SUCCESSFUL AGING
Expo 2020
Visit TimesCall.Com/Aging VIRTUAL EXPO: NOW- NOVEMBER 30 WEBINAR SERIES: OCTOBER 5-19 October 4, 2020
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SUCCESSFUL AGING 1
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Retirement isn’t just an age. It’s an opportunity to put down new roots. To move somewhere that offers a real sense of belonging. A place where you can have the peace of mind to know that whatever the future holds, you may never have to leave the life and friends you have made. Come experience a place that offers ser vices from senior living to skilled nursing care and more. To learn more, call (970) 669-3100.
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society provides housing and services to qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, familial status, national origin or other protected statuses according to applicable federal, state or local laws. Some services may be provided by a third party. All faiths or beliefs are welcome. © 2019 The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society. All rights reserved.
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October 4, 2020
SUCCESSFUL AGING Advertiser Directory
Expo 2020
ACCEL AT LONGMONT
Accel is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility. Short term and long term comprehensive, personalized compassionate care with clinical oversight as you need it.
ALTAVITA SENIOR RESIDENCES
Three unique senior residences on one Longmont campus: Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care.
BALFOUR
Balfour Senior Living’s vision is to provide world class senior care communities with the use of state-of-the-art innovations surrounded by comfortably elegant interior design inspired by local architecture.
FRANCIS STREET CLEANERS
Voted best cleaner in Longmont since 2006, Francis Street Cleaners treats your clothing, linens and more with the utmost care.
GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY LOVELAND VILLAGE
TENDING WITH GRACE
Providing non-medical practical support to those who have received a life limiting diagnosis, including physical, holistic, and emotional support before, during, and after death to ensure you and your loved one’s final wishes are honored.
TERRAPIN CARE STATION
Good Samaritan Society Loveland Village provides housing and services to those 55 and over. Senior living, assisted living, rehab, long-term care and home health care are all available.
Aconsumer-focused cultivator, processor and provider of high-quality medical and retail cannabis products, with some of the most competitive prices on the market.
HOVER COMMUNITY
TRU COMMUNITY CARE
Affordable, quality housing options (independent and assisted living) and in-home support services for seniors and Greenhouse Skilled Nursing Homes.
TRU Community Care affirms life at every step of your journey with illness and loss. Caring for our community since 1976.
LONGMONT HEARING & TINNITUS CENTER
TRU PACE
BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING
Longmont Hearing & Tinnitus Center provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for hearing loss and tinnitus, including hearing aids and cochlear implants. Serving Longmont for 27 years.
CENTENO SCHULTZ
ORION MORTGAGE
VILLAGE COOPERATIVE OF LOVELAND
Serving the needs of senior residents through assisted and independent living, memory care facility, and skilled nursing.
The first clinic in the world to use your body’s own stem cells to treat orthopedic problems. Their board-certified medical doctors have more experience and have treated substantially more patients than any other orthopedic stem cell provider or clinic across the globe.
EYE CARE CENTER OF NORTHERN COLORADO
One of Colorado’s oldest and most advanced facilities for eye health, surgery and vision correction, with specialists in retina, cornea, glaucoma and oculoplastics. October 4, 2020
Specializing in providing personal loan consultations to refinance Colorado properties with both traditional “forward” mortgages and Reverse Mortgages.
(Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) Coordinating and providing all needed preventive, primary, acute and longterm care services so that older individuals can continue living safely in their community.
The Village Cooperative is a community for active adults 55+ who want home ownership without the hassles of maintenance or repair bills.
RED TAIL WELLNESS CENTERS Patients and doctors work together to create a customized health plan using effective methods of alleviating debilitating conditions and diseases. Red Tail Wellness Centers helps patients with back pain, knee pain, thyroid disease and those who live with depression, anxiety, and ADD/ ADHD. Times-Call — TimesCall.com
YMCA OF NORTHERN COLORADO
YMCA is a nonprofit organization devoted to healthy living in the Longmont community. YMCA prevention and healing programs are data driven and led by certified staff. SUCCESSFUL AGING 3
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SUCCESSFUL AGING
Expo 2020
LUNCHTIME CONVERSATIONS WEBINAR SERIES
12 NOON TO 1 P.M. // MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY // OCTOBER 5–19 OCTOBER 5 Cannabis 101: Adding Cannabis into Your Wellness Routine Presented by: Terrapin Care Station, Penny Komes, Master of Public Health & Communications Manager OCTOBER 6 The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Brain Health Presented by Longmont Hearing and Tinnitus Center, Dr. D’Anne Rudden, Au.D. OCTOBER 7 Knee-on-Track Technology Presented by Red Tail Health Centers, Dr. Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP OCTOBER 8 Dementia and Memory Care Presented by Balfour Senior Living, Jeanette Allen, RN, BSN; Vice President, Health & Wellness
OCTOBER 9 Fall Prevention Presented by The Good Samaritan Society Loveland Village, Evon Schones, Wellness Director OCTOBER 12 Innovation and Creativity During a Crisis: How PACE responded to COVID Presented by TRU PACE, Samantha Black, Executive Director OCTOBER 13 Dementia and Safety Issues AltaVita Senior Residences, Haleh Nekoorad-Long, M.D., Board Certified Geriatric Psychiatrist OCTOBER 14 Avoiding Joint Replacement: How to Keep Your Arthritis From Turning into Arthroplasty Presented by Centeno-Schultz Clinic, Dr. Jason Markle, DO
REGISTER TODAY, VISIT:
SPONSORED BY:
OCTOBER 15 Palliative & Hospice Care, What is the Difference and When Should I Add That Support? Presented by TRU Community Care, Jessica O’Leary, Patient Care Consultant OCTOBER 16 Reverse Mortgages Presented by Orion Mortgage, Inc., Donald J. Opeka, President OCTOBER 19 Eye Health: Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Cataracts and Glaucoma Presented by Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado, Matthew Manry, M.D. and Mansi Parikh, M.D.
