, it will cause buyers to overestimate the costs and potentially deter them. When you put your house on the market without doing all the important repairs, it can also cause serious delays and price re-negotiations, and it’s possible a contract could fall through, Allen explains. You don’t want future buyers to wonder why the contract originally fell through as it causes them to be wary.

De-clutter to help the staging If a seller has been in the house for a long time, it’s a good idea to start clearing out some of the furniture, books, files, collectibles and other

FALL 2018

items, Allen says. It might make sense to place the items in storage. Then, a professional home stager can rearrange the furnishings and optimize the space so its most appealing to potential buyers, Allen explains.

A reverse mortgage can benefit seniors Seniors, for many years, have been putting money into their home equity, and with a reverse mortgage, they’re able to convert some of that equity into tax-free cash, explains Peter Rueth, a reverse mortgage planner with The Rueth Team.

Also, he explains, a reverse mortgage is the only type of mortgage that never requires a payment of principal and interest until the last surviving borrower passes away or moves out of the home. When the homeowners permanently move out of the home – whether selling it or passing away – neither they, their estate nor their heirs are responsible for

paying the deficit if the balance owed on the reverse mortgage exceeds the home value, he says. “However, should the heirs want to keep the home, they may purchase it for the remaining balance or 95 percent of the current appraised value,” Rueth explains.

You still own your house when you get a reverse mortgage You maintain the title to your home when you get a reverse mortgage, not the bank, explains Gabe Bodner, a reverse mortgage division manager with Premier Mortgage Group.

“Many people think that when you get a reverse mortgage, the bank owns the house and that is simply not true at all,” he explains. “You can sell your home at any time, you can still pass your home to your heirs through your estate and the remaining equity can still be passed to your heirs.”

Approval Reverse Mortgage

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Fairway Independent Mortgage, The Rueth Team

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Bill Allen, RE/MAX of Boulder

2425 Canyon Blvd., Ste. 110, Boulder, 303.441.5690, boulderbillallen.com

Gabe Bodner, Premier Mortgage

1844 Folsom St., Boulder, 303.449.8855, pmglending.com/team/gabe-bodner

John McElveen, RE/MAX of Boulder

2425 Canyon Blvd., Ste. 110, Boulder, 303.441.5652, j-macoboulder.com

Pam Outlaw

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 2700 Canyon Blvd., Ste. 200, Boulder, 303.588.9516, coldwellbankerhomes.com

Blue Sky Colorado Real Estate – Part of Senior Resources Team

1325 Dry Creek Drive, Ste. 201 Longmont, 720.204.4564, blueskycoloradore.com

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Right-sizing and revitalizing your home

By Linda Thorsen Bond Aging at Altitude

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hen one chapter closes, another opens – and it just might be the door to a new lifestyle. If it’s time to right-size, de-clutter or move, there are businesses in Boulder County that can help. McDonald Carpet One gives the home a revitalized look; Miracle Method reconfigures aspects of the home to make it more accessible and GingerSugarMove helps cut through the clutter to see new possibilities.

Downsizing or relocating Karen Barela, owner of GingerSugarMove, specializes in helping seniors downsize or relocate to assisted living.

Her first step is to tour the home and figure out what’s important. “Some seniors want to downsize and stay in their place,” Barela said. “We can close off rooms they’re not using or simplify their home.

I’ll help them figure out what to keep, donate, sell or give away. I can help make decisions and sort through things they’re emotionally attached to and get rid of things to make their home safer and easier to live in. I can arrange for charities to pick up things or help with antique dealers, jewelry shops or a consignment store, whatever is the best fit for them.”

If people are moving to independent or assisted living, Barela tours the new space with them and figures out how their existing furniture will work. She said. “I’m functionally oriented, and I want to make their new place safe and make life so much easier for them.”

She sets up family photos as they were in the old home and even makes sure the bathroom items, like shampoos and toothpaste, are as non-disruptive 8

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as possible. “When they walk in the door I want it to feel familiar, to feel like home,” Barela said.

“I have the beds made, photos and clothes hung. I take them around and show them, ‘Your shoes are here, here are extra sheets, there’s the re-purposed china cabinet.’ I want everything to be quite visible.”

The charge varies according to the project, size and the number of items to be sorted. “I don’t want them to be surprised, so I give a range of cost, with the variables.” Barela said.

Re-energize and revitalize McDonald Carpet One is a local, family-operated business that welcomes those who want to re-energize and revitalize their home.

“We value our senior citizens and have been servicing the community for more than 40 years. Whether you’re updating your home or moving to downsize, we take the time to understand every customer’s personal style to best serve their unique project,” Owner Bob McDonald says.

One of the most noticeable aspects of updating a home is by new flooring. McDonald Carpet One has a Healthier Living® Flooring Installation System that delivers antimicrobial protection for flooring, minimizes dust, and inhibits allergens, mold growth and odors. The exclusive installation system provides a superior level of care.

In addition, McDonald Carpet One offers a free Shop at Home consultation in which a flooring design expert will bring samples to your home or office, size things up and provide an estimate on the spot.

As a cooperative with 1,000 stores worldwide, they have enormous buying power, and have partners in all of the major brands, mills and manufacturers.

They’ve done the research for you. Just tell them your needs, and they’ll satisfy them with one of the largest selections of carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic tile, vinyl and area rugs.

Improving accessibility Brian and Lynne Weber of Miracle Method of Boulder

can make a huge difference by improving your home’s baths and showers to be more accessible.

Brian said, “We turn steel or fiberglass tubs or showers into accessible, attractive walk-ins.

We put in grab bars and shower doors, and we do it at a price that’s good for seniors who may be on fixed incomes.”

When Miracle Method walks into a bathroom, they access where the problem lies. “We’re in the business of solutions,” Brian said. “This is a family business and we never press for a hard sell. We just want to achieve what the client needs.”

The Webers have been in the business since 2002 and have a showroom in Longmont.

“When we cut down a tub or put in shower doors or grab bars, the bathroom doesn’t look ‘handicapped.’ We’re happy to be able to do work that has great durability, helps people be safer in their own home and is affordable. One of the biggest complaints about bathrooms is the caulking so we resurface everything and it’s all sealed and won’t get mold or mildew.”

Brian added, “There’s nothing worse than slipping and falling in the shower or tub. We have a solution that helps that and the home still keeps its resale value.”

GingerSugarMove 2899 9th St., Boulder, 303.880.7188, facebook.com/ pg/gingersugarmove.

McDonald Carpet One 6367 Arapahoe Road Boulder, 720.432.2916, mcdonaldcarpetoneboulder.com Miracle Method of Boulder 1822 Sunset Place, Ste. A, Longmont, 303.731.5915, miraclemethod.com/boulder DAILY CAMERA

HOME

BILL ALLEN

What to consider before starting a bedroom remodel FRONT RANGE Senior Real Estate Specialist® Making real estate transactions less stressful & more successful!

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A new coat of light color paint can give your room a larger, airier look. (Photo: Dreamstime).

By HomeAdvisor Remodeling your bedroom is a great way to revive an outdated space and add value to your home. But like any major home improvement, it's important to go in prepared – and to plan your budget and design before you get started. Good planning is key not only to saving money, but also to making sure your vision is realized once your project is complete.

Consider the following as you plan out your project.

Classic styles work best for resale A trendy or personalized design may work well if you're remodeling for yourself. But if you're fixing up a bedroom for future resale, a timeless, more traditional style is most likely your best choice. Features like walk-in closets, recessed lighting and an updated bathroom can be good ways to draw in potential homebuyers _ while a new bedroom skylight could be the finishing touch you need to close the sale.

Measure twice One of the biggest mistakes you can make in bedroom remodeling is to take the wrong FALL 2018 October 12-13, 2018

measurements. Even the smallest of slip-ups can lead to a variety of problems – including potential delays and increased costs that can throw your entire project off course. Be sure to confirm each measurement twice before moving on to the next.

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be sure to do your research and know your flooring options before making your final decision.

As a designated SRES® REALTOR® I understand that buyers and sellers Consider cosmetic upgrades Low-budget updates can make ages 50+ have very a big difference when it comesunique real estate to changing your bedroom's appearance. A new coat of light needs and I’m here to help.

Add more space paint can give your room a larger, Your remodel offers a great I have airierexperience look – while a brighterin color senior’s issues opportunity to make your combined with different textures bedroom bigger. Whether that can add depth and personality to and I can also put you in touch involves building an addition its overall design. And small things or expanding into an adjacent like rearranging the furniture and with cleaning my network ofthesimilarly-trained room, adding more space can up clutter can create improve both the comfort and feel of a major upgrade without value of your home. But before the project price tag. professional advisors to guide you.

you start tearing out the walls, it's important to know your local zoning laws – and to consult with a pro to better understand which options work best within your budget.

Find the right contractor When it comes to your remodel, the right contractor makes all the difference. An experienced professional will® not only work ® to keep your project on budget and on schedule, but they will also keep you informed at each phase of the process. As you interview remodelers, be sure to ask plenty of questions, request references and get price estimates whenever possible.

HomeAdvisor is an online marketplace connecting homeowners with trusted service professionals to complete home projects. Visit HomeAdvisor.com.

Bill Allen

RealtoR , SReS Real

303-441 303-441-5690 303-570-9814 303-570

Choose the right flooring Wood and carpet are popular bedroom flooring materials.

Carpet is the more budget-friendly choice. The downside to carpet is that it can be more difficult to clean and will likely need replacement five to 10 years down the road. Wood flooring is more expensive, but it's also easy to clean and comes with a longer lifespan. Whichever you go with,

ballen@boulderco.com www.boulderbillallen.com

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It’s time to learn more about your loved ones

By Family Features

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ith days of family picnics, vacations and reunions in the rearview mirror, it’s easy to move full steam ahead into the busy fall season and forget to make time for meaningful conversations with family members.

You may think you know your relatives well, but having meaningful, intergenerational conversations and asking questions about what matters most to them can deepen your relationships. Taking time to get to know your loved ones better can allow you to walk away from these conversations with memories and stories to cherish forever.

If you’re unsure where to begin, the Funeral and Memorial Information Council, famic.org, created the “Have the Talk of a Lifetime” initiative, which offers families the resources to facilitate

(Photo courtesy of Getty Images).

conversations that can be remembered for years to come. Having these conversations can be difficult and hard to start, but the Have a Talk of a Lifetime Workbook takes away some of the stress and guides you through a step-by-step process of communicating with your loved ones.

The workbook includes conversation starters and room to document the memories shared. A few thought-provoking

questions include: • Describe your greatest accomplishment. What makes it so special to you?

• How would you describe yourself as a child? What is your best memory of your childhood?

• Who has been the most important or influential person in your life? Can you tell me more about him or her? What did you learn from him or her?

• How would you like people to remember you? What words do you hope will be used to describe you and your life?

Take advantage of the time you have to answer some of these questions with your loved ones, which can provide moments to cherish and life advice.

For more information on the campaign, visit talkofalifetime.org.

