AARP Colorado

Coloradans who want to know more about AARP’s travel discounts and trip finder tool can stop by the AARP booth at the Daily Sentinel RV Open House, March 22-24, in Grand Junction. The online tool can help people find and plan a vacation tailored to their interests and schedule.

AARP Colorado has two lift tickets to Arapahoe Basin for your best health care, caregiver, or Medicare story. Just write an essay, 250-500 words about your experiences gaining or maintaining your health, or helping a friend and/or relative, and enter a chance to win two free lift tickets from AARP.

My godmother, Aunt Jane, was one of my greatest mentors. She was full of life! I always thought of her as my personal Auntie Mame. She lived life large to say the very least. She married a man, my Uncle Doc, who was 12 years her senior. She always knew that she would probably outlive him. However, she never imagined she would outlive all of her friends as well. By witnessing the journey of my beloved Aunt Jane, I learned how hard it is to be the last one standing.

In the world of modern business, you often see companies emerging with founders whose combined ages are younger than your classic car. On the other hand, there has been an explosion of new businesses started by older entrepreneurs on their second or third career. But, what about the more narrow slice on the pie chart that is made up of cross-generational partners? Here is the story of one such adventure in idea-generation and execution.

Greetings one and all…

The members of the Black Forest AARP Chapter 1100 and their guests experienced a comprehensive discussion about Stroke and Heart Attack emergency responses at the February 14 meeting. Black Forest Fire and Rescue Assistant Fire Chief, and Paramedic, Jim Rebitski, provided the comprehensive and interesting discussion that covered the physiological aspects of a heart attack and a stroke. He also discussed the physical, hereditary, life style, age, and dietary elements that can contribute to an individual being at a high risk for these distresses. He also answered many questions from the audience. His presentation was especially germane to these subjects since annually more people in the U.S. die of heart disease than cancer, and about one-third of the population currently exhibits some kind of cardio-vascular disease.

The Weld Aging Well Program provides innovative workshops and classes that support the health and independence of older adults and their caregivers by giving them tools to better manage their health. Check out classes below.

For most people rooted in Western culture, it is difficult to ask for and receive help from other people. However, the reality is that we will all need help due to the challenges posed by aging and/or illness. So, how are we to overcome our resistance to assistance? Well, our friend the goose has much to teach us about giving and receiving care. Look to the skies. As geese fly in formation, they embody the essential ingredients of collaborative care: shared leadership, interdependence, self care, encouragement, and trusted relationships. This is not a “fly by night” approach to care! If we choose to emulate the collaborative flight of geese, all involved in the caregiving journey will be well served.

Goal of Arthritis Treatment

As professional or personal caregivers, we witness the suffering of others – physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. To witness the pain and suffering of others is to be forever changed. Compassionate people bear the suffering of others and often times compromise their own health and well being when they assume too much of the burden. We must always be aware of where we end and the other person begins – the importance of boundaries. We can companion others in life, but we cannot assume the responsibility for another’s life. To do so puts us at risk of experiencing compassion fatigue, a risk for all who care.