Darian Armer, Linda Thorsen Bond, Matthew Van Deventer, Rebecca Furuta, Jared Fiel, Adam Goldstein, Judith Graham, Ben Haney, Sarah Huber, Courtney Johnson, Ross Maak, Christine Stevens, Kristen M. White, Shelley Widhalm
SPECIAL SECTIONS COORDINATOR
Greg Stone
PUBLISHER
Jill Stravolemos
55+ DOWNSIZING
ADVERTISING SALES
Julie Casper, Pete Christiansen, Ruth Garfield, Susan Giglio, Thais Hafer, Keith Kratochvil, Abbie Lance, Billy Magrini, Desirea Martinez, Jeri Martinez, Toni McNeill, Dale Sekuler, Francine Wahlgren
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Jeanine Fritz
As Northern Colorado’s Seniors Housing Professional focusing on real estate moves for the 55+ Community, I am committed to supporting seniors through the downsizing process My clients feel well informed, prepared, and confident every step of the way Downsizing is a big decision No matter what stage of the process you are in, from contemplating to actively downsizing, give me a call and let’s come up with a plan to take you from overwhelmed to overjoyed in the downsizing process.
and naturally promotes healing.”
The technique focuses on specific spinal gateways linked to major body systems, including digestion, immune response, sleep regulation and mobility. By activating these points, practitioners help patients address various age-related concerns.
What sets Spinal Flow apart is its safety and adaptability for individuals with conditions like osteoporosis or past injuries. “It doesn’t involve forceful manipulation, making it an excellent choice for older adults,” Orton notes.
She also emphasizes that the method is grounded in neuroscience. “It supports the body’s natural rhythms and healing processes by improving spinal alignment and nervous system flow,” she says.
The future of healthy aging lies in collaboration. More practitioners are combining their expertise to offer care that looks at the full picture of a person’s physical, neurological, emotional and social health.
“Our goal is to empower patients to be active participants in their care,” says Orton. “Whether they’re receiving support through clinical programs, movement therapies or nervous system work, the aim is the same: to build strength, resilience, and connection.”
This approach encourages patients to manage symptoms and invest in long-term habits that promote vitality Suggestions include regular movement, breathwork, emotional support and consistent check-ins with care providers.
For adults 55 and older, professionals stress the importance of staying proactive about health. They encourage patients to engage in regular movement, maintain a healthy diet, nurture social connections and listen to their bodies.
“Health is not a one-size-fitsall journey,” Cisneros says. “By creating space for individualized care, we help people live not just longer—but better.”
Kaiser Permanente offers flexible care options, including virtual visits
implants that let them see distance, intermediate and up close. We have extended depth of focus lenses that don’t really work like progressives but can give them a quality far and intermediate vision to see their computer screens.”
One of the newest advances in cataract surgery are FDA-approved light adjustable lenses.
“With traditional lenses, surgeons take measurements of the patient’s eye and make an educated guess about which lens will give the patient the clearest vision after surgery,” says Verner
By comparison, light-adjustable lenses allow for customization after the procedure has been performed. Once the lens is firmly in place about a month after the initial surgery, doctors use ultraviolet light to fine-tune its strength. Usually, anywhere from two to four treatments are required, lasting about 90 seconds each and separated by several days or weeks to “lock in” the final power of the lens.
“Light adjustable lenses allow us to give patients the clearest vision possible, and it means that patients who might have previously needed glasses or contact lenses after surgery often will not,” according to Verner
Patients choosing these new lenses do need to be cautious about UV exposure. Verner and the other doctors at Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado supply patients
“It’s great for patients who have very high prescriptions or have had previous Lasik surgery.”
with glasses designed to block ambient UV light. “The artificial lenses do have a filter that should reduce the impact of incidental UV exposure,” says Verner, “but when we’re talking about an investment in something as important as sight, we just want to exercise as much caution as possible.”