PLUS! CHECK OUT THE VIRTUAL EXPO BOOTHS! PRESENTED BY:
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October 4, 2020
SUCCESSFUL AGING Livestream events
October 5-19 from 12-1 p.m. each day, industry experts will present online livestream sessions discussing their chosen topic. Sessions are designed to be 30-40 minutes long and concluded in a question and answer period. Each session will then remain available for on-demand viewing until November 30. Visit TimesCall.com/Aging to view the sessions as well as browse through the virtual expo.
October 5
October 6
PENNY KOMES Master of Public Health & Communications Manager, Terrapin Care Station
DR. D’ANNE RUDDEN, AU.D. Longmont Hearing and Tinnitus Center
TOPIC: Cannabis 101: Adding Cannabis into Your Wellness Routine
Penny Komes, MPH, will speak on the benefits of adding cannabis into any wellness routine. From Cannabis 101, to specific cannabinoids, and products, that can help cope with issues associated with aging, discover what cannabis can bring to your life!
TOPIC: The Connection Between Hearing Loss and Brain Health
Untreated hearing loss correlates to cognitive decline. Learn about the connection between hearing loss and brain health and how to improve brain function.
Hear for life. Longm mont Hearing &Tinnitus Center is dedicated to provid ding the highest level of medically-oriented diagno ostic and treatment services for hearing loss.
OUR COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES INCLUDE: • Hearing testing and consultation • Hearing aids and repairs • Tinnitus evaluation and treatment • Earmolds and hearing protection 195 S. Main Street, Suite 8 Longmont, Colorado 80501 303-651-1178 PHONE 303-651-0488 FAX
D’Anne Rudden, Au.D., CCC-A Board Certified Doctor of Audiology
longmonthearing.com October 4, 2020
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SUCCESSFUL AGING 5
October 7
October 12
DR. HOLLAMAN, DC, MSC, IFMCP
SAMANTHA BLACK
Red Tail Health Centers
Executive Director, TRU PACE
TOPIC: Knee-on-Track Technology
Dr. Hollaman is a Doctor of Chiropractic, certified in Functional Medicine, has a Master’s in Nutrition and Functional Medicine, and holds a certification in Neurofeedback and Functional Neurology. He is passionate about finding the root cause of chronic disease and creates a customized, functional care plan that helps your body heal itself. Specifically, Dr. Ian specializes in supporting those with autoimmune, peripheral neuropathy, chronic knee, back and joint pain. Red Tail Wellness Centers focuses on reducing inflammation, decreasing pain and increasing mobility so you can live your best life.
October 8
TOPIC: Innovation and Creativity During a Crisis: How PACE responded to COVID
Using telehealth/tablets, volunteer phone bank, online rec activities, all services delivered out in the community, participant phone tree to help with boredom and social isolation – add the next steps of uberconferencing and Well-Connected online program….all while delivering high touch, high quality care and support.
October 13
HALEH NEKOORAD-LONG
M.D. Board Certified Geriatric Psychiatrist, AltaVita Senior Residences
TOPIC: Dementia and Safety Issues
This session will discuss the diagnosis of dementia and behaviors manifested by this illness, including unsafe behaviors that are secondary to dementia. It will explore some options to keep patients and their families safe.
JEANETTE ALLEN, RN, BSN
Vice President, Health and Wellness, Balfour Senior Living
TOPIC: Dementia and Memory Care
October 14
DR. JASON MARKLE, DO
October 9
Centeno-Schultz Clinic
FALL PREVENTION
Wellness Director, The Good Samaritan Society Loveland Village
TOPIC: Fall Prevention
Falls are a common cause of injury among older adults. One out of four people ages 65 and older fall each year, and 20 percent of those injuries are serious, such as a broken bone or a head injury.
TOPIC: Avoiding Joint Replacement: How to Keep Your Arthritis From Turning into Arthroplasty
Recent research has shown that some of the most popular arthroscopic surgeries have no benefit at all. We have helped thousands of patients with severe arthritis avoid joint replacement and continue to do the things they love with little or no pain. Dr. Markle will discuss how Centeno-Schultz Clinic offers an alternative to surgery by using your own stem cells or blood platelets to treat your orthopedic conditions.
