The Momentum Winter 2021

The Momentum Winter 2021

Health Literacy 4 Medicare Open- Enrollment 8 Family Caregiver Month 22

Life- Writing Month 27

In This Edition Vintage.......................................................3 Health Literacy Month.................................5 2021 Medicare Open-Enrollment.................9 Eat Better Together....................................10 SSA Death Benefit.....................................11 Residents' Rights Month............................13 Signs of Elder Abuse..................................14 Elder Rights...............................................16 Need a Ride?..............................................19 Know the Symptoms..................................20 Adopt a Senior Pet.....................................21 DIAL..........................................................22 Family Caregiver Month.............................27 Caregiver Services.....................................23 Caregiving in US 2020................................24 Life-Writing Month.....................................28 Write a Business Plan Month.....................34 Ding-a-Ling Day.........................................37 Hero's Journey of the Caregiver.................38 In-Home Services......................................39 Thanksgiving Food Safety..........................40 Make Yourself a Priority Too......................42 Caregiver Support Program.......................44 Home Health Care......................................45 Energy Program.........................................48 Tips to Age in Place...................................50 Nymbl........................................................52 Forgetfulness............................................53 Older Adults & Alcohol...............................55 Return of Mt. Ride......................................57 Vintage Vouchers......................................58 Colorado Spirit...........................................59 Mind Springs.............................................60 LGBT.........................................................61 Workforce Innovation.................................62 Legal Advice Clinics...................................63 Alzheimer's Support Groups.......................64 Caregiver Connections...............................66 Mobile Food Pantry....................................67 Home Rehab Program................................69 Smiles for Seniors.....................................70 Summit Community & Senior Center..........71 Text 2 Live Healthy....................................76 PTC Tax Credit..........................................77 CAREthartic Conversations.......................78 Senior Law Days........................................79 Regional Resources...................................81

Oct-December 2021 Original content in this edition provided by Leah Rybak, LMR Consulting LLC Content Curated by Ceci Peterson, Vintage Magazine edited by Amanda Rens-Moon, Vintage

INFORMATION | RESOURCES | ADVOCACY

We are The Alpine Region’s Aging Expert

Vintage is the Alpine region’s aging expert—ensuring that all of us have access to the supports, services, and resources we need as we age. We also provide deep content expertise to ensure our communities and providers meet those needs as well. Our services include financial assistance for in-home services, transportation, and dental & vision needs, information & referral, nutrition programs, caregiver supports, Medicare counseling, long term care ombudsman, volunteer opportunities, legal assistance, and educational programs.

YOURVINTAGE.ORG

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SERVICES FOR AGING WELL IN COLORADO Your Connection to Information, Resources, and Advocacy in Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin, and Summit.

Volunteer Opportunities We have a variety of volunteer opportunities, such as Respite

Dental & Vision Assistance Programs

People-Carry

TOOTH

We have funding for adults 60 and older for dental and vision needs that will keep you healthy and receiving the care you need. Transportation We have trusted transportation options to get you where you need to go when you need to go there. Options include transportation vouchers and other transportation services depending on the area. Health: Nutrition & Balance Vintage offers the following nutrition- related programs such as Home Delivered Meals, Community Based Meals, and Nutrition Education and Counseling. We also provide Evidence-Based Health and Wellness Programs and fall prevention classes. Legal Assistance

Companions, Medicare Counselors, Regional Advisory Council Board members, Long Term Care Ombudsmen, and our RSVP program. Caregiver Support At Vintage, we support you in whatever stage of the aging journey you are on! For caregivers, we offer training and education, financial assistance, and have a volunteer respite program in Summit County to assist where you need it most. Medicare & State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) We are here to answer your questions or concerns about Medicare, Medicare benefits, or to see if you’re eligible for the Medicare Savings Program. LTC Ombudsman The Long Term Care Ombudsman protects and promotes the Resident Rights of the residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in our region.

Shuttle-Van

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APPLE-ALT

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HEARTBEAT

BALANCE-SCALE

We contract with partners who provide legal services to older adults 60+ free of charge to those with the most significant economic or social needs.

Aging Services Focused on YOU Call our Resource Center at (970) 468-0295 if you have any questions or are interested in learning more.

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Health Literacy Month

Building Health Literacy Awareness Through Action

What is

Health Literacy?