Regardless of what lenses a patient chooses for surgery, cataract removal is a common and safe outpatient procedure. Patients return home the same day. The actual surgery takes only about 15 to 20 minutes and is fairly painless. Generally speaking, patients have
one eye done at a time and require only light sedation during the surgery.
“The reason we see so many people opting to have cataract surgery is because it has become so advanced. The threshold for people to seek medical intervention is lower since it’s now a relatively easy process that yields great outcomes,” says Verner.
Most insurance plans do not currently cover light adjustable lenses, and the costs associated with cataract surgery can vary depending upon a patient’s insurance allowance. “What sets us apart at Northern Colorado Eye Care Center is that we’re honest with our patients. We tell them the costs upfront, and we don’t upsell. Many patients do just fine with traditional lens implants, so we won’t encourage them to spend money they don’t need to,” says Verner. “At the end of the day, the goal is to let them return to the lifestyles that poor vision wouldn’t allow.”
Dr. Aimee Verner, Ophthalmologist, Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado
Retiring Well
What makes for retiring well? For most Americans, it’s living a little by affording experiences that bring joy (68%) and enjoying a high quality of life (49%), balanced by the security of reaching savings milestones (68%), according to new Empower research.
BIG AND LITTLE JOYS
Most agree satisfaction in retirement includes the ability to pay bills on time and in full (68%) and living debt-free (63%)including owning a home outright (55%). Some 42% of people say it comes down to experiences,
like the ability to travel the world, and to give back by volunteering (25%).
EVERYTHING IN ITS TIME
Having a clear timeline brings peace of mind for many – 66% say they have a goal retirement age in mind, including 73% of men and 61% of women.
Over two-thirds of Americans (67%) have savings milestones to reach before retirement - goals that they’re striving for - including setting aside funds for emergencies (57%), travel (33%) and leisure activities like starting a new hobby (32%). About the same number (68%) say their happiness
in retirement depends most on reaching their retirement savings goal. Many Gen Xers emphasize leaving behind an inheritance for their children (42%).
TRAVEL AND LEISURE
When choosing a place to retire, most people (86%) prefer to live where they can maintain their lifestyle without stressing about money, and low cost of living (38%) factors high on the list. For many that means relocating, with 42% saying they plan to move to a different city or state to retire.
Some 37% prioritize proximity to family and friends, although 43% say they prefer to retire where it’s more affordable, even if it means being far from their loved ones. For others, home is where happiness already exists – 23% describe their current location as their happy place.
Many see retirement as an opportunity for a fresh start; 16% of people imagine retiring in a different country altogether, seeking adventure and change in their golden years. Nearly 2 in 5 Gen Zers have set a goal for a travel fund (44%) in retirement.
Methodology: Empower surveyed 1,013 Americans on December 5, 2024.
performed.
Bair said that it’s important to catch skin cancer as early as possible to prevent scarring and invasive treatments.
There are three types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma. Basal and squamous cell are the most common and usually aren’t life-
threatening, according to Bair Melanoma is the most aggressive one, and it’s the least common type of skin cancer
Bair said the procedure most commonly done to treat melanoma is called electrodessication and curettage, where cancerous cells are scraped away
Another procedure that can be
done to treat skin cancer is called Mohs surgery, a frozen section technique for skin cancer removals. She said that the procedure is usually done on places like the hands and feet because those places are more difficult to treat. However, the procedure is not performed in their office.
At Crossroads, they also
prescribe a cream called fluorouracil to treat early-stage skin cancer and precancerous lesions.
“The way it works is it kind of detects those rapidly dividing cells,” Bair said. “Cancer and pre-cancer cells divide more rapidly than normal cells, and so it targets and destroys them.”
At 12:15 pm at Longmont Museum from nationally-recognized estate planning and asset protection attorney, Diedre Braverman
Skin checks are visual inspections of the skin. A dermatologist examines the scalp using a dermatoscope to determine if there are any lesions and asks the patient questions about any concerning growths or changes (Courtesy: Crossroads Dermatology).
