Overview | Schedule of Events
Surveys generally show that older adults want to age in place. Older adults value living in their own home and the community which is familiar to them. It has also been shown that living in one’s own home contributes to a long life.
There are two factors that are often essential when considering if an older adult can stay in their own home. One is health and the other is economics. Both of these factors contribute to individuals being able to continue to live in their own home.
Technology has become almost a must for individuals who want to continue to live in their own home. In this 21st century, wearable devices such as necklaces, wrist and arm bands, and leg monitors are attached to smart phones and other tracking devices that monitor health and activity; security cameras and other devices that help with safety and security; tracking devices that allow us to see motion and movement which all provide a sense of oversight to families and others who are not able to be in the same room with an older adult. Most of these devices are connected to a smart phone, so family and friends can be in touch and provide help in a moment’s notice.
The pandemic forced us to see our doctor online and through telehealth the medical team can monitor your blood pressure, your heart pacemaker and much more. Medical equipment is installed in your home and connected to the doctor’s office for review and monitoring.
Older adults no longer have to leave home or even interact with the delivery person, making these interactions safe from abuse and exploitation.
In addition to health concerns, economics can often drive older adults to leave their home and not be able to age in place. Some people either choose or are forced to sell their current home and either rent or purchase a smaller home.
Far worse, however, are those individuals who are unable to continue to afford the rent, taxes, or utilities and find themselves moving due to lack of resources. Affordable housing is out of the reach for most people who are faced with limited incomes. A few people are able to take advantage of sharing housing either moving in with family, renting out rooms in their current home, or downsizing.
The Colorado Gerontological Society is offering a series of meetings to discuss Aging in Place Successfully topics, offering possible solutions to help older adults continue to live in their own home. Sessions are free.
Upcoming Events
What To Do With Your Property Your Kids Don’t Want
As we go through life, we collect things – crystal, china, jewelry, pictures, vases, bowls, books, and much, much more. We collected this stuff because someone special “gave it to us” . . . “or we liked it and we bought it” . . . or “it reminds us of a place we visited” . . . “or we just wanted it”.
As we age, we acquire more and more things. Many of our children and extended family are more committed to a minimalist lifestyle . . . or they have very different interests.
Thus the dilemma arises . . . what shall we do with our stuff? Since many of our things bring us memories and are part of our identity, it is often difficult to give them away, donate them, or put them in the trash. It feels like we are throwing away our life when we make these decisions. So . . . what to do. We will offer some suggestions and ideas that may make this process easier.
Date/Time: November 16 | Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Presenter: Eileen Doherty, MS, Colorado Gerontological Society
Loneliness vs Alone for the Holidays
Being alone is when we’re physically by ourselves, while being lonely is an emotional state of feeling isolated or disconnected. We can feel lonely if our social and relationship needs are not being met, and it can be experienced in a room full of people.
Loneliness is a personal concept. Some people don’t need a lot of social interaction to be happy and healthy. Others may have contact with friends and family members all the time and still feel alone. Loneliness happens when you feel socially isolated, and it can have a powerful impact on your mental health.
Some thoughts and ideas to deal with loneliness and/or being alone including a) taking care of yourself; b) understanding your feelings of “alone”; c) changing your expectations and more will be discussed.
Date/Time: December 7 | Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Presenter: Eileen Doherty, MS, Colorado Gerontological Society
Property Taxes – Pay Them or Use Tax Deferral
Older adults, as are all homeowners, face significant increases in property taxes. Individuals living on fixed incomes may find themselves needing to look for alternative ways to pay the property taxes and avoid a tax sale if they are not able to pay them on the due dates.
Discussion will present ways to meet the increased tax burden, programs that individuals may be eligible to receive, and use of the property tax deferral program.
Date/Time: January 18 | Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Presenter: Eileen Doherty, MS, Colorado Gerontological Society
Convincing Family to Let You Live at Home
Family most often have our best interests at heart when they suggest that we move from our current home. They may offer suggestions like “moving closer to their personal residence”, “moving to a an older adult community or an assisted living”, or “coming to live with them or another family member”.
While all of these may be good suggestions, older adults often resist, as they want to continue to live in the comfort of their own home which has all of the sights, smells, and memories which they have created. Even when you can take many of your “things” with you, moving can be stressful. Grief and loss are common emotional feelings.
So . . . how do you convince concerned family members to let you stay in your home? The session will offer some suggestions, including, but not limited to, embracing technology, hiring services to help with ongoing maintenance and care, agreeing to check-ins frequently, and more.
While you will have to pay for these services and use funds that you have been saving for your later years, making the decision to use them, may let you stay in your own home longer. Learn more about how to create a plan to stay in your home safely with the support of your family.
Date/Time: February 15, 2024| Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Presenter: Eileen Doherty, MS, Colorado Gerontological Society
The High Cost of Rent Dilemma
Rents in Colorado continue to escalate with the average rent for a studio apartment in Denver costing $1800 per month.
While older adults received a 3.2% cost of living increase in January in their Social Security, that small increase will not make up the difference in the increases in rent.
Options for making the monthly rent in Colorado for those on fixed incomes is challenging.
This session will a) review public benefits to ensure that individuals are taking advantage of all of the benefits; b) identify options to make additional income; and c) ways to reduce rent through shared housing, transportation, and other programs.
Date/Time: March 21, 2024| Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Presenter: Eileen Doherty, MS, Colorado Gerontological Society
CGS on YouTube
Check out our complete library of Aging in Place video titles, at your convenience: