Aging with Altitude

Our state of Colorado is recognized for many things, mountains, plains, thunder, snow, floods, fires, restoration. This year, 2026, we are celebrating our 150th anniversary as a state along with America’s 250th anniversary. One of the unique stories is knowing just how resilient, and also giving, our residents are. Erin Hannan with the El Pomar Foundation shares about their collaboration with othe...

Chances are listeners know someone with dementia, struggle with it themselves, or are concerned they will experience memory and motor loss in the future. The Alzheimer's Association is a go-to source for not just Alzheimer's but also learning about all dementias. It is helpful to know there are differences in dementia and there are actions we can take to help ourselves diminish the chances of gett...

Everyone knows about MLK Day, Earth Day, Veterans Day but who has heard about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day? It is estimated that 1 in 10 older adults is a victim of abuse and over the past years even more seniors have fallen victim to fraud scams. Geropsychologist Dr. Sheri Gibson and Long Term Care Ombudsman Lori McGinnis have supported seniors through terrible tragedies, and they still contin...

What makes you live your best life in your 80’s, 70’s, younger? We introduce listeners to life-long athletes Christel Donley and Rob Rodine. They celebrate life after 60 with insights on being active and connected. Their stories are not much different from ours, yet they validate and inspire us to keep growing, learning and championing our health. LEARN MORE: Colorado Senior Games: https://colorad...

All the details to get involved with the Colorado Senior Games, national qualifying events in June. Rands Keasler, with the Colorado Springs Sports Corps, highlights why the Games are so important to produce, along with the how and when to sign up as an athlete. More importantly, come to cheer on athletes, from around the State and beyond, in over 16 sports. Listen to learn about the sports and th...

Easy and unique tips to find joy in cooking and eating solo. Solo eating for some can be a recipe for disaster. Eating alone either by choice or not is something to pay attention to as we age. Unfortunately, research shows that social isolation often leads to eating alone, poor nutrition and depression. Local chef and owner of Cultivate Health, Michele Mukatis, shares ways to rediscover what makes...

Organizations, the people they serve, and the people volunteering all benefit from the act of volunteering. April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. For all the volunteers out there doing good work, THANK YOU! Aging With Altitude wants to acknowledge the big impact a little volunteering has. Dali Moncada, the Volunteer Program Manager with the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging, and Katie Cornelius, lo...

Books have been written and movies made on the history of Fannie Mae Duncan with her, all people welcome, iconic Cotton Club operating in Colorado Springs from 1948-1975. Hear from JJ Frazier who, at 17, sang with the orchestra at the Club. Today, JJ continues her legacy of service in the region. Next to share is Shirley Martinez, who is also making history – bringing Martin Luther King Jr.’s gran...

The Colorado Senior Games are Coming. Will you sign up? Athletes over 50 are invited to show your skill in a multitude of sports this June in Colorado Springs. The Colorado Senior Games this year are qualifying games that lead competitors on to the National Senior Games. What an accomplishment! Competitors will be coming from Colorado as well as surrounding states for this important qualifying yea...

Social connection is a key to aging well. Volunteering is one opportunity to connect with others who share similar interests while also giving back. In January, the Martin Luther King Day of Service is an excellent time to check out opportunities in your community to meet new people and volunteer. The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging encourages everyone to find ways to stay connected to counter iso...

Staying active is a year-round healthy habit, however, holiday time and new year’s resolutions bring reflection on how to stay physically and mentally fit. Exercise routines vary by individual and do not have to be based on age. Tune into this podcast for a better understanding of ageism in the gym and get up to date ideas on how physical fitness and brain training go together in a very unique way...

The ability to drive and have access to a vehicle is recognized as a critical need and skill as we age. The more we talk openly about this, the more we learn there are many tools, steps, adaptations, and supports available to facilitate independence – to either keep driving or access alternatives. Learn more as we visit with Terry Cassidy of Fitness to Drive. During December, families of...