HEALTHY AGING
Aging with Dignity
Local resources help seniors stay independent, connected and supported
By Kristen M. White for Successful Aging
As people age, they can experience a variety of difficulties, from decreased mobility to memory loss. Luckily for area seniors, many organizations offer aging-related resources and information.
We’ve gathered information for seniors and their loved ones to make it easier for them to find the services and care they need.
DIGNITY CARE
Locally owned, Dignity Care has offered senior home care in Boulder and Broomfield Counties since 1997. It is a licensed Class A agency in Colorado that offers non-medical and skilled/medical care. Services are provided in client homes or other residential/care facilities in 1-to 24-hour blocks.
Services provided include personal care, medication management, light housekeeping, transportation and more.
“Dignity Care can help older adults maintain their independence and quality of life by providing assistance with daily tasks, transportation, and social interaction,” said Owner Judith Ashworth. “This allows individuals to maintain their familiar surroundings and routines. We work with families to customize care plans to provide for their loved one’s unique needs.”
Dignity Care can be reached at 303.444.4040 or by visiting dignitycare.com.
AREA AGENCY ON AGING
The Boulder County Area Agency on Aging’s mission is to deliver, fund and advocate for services that promote well-being, independence and dignity for older adults,
people living with disabilities, caregivers and veterans.
The agency provides leadership in assessing the strengths and needs of older adults in the region Various resources and information are available, including help with Medicare, nutrition and food resources, property tax help for seniors, caregiving support and much more.
The Area Agency on Aging can connect families to other groups that provide help with chores, legal assistance, mental health, transportation and other needs.
The agency uses “a strengthsbased philosophy in our service delivery to empower older adults and their caregivers to make informed decisions and choices about current needs and long-term care,” according to its website.
The Area Agency on Aging can be reached at 303.441.1617 or at bouldercounty.gov/departments/
community-services/area-agencyaging.
CULTIVATE
Cultivate connects volunteerpowered services to adults 60 and older, helping them age in place with dignity and support. Services are available to seniors in Boulder, Broomfield or Weld Counties.
Cultivate’s no-cost Safety Net Services are Carry-Out Caravan, a grocery delivery service; VetsGo, escorted rides to and from medical appointments for older adult Veterans and their senior family members; Fix-it, minor repairs for homes, wheelchairs and walkers; YardBusters, basic yard cleanup; SnowBusters, snow and ice removable; and PhoneBuddies, regular phone calls from volunteers to clients.
“By providing the tools they need to age independently in their homes and communities,
Locally owned, Dignity Care has offered senior home care in Boulder and Broomfield Counties since 1997. (Photo courtesy: Dignity Care)
we provide a critical resource for older adults who face increasing medical, housing, utility and other costs,” said Chrysti Britt, MSCJ, Executive Director of Cultivate. “Cultivate’s intentional connections between community
members directly increase social connections and positively impact our clients’ and our volunteers’ health and well-being.”
Cultivate can be reached at 303.443.1933 and online at cultivate.ngo.
NATIONAL MEDICAL SUPPLY INC.
National Medical Supply is focused on providing Durable Medical Equipment (DME) for Colorado Medicaid and Medicare patients through doctor referrals. National Medical specializes in Medicaid patients. The company will deliver monthly supplies to the patient.
National Medical handles a variety of products, including incontinence products, nutritional formula, bath safety items, walking aids, all forms of bracing, wheelchairs, power equipment, compression stockings and even semi-electric hospital beds. Inhome evaluations can help match products to patient needs.
“The goal is always to help Colorado seniors and those with disabilities lead safer, more productive lives,” said Tom Bostwick, Territory Manager for National Medical Supply.
Reach National Medical Supply at 303.777.1100 or visit national-med.com.