End of Life Doula & Elder Companion I provide non-medical practical support to those who have received a life limiting diagnosis or to enhance the quality of life during the aging process.
720.204.6176 Linda Heil
Find highly engaged talent quickly and simply by getting your jobs on the most recognized online destination sites.
tendingwithgrace.com “The end of life deserves as much beauty and respect as the beginning” - unkown 6 SUCCESSFUL AGING
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Call 303.473.1402 to get started. October 4, 2020
October 19
October 15
MATTHEW MANRY, M.D. MANSI PARIKH, M.D.
JESSICA O’LEARY
Patient Care Consultant, Tru Community Care
TOPIC: Palliative & Hospice Care, What is the Difference and When Should I Add That Support?
Palliative and Hospice care are two misunderstood and feared types of support that can be crucial at one of the most important times in yours or your loved ones life. Please join us to learn more a specialty that can improve the quality of life during a time few of us prepare for, but will all experience.
October 16
DONALD J. OPEKA
President, Orion Mortgage, Inc.
TOPIC: Reverse Mortgages
Reverse Mortgages are underused because they are often misunderstood. This seminar covers what a Reverse Mortgage is, many ways they can be used, and who is eligible to take advantage of this powerful financial tool to stay in their home.
Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado
TOPIC: Age Related Macular Degeneration, Cataracts and Glaucoma
Macular degeneration is a disease of the macula, an area of the retina at the back of the eye that is responsible for fine detail central vision. Your risk for macular degeneration increases as you age, and the disease is most likely to occur in those 55 and older. Glaucoma is a complex disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible vision loss. Early diagnosis and management is the key to preventing this eye disease.
DON'T LET JOINT PAIN HOLD YOU BACK! Getting active again doesn't have to mean drugs and surgery.
CALL US TODAY! 303-429-6448 centenoschultz.com
October 4, 2020
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SUCCESSFUL AGING 7
Seniors: With these tips
DANGEROUS FALLS ARE AVOIDABLE
By Sarah Huber
The leading cause of injuries for older Americans is falling, said Evon Schones, director of
wellness at the Good Samaritan Society at Loveland Village. Yet the good news, said Schones, who will be presenting on the
common causes of falls at the 2020 Successful Aging Expo, is “falls are not inevitable.” Orthostatic hypertension falls “One in four people over the age of 65 fall each year, and the older you get, the more likely you are to fall,” Schones said. Aging adults are particularly susceptible to falls when they experience a head rush, or orthostatic hypertension. She explained, “When you change positions quickly, where the heart and brain are suddenly elevated, gravity causes the blood to pool in your legs.” Consequently, baroreceptors in the heart signal the brain to stabilize dropping blood pressure; however, aging baroceptors are
less sensitive, which can lead to dizziness, fainting nausea, blurred vision, weakness – and thus falls, Schones said. She noted that other causes of orthostatic hypertension are “dehydration, taking certain medications, nervous system or thyroid disorders, low blood pressure, unbalanced electrolytes, low blood sugar, bedrest” and other factors common to older adults. To reduce possible orthostatic hypertension, try these tips from Schone: • Drink decaffeinated beverages and eat foods high in water content. Try eating smaller meals throughout the day to balance blood
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October 4, 2020
sugar. • Do not exercise outdoors in the heat. • Wear compression socks. • Sit and stand slowly. Similarly, a crucial factor in preventing falls is regular health checkups, said Marni Graham, nurse liaison at Accel at Longmont, a sub-acute rehab center and long-term care center. Graham said, “Routine medical checkups, including medication review, vision testing and honest discussions with your physician about your medical conditions, which may be impacting fall risk, and asking for referrals to physical therapy as needed for balance testing and treatment” minimize the risk of falling.
Home hazards
Sometimes people fall not because of physical complications but because of home hazards that could be avoided by lifestyle changes. Schone said, “So often I hear about people tripping on items in the home and having a terrible fall as a result. These types of falls are easily avoided by making a few small changes around the house.” To avoid home hazards, Schone and Graham recommended: • Keep floors and pathways clear. • Remove floor rugs or secure them to the floor. • Use nonslip mats in the shower. • Immediately clean spills. • Store things you use often within reach. • Wear sensible, supportive shoes. Avoid walking in slippers or socks. • Keep a device nearby that could notify help if you fall. Because a fall can be a symptom of a medical problem, notify your physician and family of a fall even if you do not sustain an injury.
Assisted devices save lives
Additionally, Schone said, “If you have a balance issue, vertigo, leg weakness or a neurological disorder that would cause leg weakness or dragging, please use an assistive device like a cane or walker to get around.” She suggested consulting an occupational therapist to make the home more accessible, from handrails in a stairway to grab bars in the shower.