October is Health Literacy Month which according to the HRSA, “Health literacy is the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information needed to make appropriate health decisions. Low health literacy can be more prevalent among: Older adults Minority populations Those who have low socioeconomic status Medically underserved people” Why Is Health Literacy Important? Health literacy is important, because it can helps people obtain appropriate medical and behavioral health care. People with low health literacy may not get equal care, because they have trouble finding providers, experience difficulty in sharing medical history with health care providers, have difficulty understanding and filling out forms and often may not understand directions for taking medications. They also may not know to seek preventive health care or know the link between risky behaviors and health consequences. What Are the Consequences of Low Health Literacy? The results of low health literacy can include: Shame and stigma, which can create barriers accessing health and behavioral health care; Reduced knowledge and understanding of a person’s own medical conditions and treatment; Reduced knowledge and understanding of health-promoting behaviors and preventive care and services; Increased rates of hospitalization and use of emergency services; Increased rates of poor health status; Entry of sicker patients into healthcare systems; Increased health care costs and spending (Institute of Medicine, 2004).

Questions to Ask

at your next

Doctor's Visit

Here are 10 helpful questions to keep in mind at your next doctor's appointment. Part of improving health literacy is feeling more comfortable with the doctor and knowing what is important to ask or be concerned about. 1. What medical tests do you recommend? Check in to see if you need blood tests, X-rays, Pap tests, mammograms, glaucoma tests, or screenings for prostate and colorectal cancer. This series of tests can be done regularly to check for hidden medical problems. 2. Why is the test important, how should I get ready for it and what will it cost? If you are on Medicare the costs may differ depending on the test and where you live so it is always best to ask. 3. When will I know the results of the test? More important than when the results will come back, ensure the doctor tells you what the results mean. It's beneficial to ask for a written copy; if the test is done by a specialist, and have the results sent to your primary doctor. 4. What is my diagnosis and what can I expect? Ask the doctor to tell you the name of the condition and why he or she thinks you have it. 5. How will my condition be treated or managed? You will want to know how it will affect you and how long it might last. Some medical problems never go away completely. 6. Why do I need this new medication and are there special instructions or possible side effects? Ask your doctor/pharmacist to explain anything confusing about your prescription, and keep a record of all your medicines and instructions for taking them.

7. Are there foods or drinks I should avoid while I’m on the medicine? You may have to take the medicine with food or a whole glass of water. 8. What are my choices for other treatments?

There are different ways to manage many health conditions, especially chronic conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol. If cost is a concern, ask the doctor if less expensive choices are available.

YourVintage.org | 970-468-0295 | 249 Warren Ave, PO Box 2308, Silverthorne, CO 80498 continued on the next p ge...

9 What are the pros and cons of my treatment alternatives?

Questions to Ask

Continued...

9. What are the pros and cons of my treatment alternatives? Find out what side effects might occur, how long the treatment would continue, and how likely it is that the treatment will work for you. Consider its impact on your overall life. 10. What can I do to prevent disease and be my healthiest? It’s never too late to stop smoking, improve your diet or start exercising. Get regular checkups and see other health professionals, such as dentists and eye specialists to promote good health. Even people who have chronic diseases, like arthritis or diabetes, can prevent further disability and, in some cases, control the progress of the disease. Overall, don't forget these questions and better yet, don't forget to bring a loved one with you to ensure you have another resource (and a friendly face) to help you at the doctors office.

We are here to help

Vintage offers Medicare Counseling Assistance.

Call today at 970-468-0295 or email Jonnah at [email protected]

2021 Medicare Open Enrollment October 15th – December 7 th

It is important to us at Vintage that you have access to affordable health coverage that fits your unique lifestyle. It is also important to us that you understand what type of coverage you have so it can help meet your needs as they arise. Open Enrollment is the time of year to: • Review your Medicare coverage and make sure it fits your needs • Change your current plan, if necessary • Sign up for a Medigap Supplement, Advantage plan, or Part D drug plan, if you do not have one • Learn about your preventative services and use them before the end of the year

Check your current coverage

For help navigating your Medicare please reach out to your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP). Serving Summit, Eagle, Grand, Pitkin, and Jackson Counties.

This is the time to review what is covered under your current plan.

Feel free to call or visit the website of your current plan and see what your co-pays, co- insurance, premiums, and covered services are. Also, what are the preventative services covered under your current plan and have you taken advantage of these this year.

Jonnah Glassman SHIP Medicare and Volunteer Coordinator [email protected] Tel: 970-315-1328

Make Changes If your current plan is not fitting your needs, you can change to a new plan during Open Enrollment. These changes will be affective January 1st, 2022. This includes signing up for, or making changes to a Medigap Supplement, Advantage plan, or Part D drug plan. For a plan finder or to compare some plans Go to www.medicare.gov and click the button “Find Health & Drug Plans". *An important note if you are 65+ and are not enrolled in Original Medicare A & B, along with a Part D drug plan, you will pay a penalty for every year you were NOT enrolled. The longer you wait, the higher the penalty – unfortunately you will pay this penalty for the rest of your life. Prescription needs can be very sudden, and very costly if needed. Please take advantage of this time to enroll in a Part D drug plan.