SENIORS HELPING SENIORS
This organization provides affordable, professional in-home care services and companionship for seniors. The caregivers, who are seniors themselves, understand the importance of remaining independent. They aim to brighten and empower seniors’ lives from the comfort of their own homes
The Seniors Helping Seniors® location in Boulder County serves communities including Boulder, Longmont and more. Services provided include companionship and socialization, personal care and daily living assistance, memory, dementia and Alzheimer’s care, respite care, specialized care (such as post-hospitalization care), veteran services, meal preparation, shopping and light housekeeping. They can also provide medication reminders, help seniors run errands, provide transportation to appointments and events, light handyman services or small repairs, pet care, yard work and more.
Through an exclusive pairing
Dignity Care works with families to customize care plans to provide for their loved one’s unique needs (Photo courtesy: Dignity Care)
AGING
Learning How to Help Your Brain as You Get Older
Program assessments provide guidance for cognitive help as we age
What
With Alzheimer’s disease, the most common of the dementias, someone might have trouble with:
• Remembering recent events
• Having trouble with word finding
• Having trouble planning and organizing
• Becoming more easily overwhelmed
By Jared Fiel Successful Aging
Everyone has had that moment when a simple word or the name of a close friend just escapes the brain, and then the worries begin.
Is this the beginning of my new normal? Is it dementia? Alzheimer’s?
It is a terrifying notion that our brains may not be working the way they used to. A clinic with offices in Boulder is helping folks proactively prolong the onset of that brain drain through a personalized system called The Healthy Brain Program.
“Cognitive decline looks different for each person, and, no matter your age, it is scary,” said Dr Ilene Naomi Rusk, director of the program at The Brain and Behavior Clinic. “Usually, a family member or loved one might notice that someone forgets what they had just said, or repeats themselves, forgets an appointment or shows behavioral changes or
It is a terrifying notion that our brains may not be working the way they used to. The Brain and Behavior Clinic is helping folks proactively prolong the onset of that brain drain through a personalized system called The Healthy Brain Program (Photo courtesy: The Brain and Behavior Clinic)
Dr. Ilene Naomi Rusk
HEALTHY AGING
I’m Moving Forward and Facing the Uncertainty of Aging
By Judith Graham KFF Health News
It takes a lot of courage to grow old.
I’ve come to appreciate this after conversations with hundreds of older adults over the past eight years for nearly 200 “Navigating Aging” columns. Time and again, people have described what it’s like to let go of certainties they once lived with and adjust to new circumstances.
These older adults’ lives are filled with change. They don’t know what the future holds except that the end is nearer than it’s ever been.
And yet, they find ways to adapt. To move forward. To find meaning in their lives And I find myself resolving to follow this path as I ready myself for retirement.
Patricia Estess, 85, of the Brooklyn borough of New York City spoke eloquently about the unpredictability of later life when I reached out to her as I reported a series of columns on older adults who live alone, sometimes known as “solo agers.”
be around to provide help when it’s needed?
Will I have enough money to support a long and healthy life, if that’s in the cards? Will community and government resources be available, if needed?
It takes courage to face these uncertainties and advance into the unknown with a measure of equanimity.
“It’s a question of attitude,” Estess told me. “I have honed an attitude of: ‘I am getting older. Things will happen. I will do what I can to plan in advance. I will be more careful. But I will deal with things as they come up.’”
For many people, becoming old alters their sense of identity They feel like strangers to themselves. Their bodies and minds aren’t working as they used to. They don’t feel the sense of control they once felt.
“You realize that other people are in the same boat as you are.”
Estess had taken a course on solo aging. “You realize that other people are in the same boat as you are,” she said when I asked what she had learned. “We’re all dealing with uncertainty.”
Consider the questions that older adults — whether living with others or by themselves — deal with year in and out: Will my bones break? Will my thinking skills and memory endure? Will I be able to make it up the stairs of my home, where I’m trying to age in place?
Will beloved friends and family members remain an ongoing source of support? If not, who will
That requires a different type of courage — the courage to embrace and accept their older selves.
Marna Clarke, a photographer, spent more than a dozen years documenting her changing body and her life with her partner as they grew older. Along the way, she learned to view aging with new eyes.