COMPLETE MEDICAL & SURGICAL EYE CARE Since 1969 Voted Best Eye Care and Best Medical Facility in 2020 in Readers’ Choice
Cataracts Glaucoma Retina Macular Degeneration Dry Eye Cornea
Exercise to maintain strength and balance
Most importantly, all ages need to exercise. Schone said, “Many falls can be attributed to a loss of strength, balance or agility.” Graham urged seniors to talk to a doctor or physical therapist to designa an exercise-strengthening plan. This is critical, she said, as “every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall, and every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall.” Schone concluded, “You have the power to reduce your risk of falling or suffering severe outcomes if it happens.” October 4, 2020
LONGMONT • BOULDER LAFAYETTE • GREELEY
(303) 772-3300 eyecaresite.com
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SUCCESSFUL AGING 9
How to properly store summer clothes to avoid a pest infestation (BPT) - As colder weather approaches, you may decide to store summer clothes. However, when warmer temperatures roll around again, you might not find them exactly as you left them. Certain insects that feed on fabrics and textiles can leave your clothing damaged and full of holes. But don’t despair! With some tips from Terminix, you can learn what kinds of bugs damage fabric and how you can best protect your outfits in storage.
Which insects eat clothes?
When you picture the kind of bug that finds its way into a closet and ruins your clothing, you probably think of a moth. The larvae of clothes moths feed on everything from synthetic fabrics to upholstery to stray pet or human hair. While adult moths don’t actually eat fabric, the hungry larvae can ruin your summer clothing if
they hatch where you’ve stored your things. In addition to moths, carpet beetles can also target textiles and fabrics. The adults look like small ladybugs, but the larvae are the true danger to your clothes. They can feed on wool, feathers, fur, linen, cotton and soiled synthetic fibers. While adults only live up to 60 days, they can lay as many as 100 eggs. Once hatched, those larvae can be present for up to a year. That’s not ideal for keeping your boxed-up clothes safe.
How can you stop an infestation before it starts?
Keep a close eye on the places where fabric-eating bugs like to hide. This can include carpets, rugs, wall hangings and upholstered furniture. Vacuuming these areas can remove any larvae and help you prevent an infestation before it gets out of hand. Addition-
ally, be sure to repair torn screens and block any cracks under your doors to prevent clothes moths from entering.
as well. Whether you’re keeping things in a box, a closet or your attic, vacuum the area and wipe down any shelves and walls.
How do you store your clothes safely?
How do you handle an infestation?
Another key to keeping your stored clothes bug-free is to clean them before packing them away. Stains can attract hungry pests, so be sure to remove any obvious ones such as food or oil before boxing things up. Make sure to keep the area where you’re storing your clothing as clean as possible
If you find yourself with damaged clothes and an infestation too big to tackle alone, it’s time to contact a specialist. Trained pest control professionals, such as Terminix’s technicians, can help remove destructive pests so you can store your undamaged summer clothes safely in the future.
Having your clothes and linens professionally cleaned can help keep destructive pests away. Visit Francis St. Cleaners to find out what they can do for you!
Francis St. Cleaners
1152 Francis St, Longmont, (303) 651-9070 franciscleaners.com
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Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly
Helping Older Adults Age in Place
• Coordinated health care • Transportation • Social services • In home care • Interactive day program • Rehabilitation Services Call today to see if PACE is right for you or a loved one.
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SUCCESSFUL AGING 11
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SUCCESSFUL AGING 13
Protecting your eyesight against the
SILENT ADVANCE OF GLAUCOMA prised to learn that my brain was actually compensating for my vision loss by filling in the blanks.”
Hope through treatment
(BPT) - “Will I go blind?” It’s a frightening thought that most people have when they are first told they have glaucoma. “Patients are almost always concerned that they are going to lose their vision,” says Andrew Iwach, M.D., executive director of the Glaucoma Center of San Francisco. “The good news for the majority of patients is that we can maintain their vision with treatment.”
The sneak thief of sight
Glaucoma, an eye disease that damages the optic nerve, is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Currently, it affects more than three million people in the United States. The National Eye Institute projects this number will rise by 58% over the next decade to 4.2 million
people. The most common form of the disease is open-angle glaucoma, which affects 90% of patients and occurs when the eye’s drainage canals become clogged over time, according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Open-angle glaucoma has been called “the sneak thief of sight” because it strikes without symptoms. In fact, experts estimate that half of the patients who have glaucoma don’t know it. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing. And once that eyesight is lost, it’s permanently gone. “I didn’t have any symptoms prior to diagnosis,” says Richie Kahn, 34, who was diagnosed in March 2019. “By then, glaucoma had already stolen part of my vision. I was sur-
Since glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages and progresses slowly over many years, eye doctors emphasize the importance of regular eye exams to detect the disease before there’s a significant loss of vision. The target for glaucoma therapy is to lower intraocular pressure (IOP). High IOP causes damage to the optic nerve, which produces vision loss in the disease. Approaches to lowering IOP include a wide range of eye drop medications, laser treatments that are performed in a doctor’s office, and several types of incisional surgery. Trinh Green, M.D., has lived with glaucoma for 24 years after being diagnosed at age 21. Like Richie, she had no symptoms of the disease, so news of her diagnosis came as a total surprise. Her advice to others is to remain calm and stay optimistic throughout their care and treatment. “I think it’s very important for people to stay calm after learning they have glaucoma,” says Trinh. “There are many more treatments available in the last few years. I also owe so much to Dr. Iwach. He’s a very calming presence. Whenever
there was a setback and the disease progressed, he would tell me, ‘I have a few more tricks up my sleeve.’”