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Brookdale is here to assist your family through each step in the search for senior living. Whether you’re beginning your search or just have questions, you’ll find the help you need to make a thoughtful, well-informed decision.

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AltaVita Assisted Living. (Photo courtesy of AltaVita).

Quality of life

A bevy of housing communities ensures a right fit for Boulder County’s aging.

By Emma Castleberry Aging at Altitude

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ging at Altitude means living a full life regardless of the walls around one’s bed. Yet it also connotes finding the living arrangement that best supports a person’s lifestyle and health. Boulder County offers a number of residences worth considering.

The Academy The Academy is smaller than

most senior living communities, which allows every resident to know their neighbors.

“Our size is small enough for the community to engage in a meaningful way and our location in the neighborhood near Chautauqua is quiet, lovely and natural,” says Executive Director Shirley Berg. The Academy offers a variety of daily cardio and strength classes as well as a state-of-the-art wellness center complete with an indoor pool and personal

The Academy in Boulder. (Photo courtesy of The Academy).

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trainers. Residents can take part in weekly activities like book club, bridge, discussion groups, art classes and musical concerts. The Academy also organizes monthly outings for large concerts, tours and meals at local restaurants.

A driver allows residents to complete appointments and errands and socialize outside the community. “We have an open-door management style so residents have access to be heard when that seems

important,” says Berg. “It’s a real life, in a real neighborhood with the depth of relationships that comes with its small size and deeply-felt mission.”

AltaVita Senior Residences AltaVita Senior Residences is the culmination of the Macy family’s dream for their home town of Longmont to provide three levels of senior care residences on one campus location. These include

AltaVita Memory Care. (Photo courtesy of AltaVita).

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the AltaVita Memory Care Center, Assisted Living and Independent Living buildings.

The assisted living building includes a tavern for happy hours, a craft area, a cooking area and a media room, as well as a bocce ball court and gazebo on the surrounding grounds.

When the independent living building is complete in 2019, it will feature spacious apartments with mountain views and amenities like an on-site bar and bistro, full-service salon and massage room. “Our remarkable team at AltaVita is the key to our differences and successes,” says developer Don Macy. “Our daily motivation is to honor, respect and provide for our residents the most joyful and caring lifestyle.”

Brookdale Senior Living With four communities in the Boulder area, Brookdale Senior Living offers a variety of ways for seniors to be close to their loved ones. The North Boulder and Meridian Boulder

tables and nutritious, chefprepared meals. “A great meal is one of life’s simple pleasures,” says Klassen. “We believe dining well is part of living well.

Our menu receives rave reviews from residents and guests alike.”

Life Care Center of Longmont. (Photo courtesy of Life Care Center of Longmont).

communities offer independent living accommodations with resort-style amenities and services, while Brookdale Boulder Creek and Brookdale Longmont offer assisted living accommodations. “We believe in delivering senior care that’s tailored to you and your loved one based on your unique

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needs and desires,” says Marcia Klassen, executive director at Brookdale Meridian Boulder.

“This personalized approach ensures that you and your family get exactly what you need without paying for what you don’t.” Dining at the Brookdale communities is always a pleasure, with linen-covered

Frasier Located on a 20-acre campus near Thunderbird Park and Lake, Frasier offers independent living, asisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehabilitation care options for its senior residents. With amenities like a greenhouse, library, craft room and woodworking shop, there is plenty of entertainment and social engagement available on campus. Frasier residents also have access to over 250 clubs and committees that cater to their interests, as well as easy access to all the cultural and social opportunities offered by the University of Colorado and the Colorado Chautauqua Association.

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JOHN MCELVEEN 303.818.7500 johnmac@boulderco.com RE/MAX of Boulder Inc. AGING AT ALTITUDE

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Golden West For 50 years, Golden West, a nonprofit retirement community, has provided affordable housing for residents 62 and older. The Towers are Golden West’s independent living option, featuring one-bedroom and studio apartments with threeflexible meal plan options and communal space on each floor. The Towers are incomerestricted apartments and Golden West accepts Section 8 vouchers. The Mezzanine holds 56 assisted living apartments with access to caregivers 24 hours daily. All Golden West residents have the opportunity to participate in activities like art classes, theater groups and resident council, which gives residents a voice in community decision-making.

Life Care Center Voted Best Retirement Elderly Care Facility seven times by the Longmont community, Life Care Center of Longmont has been serving senior citizens since 1990. Life Care Center offers private rooms and suites, as well as physical, occupational and speech therapy on-site.

Well-manicured gardens and pathways surrounding the center and a variety of elegant indoor spaces offer plenty of places for residents to host visitors.“As the company grows and evolves, the mission remains the same: to help patients and their families maintain a higher quality of

Golden West Alzheimer’s Walk team. (Photo courtesy of Golden West).

life no matter their health and living situation,” says Joleen McGee, director of admissions and community relations at Life Care Center of Longmont.

The Peaks at Old Laramie Trail The Peaks at Old Laramie Trail prides itself on having a wealth of unique engagement opportunities for assisted living residents. These include a signature activity program called Vibrant Life, in which residents’ lives are spotlighted with community recognition and long-held dreams are realized. The Peaks at Old Laramie Trail is also a Music & Memory certified community, through which each resident gets a personalized playlist on an iPod shuffle. “The affect

music has on individuals with dementia is profound,” says Sally Harkins, director of sales and marketing. “If you visit our community and see a resident smiling and singing with headphones on, they are enjoying the advantage of our Music & Memory Program.”

The program also brings live musical performances to the community twice weekly.

Residents of The Peaks also benefit from the organization’s partnership with the Adventure Montessori School, which brings students in to spend quality time with the residents. “We ensure a high quality of life for our residents through excellent care provided by kind and compassionate staff dedicated to enhancing the lives of seniors,” says Harkins.

Sunrise of Boulder In 2018, Sunrise of Boulder became the first senior living provider to be recognized by J.D. Power as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Senior Living Communities.”

In the study, Sunrise ranked highest in five out of six study factors: caregiver/staff; senior services/activities; rooms, building, and grounds; food and beverage; and resident setup/ orientation. “At Sunrise, we hold the philosophy of aging in place,” says Diane Goss, director of sales. “We believe that the move to Sunrise should be the last one a person has to make, and because care is not a ‘one size fits all,’ we have various levels of care that we can provide based on a resident’s current needs.” Sunrise offers

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Broomfield: (303) 464-8440

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an eight-part Live With Purpose senior activity program that includes physical exercise, creative expression, community service, learning opportunities, musical classes, opportunities for reflection and intergenerational

programs. The organization’s Live with Fulfillment program offers enrichment for residents who are in the early stages of memory loss. Sunrise is also a pet-friendly residence, with a house dog named Diane.

SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES Academy Senior Living 970 Aurora Ave., Boulder, 303.938.1920, theacademyboulder.com.

Golden West 1055 Adams Circle, Boulder, 303.444.3967, gwboulder.org.

AltaVita Senior Residences 800 S. Fordham Street, Longmont; 1001 Alta Vita Court, Longmont, 303.300.3700, altavitaliving.com.

Life Care Center of Longmont 2451 Pratt Street, Longmont, 303.776.5000, lifecarecenteroflongmont.com.

Brookdale 3350 30th St., Boulder, 844.567.2504; 3375 34th St., Boulder, 844.504.5161; 801 Gillaspie Drive, Boulder, 844.750.7057; 2240 Pratt St., Longmont, 844.789.5974, brookdale.com.

Frasier 350 Ponca Place, Boulde,r 303.499.4888, frasiermeadows.com.

The Peaks at Old Laramie Trail 660 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, 855.475.7485, thepeaksatoldlaramietrail.com.

Sunrise of Boulder 3955 28th St., Boulder, 720.262.9917, sunriseseniorliving.com/ communities/sunrise-of-boulder.

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Helping hands for aging in place Caregiving and programs to assist seniors living at home

By Wendy McMillan Aging at Altitude

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s we navigate the complexities of aging, we continually face the overwhelming question of whether remaining at home – aging in place in the comfort of our own surroundings – is the right choice. For those who wish to stay put, services are available to help make this a reality, from meals and transport to comprehensive care.

Meals on Wheels of Boulder For many older persons, a good meal is key to maintaining independence. Limitations inhibiting planning, shopping, and consistent meal preparation easily lead to hunger, malnutrition and illness. With Meals on Wheels of Boulder, this need not be the case. Since 1969, the independent, locally operated non-profit organization has provided fresh, nutritious, flavorful meals to Boulder area residents who need them, regardless of age or income.

Over the years, the organization has continually evolved to meet changing community needs including

adjusting for special diets and more.

In 2007, Project Homecoming was launched, whereby individuals just released from the hospital are provided with five free meals. This innovative project, initiated by Boulder Executive Director Francea Phillips, became a model of inspiration, now replicated nationwide.

Every delicious menu from Meals on Wheels of Boulder is nutritionally planned, including an entrée, vegetable, salad, bread and dessert. Operating on a sliding scale, over one-third of clients pay less than $1/day per meal, with the full rate being $6.

All this is made possible through grants and community donations, with no state or federal funding.

“We have no wait list, we add people as needed,” says Heidi Marchi, Meals on Wheels of Boulder marketing director. “We are truly here for, and thanks to, our community.”

TRU Community Care “More and more elders in our community are living longer with the complications of advanced illness,” says TRU Community Care CEO and President Michael McHale.

“TRU provides a continuum of care to address the unique needs of these individuals with a focus on helping them to live as comfortable, confidently and fully as possible.” Originally founded as Boulder Hospice in 1976, TRU Community Care staff understand the unique

physical, emotional and spiritual needs of people with advanced illness and their families.

Regardless of age or type of end-stage disease, individuals can count on compassionate, individualized support, and a range of end-of-life care options.

Hospice care is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, wherever an individual resides – at home, in an assisted living or skilled nursing community, or at the TRU Community Care’s inpatient hospice facility, the TRU Hospice Care Center located in Longmont.

TRU PACE When daily living tasks become obstacles, moving to a skilled nursing home may seem the only next step. TRU PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) offers a compassionate, client-centered alternative. A program of TRU Community Care, TRU PACE coordinates and provides all needed preventive, primary, acute and long-term care services so that older individuals can continue living safely in their community. Through this innovative model, individuals age 55 and over who are certified by the state as needing nursing-

MEDICARE

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We provide educational programs for employers and organizations, and teach Medicare Made Easy Classes through BVSD LifeLong Learning.

Our services are never a cost to our clients.

Hilarie Kavanagh

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Suzanne Fountain

AGING AT ALTITUDE

Mo McCabe

1373 Forest Park Circle, Suite 102, Lafayette, CO 80026

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AGING AT

home-level care are enabled to live as independently as possible. At the 22,000 square foot TRU PACE Center, seniors have access to medical care, social activities, exercise, therapy and meals, all housed under one roof. Participants attend the center on flexible schedules based on their healthcare team’s recommendations and his or her individual needs and interests.

Participants enjoy returning to the comfort of their own homes, but with the reassurance of 24-hour access to someone on the TRU PACE clinical team. “It’s so rewarding to see older adults in our community engaging socially with one another at our center, while also receiving all the support they need, from physical therapy to behavioral health counseling,” says Leslie Mader, TRU PACE Business Development Specialist.