Eat Better - Eat Together Month

If you have the gift of living close to your loved ones or have a close-knit friend group that you enjoy spending time with, celebrate Eat Better, Eat Together month this October by prioritizing sharing meals with the ones you love. Family meals can create a sense of community, improve relationships and overall improve you and your loved one's health. Meals provide an opportunity for exchanging ideas, laughing together, and generally enjoying each other's company.

Here are a few ideas about incorporating eating together into your weekly routine:

1. "No Excuses Night:" 1 night a week where you have dinner together no matter what. 3. Plan a breakfast or brunch date on weekends where you go out for brunch together.

2. Put away all electronics and focus on each other 100%!

4. Ask intentional questions to get the conversation going. Instead of "How are you?" ask "What made you happy today?"

How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies

If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefit received for the month of death or any later months. For example, if the person dies in July, you must return the benefit paid in August. If received by direct deposit, contact the bank or other financial institution and ask them to return any funds received for the month of death or later. If paid by check, do not cash any checks received for the month the person dies or later. Return the checks to Social Security as soon as possible. However, eligible family members may be able to receive death benefits for the month the beneficiary died. Contacting Social Security The most convenient way to contact us anytime, anywhere is to visit www.socialsecurity.gov . There, you can: apply for benefits; open a my Social Security account, which you can use to review your Social Security Statement , verify your earnings, print a benefit verification letter, change your direct deposit information, request a replacement Medicare card, and get a replacement SSA-1099/1042S; obtain valuable information; find publications; get answers to frequently asked questions; and much more. If you don’t have access to the internet, we offer many automated services by telephone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778 , if you’re deaf or hard of hearing. If you need to speak to a person, we can answer your calls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. We ask for your patience during busy periods since you may experience a higher than usual rate of busy signals and longer hold times to speak to us. We look forward to serving you.

You should let Social Security know as soon as possible when a person in your family dies. Usually, the funeral director will report the person’s death to Social Security. You’ll need to give the deceased’s Social Security number to the funeral director so they can make the report. Some of the deceased’s family members may be able to receive Social Security benefits if the deceased person worked long enough in jobs insured under Social Security to qualify for benefits. Contact Social Security as soon as you can to make sure the family gets all the benefits they’re entitled to. Please read the following information carefully to learn what benefits may be available. • We can pay a one-time payment of $255 to the surviving spouse if they were living with the deceased. If living apart and eligible for certain Social Security benefits on the deceased’s record, the surviving spouse may still be able to get this one-time payment. If there’s no surviving spouse, a child who’s eligible for benefits on the deceased’s record in the month of death can get this payment. • Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits , including: —A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if disabled); —A widow or widower any age caring for the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled; —An unmarried child of the deceased who is: o Younger than age 18 (or up to age 19 if they’re a full-time student in an elementary or secondary school); or o Age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22; —A stepchild, grandchild, stepgrandchild, or adopted child under certain circumstances; —Parents, age 62 or older, who were dependent on the deceased for at least half of their support; and —A surviving divorced spouse, under certain circumstances.

SocialSecurity.gov

Social Security Administration Publication No. 05-10008 | ICN 451390 | Unit of Issue — HD (one hundred) May 2017 (Recycle prior editions) How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies Produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense

Printed on recycled paper

Cómo el Seguro Social le puede ayudar cuando fallece un miembro de su familia

Cuando fallece una persona en su familia, debe avisarle al Seguro Social lo más pronto posible. En la mayoría de los casos, el encargado de la funeraria notificará al Seguro Social de la muerte de esta persona. Usted tendrá que darle el número de Seguro Social al encargado de la funeraria para que éste pueda hacer el informe. Algunos de los miembros de la familia de la persona fallecida podrían tener derecho a beneficios de Seguro Social, si la persona fallecida trabajó y pagó los impuestos de Seguro Social para poder tener derecho a beneficios. Comuníquese con el Seguro Social lo más pronto posible para asegurarse que la familia reciba todos los beneficios a los que podría tener derecho . Por favor lea la siguiente información cuidadosamente para que tenga un mejor conocimiento de los beneficios que están a su disposición. • Podemos pagarle un pago global de $255 al cónyuge sobreviviente, si éste estaba viviendo con la persona fallecida. Si no estaban viviendo juntos y el cónyuge tenía derecho a ciertos beneficios de Seguro Social bajo el registro de la persona fallecida es posible que el cónyuge sobreviviente pueda recibir este pago global. Si no hay un cónyuge sobreviviente, el pago se le hace a un hijo(a) quien tenía derecho a recibir los beneficios de Seguro Social bajo el registro de la persona fallecida en el mes del fallecimiento. • Es posible que algunos miembros de la familia tengan derecho a recibir los beneficios mensuales, entre ellos: —El cónyuge sobreviviente mayor de 60 años de edad (mayor de 50 años si está incapacitado); —El cónyuge sobreviviente, independientemente de su edad, si tiene a su cargo un hijo(a) de la persona fallecida, menor de 16 años o incapacitado; —Los(as) hijos(as) solteros(as) de la persona fallecida quienes son: o Menores de 18 años de edad (o hasta los 19 años de edad si son estudiantes a tiempo completo en una escuela primaria o secundaria); o o Mayores de 18 años incapacitados(as) antes de cumplir los 22 años de edad; —Un hijastro, nieto, nietastro, o un niño adoptivo bajo ciertas circunstancias; —Los padres de la persona fallecida, si dependían económicamente de la persona fallecida, mayores de 62 años de edad y quienes recibían por los menos la mitad de su manutención de parte de la persona fallecida; y

