Helping Older Adults Thrive

Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month. The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. This year, we explore the vital role that connectedness plays in supporting independence and aging in place by combatting isolation, loneliness, and other issues.

Older Americans Month (OAM) is a time to honor, acknowledge and value older adults as they contribute their time, wisdom and experience to our community. It is a time to emphasize the many positive aspects of aging, to push past traditional boundaries of aging stereotypes, and to embrace our community’s diversity. At the May 16 Boulder City Council meeting, council will read a declaration declaring May 2024 Older Americans Month.

Throughout the year, the city’s Older Adult Services division inspires and empowers older adults to age well through community connection, learning and play.

Older Adult Services (OAS) offers all adults 60 and over a safe and welcoming environment. Programs and services are delivered in Age Well Centers which honor the needs and desires of older adults.

View the 2023 OAS Annual Report to learn how OAS supported older adults in Boulder last year.

Age Well Centers

• West Age Well: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• East Age Well: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Programs and Services

OAS is committed to supporting an age-friendly community through their work on anti-ageism, Lifelong Boulder, mitigating social isolation and encouraging community engagement. Staff provides a continuum of services from health, wellness and lifelong learning to case management and supportive services.

Programs and services are available to adults 60+ and their caregivers. Program and service topics include:

• Case Management: Case managers assist City of Boulder residents 60+ and their caregivers with referrals to community resources, counseling on available services, case management and financial support for eligible clients. Call 303-441-4388 to connect with a case manager.
• Health and Wellness: A variety of classes that offer information about mental, physical and emotional health and well-being. View health and wellness offerings in the latest program guide.
• Lifelong Learning: An offering of various classes focused on technology, aging and creative pursuits. View all lifelong learning offerings in the latest program guide.
• Special Interest Groups: Topics include discussion, creativity, games, writing, books, photography, biking, table tennis and more. View group descriptions and information.
• Support Groups: Groups are available for family or friends who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. View support group offerings in the latest program guide.
• Day Trips and Meet-ups: See the latest program guide.

The online Let's Age Well Program Guide includes details on registering for programs and making appointments. Information is also available by calling 303-441-3148.

Colorado is one of the fastest aging states in the nation and our state demography office projects that Coloradans aged 60+ will outnumber those aged 18 and younger as soon as 2023. “Now is not the time to balk at this emerging reality, but it is a time to plan, prepare, and invest in our communities, so that quality of life is retained across the entire lifespan,” shared Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

Lifelong Boulder is part of a statewide initiative called Lifelong Colorado which aims to ensure all Coloradans will be able to live and fully participate in their communities for as long as possible.

A community that is well adapted for aging is one where all individuals can thrive. Age-friendly communities foster economic growth and make for happier, healthier community members. Many cities across the nation are taking steps to ensure their communities are age-friendly and Boulder is no exception.

In 2020 the Housing and Human Services Department convened a workgroup of staff members from various city departments and other stakeholders to create a set of recommendations to ensure Boulder can truly be an age-friendly community.

These recommendations, which will guide the city’s work for years to come, cover four main areas:

• Mobility and Access
• Housing
• Community Living
• Support Services

Learn more about Lifelong Boulder on the city’s website.

Featuring delicious food at great prices, the Meals on Wheels Eat Well Café is located at 909 Arapahoe Avenue inside the West Age Well Center in Boulder. The café is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For $7.99 (plus tax) you can enjoy a choice of two entrees, a side salad or cup of soup, dessert and beverage.

Additional options include:

• Custom paninis, sandwiches and wraps
• Create your own entrée salads
• Side salads, soups, and wonderful desserts

Learn more and find the most recent menu on the Meals on Wheels website.

In 2023, OAS distributed:

• $96,393 for assistance with basic needs (food/rent/transportation/utilities/healthcare, etc.)
• $13,000 for eye exams and glasses through the Hynd Fund (countywide)
• $362 in program scholarships

To learn more about the financial assistance available to older adults, connect with a case manager by calling 303-441-4388.

Food Tax Rebate Program

The city’s Food Tax Rebate program provides rebates to help compensate residents with lower incomes for the city sales tax they pay on food.

Rebates for 2024 will be $104 for individuals and $318 for families. The 2024 application period is now open and will close on June 30, 2024. 

Learn more about eligibility and find application information on the city’s website.

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Play here, work here, and grow here…starting this summer!

Maybe you’ve played at a Boulder Parks and Recreation facility and you’re thinking, “How can I get a job here?” Now is the time! We’re hiring for our summer positions.

From lifeguards to camp counselors to parks maintenance crew, we want you to join us and, perhaps, grow your career here! We have positions available for you to start this summer and work part-time the rest of the year.

If you’re interested, see open jobs and apply now at BPRjobs.org.

• Chair Yoga and Balance. These classes bring together postures and techniques of yoga with the support of a chair. Register online for the Monday or Friday series.
• Feldenkrais: Move with Ease – Mat Based Series. Increase ease and range of motion, improve flexibility and coordination, and rediscover an innate capacity for graceful and efficient movement. Participants must be able to get up and down from a mat safely to join this series.
• New Payment System in City Parking Garages. The city’s five downtown parking garages have moved to a new gateless operations and touchless payment system. Learn and review how to use this new system.
• Disaster Preparedness Basics. Learn about Boulder County hazards, how to receive and understand emergency alerts, how to assess risk, and how to create a disaster preparedness plan.
• Compassionate Choices at the End of Life: Voluntary Stopping of Eating and Drinking (VSED). Participants will leave with information and resources, including websites and book titles for further information.
• Downsizing Presentation. Downsizing may feel overwhelming, whether or not a move is involved. This program will provide helpful tips and resources to make the downsizing process easier.

Learn more about all Older Adult Services events on the city’s website or by calling 303-441-3148.