The power of knowledge
In addition to early detection and treatment, Dr. Iwach emphasizes the importance of patients learning everything they can about glaucoma. “Getting the facts, including risk factors and treatment options, can empower patients to improve their outcomes and reduce their fears,” he says. Dr. Iwach encourages all his patients to read “Understanding and Living with Glaucoma,” published by the Glaucoma Research Foundation. The free booklet, updated and newly illustrated, offers a comprehensive introduction to glaucoma and guidance about how patients can work with their doctors to manage the disease. Glaucoma patients like Richie found power in knowledge in their fight against glaucoma. “Everyone’s journey will be different and you have to be willing to advocate for yourself,” says Richie. “I learned a lot from the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Staying informed about my particular situation allows me to be an active member of my own care team, doing my part to preserve my vision.” A free copy of “Understanding and Living with Glaucoma” can be downloaded or ordered at glaucoma. org/booklet.
Don’t put your vision concerns on the back burner. Seeking early treatment can improve quality of life in the present and future. For questions or to schedule an exam visit:
Eye Care Center of Northern Colorado
1400 Dry Creek Dr, Longmont, (303) 772-3300, eyecaresite.com 14 SUCCESSFUL AGING
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October 4, 2020
Mountain View Cemetery Announced as an Official Location for the 2020 National
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY freedom every day, and without their continued support, Wreaths Across America would not exist.” Those interested in volunteering for Wreaths Across America, or sponsoring a wreath for Mountain View Cemetery, are invited to visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ comvcl to learn more. National Wreaths Across America Day is a free, non-political, community event open to all people. About Wreaths Across America
The cemetery will join the more than 1,600 participating locations across the country to Remember, Honor and Teach on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 Columbia Falls, MAINE, and Longmont, COLORADO – September 21, 2020 — National nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA) announced today that Mountain View Cemetery in Longmont, Colorado has once again joined in the effort to support the mission to Remember, Honor, Teach, as an official location for 2020. This is the SECOND year that the cemetery will participate in this national event. Wreaths Across America started
October 4, 2020
as a simple gesture of thanks that has grown into a national movement of dedicated volunteers and communities coming together to not only remember the nation’s fallen and honor their service, but to teach the next generation about the sacrifices made for us to live freely. This year, there will be more than 2,100 participating locations placing wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day – Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020 – with more than two million volunteers coming together. The goal for Mountain View Cemetery (COMVCL) is to raise enough funds to place 1,500 veterans’ wreaths on the
headstones of all the local heroes laid to rest there, to ensure that the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of our country never be forgotten and to bring the community together in patriotic commemoration. “We are forever grateful for the thousands of supporters who dedicate their time and effort to fulfilling our mission on a local level,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “These individuals and their communities know the value of remembering the fallen, honoring those who currently serve and teaching the next generation about the sacrifices made for our
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Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information, to sponsor wreaths or to sign up to volunteer, please visit www. WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
SUCCESSFUL AGING 15
END-OF-LIFE CARE
an important discussion topic at all ages By Shelley Widhalm
It’s likely you’re not talking about hospice care right now, but it’s an important conversation to have with your family and loved ones before decision-making becomes urgent. Hospice care carries many misperceptions about what it is and what it involves, so getting the right information ahead of time is key to a smooth transition to endof-life care. “It’s never too soon to find out more about palliative care and hospice care, and you can set up an information visit at any time,” said Jessica O’Leary, patient care consultant for TRU Community Care in Lafayette, which operates the TRU Care Center inpatient hospice care center in Longmont. Palliative and hospice care are two different specialized care options for those facing a serious illness, depending on patient and family desires. Palliative care is for patients with a compromised quality of life who are still pursuing treatment and could have years left to live. A palliative care expert can help with the management of the patient’s symptoms from the illness or the side effects of treatment to improve quality of life, as well as goals of care and any advanced directives. “Palliative care can be in place alongside curative interventions, and the prognosis can be years,” O’Leary said.
Hospice Care as Patient Comfort
Alternatively, hospice care is a philosophy of care focused on comfort for patients with a terminal illness and a diagnosis 16 SUCCESSFUL AGING
physicians, but they don’t and can include them on the care team. Hospice care is available 24 hours a day, but doesn’t involve moving into the patient’s home (another common misconception) but instead is on an on-call basis with visits throughout the week, the frequency depending on the patient’s needs. Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance cover hospice care, whether it’s out of the home or in a hospice facility, but do not include long-term care as part of that coverage. If patients require 24-7 care, they get it separately from family, friends, caregivers, an agency or a nursing home or other facility.