“Our approach is thorough, preventive, and collaborative.

We’re all about keeping someone as healthy and engaged as possible while keeping focused on their personal goals,” says Mader.

Windhorse Elder Care Since 2000, locally owned Windhorse Elder Care has partnered with elders and their families to provide holistic in-home services ranging from basic companion and personal care to advanced psychological care; and from one hour per week to 24-hour coverage.

Extensively trained staff participate in regular specialized training, earning the organization a Leaders in Dementia Care Certification through the Alzheimer’s Association.

Employees further hold advanced degrees and training FALL 2018

in Gerontology, Psychology and Social Work, among other disciplines.

Connection and communication are at the heart of the elder care model, which allows care to naturally evolve as the needs of your loved one change over time Caregivers and clients are carefully matched to cultivate the best possible relationships, with continuity of care reflected in precise schedules tailored to individual needs. Central to the team approach is an emphasis on mindful, compassionate, mutually engaging relationships; a conscious emphasis is placed upon providing the kind of support caregivers wish to receive themselves, with the overarching goal of supporting clients in maintaining their independence and dignity. “At WEC we listen and learn what elders have to teach us about who they are and what they need,” says Windhorse Elder Care Owner/Director Jyoti Sharp. “We encourage them to take their rightful place as elder in the center of the circle of care.”

Altitude Monday, October 22 • 10am–3pm Jewish Community Center

Technological developments are abundant.

While many make some parts of life easier, few contribute to our overall wellness.

Remarkably, many hearing devices today make use of machine learning, artificial intelligence, 360-degree sound input, and much more intensive computational processing. But even the most sophisticated hearing technologies need skilled professional guidance and design.

Join Chelsea Walters, B.S., BC-HIS, BoardCertified Hearing Instrument Specialist and Owner of Family Hearing, for a discussion of these impressive industry innovations, the positive impact they generate, and why an experienced and caring technician of the n is o utmost importance.

Meals on Wheels Boulder 909 Arapahoe Ave., Ste. 121, Boulder, 303.441.3908, mowboulder.org.

TRU Community Care 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette (Corporate Office), 303.442.0961, trucare.org/ourservices/tru-hospice-services.

TRU PACE 2593 Park Lane, Lafayette, 303.665.0115, pace.trucare.org.

Windhorse Elder Care 6640 Gunpark Drive, Ste. 100, Boulder, 303.786.9313 windhorsecare.com.

Family HEARING

office locations in Boulder | Broomfield | Lafayette

Since 1963 AGING AT ALTITUDE

17

SMART PLANNING

Estate, end-of-life planning is caring for your loved ones

By Sarah Huber Aging at Altitude

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life well lived includes plenty of planning for retirement and beyond, agreed Jack Bayliss, Edward Jones financial advisor in Boulder and Matt Fox, general and sales manager at Crist Mortuary and Mountain View Memorial Park in Boulder.

Save for retirement The first step is funding retirement, Bayliss said. “It’s essential to have a plan in place,” he said. “Know what it takes to be able to retire comfortably. ” After exhausting one’s company-sponsored retirement

plan, maximize a Roth IRA, Bayliss said. Investors over the age 50 may contribute up to $6,500 a year. “This is after-tax money you contribute to save for retirement,” he explained.

“Pay the taxes now instead of later when taxes are bound to be higher.”

For those with investment queries, “it doesn’t cost anything to sit down and make a plan with an Edward Jones financial advisor,” Bayliss noted. “Don’t let emotions dictate how you manage your money, whether it’s greed or fear.”

Estate planning While Bayliss said many of his clients have an estate plan,

Contact me now.

Jack Bayliss

Financial Advisor

303-440-1406 jack.bayliss@edwardjones.com Member SIPC

3393 Iris Ave Suite 101, Boulder, CO 80301

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which generally includes a will, financial power of attorney, health and end-of-life directives and named beneficiaries, most neglect to update their plans.

“Clients pay thousands of dollars for estate plans and assume they are good for life,” Bayliss said, “but in reality, estate plans should be reviewed every three to five years.”

An estate attorney helps a person determine “what do I want my legacy to be,” Bayliss said. “Do you want to educate your grandchildren or give to a university or church?” An outdated estate plan may result in significantly higher estate taxes. “Parents should think about the ages of their children and family changes as they reevaluate their plan,” he said.

Grandparents may wish to set up a trust fund for grandchildren or invest in 529 college savings plans.

Bayliss said, “Find a trusted CPA or attorney, ask for referrals, then make a plan and stick with it.”

Arrange for the inevitable Likewise, determining a plan for one’s end-of-life is a “gift to your family,” Fox said. “You buy house and car insurance to prepare in case something happens. Wouldn’t it make sense to make an arrangement for the future in this way?”

Fox continued, “When you prepare, you take the burden off your next of kin at one of the most stressful times. As a funeral director for 20-plus years and now a manager, I can say that the pulse in the room of those whose loved one has prepared versus those whose loved one did not is very different. It’s a valuable service for your children, one last

thing you can do to take away the pain.”

Advisors at Crist Mortuary guide those preplanning their “end of life celebration,” according to Fox, “with creativity and sensitivity.” Not only do clients select between burial and cremation, but they also “arrange as many details as desired, from songs to location to the gravestone.” Clients who love gardening may ask for seed packets to be distributed. One woman who collected cookbooks arranged for them to be given to those attending her funeral service. “Planning makes this possible,” Fox said. “No one who is grieving says, ‘I’ll run home and gather up mom’s 100 cookbooks tonight.’”

Pre-pay funeral arrangement through a trust fund U.S. law prohibits funeral homes from collecting money prior to service, so those inclined to prepay may set up a third-party trust fund or account. Although the funeral home will assist with this, preplanning services are commonly no cost.

“Ultimately, this is about how a life can be celebrated,” Fox said. “Think about what’s meaningful to you while taking the burden off your next of kin.”

Jack Bayliss, Edward Jones 3393 Iris Ave., Ste. 101, Boulder, 303.440.1406, edwardjones.com/jack-bayliss.

Crist Mortuary/ Mountain View Memorial Park 3395 Penrose Place, Boulder, 303.442.4411, dignitymemorial.com/funeralhomes/boulder-co/cristmortuary.

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Social Security: Use a calculator to evaluate your retirement income needs

By Nicole Tiggemann Tribune News Service

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alculating when you should retire requires evaluating all sources of your retirement income. There are many factors to consider, including your personal retirement goals. With multiple factors affecting your decision, sometimes it’s difficult to see the big retirement picture.

Social Security secures your today and tomorrow by offering a variety of calculators to help you plan your Social Security retirement benefits.

Visit the Social Security calculator page to fine-tune your benefit estimate by using the Retirement Estimator

if you have the required 40 work credits. Changes in your personal circumstances may cause changes in the number of years you work before you retire.

Suppose you had planned to work an additional 10 years before retiring, but now you are considering moving that up to the end of this year. How can you determine how much the difference in dollars in the monthly benefits will be? You can create one estimate with your projected earnings through this year and another including the next 10 years. These are estimates, but they will give you an approximation for each retirement age to help you make your decision.

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303.665.0115 • pace.trucare.org FALL 2018

You can also use the online calculator if you don’t have 40 work credits. You need to enter all of your earnings manually, but you can project future earnings through your potential retirement date. Again, this is an estimate based on your future estimated earnings, but it provides you with planning numbers.

These three calculators will meet almost everyone’s preretirement planning needs.

But, wait, there’s more. Use the Life Expectancy Calculator for a rough estimate of how long you might live. The Retirement Age Calculator determines your full retirement age and shows the differences when benefits are taken early. The Early or

Late Retirement Calculator can show the differences in benefit amount if you file early or wait until later to start benefits. You can use the Benefits for Spouse Calculator to find out how your spouse’s benefit changes if taken early. You can access all of these at socialsecurity.gov/ planners/benefitcalculators.html.

With calculators doing all the number crunching, the big picture is easier to see.

The road to retirement is in the viewfinder and you have your resources ready. Now that you know which calculator to use, you can start figuring your best retirement option for a calculated retirement.

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SMART PLANNING

Caring for caregivers How to prevent caregiver burnout

Tips for managing caregiver stress

Stress can affect anyone and caregivers may find themselves faced with additional stressors. To help manage stress and avoid caregiver burnout, keep these tips from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in mind: • • • • • • (Photo courtesy of Dreamstime)..

By Family Features

W

hile caring for an older family member – whether it be a spouse, parent or grandparent – can be a rewarding experience, it can also be a difficult and overwhelming task. This is especially true if your loved one lives with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia-related illnesses.

Whether it’s out of love or obligation, caring for a chronically ill or disabled family member (and potentially his or her financial and legal interests) can come at the expense of the caregiver’s quality of life.

In addition to maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle outside of caregiving responsibilities, it is important for those caring for a loved one to learn ways to avoid health hazards and stay well-informed of any changes in their loved one’s condition.

Add work and children to care for to the equation and it’s a formula that can lead to stress, exhaustion and even potential health issues.

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The additional duties often required to provide care for a loved one can lead to physical or emotional fatigue, often referred to as “caregiver burnout.” If you’re caring for an older adult, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America recommends these tips to help manage stress before caregiving leads to burnout.

Know the signs of burnout By the time many caregivers suspect signs of burnout, they’re likely already suffering symptoms related to their responsibilities. Being aware of some of the warning signs can help caregivers properly manage stress and protect themselves.

Warning signs include: • Overwhelming fatigue or lack of energy • Experiencing sleep issues • Significant changes in eating habits or weight • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed • Neglecting personal physical and emotional needs • Becoming unusually

• • • • •

impatient, irritable or argumentative Having anxiety about the future or a feeling of hopelessness Suffering from headaches, stomachaches or other physical ailments Experiencing depression or mood swings Having difficulty coping with everyday tasks Lower resistance to illnesses

Educate yourself about the disease It’s likely the loved one you care for has several health problems, takes multiple medications and sees multiple health care providers to manage his or her conditions. As a first step in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementiarelated illnesses, visit alzfdn.org or nia.nih.gov/alzheimers for information. Support groups, educational workshops, community resources and professionals can also help increase your understanding of

• •

Maintain a positive attitude Be flexible and accept the circumstances Be honest and open about your feelings Take it one day at a time Get a good night’s sleep Incorporate stress management techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, as well as exercise into your daily routine Drink plenty of water and eat a healthful diet full of fruits and vegetables Set realistic goals and go slow

the disease and what to expect so you can be a better-informed and prepared caregiver.

Be prepared for important decisions Take care of financial, legal and long-term care planning issues early on to help reduce stress later. Try to involve the individual in decisionmaking if he or she is capable, and consider personal wishes regarding future care and endof-life issues.

Build your care skills Key skills for any caregiver include communication, understanding safety considerations and behaviors, and managing activities of daily living such as bathing, DAILY CAMERA

toileting and dressing. Some organizations and local hospitals may even offer classes specific to your loved one’s disease that can aid you in the process.