—Bajo ciertas circunstancias, un cónyuge divorciado sobreviviente.

Si la persona fallecida recibía los beneficios de Seguro Social , usted tiene que devolver los beneficios que se recibió para el mes del fallecimiento y cualquier mes posterior. Por ejemplo, si la persona fallece en el mes de julio, usted tiene que devolver los beneficios que recibió en el mes de agosto. Si los beneficios se pagaron por depósito directo, comuníquese con el banco o con la institución financiera. Pida que cualquier dinero recibido en el mes del fallecimiento y después, se devuelva al Seguro Social. Si los beneficios se pagaron por cheque, no canjee ningún cheque que reciba a partir del mes en que la persona falleció. Devuelva estos cheques a la oficina del Seguro Social lo más pronto posible. Sin embargo, es posible que algunos miembros de la familia tengan derecho a recibir los beneficios para el mes en que el beneficiario falleció. Cómo comunicarse con el Seguro Social La manera más conveniente de comunicarse con nosotros, desde cualquier lugar y a cualquier hora, es en www.segurosocial.gov . Allí podrá: solicitar los beneficios de Seguro Social; abrir una cuenta de my Social Security para revisar su Estado de cuenta de Seguro Social , verificar sus ganancias, imprimir una carta de verificación de beneficios, cambiar su información de depósito directo, solicitar un reemplazo de su tarjeta de Medicare; obtener copias de los formularios SSA-1099/1042S; conseguir información valiosa; encontrar publicaciones; obtener repuestas a las preguntas más comunes; y mucho más. Algunos de estos servicios solo están disponibles en inglés. Para ayudarle con sus trámites de Seguro Social, proveemos servicios de intérprete gratis, por teléfono o en persona cuando visite una de nuestras oficinas. Si no tiene acceso al internet, ofrecemos muchos servicios automatizados por teléfono, las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana. Para hablar con uno de nuestros agentes en español, llame a nuestro número gratuito 1-800-772-1213 y oprima el número 7. Si es sordo o tiene problemas de audición, llame a nuestro número TTY, 1-800-325-0778 . Si necesita hablar con un agente, podemos contestar sus llamadas de lunes a viernes, desde las 7 AM hasta las 7 PM. Le pedimos su paciencia durante los períodos de alta demanda, ya que podrá experimentar señales de teléfono ocupado y tiempos de espera mayor de lo habitual. ¡Esperamos poder servirle!

SeguroSocial.gov

Social Security Administration Publication No. 05-10008 | ICN 451390 | Unit of Issue — HD (one hundred) May 2017 (Recycle prior editions) How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies Escrito y publicado con fondos de los contribuyentes de los EE. UU.

Impreso en papel reciclado.

RESIDENTS' RIGHTS MONTH

OCTOBER 2021

An annual event to honor al l residents l iving in al l long-term care faci l ities and celebrate the awareness of dignity, respect, and the rights of each resident.

Resident's Voice Challenge

Residents are invited to reflect on this year’s theme and get creative by submitting artwork, video or audio recordings, poems, essays, word collages, songs, or photos for the Resident's Voice Challenge. Artwork Contest: We will be selecting original resident artwork to be featured on a door hanger. These door hangers will serve as a reminder for anyone who visits, that this is the resident's home. Deadline for submissions is September 1, 2021. Visit our website for additional details. Additional Ways to Celebrate Share promotional materials such as a sample newsletter article, sample press release, and proclamations to the Governor and Mayor. Partake in Residents' Rights Month activities. Use our activity calendar for ideas throughout the month of October and to provide an opportunity for education, discussion, and community-building.

For more resources, act ivi t ies, and promot ional mater ials, visi t https: //theconsumervoice.org/events/2021-residents-r ights-month

SPOTTING THE SIGNS OF ELDER ABUSE

Abuse can happen to any older person, by a loved one, a hired caregiver, or a stranger. Abuse can happen at home, at a relative’s home, or in an eldercare facility.

physical

emotional

There are many types of abuse:

neglect

sexual

abandonment

financial

Watch for these signs of abuse:

Seems depressed, confused, or withdrawn

Isolated from friends and family

Has unexplained bruises, burns, or scars

Appears dirty, underfed, dehydrated, over- or undermedicated, or not receiving needed care for medical problems

Has bed sores or other preventable conditions

Recent changes in banking or spending patterns

Talk with the older adult and then contact the local Adult Protective Services, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, or the police.