Finding the Best Care
of six months or less to live, O’Leary said. Patients are sent to hospice care either by a physician or specialist when other treatment options have been exhausted or through their own or their family’s decision to stop treatment and focus on quality of life and comfort, she said. When hospice care is implemented, it’s often done in the patient’s home or at the facility where they’re staying, such as assisted living or a nursing home. Some hospice care services have a facility, such as TRU Care Center that opened in 1999. “Most people think hospice is a place, but the majority of hospice patients live in their own home or in the community,” O’Leary said. Hospice care facilities typically are for acute symptom management, requiring 24-hour medical
oversight to adjust medications so that the patient is comfortable, O’Leary said. Acute symptoms can include unmanaged pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, agitation and shortness of breath. “Our goal is to help people live and have the best quality of life no matter how much time they have left,” O’Leary said, adding that with any physical, emotional and spiritual discomfort, “that’s where we step in and do our magic.” Hospice care involves medical equipment, medication for comfort and a team approach that includes the patient and the patient’s family and loved ones, as well as physicians, nurse practitioners, a registered nurse, a nursing assistant, a social worker, a chaplain and volunteers. A common misconception is that hospice patients have to give up their own
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When looking for hospice care, it’s recommended patients and their families ask a few questions of the provider, such as what after-hours support looks like and if there is an in-patient care center and specific programs for veterans. They also can inquire about the kind of availability the volunteers have and how patients and families are supported in a crisis and after the hospice patient has died. Families can start the conversation early, asking the patient about preferences for a home or facility setting, filling out advanced directives (which do not require an attorney) and reviewing financial planning. The conversation depends on the patient, who can be decisional or no longer able to make decisions with the medical power of attorney making those decisions on their behalf, O’Leary said, adding that the advanced directive is important for that reason. If October 4, 2020
End-of-Life Doulas
patients are decisional, their wants and choices are honored and education and support is provided to help with the process, she said. “Having the difficult conversation can help loved ones who are grieving many years after someone has died to avoid questioning if they made the right decision on their behalf without knowing what
October 4, 2020
they want or don’t want,” O’Leary said, adding that in Colorado, next of kin are not automatically awarded the right to make medical decisions on the patient’s behalf. “If the patient’s or family’s wishes are on different pages, that’s when extra support is needed to help … facilitate the conversation to get everybody on the same page.”
Another option for end-of-life care is to work with an end-of-life doula and elder companion, such as Linda Heil, owner of Tending with Grace in Longmont. As an elder companion, Heil provides her clients with non-medical practical support, emotional support and socialization, as well as education and guidance. She offers respite for families who are unable to care for or are geographically separated from their loved ones. “More people are wanting to die at home, and family and friends usually become the main care providers, which can lead to immense burnout,” Heil said. “The care providers also need support and respite. … We become a social network around the family to fill in the gaps, maybe cook a meal, walk
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the dog, do the shopping, offer companionship or be a listening ear.” Heil can help her clients work on their last wishes and legacy, such as writing letters to loved ones, creating videos and assembling scrapbooks and memory books. She also can help them organize their medical directives and other medical documents. And she can help them go over their personal comfort care plans. Another service of Heil’s is a vigil doula service, where she helps create the desired atmosphere for the dying person, such as arranging music, scents, lighting, readings and photographs. “Our job is to keep life as normal as possible,” Heil said. “It’s not about looking at dying as a medical event, because it’s a human event. … We are still living until we take that last breath.”
SUCCESSFUL AGING 17
The Impact of Current Events on
REVERSE MORTGAGE DECISIONS By Don Opeka, Orion Mortgage
In this time of financial uncertainty, we are seeing renewed interest in Reverse Mortgages for three primary reasons:
Concern over the rapid drop in the value of financial investments.
With the stock and bond markets exhibiting high volatility and large drops in value, people who have a Reverse Mortgage line of credit can use the line instead of selling depressed financial assets.
Concern over a potential drop in real estate values. We just received an application from a borrower who wants to close as soon as
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possible to be ahead of any drop in the real estate market.
Interest in a “payment optional” loan.
People often think of a Reverse Mortgage only as a way to get money from the equity in their home. It is also a loan that allows the borrower to make payments to reduce the loan balance when they are employed, and either skip payments or draw money out when employment is interrupted. This can be an excellent option for anyone over 62 that is still employed. This works best if the loan is in place before employment is interrupted.
Refinancing an existing Reverse Mortgage
For those who have a Reverse Mortgage in place, now is a good time to review the current loan for a possible refinance. You may already be receiving mailings and other solicitations to refinance based on public record data. Rather than calling one of these unknown entities, if you are curious about your options, Orion Mortgage is happy to
provide a free, no-obligation analysis of your loan to see if a refinance makes sense.
Factors that make refinancing an existing Reverse Mortgage a viable option:
• The property has increased in value enough so you could have access to more money. • Interest rates have dropped so you could access more money or slow the liquidation of your equity. • You have a fixed rate HECM now and would like to have a line of credit or monthly payments.
There are many ways to structure a new Reverse Mortgage, depending on your situation:
• Some borrowers qualify for a no cost refinance where the lender pays all the closing costs and no closing costs are added to the loan balance. • Non-FHA Reverse Mortgage products with closing costs as low as $125. All
other closing costs are paid by the lender. • Traditional cost structures where the closing costs are added to the loan balance to get the lowest rate. • Borrower-paid taxes and insurance OR a life expectancy set aside to pay taxes and insurance. • Ask about other variations between the above. • Fixed rate and adjustable rate products. • Products that work best with an initial draw of $100,000 or more and others that require no draw at closing. Call Don Opeka at 303-469-1254 to learn more! ——————————————
About Don Opeka
Don and his wife Terri started Orion Mortgage in 1996. From the beginning, Orion Mortgage has been focused on customer satisfaction. The growing company was incorporated in Colorado on December 29, 1997.