Develop empathy Try to understand what it is like to be a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Put yourself in the affected person’s shoes while also recognizing your own losses. Manage your expectations of your loved one and remain patient.

Ask for help when you need it Reach out to medical and mental health professionals as well as family and friends. They can assist you when things get tough. In addition, there are typically programs, agencies and organizations in your community that can help manage the challenges of caring for older parents, grandparents, spouses

and other older adults.

Advocate for and connect with your loved one Take an active role in the individual’s medical care. Get to know the care team, ask questions, express concerns and discuss treatment options.

Also remember to connect on a personal level through kindness, humor and creativity, which are essential parts of caregiving and can help reduce stress.

Think positive Focus on the capabilities and strengths that are still intact and enjoy your relationship with your loved one while you are still together. Look for ways to include him or her in your daily routines and gatherings to make as many memories as possible.

Find more caregiver resources and tips at alzfdn.org.

Getting help with caregiving Everyone needs a break from time to time, even caregivers.

Look into respite programs for a chance to care for yourself.

Types of respite include: Home Care • Home care is often initiated by a doctor’s order or hospital stay and administered by medical professionals who come into the home and help with personal care and housekeeping functions.

• Medicare covers some home health services.

Adult Day Programs • Social-model programs offer stimulation, socialization and therapeutic activities in a community-based group setting and often include meals.

• Medical-model programs (adult day health care programs), offer healthbased services as well as social activities in a group setting.

• Some programs include assistance with activities FALL 2018

WE CARE FOR THE HEALTH OF YOUR EYES.

of daily living and transportation.

• Adult day services charge per hour and may be covered under some longterm care insurance policies.

• Medicaid covers some adult day health programs.

Facility-Based Respite • Provide a short stay for your loved one in a nursing home or another facility.

• Facilities typically charge for each day your loved one is in their care.

• Medicare or Medicaid may cover some costs of an inpatient facility.

Family and Friends • Identify responsible family members and friends who can lend a hand in providing supervision for your loved one and create a rotating care schedule, if possible.

• Enlist the help of family members living in different states by assigning them tasks such as legal or financial paperwork.

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AGING AT ALTITUDE

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AGING HEALTHFULLY

Health for seniors Hearing, vision and physiatry treatments

By Julie Kailus Aging at Altitude

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any issues come along with the natural aging process. Among the most impactful on everyday life are hearing loss, vision complications and spine-related ailments. Luckily many of these conditions can be prevented or treated when caught early.

Hearing loss Hearing loss reduces the brain’s ability to process sound, which in turn affects a person’s ability to understand speech, explains Natalie Nelson, Au.D., of Boulder Valley Hearing Associates. “With a deficit like hearing loss, a person will find it more difficult to remain active, stay engaged and be a contributing member of society.”

The impact of hearing loss often shows up in social settings. For example mature adults may start asking family members to repeat themselves, mishearing conversations in noisy restaurants, or smiling and nodding when in fact they are not understanding what grandchildren are saying.

“Though these symptoms seem benign, they are not,” says Chelsea Walters, a board-certified hearing instrument specialist

and owner Family Hearing of Broomfield. “Even mild hearing loss can lead to feelings of social isolation, creating stress and worry for family and friends. It can have a huge consequences on relationships.”

The good news is hearing loss is treatable. And technology has made modern hearing aids completely discreet. The latest devices can keep noise in the background while clarifying speech. They can also sync to smart phones for remote control and audio streaming. “The amount of features that can be personalized for each unique hearing loss and lifestyle are endless,” Walters says.

To find advanced hearing aids right for each individual, Boulder Valley Hearing Associates maintains relationships with all six major hearing aid manufacturers. Nelson says that

having these relationships helps her team build a customized solution for each patient.

Eye care Vision problems like cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can also have a significant impact on seniors’ lifestyles.

More than 20 million Americans over age 40 have cataracts. A clouding of the normally clear eye lens, cataracts are the result of natural protein build-up in the eyes. This condition usually starts slowly and gradually becomes more severe. Glaucoma, on the other hand, is a group acute and chronic eye disorders characterized by optic nerve deterioration.

And AMD, which affects both distance and close vision, is a

disease caused by damage or breakdown of the macula, the small part of the eye’s retina that is responsible for central vision.

It’s the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over 65.

If left untreated or caught too late, all of these conditions can lead to blindness. So early diagnosis and management is the key, says Kori Watts of Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado, which has offices in Boulder, Lafayette, Longmont and Greeley.

Periodic eye exams are the best way to monitor eye health and catch these agerelated issues. Eye doctors can perform routine operations for cataracts and glaucoma, and also recommend supplements such as antioxidant vitamins and zinc, which studies have shown may reduce the effects of AMD in some people with the disease.

Spine health Aches related to the spine also a common complaint among seniors. These can show up as back and neck pain, joint soreness, weakness and numbness. For relief, many older people are turning to physical medicine and rehabilitation, also known as physiatry.

Physiatry is a specialty that can diagnose and treat these types

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Call 1-855-569-6538 to schedule a Home Assessment or visit BestBuy.com/DenverAssessments to learn more.

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of injuries or illnesses without surgery, which can be risky in older adults. “The goal of a physiatrist is to maximize the patient’s ability to remain active independently and improve quality of life,” says David Rodriguez, practice manager for Spine West in Boulder.

Spine West uses muscle and nerve testing, x-ray, ultrasound and open-sided MRIs to diagnose such issues.

Treatments for pain include fluoroscopic-guided spine injections; ultrasound-guided knee, shoulder, hip joint injections; bracing; and even new regenerative medicine techniques, such as platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections and stem-cell therapy.

From the spine to eyes and ears, seniors have a lot of degenerative issues to deal with.

Luckily, there’s a community of local medical professionals leveraging the latest technology to ensure the elder years are a happier, healthier time of life.

Boulder Valley Hearing Associates 4745 Arapahoe Ave. Ste. 130A, Boulder, 303.443.2771, bouldervalleyent.com.

Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado 3000 Center Green Drive, Ste. 250, Boulder; 1400 Dry Creek Drive, Longmont; 300 Exempla Circle, Ste. 120, Lafayette, 303.772.3300, eyecaresite.com.

Family Hearing 3059 Walnut St., Boulder, 303.872.9757; 300 Nickel St., Ste. 15, Broomfield, 303.857.5838; 2770 Arapahoe Road, Ste. 126, Lafayette, 303.872.6467, familyhearingco.com.

Spine West 5387 Manhattan Circle, Boulder, 303.494.7773, spinewest.com.

Hearing HealthCare Centers 4800 Baseline Road, Ste. E-108 Boulder, 303.963.9473; 320 E. 1st Ave, Ste. 102, Broomfield, 303.731.4540; 1515 N. Main St., Ste. 15, Longmont, 303.963.9637, hearinghealthcarecenters.com.

5,840 DAYS Because changing a life isn’t quick & simple

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Shop Local. Buy Local.

There are many ways to strengthen our community, and one easy way is buying local. Whether it’s a restaurant, boutique, home and garden store, apparel or shoes, auto dealer or other shopping destination, buying local has many benefits, and building a stronger community is only one of them.

Our local businesses give our community character, create vibrancy and bring us unique experiences.

WE INVITE YOU TO THINK, SHOP AND BUY LOCAL. START YOUR SHOPPING ADVENTURE BY SUPPORTING THE LOCAL BUSINESSES ADVERTISING IN YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPERS!

BOULDER DAILY CAMERA | LONGMONT TIMES-CALL | LOVELAND REPORTER-HERALD BROOMFIELD ENTERPRISE | COLORADO HOMETOWN WEEKLY | COLORADO DAILY | GREENLIGHT

FALL 2018

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Santa’s Book Club

BESTSELLERS Books ship Dec. 7, 2018

Finding the perfect gift early saves money!

You can own these collectible pictorial history books covering Longmont and Boulder, Colorado. Each book is filled with iconic and memorable images from local area historical organizations and the families that founded the Front Range. Each book is offered for only $29.95 — $15 off the $44.95 retail price — plus flat-rate shipping for a limited time only! Both books ship in early December, in time for gift giving.

Pre-order your copies and take advantage of this savings today!

Greater Boulder Memories: The Early Years

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Longmont Memories: The Early Years

Offer expires Oct. 31, 2018

Pre-order online and save with flat-rate shipping at

FrontRange.PictorialBook.com

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AGING HEALTHFULLY

Aging and memory problems: When to seek help

By Darren Thornberry Aging at Altitude

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diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is very difficult news for the patient and his or her family. It’s so important, right from the start, to separate fact from fiction in order to see the best possible post-diagnosis health outcome. Dr. Ilene Naomi Rusk, co-director of the Healthy Brain Program at the Brain and Behavior Clinic in Boulder, has graciously fielded a few questions, the answers to which we believe will benefit our readers.

What are some symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s?

Dr. Rusk: Often it starts with cognitive problems such as memory loss, but changes in behavior or depression can also be early warning signs. People present differently. In the case of Alzheimer’s, we see it now as a chronic illness and the disease may take root decades before the patient is symptomatic.

Often the onset is insidious, and a patient might not realize they are experiencing early cognitive decline. Getting checked early is important.

Are dementia and Alzheimer’s the same thing?

Dr. Rusk: We differentiate between the dementias, and Alzheimer’s is just one of them.

Others include frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease, to name a few. There are diagnostic tests such as neuropsychological evaluations and neuroimaging such as MRIs available to help differentiate the types of FALL 2018

cognitive problems a person is experiencing and diagnose the type of dementia they have.

Are you seeing a trend in the average age at which people are being diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s?

Dr. Rusk: Sadly, sometimes patients are not being diagnosed soon enough, but we are seeing some younger patients in their 50s experiencing symptoms.

Many patients, though, are being diagnosed in their 60s and 70s.

The truth of the matter is that we are getting better at picking up these problems much earlier than ever before.

What preventive measures can help against dementia?

Dr. Rusk: There are so many great data-driven “prevention” strategies we can tap into. My motto is “You’re never too young to start caring for your brain.”

Certain types of cognitive training can be valuable; so can diet and exercise. We need to keep cultivating good secure relationships and remembering our sense of purpose. We live around a lot of toxins, so it’s important to be eating “clean” foods and using healthy body

care products. Something as simple as meditation is so good for the brain. A regular mindfulness practice like meditation can actually increase the size of the hippocampus – the brain’s memory center. It also gives us resilience in the face of a difficulties. Reducing sugars and simple carbohydrates have been shown to benefit the brain. Heart health is directly connected to brain health. The importance of good sleep cannot be overstated.

When we sleep, we eliminate toxins from the brain. Sleep is a restorative cleaning period. And exercise – moving the body in a way that’s recommended by a doctor – helps psychologically, can be a big stress reducer, and builds growth factors in the brain.

Why do some people get dementia while others don’t?

Dr. Rusk: That’s the big question. Well, there might be certain genes such as (APOE4), which predispose some people to it, but it’s a complex interaction between genes, metabolic factors, and environmental stressors. Head traumas, emotional trauma, stress and depression may contribute as well.