Visit https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/topics/elder-abuse to learn more about elder abuse and how to get help.

National Institute on Aging

Elder Rights: Safeguards for the Most Vulnerable Among Us

Aging (AoA) is committed to protecting the rights of older people and preventing their abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Toward this end, AoA works to heighten awareness among other federal agencies, organizations, groups, and the public about the needs of vulnerable older people. SPECIFIC PROGRAMS TO PROTECT ELDER RIGHTS AoA supports three programs that specifically promote the rights of seniors and protect them from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. AoA coordinates these programs at the national level, and members of the Aging Network implement them at the State and local level. ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION PREVENTION The goal of the Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Prevention Program is to develop and strengthen prevention efforts at the State and local level. This includes funding for State and local public awareness campaigns, training programs, and multi-disciplinary teams. To support and enhance these activities, AoA funds the National Center on Elder Abuse. The Center disseminates information about elder mistreatment to professionals and the public, and provides technical assistance and training to States and community-based organizations. To learn more about the Center visit http://www.ncea.aoa.gov.

ELDER RIGHTS PROGRAMS PROTECT AND AFFECT US ALL More and more Americans are being confronted with the challenge of protecting themselves or their loved ones from the threats of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. According to the 1998 National Elder Abuse Incidence Study, nearly half a million seniors suffer from abuse in domestic settings each year. This study also found that only one out of five cases of abuse is reported to the authorities. In 1965, the Older Americans Act was enacted and decreed that older Americans were entitled to certain basic rights and benefits. The law provides funding for an extensive network of State and Area Agencies on Aging and local providers that coordinates and delivers services, and protects the rights of older persons. The Older Americans Act has been amended several times, including in 1992 when Congress approved amendments that created Title VII: Allotments for Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities. Title VII brought together the various advocacy programs of the Act into a system of services, programs, and personnel designed to help older persons understand their rights, exercise choice through informed decision-making, and benefit from the support and opportunities promised by law. As the federal advocate for older Americans and their concerns, the Administration on

services and work to increase the availability of legal representation and advice to older adults throughout the state, especially those in the greatest social or economic need. Predatory lending, investment schemes, identity theft, home repair scams, and other types of financial exploitation continue to be major problems for older Americans. Many victimized older adults lose their life savings or their homes and then require nursing homes. AoA’s legal providers and legal helplines protect seniors from these threats to home ownership by providing them with prevention information and help in seeking restitution. Today, too many older Americans are confronted by the threats of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. AoA’s Elder Rights Programs protect seniors from known abuses to which older adults are often susceptible and assure the basic rights and benefits of vulnerable older people. For more information on these programs, visit http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Program Elder abuse is an umbrella term used to describe one or more of the following: Physical Abuse is the infliction of physical pain or injury on a senior, e.g. slapping, bruising, or restraining by physical or chemical means. Sexual Abuse is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind. Neglect is the failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care, or protection for a vulnerable elder. s/Elder_Rights/index.aspx. WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE ?

LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

Ombudsman staff and volunteers serving in the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocate on behalf of older residents living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other residential settings. Every State has an Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman under which dedicated advocates assist residents to voice concerns, secure their rights, and correct conditions affecting their care. Working through hundreds of grassroots programs, paid and volunteer ombudsmen serve residents and their representatives by educating them and providers about residents’ rights and good care practices, including alternatives to chemical and physical restraints. AoA supports the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center, which provides training and technical assistance to assist ombudsmen in their demanding work. For more information about the Center or to locate an ombudsmen in your area, visit www.ltcombudsman.org. STATE LEGAL ASSISTANCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM The State Legal Assistance Development Program is another essential element in protecting elder rights under Title VII of the Older Americans Act. The Act is one of the top funding sources for low-income senior legal assistance. Nationwide, approximately 1,000 legal services providers funded through the Act provide more than one million hours of assistance to seniors per year on a wide range of legal issues. Legal Assistance Developers at the state level coordinate these

Exploitation is the illegal taking, misuse, or concealment of funds, property, or assets of a senior for someone else’s benefit. Emotional Abuse is the infliction of mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts, e.g. humiliating, intimidating, or threatening. Abandonment is the desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person. Self-neglect is characterized as the failure of a person to perform essential, self-care tasks and that such failure threatens his/her own health or safety. If you suspect elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation, please call 1-800-677-1116, or visit http://www.eldercare.gov for assistance in locating the nearest reporting agency. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or the local police where the senior lives to get help right away.