“Now, I think there’s a beauty that comes out of people when they accept who they are,” she told me in 2022 when she was 82, just before her 93-year-old husband died.
Arthur Kleinman, a Harvard professor who’s now 83, gained a deeper sense of soulfulness after caring for his beloved wife, who had dementia and eventually died, leaving him grief-stricken.
“We endure, we learn how to endure, how to keep going. We’re
Judith Graham in her home office. (Courtesy: Jeffrey Zax/KFF Health News)
“Without all the conversations I’ve had over all these years, I might not have been up for it. But I’ve come to see that “no guarantees” isn’t a reason to dig in my heels and resist change.”
marked, we’re injured, we’re wounded. We’re changed, in my case for the better,” he told me when I interviewed him in 2019. He was referring to a newfound sense of vulnerability and empathy he gained as a caregiver.
Herbert Brown, 68, who lives in one of Chicago’s poorest
neighborhoods, was philosophical when I met him at his apartment building’s annual barbecue in June.
“I was a very wild person in my youth. I’m surprised I’ve lived this long,” he said. “I never planned on being a senior I thought I’d die before that happened.”
Truthfully, no one is ever prepared to grow old, including me. (I’m turning 70 in February.)
Chalk it up to denial or the limits of imagination. As May Sarton, a writer who thought deeply about aging, put it so well: Old age is “a foreign country with an unknown language.” I, along with all my similarly aged friends, are surprised we’ve arrived at this destination.
For me, 2025 is a turning point. I’m retiring after four decades as a journalist. Most of that time, I’ve written about our nation’s enormously complex health care system For the past eight years, I’ve focused on the unprecedented growth of the older population — the most significant demographic trend of our time — and its many implications.
In some ways, I’m ready for the challenges that lie ahead In many
Forover50years,Cultivate hasdedicated itself to helping seniorsflourishthrough active engagement with their communities. Ourvolunteerssupport ourseniorneighbors through programs such as medicalrides formilitaryveterans andtheir senior family members; groceryshoppingand delivery;minor home repairs; friendly phonecalls;snow shovelingand yard cleanup.
ways, I’m not.
The biggest unknown is what will happen to my vision. I have moderate macular degeneration in both eyes. Last year, I lost central vision in my right eye. How long will my left eye pick up the slack? What will happen when that eye deteriorates?
Like many people, I’m hoping scientific advances outpace the progression of my condition. But I’m not counting on it. Realistically, I have to plan for a future in which I might become partially blind.
It’ll take courage to deal with that.
Then, there’s the matter of my four-story Denver house, where I’ve lived for 33 years. Climbing the stairs has helped keep me in shape. But that won’t be possible if my vision becomes worse.
So my husband and I are taking a leap into the unknown. We’re renovating the house, installing an elevator, and inviting our son, daughter-in-law and grandson to move in with us. Going intergenerational. Giving up privacy. In exchange, we hope
our home will be full of mutual assistance and love.
There are no guarantees this will work. But we’re giving it a shot. Without all the conversations I’ve had over all these years, I might not have been up for it. But I’ve come to see that “no guarantees” isn’t a reason to dig in my heels and resist change.
Thank you to everyone who has taken time to share your experiences and insights about aging. Thank you for your openness, honesty and courage. These conversations will become even more important in the years ahead, as baby boomers like me make their way through their 70s, 80s, and beyond. May the conversations continue.
KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF —an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF by visiting kffhealthnews.org
HEALTHY AGING
ACTIVE
| ENGAGED |
INSPIRED
Rede�ning Retirement Through Wellness + Connection
By Linda Thorsen Bond Successful Aging
Retirement isn’t about slowing down but redefining what it means to thrive. At the YMCA of Northern Colorado, seniors are finding new ways to stay active, connected and inspired, thanks to innovative programs tailored to empower every stage of aging.