How can a patient with a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s respond with hope?

Dr. Rusk: For the first time we are now able to offer some hope to people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. We encourage people to get involved in making the important lifestyle changes necessary to improve their brain health and reduce the causes of the disease.

There are so many ways to stay engaged, which benefit people with early dementias. Look at all the prevention strategies and try to stay empowered.

Take a look at The End Of Alzheimer’s, a new book by Dr. Dale Bredesen. Begin to think about inflammation and other root causes. Staying connected to family and friends and having engaged doctors is vital. And if it’s your loved one who is suffering, as you’re caring for and loving them, reach out your hand and try to get lots of support for yourself too. Remember, your loved one may want to withdraw or isolate themselves, but that human connection is good for our hearts and our brains.

The Brain and Behavior Clinic believes in looking for the root causes of cognitive decline, not just treating the symptoms.

The Clinic addresses cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s with the latest in functional medicine approaches, positive neuropsychology and resiliencebuilding.

The Brain and Behavior Clinic 2523 Broadway Ave., Ste. 200, Boulder, 303.938.9244, healthybrain.clinic, DrRusk.com.

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The foundation for a beautiful room.

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AGING AT ALTITUDE

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Social Security: Medicare, explained

By Nicole Tiggemann Tribune News Service

S

ocial Security and Medicare have a few things in common. Both programs help safeguard millions of Americans as well as improve the quality of life for our family and friends. Although both programs are household names, many people may not be familiar with the details of Medicare.

Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. The program helps with the cost of health care, but it doesn’t cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. You have choices for how you get Medicare coverage.

If you choose to have original Medicare coverage, you can buy a Medicare supplement policy (called Medigap) from a private

includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B. Some plans include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) and other extra benefits and services.

insurance company to cover some of the costs that Medicare does not.

Medicare has four parts: • Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay). Part A also pays for some home health care and hospice care.

•

•

Medicare Part B (medical insurance) helps pay for services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)

•

Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Some people with limited resources and income may also be able to get Extra Help with the costs – monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments – related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,900 per year. You must meet the resources and income requirement.

Medicare’s different parts are further explained in our publication at socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/EN-05-10043.pdf.

If you can’t afford to pay your Medicare premiums and other medical costs, you may be able to get help from your state. States offer programs for people eligible for or entitled to Medicare who have low income.

Some programs may pay for Medicare premiums and some pay Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. To qualify, you must have Medicare Part A and have limited income and resources.

You can learn more about Medicare, including how to apply for Medicare and get a replacement Medicare card, at socialsecurity.gov/benefits/ medicare.

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Copyright©2018 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation (“Fairway”) NMLS#2289. 4750 S. Biltmore Lane, Madison, WI 53718, 1-866-912-4800. All rights reserved.

Fairway is not affiliated with any government agencies. These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency. Reverse mortgage borrowers are required to obtain an eligibility certificate by receiving counseling sessions with a HUD-approved agency. The youngest borrower must be at least 62 years old. Monthly reverse mortgage advances may affect eligibility for some other programs. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement. Not all customers will qualify. Information, rates and programs are subject to change without notice. All products are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and limitations may apply.

FALL 2018

AGING AT ALTITUDE

27

AGING HEALTHFULLY

Keep skin fresh with technology advancements in beauty enhancements

By Shelley Widhalm Aging at Altitude

O

lder adults who love Colorado’s active outdoor lifestyle also face the damaging effects of weather and sun. They may want to match the youthful feeling inside with the way their skin looks on the outside.

Three technological advancements in beauty enhancements can help do that, medical-grade microneedling, halo lasers and a special skin gel, said Dr. Andrew Goldman, a double board certified facial plastic surgeon and medical director of Laser & Cosmetic Associates of Boulder.

“The latest technology improvements are really with

deeper microneedling,” said Goldman, who with his team of doctors and aestheticians provides comprehensive facial rejuvenation and plastic surgery skin care through medical-grade laser, surgical and non-surgical procedures.

Microneedling is a dermaroller procedure that uses small needles to prick skin tissue, generating new collagen and tissue for smoother, firmer and more toned skin.

In the last one to two years, the procedure has been improved with longer needles able to go deeper into the skin and stimulate the collagen in a more productive way, Goldman said. The stimulation helps thicken and tighten the skin, remove damage and debris, and

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Linda Phibbs, a medical aesthetician at Laser & Cosmetic Associates of Boulder, performs a halo laser treatment on a patient. (Photo: Laser & Cosemetic Associates of Boulder).

relax the fine lines that cause wrinkles, he said.

“It creates younger, healthier improved skin quality,” Goldman said. “It helps you look younger, and it helps the skin be healthier.”

Another improvement in facial rejuvenation is the halo laser, a hybrid fractional laser system combining two laser wavelengths to stimulate collagen, tighten the skin and decrease wrinkling.

“It’s more intense and therapeutic and results-

oriented,” Goldman said. “It’s much more intense for most patients. They are going to see two to three times more impact with laser than with microneedling.”

Microneedling requires about four treatments over six weeks, while halo lasers take two to three treatments over three months, Goldman said. A retreatment is recommended with microneedling at 18 months and halo lasers at 18 to 24 months, he said.

Another tactic to prevent aging is using topical products, such as growth factor gels that can be applied to the skin to improve the health of skin cells and to help them resist the process of aging and sun damage.

“The greatest improvement in technology is we can go deeper and have greater impact with less downtime without as much discomfort and recovery issues,” Goldman said. “With these technologies, we’re able to get further faster.”

Laser & Cosmetic Associates of Boulder 4745 Arapahoe Ave., Ste. 115, Boulder, 303.558.8800 enhanceyourskin.com.

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Safe and effective: Choose physical therapy for your back pain (BPT) - If you’re living with low back pain, you’re not alone. The condition is the leading cause of disability in the United States.

Studies show 80 percent of American adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. If low back pain turns from short-term to chronic (lasting three months or longer), it can impact your overall quality of life.

Modern society craves quickfix solutions to even complex problems, but this mindset can be particularly counterproductive when it comes to low back pain. Studies show that low back pain is often overtreated, particularly when it comes to the use of opioids, imaging scans (such as MRIs and X-rays), and surgery. Guidelines recommend first trying exercise and other conservative approaches instead.

“When it comes to low back pain, the best advice is to move,” said APTA spokesperson Colleen Louw, PT, MEd. “Most low back pain will resolve on its own and responds positively to increased movement and regular exercise.”

As America seeks solutions to its ongoing opioid epidemic, patients and prescribers should be especially cautious about treating low back pain with opioids. Opioids come with a list of serious potential side effects, and every day more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for opioid misuse.

Meanwhile, long-term use of opioids might not be particularly helpful for low back pain, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines urging the use of safer alternatives, including physical therapy, for most non-cancer-related chronic pain conditions.

Physical therapists can play a valuable role in the patient FALL 2018

education process, including setting realistic expectations for recovery with or without opioids.

Physical therapists are movement experts who optimize quality of life through prescribed exercise, hands-on care and patient education.

A physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation that includes: • A review of your health history.

• Questions about your specific symptoms.

• A thorough examination that includes assessing the quality and quantity of your movements, and any movement behaviors that might put you at risk for delayed recovery.

• Tests to identify signs or symptoms that could indicate a serious health problem, such as broken bones or cancer.

• Assessment of how you use your body at work, home, during sports and at leisure.

An active treatment plan from a physical therapist can help you improve your mobility while managing your pain, whereas opioids only mask the sensation of pain.

Here are four reasons to choose physical therapy for your back pain: • Physical therapy is a safe and effective alternative to opioids. While doctorprescribed opioids are

appropriate in some cases, choosing a safer alternative, like physical therapy, eliminates the risk of misuse and avoids the potential negative side effects. Your physical therapist will set realistic expectations for recovery, with or without opioids.

• Physical therapists help you help yourself. Physical therapists empower you to be an active participant in your own treatment.

Depending on the severity of your pain, your therapist may work collaboratively with other health professionals to ensure a comprehensive course of treatment.

• Physical therapy is cost

effective. A recent study shows patients with low back pain who consult physical therapists early in their treatment processes incur lower out-of-pocket medical costs, with less probability of accruing expenses associated with opioid prescriptions, advanced imaging services or emergency room visits.

• Physical therapy is accessible. You do not need a physician referral to access physical therapists’ services in the U.S. To find more information and a physical therapist in your area, visit moveforwardpt.com.

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AGING HEALTHFULLY

Seniors and pets: Getting a pet can improve aging in place

By Judy Finman Aging at Altitude

A

s we age, loneliness may become an unwelcome companion. But the company of a pet and the associated responsibilities of living with and caring for an animal friend often give new meaning and purpose to the life of a senior. Fortunately, living in Colorado and in Boulder Valley especially is conducive to seniors and pets living together.

Maggie McSchaefer, director of strategic initiatives at Humane Society of Boulder Valley, is an expert when it comes to seniors and pets.

“In Boulder and the surrounding community we are lucky that the majority of

senior housing options are pet friendly and even encourage residents to share their homes with a companion animal. For those seniors considering adding a pet to their lives, the Humane Society of Boulder Valley offers complimentary pet adoptions and is happy to assist seniors in identifying the right fit to complement their lifestyle.”

She points out, “There are many scientific studies to suggest that companion animals promote mental and physical health for their senior guardians.

Pets can be a motivation for seniors to stay active, and the loving relationships can provide the comfort and companionship to bolster emotional health.

“The pet-friendly community of Colorado makes it simpler for (Photo courtesy of Humane Society of Boulder Valley)..

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AGING AT ALTITUDE

seniors or other pet guardians who may not have easy access to transportation to provide excellent care for their pets.

From house call veterinarians to mobile groomers and inhome trainers and behavior consultants, professional services for seniors and their pets are readily available and can happen in the comfort of their own home.”

Even one’s social life may improve, McSchaefer explains.

“There is an undeniable social quality to pet guardianship that may help seniors maintain a robust social life. The relationships people have with their pets are often some of the most rewarding, and the companionship is mutually enjoyable for both guardian and their dear pet. Also, pets are an excellent conversation starter, and dog walks, trips to the pet store, or even a neighbor glimpsing a kitty in the window

may be the perfect icebreaker for new friendships to begin and connections to be made!”

Humane Society of Boulder Valley Marketing and Community Relations Manager Amanda Boerman suggests another worthwhile relationship for seniors and pet animals: volunteerism.

“Not everyone is able to have a pet, but they may have time to give to animals in need.

HSBV has a variety of volunteer roles – from administration to daily animal care – that support animals in need and our community. Volunteering allows for people to make connections with animals, even if their living arrangements prevent adopting a pet of their own.”

Humane Society of Boulder Valley 2323 55th Street, Boulder, 303.442.4030, boulderhumane.org DAILY CAMERA

Taking steps to prevent falls

By Family Features

W

hen you’re young, an injury from a fall may sideline you for a few days or weeks, but a full recovery is usually quick. As you get older, the consequences of falls can become more serious, setting up a sequence of events that can have longstanding implications on independence and health.