For more information about ACL U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living, Washington DC 20201 Phone: (202) 619 – 0724 Fax: (202) 357 – 3555 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.aoa.gov

Vintage (Formerly known as Alpine Area Agency on Aging) has a transportation voucher to suit your needs. The voucher program works in two ways: 1. You drive yourself and receive mileage reimbursement. 2. Someone else drives you, and we pay them or reimburse you for payment. Who is Eligible? If you are 60+ and live in Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin or Summit counties, you may qualify. NEED A RIDE?

Contact Ceci Peterson for more information [email protected] 970-531-4087

KNOW THE DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS

COMMON COLD

Runny or stuffy nose

Sneezing

Sore throat

Mild to moderate chest discomfort

COVID-19

NOTE: Some people may be able to spread COVID-19 without showing any symptoms. Shortness of breath Fever or chills Cough New loss of taste or smell

FLU

Fever or chills

Cough

Sore throat

Body aches

As flu season approaches, be aware of the different symptoms you may experience with the common cold, flu, and COVID-19. This list is not exhaustive, and other symptoms may be present or overlapping. If you have any of the symptoms above, please bring it up with your doctor during the appointment. Getting an annual flu vaccine is an important preventative measure to help protect against influenza this season.

Brought to you as a public health service by Sanofi Pasteur Inc. MAT-US-2010357 | 06/20

Reasons to Adopt a Senior Pet NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPT A SENIOR PET MONTH

NOVEMBER

Having a pet helps can help you get out of the house, exercise, meet new people, reduce stress, increase social interaction and physical activity and help with loneliness.

Adoptions are not limited to any particular geographic area. You can leave with your new best friend the same day! COMPANIONSHIP

Studies show that having an animal can decrease blood pressure levels and reduce stress. Older dogs also like leisurely walks which can also help get you outside as well. STRESS RELIEF

Dogs often live till they are 10-15 and what better idea than to love on an older dog during the end of its years. Even 5-year-old dogs are often overlooked at the shelters and they have plenty of life to live! YEARS OF LIFE

COST OF ADOPTION

Adopting an older dog can save you money! Adoption fees often include vaccinations, spay/neutering, microchips, and lots of shelters offer discounts for older pets.

Not only are older dogs cute but they are more likely to be housebroken and not have accidents inside your home. HOUSE TRAINED

Older dogs are often already trained (at least knowing how to SIT) and are calmer which can ease the continuation of training. TRAINING AND INTELLIGENCE

DISABILITY INFORMATION AND ACCESS LINE (DIAL) COVID-19 vaccination support for people with disabilities 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Or email [email protected]

Help finding local vaccination locations

Assistance with vaccination appointments

Connecting callers to local support services

Answering common vaccine questions

Locating resources to address concerns

The hotline can also connect callers to services that promote independent living and address fundamental needs like food, housing, and transportation.

CONNECT WITH ESSENTIAL SERVICES

• DIAL was created through a partnership between the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help older adults and people with disabilities get COVID-19 vaccines. It is run as a collaboration between the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and a group of organizations serving people with disabilities, including: • Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) • Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) • Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) • • • National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) National Disabilities Rights Network (NDRN) The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies

. Learn more about DIAL at ACL.gov/dial

ACL is an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

National Family Caregiver Month Find out who a caregiver is and services that are available

November is National Family Caregiver Month

National recognition of family caregivers came to the public eye because of the Caregiver Action Network in 1994. Not long after, President Clinton signed the first National Family Caregiver Month proclamation in 1997 and since, November has been devoted to honoring family caregivers. The theme this year is #BeCareCurious and throughout the month of November, there will be events and raised awareness surrounding caregivers and the work they do. This month honors the family caregivers, who are unpaid and give their time, energy and hearts to their care recipients.

of caregivers over age of 70 die before their care recipients 70%

caregiving is a 24 hour a day, seven day a week job 24/7

We are here to help

Vintage offers supportive services for caregivers under the National Family Caregiver Support Act.

Call today at 970.531.4087 or at [email protected]

Who is a Caregiver?

And what do they do?

“Caregiving can be a 24-hours-a-day, seven- days-a-week job,” states the Caregiver Action Network, which spearheads National Family Caregivers Month. “Providing care around the clock can crowd out other important areas of life.” Caregivers have a variety of roles and responsibilities but most often are the primary care for everyday life for their loved ones. The responsibilities range from handling all finances and legal matters to being a companion and friend. Most often, a caregiver is on call 100% of the time 24/7. They often assist their loved one frommorning till night, doing a wide range of home services like cooking and cleaning to arranging and attending medical appointments and leading medical care decisions.