The YMCA of Northern Colorado has programs of such wide variety that there might literally be something for everyone. Andra CoberlyWebster, executive director of communications, talked about three programs for seniors of many different fitness levels and needs:
The Pilates Reformer for Active Older Adults class is a small group training class with only five or six individuals at a time. Coberly-Webster said, “The whole point is for personal support. The reformer is basically an apparatus with stirrups and springs that allow you to move, strengthen and sculpt your body. It is really so different. You may think of Pilates as lively young women doing complicated postures and moves, but Reformer Pilates is for all ages. This class is designed for older adults who want to strengthen and build balance. It can help people rehabilitate after surgeries and strengthen the smaller muscles to make them
feel better A great thing is that it is personalized, so the instructor can say, ‘How are you feeling?’ and you can talk about your knee or an old back injury so that it can be personalized. It helps create a really strong mind-body connection.” This is an ongoing class starting in early April and again in June.
The YMCA has been at the forefront of the Parkinson’s Fitness Programs since 2016. All the Ys in Northern Colorado have at least one class that offers opportunities for people with Parkinson’s or other neurodegenerative illnesses such as Multiple Sclerosis. Coberly-Webster said classes include Peddling for Parkinson’s, the Power Punch classes for Parkinson’s, and lifecare classes supported by the Lifecare Center of Longmont. “These are programs that can actually change people’s lives,” she said. “The classes are for people holding off the symptoms of Parkinson’s. By working on their fitness, people may be able to regain some abilities.”
Since pickleball is still all the rage, the YMCA offers introductory programs. “People love pickleball so much, and they’re out there playing hard each day,” Coberly-Webster said. “Others are nervous about starting. We have two programs: an adult class and a learn-toplay class You learn the basics,
practice, and meet others at the stage you are on. Pickleball started as a senior sport, but now so many people take it on that we see people in their 20s playing with people in their 80s. We love intergenerational interactions and unifying activity.”
Coberly-Webster added that the YMCA is always looking for new ways to engage seniors socially, physically and mentally Multiple locations across Boulder County, 303.664.5455, ymcanoco.org
SENIOR LIVING
Right-Sizing
A senior’s guide to simplifying home and life
By Shelley Widhalm Successful Aging
When it comes to downsizing, seniors face not only the decision of where to move next but also the practical and emotional aspects of letting go of old things and patterns to embrace the new
“It’s a personal thing where you don’t want to admit it’s time to make that move,” said Tanja Nelson, senior housing professional and broker/owner of Next Chapter Real Estate CO in Longmont.
Seniors can begin downsizing as early as their mid-fifties, but those from older generations typically find it harder to make the change. They’ve spent more time in their homes and become emotionally attached to where they’ve lived most of their lives.
“Our life situation changed Our kids moved out. We have much more square footage than we need
for two people,” Nelson said “We’re nearing retirement and want to enjoy our retirement.”
Right-sizing to a one-level home like a patio or garden-entry offers several advantages. There aren’t stairs to climb, and there is less space to clean, less or no yard to maintain and little to no shoveling.
A one-level patio home is ranchstyle with zero entry and typically has walk-in showers, wider doorways and slip-free flooring. A garden-entry condominium or townhome offers amenities like a swimming pool, clubhouse and exterior maintenance of the front porch, roof and siding, though there will be HOA fees.
Independent living communities, geared to those as young as 55, typically have individual apartments with access to amenities, such as a community center with a gym and a pool, a recreation area with a library
and craft room, and scheduled activities like tours, karaoke nights and proms.
“Loneliness and depression are the biggest killers of our seniors. It makes their health go down,” Nelson said. “When they’re in an active community, it just keeps them going; it keeps them physically and spiritually healthy.”
Seniors might choose to move in with family, such as into a multigenerational home with a separate one-bedroom apartment or a main-floor master suite with the other bedrooms upstairs. That way, they can have access to socialization and get help with errands and their other needs.
Continuing care residences offer different levels of housing, including independent living, assisted living and memory care for those with dementia and memory loss.
“That way, they are staying
Andrea Robbins of Caring Transitions is just a call away.