It doesn’t have to be that way, however. Although falls typically become more common and can be more serious as you age, falls are not a natural part of getting older. In fact, most falls are preventable. Knowing the factors that put you at greater risk of falling and taking proper steps can help prevent falls.

Risk factors for falls in older people include overall health (chronic diseases and physical conditions), environment (hazards and situations at home) and behaviors, such as rushing around or standing on a chair to reach something.

These steps from the experts

at the National Council on Aging can help prevent falls: • Stay active. Exercise helps increase or maintain coordination and muscle tone that can keep you steady on your feet and your reactions sharp.

Walking, gardening or taking an exercise class are just a few ways to keep your heart healthy and your muscles toned.

• Manage underlying chronic conditions.

The better your overall health, the lower your risk of falls. Chronic conditions like diabetes, depression, osteoarthritis, obesity and high blood pressure can increase your risk.

Managing those conditions by seeing your health care provider regularly, taking medication as prescribed, eating a healthy diet and choosing appropriate exercise can help prevent falls.

• Review medications.

Side effects from and interactions with some medications can cause dizziness that can increase the risk of falling. Types of medicine associated with an increased risk include sedatives and diuretics as well as those used to treat high blood pressure and anxiety. Talk to your doctor about all prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines you are taking.

• Get your eyes checked.

Vision changes as you age, so it is important to get your eyes checked once a year to make sure your prescription is up to date and screen for any eye-related diseases like cataracts and glaucoma,

PERSONAL

which are usually treatable when caught at an early stage.

• Assess your home.

Look around your home for potential hazards.

Consider enlisting the help of a family member or neighbor who may be more likely to notice things you don’t. Install grab bars in your bathrooms, get rid of slippery throw rugs (or add a rubber backing) and keep passageways inside and outside your home well-lit and free from clutter and debris.

For more tips and information, visit acl.gov/ fallsprevention.

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FREE!

We’re hosting a robust lineup of speakers and topics for you to choose. Sessions held in Levin Hall accommodate up to 300 attendees and the L130 sessions accommodate up to 65.

First come, first seated.

LOBBY, ROOM L130 10 a.m. / Aging with Attitude, A Focus on Skin Health Linda Phibbs, Medical Aesthetician, Laser & Cosmetic Associates of Boulder 10:30 a.m. / Staying Physically Functional & Independent Through Your Golden Years Cliff Gronseth, M.D., Spine West Physiatry and Sports Physicians

MONDAY, OCT. 22 | 9:30 A.M. TO 3 P.M. Boulder JCC, 6007 Oreg Ave., Boulder

The Aging at Altitude Expo will offer an abundance of tips, advice and the latest trends in health and nutrition, financial and retirement planning, real estate from active adult communities to assisted living facilities, home care, leisure, lifestyle, fitness and more.

Exhibitors Academy Senior Living

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Bill Allen, RE/MAX of Boulder GroovyTek Blue Sky Colorado Real Estate & Property Management Boulder County Area Agency on Aging Boulder Valley Hearing Brookdale Senior Living Crist Mortuary Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado Fairway Independent

Hearing HealthCare Centers Holos Health Humane Society of Boulder Valley

Resource Mortgage Group RE/MAX of Boulder Silver Surfers Digital Media Spine West Sunrise of Boulder The Brain & Behavior Clinic The Peaks at Old Laramie Trail

Jack Bayliss/ Edward Jones TRU Community Care John McElveen, RE/MAX of Boulder

TRU PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)

Laser and Cosmetic Associates of Boulder

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Boulder JCC, 6007 Oreg Ave. OR Naropa Nalanda Campus, 6287 Arapahoe Ave. Two free shuttles will run every 10-15 minutes (9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.) from the Naropa Nalanda Campus to the Boulder JCC. The shuttle is made possible through a partnership with Via Mobility Services..

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AGING AT ALTITUDE

11 a.m. / Tai Chi Flow Demonstration A. Packard, YMCA of Boulder Valley 11:30 a.m. / Taking Care of Your Family through Prearrangement Matt Fox, Crist Mortuary 12 p.m. / Oral History - Preserving Your Life Story John Olson, Video55 12:30 p.m. / Intelligent Hearing Technology for Older Ears and Active Years, Elevated Hearing for Masterful Living Chelsea Walters, BS, BC-HIS, Board Certified, Family Hearing

LEVIN HALL 9:30 a.m. / Game-Changing Hearing Technology Sara Lewandowski, Boulder Valley Ear, Nose & Throat 10 a.m. / Cannabis and Age-Related Disease Dr. Joseph Cohen, D.O, Holos Health 10:30 a.m. / Helping Seniors Remain Safely in Their Communities Leslie Mader, M.A., TRU PACE Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly 11 a.m. / PANEL • Extend Your Life & Joy Through Learning, Matt Jenkins, BVSD Lifelong Learning • Mindfulness and Full Presence Caregiving, Jyoti Sharp, MA, Windhorse Elder Care • Why Do I Fall?, Sarah Frydrych Griffith, PT, DPT, Life Care Center of Longmont • What The Hack: Best Practices for Staying Safe Online, Samantha Gomez, GroovyTek • Benefits of Pet Guardianship, Maggie McSchaefer, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Humane Society of Boulder Valley 12:30 p.m. / REVERSE MORTGAGE PANEL • Harlan J. Accola, CRMP, Branch Manager, Fairway Independent Mortgage • Gabe Bodner, Reverse Mortgage Division Manager, Premier Mortgage • Duane Duggan, ABR, CRS, CRP, CDPE, CSP, CIPS, GRI, Re/Max of Boulder 2 p.m. / “Senior Living” Getting to the Right Place?

Marcia Klassen, Brookdale Senior Living 2:30 p.m. / Brain Health, Alzheimer’s and the Bredesen Protocol Dr. Ilene Rusk - Director, The Brain and Behavior Clinic DAILY CAMERA

AGING HEALTHFULLY

Cannabis for aging adults

By Elise Oberliesen Aging at Altitude

C

annabis use is not just for people looking for a quick high before attending a concert. While cannabis certainly delivers a body high or a head high – people with age-related diseases turn to cannabis for its healing properties and pain relief, says Dr. Joseph Cohen, DO, with Holos Health, a Boulder-based medical marijuana and alternative health clinic staffed by physicians and nurses.

Even though there are still very few U.S. based studies that offer scientific evidence to back the health benefits of cannabis use for ailments like pain and inflammation from arthritis, to multiple sclerosis and dementia and Alzheimer’s, Dr. Cohen said it hasn’t stopped patients from booking appointments for cannabis-related medical treatment.

Besides the usual list of symptoms from your garden variety of diseases, Dr. Cohen said cannabis is now used to treat people with cancer.

“As a cancer treatment, what we see mostly, we believe it [medical marijuana] can work on a variety of cancers, like breast, prostate and colon,” Dr. Cohen said. Adding that medical marijuana shows some promise in treating glioblastoma, the rare type of brain that took Senator John McCain’s life.

When patients are diagnosed with cancer, they often end up on a cocktail of pills to treat their cancer and then discover all the side effects that go with drugs used during cancer treatment, said Dr. Cohen.

“Whether they are having anxiety, depression, insomnia, nausea, lost appetite that patients undergo when going through cancer treatment, cannabis treats all of those symptoms, which means [often times] FALL 2018

patients need to use far fewer medications to treat those symptoms,” Dr. Cohen said.

Besides managing the side effects from cancer drugs, Dr. Cohen said cannabinoids found in cannabis, can also be used to treat cancer itself. Even though the FDA has not yet approved cannabis as an official cancer treatment, plenty of people with cancer wind up in Dr. Cohen’s office.

Dr. Cohen said cannabis attacks cancer through several distinct biological processes.

One example, through a process called apoptosis, Cohen said, “Cannabis activates death on cancer cells,” while leaving healthy non-cancerous cells intact. In traditional cancer treatments, the medications often target both the cancer cells and non-cancerous cells.

A trip to the store Sourcing high quality marijuana is not that hard when you walk through the doors of Karing Kind, the first “fully licensed” retail establishment to open in Boulder. Karing Kind Owner Dylan Donaldson said today’s customers are highly knowledgeable when it comes to cannabis consumption.

“Our clients are typically older and educated. They want fair prices and consistent quality.

Our goal is to provide as much education as possible about the different products and to figure out what they are trying to do

with cannabis,” Donaldson said.

But when it comes to pain relief, for say, arthritis, Donaldson said, CBD oil and topicals, like salves and lotions or transdermal patches work well for localized pain. He said some people prefer CBD oil, because it only has trace elements of THC, which makes it less detectable on a drug test. Plus, CBD oil does not have the psychoactive effects, (like feeling high) unlike THC. Depending on the severity of pain and need for pain relief, Donaldson said customers report that products with both THC and CBD deliver the best results.

“For people with arthritis, we gear them toward using the topical, edible, or a high dose CBD, which comes in topicals and edibles,” he said.

Karing Kind offers high doses of CBD products with either

BEFORE

– 10 mg CBD to 1 mg THC, or 20 mg CBD to 1 mg THC. Anyone who battles pain knows the true meaning of a hard night’s sleep. It’s a known fact that pain can wake you from a deep sleep. For that reason, Donaldson said some customers turn to cannabis products because it helps promote better sleep while it tamps down the pain.

Holos Health 3000 Center Green Drive, Ste. 210, Boulder, 720.273.3568, holoshealth.org.

Karing Kind 5854 Rawhide Court, Boulder, 303.449.9333, karingkind.com.

Magnolia Road Cannabis Co. 1750 30th St., Ste 84A& B, Boulder, 720.502.4867, magnoliaroadcc.com.

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REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

7 surprising benefits of doing jigsaw puzzles

(BPT) - There’s a quiet movement going on in this country, and it doesn’t involve apps, data or the latest fad.

Following the lead of vinyl record albums, coloring books and traditional board games, jigsaw puzzles are seeing a resurgence in popularity.

Perhaps, because it’s an opportunity to unplug and give yourself and family an escape from the information overload that is buzzing through the very fabric of our lives 24/7.

Wrestling yourself away from screens, devices, even the television can be a nearly impossible task, but it’s vital to our mental and even physical health. A jigsaw puzzle requires your full attention and therein lies the magic. Everyone from tweens and teens to millennials and over-worked parents to seniors are returning to this

Here are some benefits of puzzling that might surprise you.

quiet pastime of childhood. Call it a retro revolution.

Ravensburger, a company that has been making high-quality, premium jigsaw puzzles for 134 years, recently partnered with Target to offer a new line of 500- and 1,000-piece puzzles because anyone and everyone can benefit from puzzling.

You have questions.

We have answers.

Jigsaw puzzles exercise the left and right sides of your brain at once Your left brain is logical and works in a linear fashion, while your right brain is creative and intuitive. When you’re doing a jigsaw puzzle, both sides are engaged, according to Sanesco Health, an industry leader in neurotransmitter testing. Think of it as a mental workout that improves your problem-solving skills and attention span. It’s no surprise that Bill Gates admits to being an avid puzzler.