The general term caregiver applies to any one—family member, friend, spouse, neighbor, or a paid employee, that assists someone. A family caregiver is just that, an unpaid family member that assists a loved one while sometimes working full time, raising young children, or maintaining other core responsibilities. In the context of paid positions, a caregiver is a licensed professional hired through an agency or nonprofit who assists an older adult or person in need that lives at home. According to the National PACE Association, “the Caregiver Action Network (CAN) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for the more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age.”

Caregiver Tips for Preventing Burnout

Caregiver burnout is real. Over 70% of caregivers over the age of 70 die before their care recipients. And most caregivers are so focused on taking care of others that they often forget to take care of themselves. If you are a caregiver, here are some tips for maintaining your health and happiness.

Tip 1

Tip 2

Seek Support

Be Open

You are not alone! Find a community of other caregivers and don't hesitate to ask for help if and when you need it.

There may be new technologies or kinds of assistance available. Beware of scams but also keep an open mind about different ways you can help care for your loved one.

Tip 4

Tip 3

Get Organized

Take Breaks

The more organized you are, the smoother things will go! Make sure all legal documents and medical records are easy to access and in order.

It is hard to feel like there is enough time in the day, but take breaks for your mental and physical health. Try to exercise, rest or do one thing a day just for you!

Vintage | 970-468-0295 | 249 Warren Ave, PO Box 2308, Silverthorne, CO 80498

November is

National Life Writing Month

As a writer and a death-doula, I’m fascinated by the stories of our loved ones. What decisions or experiences led people to become the people they are today? What is important as the proverbial road of life becomes longer behind than ahead? What dreams are we glad never came true?

You know, just your basic, “What is the meaning of life” stuff.

Right now, I’m helping compile my grandmother’s memoir and the stories of a dear family friend. I’ve learned a lot through this process, and should this pique your interest, too, I thought I’d outline some tips, tricks, and pitfalls.

Family

Memoirs

First, a Plan Anyone who knows me, knows that organization and planning are not always my default setting. I don’t think linearly, so I have a hard time imagining the steps to a final product. It’s important to outline both your goals and your loved one’s goals for the project. Are we thinking of a large, chronological book?

Is this a collection of short stories?

Are there pictures you want to include?

Will you include stories from other family members, (spouse, children, siblings) or are these just stories of your loved one? Do you need to get permission from other members of the family? Will they be horrified if something unflattering is recorded? In my case, do I ever tell my daughter that our great, great, great (lots of greats) family member was responsible for scientifically disproving the existence of unicorns? Nope. Not every story is heartwarming. How do you plan to handle that?

100%

Memoirs are the backstairs of history.

~George Meredith

Can I pay someone to do this?

There are a few companies that specialize in legacy projects, and they will record and write these stories for you. Not everyone is a writer, and for many, the thought of taking on a project like this is overwhelming. Some of these companies, like Lifebio , will compile all the stories and write all or some of the project for you. Some companies like Story Worth create journals with prompts to have the loved one complete. Then the company turns those writings into a hard-bound book. These are only 2 examples, but there are a lot of options and price points. Since I’m a writer, I decided to handle most of this myself.

DIY Tips

Capturing the Stories

Collecting the stories is my favorite part of the project. I decided that I did not want to focus on taking notes while my grandmother told me her stories. To ensure I caught every word, I decided I needed to record her. I also wanted artificial intelligence to transcribe the recorded calls. It saves me a lot of time. Instead of typing out all the transcriptions, I can just edit the errors the auto-transcription makes. There are A LOT of errors.

“I’m writing my story so that others might see

fragments of themselves.”

~Lena Waithe

Great but what do I say?

How do I get my loved one to talk?

Capturing the stories cont...

I also wanted the process to feel friendly and comfortable. I didn’t want my grandmother to have to talk into her computer, as she and I are more comfortable on the phone. With all these factors in play, I landed on otter.ai. They have both free and paid accounts. I chose the $13/month account, so I could have the maximum room for recordings. (I’m trying desperately to stay organized here.) I just call my grandmother, start the recording feature on my computer, and put my phone on speaker. It catches everything, and it’s just like a regular phone call for my grandmother. Otter.ai also has a smartphone app. I used this when I had the opportunity to visit my grandmother in person. Easy-peasy. Not everyone has the time or the comfort level to transcribe/edit all the recordings. (I have a background in Medical Transcription, so that does help speed up my process.) If you’re unable to transcribe/edit the recordings yourself, there are online sites that allow you to contract out some steps in the project. I like Fiverr, as there are a lot of reasonably priced freelancers. It does require setting clear expectations for the project and a fair amount of oversight and communication. However, there are freelancers who can help transcribe, ghostwrite, proofread, edit, and format your project. Upwork is another option to get some additional help and expertise.