During tight financial times, Colorado offers four unique resources to help older adults who own their homes, stay in their homes. El Paso County Treasurer Chuck Broerman, and El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker present on the senior homestead tax exemption program, property fraud alerts, and escrow and tax deferral programs. For more info : El Paso County Treasurer: https://tre...

Caregivers can be a dying breed. It is a startling statistic that 68% of caregivers die before their care recipient. This makes an excellent call to action for this episode on  Celebrating Caregiving in America . We release this episode during the holiday months of November and December because caregivers often find themselves even further isolated at this time. Listeners...

Seniors can find non-biased Medicare counseling and information on how to avoid Medicare scams. The State Health Insurance Program, or SHIP, is a nationwide program funded by the federal government to support Medicare benefit evaluation for seniors on an individual basis.  Medicare.gov  has made plan evaluation much more accessible, however, if you are still looking for consultation on a...

What happens when bright young people are left to their own devices? With Jump Start the Aging Workforce internships, JAWS, high school students not only finished one internship, they launched another self-directed experiment to connect with seniors in long term care. Students were so interested in learning more about the seniors they met in long term care, they decided to start a story...

Senior centers are vital gathering hubs for older adults. It is recommended there be one senior center per population of 25,000, this generates to Colorado Springs needing 19 senior centers. The city historically has had one senior center, and it has been undergoing a rebuild for the past two years, leaving its biggest fans at a loss for connection and engagement. September is Senior Cen...

No one wants to fall. We even rename classes to Moving for Better Balance to avoid planting the seed of falling, thinking this will help if we don’t say the word - fall. Today UC Health’s Lori Morgan, will talk us through the physical, physiological and mental causes of falls. We’ll bet there is news here for our listeners. We close with practices to build confidence, stability and...

When technological advancements meet heartfelt human connection, organizations like iSight Connections create meaningful opportunities for support and growth. Tim Richards and Jeanette Fortin from iSight Connections bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for supporting individuals with vision impairment. Tim is the founder, and Jeanette is the Community Relations Coordinator. They discuss...

Are you looking for ways to make your home safer or get support with housing costs? Brothers Redevelopment has been serving the Colorado Springs community for years, offering a variety of programs to help residents make essential home improvements. Jason McCullough, Director of Home Modification and Repair Programs at Brothers Redevelopment, shares insights into the organization’s mission, and the...

Discover how accessibility can transform lives. Jeneen Phillips of Next Day Access discusses mobility and accessibility solutions that help older adults and individuals with disabilities to live safely and independently. Jeneen shares an overview of the services they offer, including wheelchair ramps, stair lifts, grab bars, and bathroom safety modification. She also discusses how impactful these...

Life can change in an instant, and when it does, it can often feel like you’re facing it alone. Hear from an incredibly inspiring community leader who has dedicated her life to supporting others who have faced challenges similar to her own. Rebecca Shields is a true example of resilience and service. She lives by the powerful belief that life isn’t about what you can get from others, but what you...

Looking for a place where you can stay active, learn new skills, and connect with others in the community? The Senior Center is the perfect destination. Tom Lathrop, the passionate Operations Director at the Senior Center, is dedicated to creating engaging opportunities for seniors. Tom details the exciting new senior center opening in August 2025 (the current temporary location is within the Pike...

Silver Key offers an array of senior services, including meals, a food pantry, activity centers, behavioral health, companionship, and transportation. Jason DeaBueno, a Colorado Springs native who has been with Silver Key since 1982 and now serves as its President and CEO, offers insight into Silver Key’s history and the essential programs it provides for seniors. He and host Cynthia Margiotta dis...

Making quality senior dental care accessible to all is the mission of Michelle Vacha, founder and executive director of Community Dental Health. With a background in dental hygiene, she recognized a critical gap in oral health care for seniors and took action by establishing what was originally known as Senior Mobile Dental. She shares her firsthand experiences witnessing the neglect of senior ora...