Jigsaw puzzles improve your short-term memory Can’t remember what you had for lunch yesterday? Jigsaw puzzles can help with that.

Doing a puzzle reinforces connections between brain cells, improves mental speed and is an especially effective way to improve short-term memory.

Jigsaw puzzles improve your visual-spatial reasoning When you do a jigsaw puzzle, you need to look at individual pieces and figure out where they’ll fit into the big picture.

If you do it regularly, you’ll improve visual-spatial reasoning, which helps with driving a car, packing, using a map, learning and following dance moves and a whole host of other things.

Jigsaw puzzles are a great meditation tool and stress reliever Focusing on one image for a long period of time, without extraneous thoughts

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AGING AT ALTITUDE

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entering your mind, is in itself meditation. By doing a jigsaw puzzle, you’re getting the same benefits as if you meditated.

The stress of everyday life evaporates and is replaced by a sense of peace and tranquility that lowers your blood pressure and heart rate.

from the bustle and unrelenting stimulus of today’s digital lifestyle.

Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to connect with family Starting a jigsaw puzzle and keeping it on a table in your living room or kitchen is an invitation for the whole family to participate, whenever they have a few minutes to sit down and focus. It’s a tactic that parents of teens can use for starting a conversation while working toward a shared goal.

Conversely, jigsaw puzzles are great for some needed alone time Puzzling is perfect for people who want a quiet, solo break

You’ll live longer, better if you puzzle regularly Studies show that people who do jigsaw and crossword puzzles have longer life spans with less chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss or dementia. Puzzling stimulates the brain and actually wards off the plaque that is the marker of Alzheimer’s, according to a recent study published in the Archives of Neurology. The study compared brain scans of 75-year-olds to 25-year-olds.

The elderly people who did puzzles regularly had brain scans comparable to the 25-year-olds.

Doing jigsaw puzzles is good for your mind, body and spirit.

So, on your next lazy Sunday (or better yet – crazed Monday), unplug, put your phone on “Do Not Disturb,” and get swept away by a puzzle.

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Visit SunriseSeniorLiving.com/CO or call 720-262-9944 to schedule a tour. © 2018 Sunrise Senior Living Sunrise Senior Living received the highest numerical score in the J.D. Power 2018 Senior Living Satisfaction Study, based on 2,539 total responses among 7 senior living communities measuring experiences and perceptions of residents/family members/friends, surveyed October–December 2017.

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AGING AT ALTITUDE

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REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

The benefits of staying active

By Adam Goldstein Aging at Altitude

A

ndra Coberly has seen firsthand how continuing education can serve as a boon and a blessing for active adults.

Coberly, spokeswoman for the YMCA of Boulder Valley, is in a unique position to speak to the benefits of an active lifestyle for older adults. Like its fellow organizations across the state and the country, the YMCA of Boulder Valley offers a wide variety of classes, workshops and clubs for older patrons. These activities range from physical fitness to arts and crafts, and Coberly says the effect is similar across the board.

Of course, obvious physical benefits come along with classes that guide older students through a yoga practice or a Silver Sneakers program. But Coberly is quick to point to the advantages that come in addition to the physical perks.

“The benefit that a lot of people don’t talk about is the social element of doing classes,” Coberly said as a knitting club composed of older craftspeople met in a downstairs room “There’s a tremendous benefit in staying social and having a community ... they find a new social circle around their classes. They really find a community that allows them to stay engaged.”

“They laugh. They find new friends. It extends beyond where they’re taking the class,” she added.

The YMCA of Boulder is just one of several local organizations that’s dedicated to connecting seniors to those kinds of learning opportunities, chances to find a sense of enrichment, physical health and community.

At the YMCA specifically, 36

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classes range from pickleball to courses specifically designed to help those recovering from specific conditions like cancer or surgery.

“We offer those traditional senior fitness classes, that is Silver Sneakers, moving for better balance. They’re exercise classes geared toward people who are aging and whose bodies need a little extra support,” Coberly said, adding that a full list of year-round classes and clubs is available at ymcabv.org.

For older students looking to share the enrichment experience with younger peers, the Boulder Valley School District offers a wide variety of classes for students of all ages. In addition to classes in the categories of life and home, creative and artistic and business, the BVSD offers classes specifically tailored to helping older and younger students connect.

These classes, which include cooking, creative arts and health and fitness, offer a bridge between pupils of different generations. According to BVSD spokesman Matt Jenkins, these courses have frequently provided a valuable connection between grandparents and grandchildren, or simply between an older mentor and a younger student looking to learn new skills. For a full list of options, visit bvsd.org.

These options come along with a wide variety of classes, activities and other learning opportunities that are posted regularly through the city’s Area Agency on Aging. For local classes that run that gamut from home safety to physical fitness, visit bouldercounty. org/departments/communityservices/area-agency-aging.

All of these routes are ideal for finding a way to keep fit, keep curious and find a new

community of friends and likeminded learners. Coberly didn’t have to look any further than the YMCA’s sewing club to find a real-time, moving example of the benefits of continuing education.

“Our stitches group are all downstairs in our lobby knitting or sewing. They’re chatting and laughing,” Coberty said.

“They’re such a cool group.”

YMCA of Boulder Valley Multiple Boulder County locations. 2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette (Corporate Office), 303.664.5455 ymcabv.org.

BVSD Lifelong Learning 6500 Arapahoe Road, Boulder, 720.561.5968, bvsd.org/lll.

Boulder County Area Agency on Aging 3482 Broadway, Boulder, 303.441.3570, bouldercounty.org/ departments/communityservices/area-agency-aging.

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REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

Lifelong Colorado initiative launches

By Denver Regional Council on Aging

O

n Sept. 18 Colorado became the third state in the nation to be designated as age-friendly, joining AARP’s Network of AgeFriendly States and Communities. The recognition comes as part of the state’s introduction of Lifelong Colorado, an initiative that addresses the challenges of a growing population of older Coloradans. It aims to significantly increase the number of age-friendly cities and counties in Colorado.

Lifelong Colorado is a growing collaboration among Colorado’s Governor’s Office, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), DRCOG, AARP, Colorado Counties Inc., the Colorado Municipal League, and several communities around the state. It will be co-chaired by Colorado’s Chief Operating Officer and Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne and John Suthers, mayor of

Colorado Springs.

DRCOG’s Boomer Bond program played a large role in the designation and the formation of the state’s initiative, as communities throughout the region have gone through the assessment process to examine how they might improve conditions for residents who wish to age in place.

Lifelong Colorado will provide a statewide umbrella of resources for communities, identify and encourage best-practices, empower and facilitate local and regional efforts, and coordinate common public information strategies.

The state’s Senior Advisor on Aging will assess the efforts and advance the initiative so that it is sustainable in the years to come.

Find more information about Lifelong Colorado at colorado.gov/pacific/dola/ lifelong-colorado-initiative.

A WELCOMING SPACE TO CALL YOUR OWN

The Y is a place of community, wellness and healing, providing people of all ages with warm smiles, expert instruction and opportunities to support the spirit, mind and body. Find your strength in our many fitness classes, including Gentle Yoga, Moving for Better Balance and Fit After 50. Find your community among numerous clubs and social groups.

The Y accepts SilverSneakers and Silver&Fit and also offers programs that target specific conditions including diabetes, cancer, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and arthritis.

YMCA OF BOULDER VALLEY • ymcabv.org Boulder • Lafayette • Longmont

FALL 2018

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37

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

Social media and technology for aging adults

Discover How Great Life Can Be!

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Schedule a Tour Today (303) 440-6050 660 Old Laramie Trail • Lafayette, CO 80026 | www.ThePeaksatOldLaramieTrail.com 38

AGING AT ALTITUDE

By Andy Stonehouse Aging at Altitude

W

e live in a fully modernized world, where interactions with smartphones, smart appliances and the everchanging array of social media are a daily necessity. But if you’re in the age category that still remembers black and white TV – or simplicities like letter writing and rotary dial phones, today’s technology can be a lot to handle. Especially when social media and digital tools are so critical to keeping in touch with family and friends.

Luckily, a group of enterprising and helpful individuals have come along to provide services specifically geared at getting older adults up to speed on the social media and technological revolution.

Diana DeBrouhun runs Silver Surfers Digital, a company focused on providing social media coaching to folks who

are “behind the digital curve,” as she elegantly notes some Baby Boomers and seniors have quickly become.

“My friend’s dad was a chemist, but at 88 in retirement he was still fiddling around with some innovative products, and he wanted some assistance in figuring out Facebook,” DeBrohun says. “We also have other clients who are used to doing things like calling the airlines on the phone and spending hours to buy tickets, something their kids note can be done quickly online.”

DeBrohun’s strategy is to provide help that is simple, engaging and respectful, traits that have been somewhat overlooked as technological innovations have left manners in the dust – and produced a steep learning curve for those who haven’t grown up immersed in digital technology.

She also says she prefers to receive assistance requests directly from clients themselves, not adult children who have grown frustrated trying to teach mom how to use her smartphone. Her clients may also be in a situation where a family member has “put them on Facebook,” but they don’t have the first clue how to access that information, much less what kinds of material are appropriate, or even seen by the general public.

“People will get confused about whether or not the news feed is direct communication with them, and what can be seen by whom. I let them know that they have control, but they just need to know where to go and find the privacy settings,” she says. “My goal is to work on confidence in these technologies DAILY CAMERA

– just because you don’t know something, doesn’t mean it’s unknowable,” she adds.

Matt Munro of Groovy Tek takes a similar approach, with one-on-one training as well as a busy series of workshops and presentations at area senior centers and community halls.

Munro says he believes the youth-oriented players in the technology came are doing a disservice to seniors by leaving them out of the loop, when it comes to new communication and technological aids.

“I realized there was a big gap between digital natives and everyone else, and it really seemed like Silicon Valley was driven by servicing those who inherently got and understood change, versus folks who are slowly adopting.”

To that end, Munro says his role is to help explain the rules of the digital road to older clients. Do you need to comment on every single post

you see online? Are you sharing too much of your personal details with an unknown online audience?

“We also take a direct, sideby-side approach, and really focus on those lost arts – eye contact, being patient and taking notes – as most of the instruction they’ve received from relatives or phone store clerks is too quick to process,” he adds. “There’s a thirst in all ages to understand, and this is a really ripe arena to bring people together who want to connect.”

Other companies in the Boulder area provide unique services designed with older clients’ communications needs in mind. Video55 in Broomfield works with seniors to produce compelling, engaging oral history videos – a way for seniors to capture and preserve their life stories, memories, photos and favorite music with their family and friends.

John Olson, producer and

director of Video55’s short vignette pieces, says he invariably hears family members say “I never knew that before” when viewing the completed pieces with their storytelling elders.

“Current video cameras, audio, and editing equipment make oral histories easier to produce and more engaging than ever, and social media allows seniors to share them, Olson says. “Oral histories preserve life stories forever.”