Most of my life, I’ve had trouble getting people to NOT share their deepest darkest secrets with me, but I know not everyone has that experience. Here are a few tips. I like to study-up on a few questions to get the ball rolling. Usually, I only ever use one or two questions throughout the hour or so call, as I try to let the speaker lead the conversation. Open-ended questions are best.

Here are few questions from the Legacyproject.org.

I also look for questions that are outside the normal, “What do you remember about being a child?” type questions.

"Tell me about your first

major purchase as an

adult?”

or

“If you close your eyes, what

do you remember most

about the smell of your

childhood bedroom?”

“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we

can't remember who we are or why we're here.”

-- Sue Monk Kidd

How Do I Get my Loved One to

Talk? Cont...

I like to start questions with “tell me about,” as for whatever reason, that gets people talking. Keep the conversation going by dropping encouraging and related questions and comments. It’s important to “hmm… and uh-huh,” to show your interviewee that you’re listening. However, I also use a lot of silence. People feel compelled to fill uncomfortable silences, so by pausing that extra 5 seconds, many times, I’ll find that a speaker will fill in more details. I find once the conversation starts, it’s hard to stop and the stories flow like a river. I do recommend keeping the calls to about an hour. That seems to be about the amount of time before the speaker is tired, and it’s about my limit to transcribe in a reasonable amount of time.

I have a million transcriptions/recordings.

How do I put it together?

This is where I really put my foot in it. I tried to pull all the stories together the same way I wrote essays for literature class.

I had pretentious quotes; I had academic language; I had five-paragraph format. It sounded like “college me.”

When I proudly presented the first chapter to my grandmother, she delicately reminded me that it didn’t sound like her. She didn’t care about Charles Dickens quotes. She wanted the project to be in her voice and her tone.

Yeah. Whoops.

Here’s the thing, though, once I got out of my own way, it was so much easier to write. I already had pages and pages of written stories, in her own voice. I just needed to piece together the transcripts, brush them up, and I had chapters that made us both happy.

Finishing it Up

I still have roughly 10 hours of transcriptions to put together, so I’m still not one hundred percent sure what the final product will be for my project. I’ve seen legacy projects where individual stories are put together in a 3-ring binders with page protectors as dividers. Scrapbooks are a great option too, if you’re crafty. There’s lots of great room for personalization. I’ve seen legacy projects that are put together as online webpages. This would allow for editing and uploading the audio or video-recordings recordings on the website. Others could hear your loved ones tell their stories in their own voice. My vision is a traditional hard-backed book, since there are so many options for self-publishing these days. I think they look nice and polished but, we’ll see what Grandma has in mind.

Excited about a memoir project, but still unsure

where to start? You can contact Amanda for more

tips and tricks.

[email protected]

970.315.1325

National Write a Business Plan Month

8 Must-Haves for Your Business Plan As an older adult, there is still ample time to start a business, if that's something you're interested in. In fact, 15.5 percent of people over 65 are currently self-employed. If you're thinking of starting a business, here are 8 must-haves for your business plan. 1. Executive Summary: Experts say to place this at the beginning of your plan but to write it last. Basically, the executive summary is a snapshot of your plan and can make or break the success of your plan. Be clear, concise, and map out your company plan in a few paragraphs. 2. Company Description: This one is easy, explain what your company does clearly. It is important to identify your competitive advantages and target market. 3. Market Analysis: As a basic starting off point, looking at your competitors, their profit margins and marketing strategies is crucial. Identify the pros and cons of each competitor and how you can improve upon their business models. 4. Organization and Management: Write out all the details of ownership, including investors, and show your organizational chart. Also identify the type of business you are starting (sole-proprietorship, LLC, etc.). 5. Service or Product Line: Talk about what do you sell, how will it help your customers, and how often will they need to replace it. 6. Marketing and Sales: Identify your marketing objectives and where your target audience is easiest to reach. From social to your website and traditional media, this is imperative to your plan.

continued on the next page...

“Business planning helps entrepreneurs work smarter, stay alert for roadblocks, test new ideas, stay motivated, help align expectations with stakeholders and investors, and even reduce stress.” - Michael Jones

Did you know?

The highest rate of entrepreneurial activity in the U.S. is among those 55 to 64 years, according to The Kauffman Index of Startup Activity.

8 Must-Haves for Your Business Plan Continued...

7. Funding Request: Funding is a big part of a business plan. Do you need a loan or investors? Will you fund your business privately? The most important part is how you plan to repay borrowed money to or generate returns for borrowed funds. 8. Financial Projections: Last but not least, if you need funding, create forecasts about your future cash flow. This may be the time to ask for help from a finance specialist but be sure you show recent financial statements and go from there. Now that you have the basics of a business plan to get you started, you can get going on starting the business of your dreams! Take your health, finances, and time into consideration, and if the shoe fits, make that business dream a reality.