Aging with Altitude

There are so many unknowns when it comes to retirement and so much to look forward to.  Ent Credit Union and the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging (PPAAA) co-host a free retirement series in the spring and fall.  This year kicks off on April 11 and runs through May 16.  Bree Shellito, Ent's Senior Manager of Community Impact and Pamela Haugard, Medicare Insurance Counselor with the PPAAA share about...

Not happy with your Medicare Advantage Plan? You can make changes during traditional Open Enrollment but also between January 1 - March 31. Roma Costanza, with Colorado's State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) provides tips and answers for how to get the best out of Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. SHIPs are the best resource for non-biased Medicare counseling. They are fu...

PEARLS is the Program Encouraging Active Rewarding Lives for Seniors and is run by Cynthia Margiotta.  Cynthia has a Bachelors in Social Work and a solid history of supporting older adults in the Pikes Peak region.  From her work teaching direct care staff best practices to her volunteering with the Alzheimer's Association and the Family Caregiver program with the Pikes Peak Area Agency...

Terry Cassidy, Occupational Therapist and owner of Health Partners specializes in the evaluation and support for older drivers.  The week of December 7 is Older Driver's Awareness week and an ideal time to learn more about safe and comfortable drivers to take into their senior years.  To see more about the week's activities visit https://www.aota.org/Conference-Events/Older-Driver-Safety-Awareness...

Older adults have continued to receive much needed services and many new ones during COVID19, with the help of Area Agencies on Aging.  These agencies were started in the late 1960's as part of the Older Americans Act.  Over the years, thanks to advocacy, more funding has come available to add services like counseling, vision support and much more to a program that originally focused on food and t...

The resilient second-halfer through wisdom and personal stories is prepared and empowered for the second half of life.  Tom Rasmussen, Income Protection Specialist with Clear Solutions, shares his proven insights about how to thrive through life happenings.  This two part podcast explores first what makes a good life and second how to financially build resiliency. Aging with Altitude is recorded i...

Talking about death doesn't make it happen, yet so many of us are afraid that this will be the case.  Join MSW, Kent Mathews, as he discusses the differences in palliative care, hospice, what Medicare may pay for and how families can ask for help. Aging with Altitude is recorded in the Pikes Peak region with a focus on topics of aging interest across the country. We talk about both the everyday an...

Go vote!  Shelly Roehrs, President with the Pikes Peak Region League of Women Voters reminds us the deadline to postmark a ballot is coming.  If you mail it in, it must be postmarked 8-10 days before November 3.  Yet, ballots can be dropped off at drop-box locations anytime up to 7:00 PM on voting day and of course you can vote in person.   Find drop-box locations at govotecolorado.gov. The League...

PART 2:  The Pikes Peak Elder Abuse Coalition has been working to keep vulnerable adults safe for 15 years and that work continues during COVID19 times.  Dayton Romero, Chair of the Coalition and Director of Senior Assistance Programs with Silver Key, discusses the extenuating circumstances and challenges being faced during COVID19.  Fraud abounds with specific COVID scams and abuse is heightened...

PART 1:  The Pikes Peak Elder Abuse Coalition has been working to keep vulnerable adults safe for 15 years and that work continues during COVID19 times.  Dayton Romero, Chair of the Coalition and Director of Senior Assistance Programs with Silver Key, discusses the extenuating circumstances and challenges being faced during COVID19.  Fraud abounds with specific COVID scams and abuse is heightened...

Aging with Altitude's host, Cynthia Margiotta, an older adult herself and BSW, shares her observations and insights during the age of COVID19.  She describes the chilling neighborhood drive, contemplates physical vs. social distancing, shares how friends with dementia can be supported and finally a multitude of ideas on how to stay busy, engaged and hopeful as we all find ourselves writing a new c...

Elder fraud and abuse happens and is under-reported.  What can be done to help?  This podcast has two focuses first, learn about  the signs of abuse and strategies to avoid fraud and abuse.  Second, learn about the concept and practice of Elder Shelter.  Our guest is Colorado Springs Police Detective Chuck Szatkowski who is a member of the Colorado Springs Elder Abuse Coalition and the national Sp...

Talking about death does not make it happen.  So what stops us from exploring the options for best living towards the end of life?  Kent Mathews with the Family Caregiver program with the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging (PPAAA) has supported hundreds of individuals and families over his years as an MSW, Chaplain and staff with the PPAAA.  He understands and knows the deep fear and loneliness that...

Driving is often the key to independence with many older adults and family members struggling to make the best decisions around this ability and resource.  Terry Cassidy, Occupational Therapist, certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist for Fitness to Drive and owner of Health Promotion Partners shares this discussion with Maile Gray, Executive Director of Drive Smart as they talk about signs tha...

Is depression a normal part of aging?  What are the risk factors, treatments and hope for the future for older adults?  Dr. Sheri Gibson, private psychotherapist and consultant, University of Colorado Colorado Springs instructor and faculty affiliate, holds a Clinical Psychology PhD with an emphasis in geropsychology from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.  Dr. Gibson shares her years of...

Dr. Rusky, Board Certified Family Physician and certified in hospice and palliative care, has practiced in both urban and rural settings.  Today, he discusses the differences between home health care, palliative care and hospice.  He answers what resources palliative care provides in addition to the many services a person might already be receiving.  He mentions palcarenetwork.com, a resource to h...

"Permaculture (the word, coined by Bill Mollison, is a portmanteau of permanent agriculture and permanent culture) is the conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems."  The concept of building a productive ecosystem includes how people interact with their environment and each other.  Melissa Mart...

How does a senior service agency get into the work of housing without building its own complex?  Silver Key in Colorado Springs, Colorado spent months doing listening sessions to find out where the gaps were for older adults and housing.  Once they started to pick up on trends they crafted a new position within their organization that supports their case managers and collaborates on a broad commun...

Older adults in long term care may not realize they have rights from ensuring basic personal dignities are respected to choices that frustrate and challenge providers.   How do we weigh self-determination and safety?  What's best for the individual vs the  group?  Ombudsmen step in and offer insight, direction, education and support for both residents and facilities. Aging with Altitude  is record...