And on an entirely different angle, Recycled Photo offers a chance for seniors still using outof-date photographic or video gear to trade in their goods – some of which may have new appeal to younger enthusiasts.

“Considering most seniors have amassed much photo equipment during their lives, and most of it is likely sitting in their closets unused, we would like them to get the stuff out and turn it into cash,” says Vahe

Christianian, who previously founded LifePics and served as vice president of sales and marketing at Mike’s Camera.

“Our experience shows that many of these seniors do not realize that there is still some value to that older gear, and we have global resources that can find a new home for it. Worst case, we will recycled it properly rather than have it go to a landfill.”

Silver Surfers Digital Longmont, 720.491.1892, silversurfersdigital.com Groovy Tek Boulder, 877.201.3586, groovytek.com Video55 Boulder, 303.632.6215, video55.net Recycled Photo 686 S. Taylor Ave., Ste. 101, Louisville,303.589.2765, recycledphoto.com.

Bringing Print to Life Through Audio Broadcasting!

Audio Information Network of Colorado is a volunteer service that broadcasts print, like this paper, in audio format, listen today!

Volunteers record publications in English and Spanish for this free 24/7 audio access for blind, visually impaired, and print-disabled individuals.

Learn more at aincolorado.org or call 1-877-443-2001 Toll-Free FALL 2018

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REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

New technologies help seniors age in place — and not feel alone

By Gabi Redford Kaiser Health News

N

ancy Delano, 80, of Denver has no plans to slow down anytime soon.

She still drives to movies, plays and dinners out with friends. A retired elder care nurse who lives alone, she also knows that “when you reach a certain age, emergencies can happen fast.” So, when her son, Tom Rogers, talked to her about installing a remote monitoring system, she didn’t hesitate.

With motion sensors placed throughout the house, Rogers can see if his mom is moving around, if she’s sleeping (or not), if she forgot to lock the door and, based on a sophisticated algorithm that detects behavioral patterns, whether her activity level or eating habits have changed significantly, for instance.

“It gives both of us peace of mind, particularly as she ages and wants to live at home,” said Rogers, who lives near Washington, D.C., hundreds of miles away from her.

At $45-$60 a month (plus an upfront fee of $100 to $200), Alarm. com’s Wellness system is markedly less expensive than options such as hiring a home health aide to check on her or moving her into a retirement community. The average cost of nursing home care exceeds $95,000 a year, while assisted living and in-home care tops $45,000 annually, according to a 2017 Genworth Financial report.

The costs of nursing home and assisted living care are driving sales – and innovation – in the technology market, said Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute and author of “The Creative Destruction of Medicine: How the Digital Revolution Will Create Better Health Care.”

For many, the technology 40

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offers not just the tools they need to continue to live at home, but newfound confidence and connectedness with faraway family and friends.

Topol calls it “monitored independence,” and it is changing how older generations age in America. “People want to be autonomous, irrespective of age,” he said.

That was certainly the case for Carol Smith, 83, who lives in the Carlsbad by the Sea retirement community in Carlsbad, Calif., with her husband, Ray, 84. “I’m in a wheelchair, so I depend on my husband a lot,” she said.

The Smiths were introduced to the Amazon Echo last February through a pilot program for seniors.

Carol is now able to control lights and the thermostat. She can ask Alexa to remind her to take medications, or to call her brother or even to call for help.

“It gives her a great deal of independence,” Ray said. “If for some reason I have to be away, she’s able to function on her own.

It’s keeping her safe, but closely related to that, it’s allowing her to be independently safe.”

Voice-assistive technologies like the Amazon Echo, Google Home and HomePod are likely to play a bigger role in helping seniors age in place, especially when paired with apps geared specifically for senior living, predicts Majd Alwan, executive director of the LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST). AskMarvee, for instance, integrates with Amazon Echo via an online portal to allow seniors to immediately connect with family members for a quick check-in or if something more serious is going on. (The Basic app is free; premium versions cost $15 or $20 per month.)

LifePod, to be introduced later

this year, takes voice-assisted technology a step further, said Laurie Orlov, founder of Aging in Place Technology Watch. It will allow users to engage with the device, much like Alexa, but will also periodically check in with them independent of a voice prompt, at preprogrammed intervals: Good morning, Nancy.

Did you remember to take your medication?

For Mike Willis, 63, of Guelph, Ontario, getting regular medication prompts means the difference between staying healthy and ending up in the hospital – again.

Willis takes 27 pills a day, most of them anti-rejection drugs to ensure that his body doesn’t reject the heart transplant he received two years ago after contracting viral myocarditis. To keep it all straight, he uses Medisafe, an app that reminds him when it’s time to take his next dose, whether to take the pills with water or food, and what side effects might be attributable to the medication.

“After my transplant, I was a little confused, so I designated my wife, Linda, as a ‘MedFriend,’ which meant she got an alert when I didn’t take my medication,” he said. (The app is free; the Premium version, with additional reminder and Medfriend features, costs $4.99 a month.)

Indeed, the ability to designate a loved one as a second set of eyes and ears can be comforting rather than intrusive, as Willis and Delano have discovered. And yet, there’s a fine line between technology that allows older adults to live independently, and technology that reinforces stereotypical images of aging as a slow decline toward death.

Until recently, Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) – made famous by the “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t

get up” TV ads – was the only reliable technology to help older adults who had fallen, says David Lindeman, director of the Center for Technology and Aging at the University of California-Berkeley.

By the end of March, MedHab, a Texas company best known for its wearable insoles for rehab patients, will begin shipping MyNotifi, a medical alert wristband designed to detect falls and send an alert to a family member or friend. “It looks like a watch, and Mom or Dad can invite anybody they want, family or friends, to get those alerts through the MyNotifi Fall Detection app,” said MedHab President and CEO Johnny Ross. (The device is available for preorder at $299.)

Similar fall detection technologies in various stages of testing include SafelyYou, which uses wall-mounted cameras and software algorithms to detect falls, and UnaliWear’s Kanega watch, which combines fall detection, voice-assisted emergency aid and medication reminders.

“If the goal is independent and connected living, we need solutions that are multifaceted and that connect people with their family, their doctors, their neighbors,” said Jody Holtzman, senior managing partner of Longevity Venture Advisors. “If the technology is framed in the context of fun and convenience, like Alexa, then people will start to buy these things.”

Carol Smith can’t imagine life without Alexa. When I read, “I just say, ‘Alexa, what does this word mean?’ Or I ask Alexa to play the song. Oh, and I’m a basketball fan, but if I can’t stay up late to watch the end of the game, I’ll ask Alexa what the score is the next morning.

There are so many things you can ask her. She’s fun. And she’s always pleasant.”

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Converting Colorado’s written word to the airwaves on Rocky Mountain PBS as well as on the aincolorado.org website and podcasts, plus its call-in phone line services.

There, registered users will find live broadcasts of various regional program streams, plus an entire stream recorded in Spanish.

David Dawson, executive director and founder, says that demand for AINC’s services continues to grow with the state’s booming senior population, and that the organization is always looking for more volunteers.

By Andy Stonehouse Aging at Altitude

F

or those who are visually impaired, the increasingly digitaloriented world of news and even online advertising can be difficult to access. But thanks to a dedicated group of more than 230 volunteer readers, an amazing variety of localized news, feature stories and even information from store ads and rentals listings are available in a 24-hour-a-day audio stream – provided by the Audio Information Network of Colorado.

The Boulder-based nonprofit, celebrating its 29th anniversary in January, provides

Alex Flynn narrates a Daily Camera newspaper story. (Photo: Jonathan Castner).

content from more than 100 Colorado newspapers, plus announcements from city and

county governments.

The material is narrated and recorded and then disseminated

Audio Information Network of Colorado 1700 55th St., Ste. A, Boulder 303.786.7777, aincolorado.org

Adopt a Senior Pet Month!

NOVEMBER 1 - NOVEMBER 30

Waived adoption fees on pets 8 years and older.

2323 55th Street Boulder, CO 80301 303.442.4030 info@boulderhumane.org FALL 2018

Adoption Center Hours

M - F 11 AM– 6:30 PM SAT. & SUN. 10 AM – 4:30 PM AGING AT ALTITUDE

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REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

Healthy Aging Programs Boulder County Area Agency on Aging Healthy Aging Programs offer a comprehensive suite of lifestyle management programs to enhance and support aging in community.

AGING MASTERY PROGRAM The goal of this innovative 10-week program is to change societal expectations about the roles and responsibilities of baby boomers and older adults and to create fun and easy to follow pathways for getting more out of life. Topics include exercise, nutrition, finances, advance care planning, community engagement and healthy relationships. A caregiver version of this program is available as well. Call 303.441.3599.

DIABETES EDUCATION AND SUPPORT GROUP Meets the third Monday of the month at the Lafayette Senior Center, 103 S. Iowa Ave., 11:00 a.m. Facilitated by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. Call 303.441.4995.

DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM Have you been diagnosed with pre-diabetes?

Get the support you need to make healthy lifestyle changes with this year-long program developed by the Centers for Disease Control.

New classes forming throughout the year at various locations. Call 303.441.4583.

HEALTHIER LIVING – CHRONIC DISEASE SELF-MANAGEMENT Healthier Living is a chronic disease selfmanagement program developed with research done at Stanford University. In this six-week workshop, you will learn the skills to manage chronic health problems and get back to enjoying your life. Learn techniques to help change your perspective and manage your chronic condition. Classes meet two and a half hours weekly for six weeks. Call 303.441.3599.

HEALTHIER LIVING – CHRONIC PAIN SELF-MANAGEMENT Learn the skills needed to manage living with chronic pain. The Boulder County Area Agency on Aging offers a six-week course that includes techniques to deal with pain, frustration, isolation and poor sleep; tips for managing activity and rest levels; goal setting and problem solving; and gentle exercises to improve overall fitness. Call 303.441.3599.

HEALTHIER LIVING – DIABETES Living with diabetes presents a number of daily and ongoing concerns. The Healthier Living Program was developed by Stanford University to address these challenges and improve your ability to cope with pain, fatigue, stress and frustration.

Topics include goal setting, making healthy food choices, meal planning, working with your health care team, developing an exercise program and foot care. Call 303.441.3599.

A MATTER OF BALANCE Learn to manage your risk of falling, reduce your fear and strengthen your body. Classes meet weekly for two hours for eight weeks.

Sessions include group discussions and gentle exercises. Call 303.441.3599.

MEDICARE COUNSELING Education and assistance regarding health benefits and preventive screenings. Medicare Basics classes offered throughout the county.

Appointments available: 303.441.1546.

NUTRITION COUNSELING FOR 60+ AND CAREGIVERS Nutrition counseling by a Registered Dietitian is offered without charge to Boulder County residents 60 and over.

For information in English call 303.678.6115.

En espanol 720.296.3656.

NUTRITION EDUCATION Annual Conference and community presentations. Call 303.441.4995.

For more information and schedules: For AAA services: BoulderCountyAging.org.

Wellness and Nutrition: BoulderCountyHealthyAging.org.

Medicare education and counseling: BoulderCountyMedicareHelp.org.

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