Livable Communities

By Danica Lucker

New research released today from the Association of Young Americans (AYA) and AARP show student loan debt preventing Americans across three generations from saving for retirement or buying a home. As many students begin their academic year, nearly half of those with student loan debt say they owe more than $30,000. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, borrowers have over $1.4 trillion in student loan debt. The new research specifically shows that of those who have student debt, 45 percent of Millennials, 48 percent of Generation Xers, and 50 percent of Boomers owe $30,000 or more.

AARP Colorado is hosting a very important community forum in Denver on Aug. 23 and is inviting the Denver public to join the conversation.

Do you remember playing croquet in your backyard as a child on those long summer evenings?

By Cynthia Pasquale

Need to borrow a wheelchair, walker, toilet riser, or bath bench? No longer need that transport chair, bed cane, or knee cruiser? If so, South Metro Medical Equipment Loan Closet (SMMELC)* may have the answer you’ve been seeking.

When it comes to aging-related concerns, older LGBT adults worry most about having adequate family and other social support to rely on as they age, discrimination in long-term care (LTC) facilities, and access to LGBT-sensitive services for seniors, according to a new AARP survey. Black and Latino LGBT adults report the greatest concern about future family and social supports, and greater worry about potential abuse in LTC facilities because of their race/ethnicity and sexual orientation/gender identity.

The idea of “Wise Elder” suddenly occurred to me. While standing at the counter at a full service car wash, I observed the discounts available. “Are you: Military, Student, or a Wise Elder?” Typically, I avoided the senior, senior citizen, or above X age options in so many other places. However, this time I swallowed and even said out loud, “I am a wise elder” to the young person behind the counter! It was the first time, at ‘my age’, I took the discount and the moment of reflection continued.

Sunshine Home Share Colorado (Sunshine) is a nonprofit that uses geriatric social workers to safely and thoughtfully bring together seniors with available space in their homes and others needing an affordable place to live.

Please join us Oct. 18 from noon to 1 p.m. to discuss the process of aging and learn how we can enhance the quality of life.