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IMPACT OF HEARING LOSS in Older Americans During the Pandemic
Isolation and failure to get hearing aids checked leads to anxiety, depression and further hearing loss in many seniors During the pandemic, the safety restrictions placed on senior living facilities, and seniors in general, have severely limited or eliminated social interactions with family and peers. This type of isolation can produce changes in communication and can lead to anxiety and depression. “This has been a very difficult time as senior facilities and individuals try to balance poor health outcomes related to COVID-19 versus poor health outcomes related to social isolation,” said Catherine Palmer, Ph.D., president of the American Academy of Audiology; professor, University of Pittsburgh and director of audiology for the UPMC Health System. “We’ve seen many creative ways in which people are trying to continue to interact with the seniors in their lives.” Unfortunately, during this 20 SUCCESSFUL AGING
time older adults who have been successful hearing aid users may be using their hearing aids less because they feel there is no one to interact with. According to the American Academy of Audiology, this will result in reduced sound input to the brain and can result in auditory deprivation. The individual will be perceived as not hearing as well and needing to use extra effort when communicating. “Family members and friends should encourage their loved ones to continue to use their hearing aids—there is always sound around us,” explained Palmer. Hearing aids require ongoing maintenance and, for some individuals their hearing aids may not be functioning well or at all and they may not be able to get to their audiologist for routine care. Palmer continued, “If an individual continues to use their hearing aid when it is not working, it functions like an earplug—actually blocking sound.” Luckily, many audiologists have provided online tele-health appointments and curbside care for
individuals who cannot come into a clinic safely. Some senior living facilities are allowing audiologists to come into their buildings after they have had a temperature check and/or met CDC criteria. Many simple hearing aid problems can be solved over an online visit. For some individuals with milder hearing loss, who felt like they could communicate adequately, the addition of masks or online communication may have
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stressed the hearing and they may seem now like they’re having more difficulty hearing. These individuals may want to access a clinic in person or find an audiologist who will visit them to begin the process of obtaining appropriate amplification that can assist them in their day-to-day communication situations. Studies have shown links between untreated hearing loss and falls and hearing loss and dementia. According to a study, by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, individuals with untreated mild hearing loss had a higher risk for falling that individuals without hearing loss. Another study at Johns Hopkins found that people with severe hearing loss were five times more likely to develop dementia. “Hearing is an important component of overall health,” Palmer added. “If you suspect any amount of hearing loss in yourself, a friend or family member, it’s important to get it checked as soon as possible.” For more information on hearing loss or to find an audiologist, go to howsyourhearing.org.
If you have concerns about hearing loss or would like more information on solutions, visit a hearing care professionals for information about all of the options available to you.
Longmont Hearing & Tinnitus Center 1146 Francis St., Longmont 303-651-1178, longmonthearing.com October 4, 2020
Finding the
right place
We are here to assist your family through each step in the search for senior living. Whether you’re beginning your search or just have questions, we’re ready to share our knowledge and experience to help you make a thoughtful, well-informed decision. We’re ready to listen, understand and partner to find the right options for you or your loved one.
Brookdale Boulder Creek
Brookdale Longmont
Brookdale Meridian Boulder
Independent Living 801 Gillaspie Drive Boulder, Colorado 80305
Independent Living 3350 30th Street Boulder, Colorado 80301
(303) 473-0333
(303) 682-1066
(303) 494-3900
(303) 444-0200
Assisted Living 3375 34th Street Boulder, Colorado 80301
Assisted Living 2240 Pratt Street Longmont, Colorado 80501
Brookdale North Boulder
©2020 Brookdale Senior Living Inc. All rights reserved. BROOKDALE SENIOR LIVING is a registered trademark of Brookdale Senior Living Inc.