(Photo courtesy: Caring Transitions)
a sign that additional support could make a real difference.” Other indicators that a supportive environment may be useful include frequent falls, increased forgetfulness or social withdrawal.
DETERMINING THE BEST LEVEL OF SUPPORT
When a move seems best, start by determining how much care is desired, said Bryant. Many senior care communities offer independent and assisted living and variations on long-term care, skilled nursing and memory care. For resident convenience, some senior living communities design a “continuum of care tailored to meet each resident’s unique needs,” Koul said. She explained, “Each level of care is distinct yet united by our commitment to comfort, respect
and quality of life.”
INDEPENDENT LIVING
“It’s not about losing independence; it’s about preserving it safely and with dignity.”
This is a great option for generally active and healthy seniors. This is best for seniors who can manage their daily activities but seek a life with less worry and more social engagement. The built environment in senior care is designed for accessibility and safety to ensure independence for as long as feasible, and medical professionals are always on alert. Socialization and group outings are often included in the community schedule, and access to healthy meals and a gym or other fitness support may be available.
ASSISTED LIVING
Assisted Living is for when “a little help makes a big difference,” Bryant said. “If you need support with daily tasks but still want
to live as independently as possible,” assisted living can be an ideal solution. At this level, seniors might prefer to have meals prepared for them, and assistance may be needed for bathing, dressing or medication management.
LONG-TERM, MEMORY CARE AND SKILLED NURSING OPTIONS
These may be the safest and most supportive choices for those with significant medical needs or cognitive decline. Families
may wish to consider if a secure environment is necessary for managing dementia or other health issues at this level.
When care and support for a resident are on target, “We’ve seen families come into our communities with understandable hesitation, only to later express how relieved and grateful they are once they see their loved one laughing at a social event or making new friends,” Koul said. “It’s that shift from worry to peace of mind that signals they’ve found more than just a residence — they’ve found a home.”
Independent living is a great option for generally active and healthy seniors. (Photo courtesy: Hover Senior Living).
Essential Insights on Estate Planning
Expert advice to secure your legacy
By Matthew L. Van Deventer Successful Aging
Estate planning is a tricky but necessary landscape to navigate with plenty of challenges, pitfalls and ever-evolving legislation.
Ashley Geary, an attorney and shareholder with Jorgensen, Brownell, and Pepin PC, stresses the importance of hiring a professional estate planning attorney: “I don’t care if it’s me or somebody else; go talk to someone who knows what they are doing.”
Geary said she sees people trying to do it themselves, and those end up being the contested litigations she deals with after someone passes away. An estate planning attorney can tailor a plan unique to your family situation, such as understanding whether a Will or a Trust is better for you.
Geary continued, “The way I like to approach things is that everyone has a unique situation based on what their family looks like, their values are, and what they want to happen with their assets when they pass.”
A Will has many functions, but the big one is that it designates a personal representative to manage and administer a client’s assets as directed by the Will. A Will does
not avoid probate court, but one will make it easier Probate court is the legal process of distributing assets according to the WIll.
The medical or healthcare and financial power of attorney, Geary explained, designates someone to make important decisions on the client’s behalf if they cannot.
“These are the documents you hope you never need, but if you do need them and don’t have them, you’re in a world of trouble,” continued Geary
If you’ve built an estate plan in another state and move to Colorado, it is still valid, but Geary suggested working with an attorney, possibly one in both states, to ensure it is up-to-date with Colorado law
Clients will also need to select someone to fill the power of attorney or personal representative roles. Most often, clients choose family members or friends, but third-party companies are also available. It depends on who that person has in their family
NEW LEGISLATION
Managing attorney of Braverman Law Group in Boulder, Diedre Wachbrit Braverman explained several updates in legislation that directly affect estate planning. Some have been in effect for
several years, but Braverman said it can take some time for them to be adopted.
REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION (RON)
EFFECTIVE JAN. 21, 2021
This change began during COVID when people largely kept to their home quarters. It allows clients to use Remote Online Notarization, or RON, to officially notarize important documents like a Will. Braverman clarified that this is not just an electronic signature. Using RON, the client produces an appropriate form of identification while someone watches the client sign the document.
