Aging with Altitude

How can, and should, families monitor, help and support their elder members? Area Agency on Aging has staff who can help you with that. Dr. Sara Qualls, Ph. D., ABPP shares wisdom and guidance for navigating the delicate and vital process of aging. Based in Colorado Springs, she specializes in supporting individuals and families through the challenges of later life in her psychotherapy practice. S...

It’s nothing short of amazing the array of services available to older adults, and their caregivers, through the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging. In this special episode, we continue our celebration of the Agency’s 50th anniversary by speaking with Jody Barker, Director of the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging, and Andy Gunning, Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG...

Get to know Cynthia Margiotta, the heart and voice of  Aging With Altitude ! As the moderator of nearly every episode, she brings a wealth of experience and passion for senior care that is both inspiring and invaluable. In addition to moderating the podcast, Cynthia is also the executive director of PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives for Seniors). With over 50 years of experience...

If you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, you’re not alone, and there is a world of support available. In honor of November being National Family Caregivers Month, we’re excited to welcome RoseMary Jaramillo, Director of Community Engagement for Southeast Colorado at the Alzheimer’s Association, to discuss advances in understanding Alzheimer’s. In this special episode, RoseMary reflects on th...

Caring for a loved one can be one of the most rewarding, and most challenging, roles you can take on. As it has evolved over time it is important to recognize that supporting yourself as a caregiver is just as important as the support you provide to those who depend on you.  In honor of November being National Family Caregivers Month, we’re excited to welcome Lucy Crandall, Supervisor of the Famil...

Learn about changes coming to Medicare, and why the time is now to consider making a change, or to enroll for the first time if you’re newly eligible – during open enrollment October 15 – December 7. This is the period when you get into, out of, or switch Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans – to take effect January 1, 2025. The State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) can answer your question...

Grammy award nominated musician Melanie DeMore will lend her soulful voice to lift the pain of our losses at A Community Gathering of Song and Healing on October 9, 2023. Sarah Lee, Program Director for Voices of Grief Support and Education Center shares details about the event, and about the concept behind it. People of all ages in the Pikes Peak region are invited to join this celebration of hop...

Learn how the financial, legal, health and even social determinants of retirement can and will impact your future. For the past nine years, Ent Credit Union has partnered with the Pikes Peaks Area Agency on Aging to present retirement preparation classes. In this episode, two of the masterminds behind the classes, Pamela Haugard of Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging and Bree Shellito of Ent Credit Un...

Support groups and system changes are just two ways discussed to minimize elder abuse. We also continue our discussion of sex. June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging can link you to, or help you organize, a small group conversation about this topic during the week of June 11. Lori McGinnis, regional director of the ombudsman program for the agency, shar...

A father-daughter team share their breathtaking tale of overcoming barriers and aging stereotypes that embody Aging Unbound, the theme for Older Americans Month 2023.  Dr. Tom Kilroy is the father of Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging staff and podcast sponsor Melissa Marts. These two adventurers and aquaholics (that’s right, not alcoholics) tell the story of how they became self-supporting, multi-da...

What are the ways our elders can be subject to abuse and how can we guard against them? Abuse can be subtle and so not blatantly obvious to the victim. Abusers can also be adept at putting on a good show when others are around. June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging can link you to, or help you organize, a small group conversation about this topic durin...

Medicare CAN be expensive, but there are ways to minimize the costs. Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging’s Roma Costanza shares information about the costs and ways to shrink them. Medicare Savings Programs can help you cover the cost of Medicare Part B. A Low-Income Subsidy can help cover the cost of Medicare Part D. Over 50% of the people in our area who qualify for these programs are not taking adv...

State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Medicare Counselors are the best kept secret for seniors looking for non-biased Medicare support.  SHIP counselors can be identified through their Area Agency on Aging.  These counselors walk seniors through many healthcare options and are not associated with any health insurance company.  They receive extensive training in order to best support seniors in sel...

This episode was recorded in June for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. El Paso County Colorado has one of the busiest Adult Protective Services (APS) offices in the State if not the Nation.  With over 3300 cases this past year, it is hard to believe that this number is actually lower than previous years.  APS notes this number is concerning because they believe the number should be higher and that...

State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Counselor Roma Costanza discusses how to avoid being a victim of Medicare fraud.  One message, Protect Your Card.  Learn about Senior Medicare Patrol and SHIP.  Taxpayers want to see tax dollars working for us, unfortunately Medicare fraud hurts with increased costs to the program if criminals get away with it.  Learn how to be proactive and protect the value...

Families continue to learn daily how to live with a family member or friend who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  Last year 5 million Americans were diagnosed, this year over 6 million.  The disease is devastating but we can learn to live better.  RoseMary Jaramillo, Regional Director for the Central and Southern Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association shares insight about the differences of de...

A special day for seniors with a complimentary lunch and live music.  The Westside Community Center knows how to host a fun time.  Andrea Fuller, Marketing Coordinator with the Center, highlights the types of resources and experiences for older adults that also includes a flea market and other unique activities.

Many older adults find purpose in volunteering, and then some need the support of volunteers to help them age with dignity.  Cory Smith, Project Manager with COS I Love You is responsible for rallying congregations in the region to provide priceless volunteer services to residents.  From helping new moms, to shoveling snow to prepping older adults for downsizing and moving, COS I Love You is looki...

The Association for Community Living highlights the best parts of aging during the month of May with Older American's Month.  Across the country older adults share stories of how they are aging their way this year.  From a 79 year old paddleboard racer to the intergenerational and multi-racial women's group who does tea, there are many great examples of how we Age our Way.  This year Colorado Spri...

The Pikes Peak Family Caregiver Pampering Day celebrates 19 years of pampering caregivers.  Kent Mathews, MSW with the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging shares, you know you're a caregiver when you don't have time, you put others first, you do more and more.  Caregivers can take time to nurture themselves through Pampering Day or take away fun ideas from this podcast.  Keynote for this event is Cynd...

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...