385526 MS
brookdale.com October 4, 2020
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SUCCESSFUL AGING 21
COUNTING BLESSINGS in the Pandemic
By Linda Thorsen Bond
In the pandemic of 2020, staying safe and staying happy are sometimes two different things, and that’s made a challenging year for senior living situations. Successful Aging talked to people whose job entails keeping up seniors’ spirits while working very, very hard to keep them safe. Executives of Balfour Senior Living Communities, the Katherine & Charles Hover Green Houses and TRU PACE discussed the challenges they’ve met during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although they share the same timeline, they each have different innovations and approaches. Jeannette Allen, RN BSN, is vice president of health and wellness for Balfour Senior Living Communities. She offices in Louisville, but she is also involved with the new building in Longmont. “We’ve been blessed that construction continued and the 22 SUCCESSFUL AGING
Longmont facility will open in November/December,” Allen said. The state and county have strict policies for independent living, assisted living and memory care during the pandemic. “From mid-March through April, we emphasized wearing masks, hand-washing and social distancing. Then socialization and visits with families had to stop suddenly, and we became the family for our residents. Because of that, we have added more one-on-one visits and life enhancement with the residents.” Allen said Lightloop, a communication platform, has been very valuable. “It has life enrichment programs, a calendar and a scheduling tool for maintenance, transportation, engagement, and utilizing community contact with residents’ families. It includes pictures of the residents so families can see how they’re doing. We bought extra laptops so residents could Zoom or FaceTime, and we
schedule with their families routinely.” At the end of June, the facilities were allowed to have outdoor visitations with social distancing, hydration, no food items, sitting six feet across from each other, sanitized tables and more. “That’s worked so well we’re getting electric heaters to continue outdoor visits once it gets colder,” Allen said. She added, “Since we restricted our own staff to protect our residents, we have requested the same of our third-party vendors such as Hospice and home health. We asked them to give us staff dedicated to Balfour. Several really rose to the occasion, and now having those staff and third-party vendors committed to Balfour allows us to control the vector of spread of COVID.” Because of the rate of community transmission in Boulder County, the rules have tightened. “Families are allowed to have
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compassionate care visits with tight control,” she said. “That’s not just for end-of-life, but also if a resident has increased depression and a decline of ability to interact. It’s been a long road, but we’re surviving it. We are eager to get back to a semblance of indoor visits when that is easier to achieve, and all things are pointing to getting better.” Holly Raymer, nursing home administrator of the Catherine & Hover Greenhouses, said, “Our new model greenhouse lends itself to better being able to control infections because all rooms are private. We have consistent staff & nursing and we follow very strict infection guidelines. When the pandemic first started, we had to close to visitors. That is very hard for families, elders and staff, because families become very much a part of each house. Since May when outdoor visits became allowed, it has worked very well because we have four large patios in our courtyards.” Raymer said the staff receives continuing education “about everything we know about basic COVID, and how to keep themself safe even outside of work. That’s why we’ve been so successful, and we’ve had no COVID cases,” she said. “We encourage the staff to clean and disinfect their own homes just like here.” When a resident first moves into a Hover Green House, in addition to not being able to see their families, they have to be in isolation for 14 days. “When the staff goes in, they have full protective equipment, gowns, masks, and eye covering. That makes it really hard to get to know that person. The staff takes time with the new person to make sure they’re not lonely or bored. We have information we’ve gotten in pre-interviews, October 4, 2020
so we learn each person’s usual routines, how their day goes, what they like to do, how to best provide for them even in isolation. Because of a grant we got, we have electronic equipment to help with zoom meetings and provide residents ways to access internet. They are visiting museums around country virtually, and even going to other countries. That helps keep people engaged.” Raymer added, “We are very blessed that we decided to go with the Green House model. It really is a home for a meaningful life. We’re very blessed because of the way the State and Boulder Country are so supportive and available. They are doing everything they can do to assist us to do right the right things and keep people safe.” TRU PACE (Program of AllInclusive Care for the Elderly) coordinates and provides preventive, primary, acute, and long-term care services so that older individuals can continue living safely in
October 4, 2020
Boulder County or Southwestern Weld County. It’s different than the other two facilities because it is designed to enable individuals who are 55 years old or older and certified by the state to need nursing-home-level care to live as independently as possible. Executive Director Samantha Black has a very positive attitude at TRU PACE in Lafayette. “It’s been challenging,” she said, “but it has also opened opportunities to provide great care creatively and flexibly. Because folks have been encouraged and told to stay home, they are not coming into our center with the medical clinic, rehab gym, home health coordination, social work and full day care program. We had to pivot our service, so people don’t come in but we put what they need into their homes.” How is that done? “We have integrated tablets and zoomed calls to our community and we’re pulling out all the stops,” Black said. “We have activities by phone
for people who are not comfortable with computers. We can offer telehealth assessments over the internet to ensure medical care, but we also we know the social aspect is important. A lot of older people are worried about leaving their homes, so let’s bring the services to them. We get a tablet in their home so we can see them and they see us. They can be involved with groups. We hope that every participant who is comfortable with and would like a tablet will have one in their home. Our goal is to have tablets with 100 percent of all who want them.” Even though seniors may want equipment, they might not be able to use it. Black said, “We’re learning that the technology has to be simple and as one-step as possible. Many of our participants can’t use it if it has lot of steps, like ‘turn it on, turn on blue tooth, access a program and pick the service you need.’ We are working on the model that
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you turn it on, hit the button and you are in the activity. It really has three steps: 1. Have a tablet, computer or SmartPhone, 2. Know how to use it and 3. Make it as simple as possible. We have additional tech support, and our team is good at it and finding out how can we make sure we’re providing the right help.” “One of our partners is Meals on Wheels,” Black explained. “They used to bring meals to PACE to serve our day program, and now they are delivered to all of our participants. All our partners have shifted to accommodate the situation. We’ve found our greatest opportunity is telehealth. The pandemic has really moved us to fully embrace telehealth and learn how we can manage emergency, medical and beyond. We are learning to integrate telehealth fully into our care models, which lets us enhance how we deliver care to our community.”
SUCCESSFUL AGING 23
Live Well. Live Balfour.
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