It authorizes digital designation of trust instruments such as a power of attorney, healthcare directives, mental health treatment declaration, and certifications of trusts. These designations can be signed, communicated, and stored electronically. No hardcopy is necessary for these designations to be formalized. This provision does not include Wills or Deeds.
NON-SPOUSAL INHERITANCE DISTRIBUTION
(EFFECTIVE JANUARY 01, 2025)
Non-spousal beneficiaries of an inheritance must take an annual required minimum distribution this year. Before this law, beneficiaries of an inheritance could wait up to 10 years before taking a distribution. At 10 years, they would have to take out the entire amount.
ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION CHANGE: TO GO INTO
(GOES INTO EFFECT JAN. 1, 2026
Currently, the individual estate tax exemption is set at $13.999 million per individual. That will be cut in half to about $7.15 million per individual.
“Anybody who’s got more than $7 million should be talking to their estate planning attorney this year,” said Braverman.
ASSET PROTECTION TRUSTS FOR BENEFICIARIES
There is no specific legislation for this, but Braverman said that asset protection trusts protect assets for children and are a result of the county’s higher divorce rates and a litigious society.
Ashley Geary Jorgensen, Brownell and Pepin PC
Diedre Wachbrit Braverman Braverman Law Group
Estate planning is a tricky but necessary landscape to navigate with plenty of challenges, pitfalls and ever-evolving legislation. (Photo Shutterstock).
FREE EVENT
SATURDAY, MAY 10
9 a.m. to 2 p.m
Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road, Longmont
SUCCESSFUL AGING EXPO EXHIBITORS
AgeWise Colorado
Bath Fitter
The Brain and Behavior Clinic
Braverman Law Group LLC Caring Transitions
10-10:20 a.m.
Chiyu | Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine
Cogir Senior Living/Solista Longmont Cultivate
Dignity Care
Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado
Good Hair Vibes
Good Samaritan Society
Hover Senior Living Community
Kaiser Permanente
Lifetime Home Remodeling
Medicare PharmASSIST
National Medical Supply, Inc
The Natural Funeral Next Chapter Real Estate
Renewal by Andersen
Sky Health Services
Spinal Flow Technique in Longmont TRU Community Care
Customizable Vision: Advancements in Cataract Surgery and the New Light Adjustable Lens, Presented by Dr. Aimee Verner, cornea, refractive and cataract surgical specialist, EyeCareCenterofNorthernColorado
10:25-10:45 a.m.
Five Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Medicare Plan, Presented by Carmen Cisneros, Medicare specialist, KaiserPermanente
10:50-11:20 a.m.
Restoring Pain-free Nerve, Joint, Hormone, and Bladder Function with Advanced Integrative Therapies Presented by Dr. Erika F. Marie, DACM, founder, Chiyu|Acupuncture &IntegrativeMedicine
No registration required
WelcomeYears YMCA of Northern Colorado Newbusinessesarebeingaddeddaily!
ACTIVITIES
FREE SEMINARS!
11:25-11:45 a.m.
Is It Time? When to Consider Your Senior Care Options, Presented by Craig Luzinski, CEO and Lisa Bryant, Director of Community Awareness and Development, HoverSenior LivingCommunity
11:50-12:10 p.m.
Creating a Forever Home: Simple Home Modifications for Aging in Place, Presented by Kate Rojas, WelcomeYears
12:15-12:35 p.m.
Recent Changes in Estate Planning, Presented by Diedre Braverman, Braverman LawGroup
12:40-1:00 p.m.
What’s It Worth? A look at current market conditions and the value of items in your home, Presented by Andrea Marie Robbins, owner, CaringSolutions
1:05-1:25 p.m.
How to Access Medicaid/Medicare Benefits for Personal Care Items and Home Safety Modifications, Presented by Tom Bostwick, territory manager, NationalMedical Supply,Inc.
