Sedgwick County and the city of Thornton are the newest Colorado members of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. They join 20 other Colorado counties or localities that are also members, including places like Carbondale. The city’s age-friendly efforts have included repairing sidewalks and placing benches around the city to provide rest stops for walkers.
The New 50+, “It’s a Mindset” says ‘we’re better than ever’ and AARP is here to urge active adults to learn more, play more and exceed all expectations.
Per the National Council on Aging, every 13 seconds an older adult is seen in an ER for a fall related injury, and 1 in 3 older Americans falls every year. Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries for persons aged 65 and older. Even minor falls can be problematic when they instill a fear of falling, making it difficult for elders to stay active, sometimes leading to depression.
Larry Apodaca cared for his mother, Terry, for nearly nine years as she endured the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. With the exception of occasional visits from a nurse, he tended to his mom on his own at home because “no one could care for her like I could.”