The Livability of Rural Places for Aging Adults
Aging in Rural Colorado
A Naturally Occurring Retirement Region (NORR)
A Program of the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association
Not “One Size Fits All”
but
When is ‘small’ TOO small? or
When is “far” TOO far?”
Whom Do We Serve?
Routt & Moffat Counties are about the size of the State of Connecticut
Routt County
•2,368 square miles
•Population of 22, 328 in 2007
•9.4 people per square mile
•12% above age 55
Moffat County
•4,836 square miles
•Population of 13,750 in 2005
•2.8 people per square mile
•18% above age 55
What is the Challenge?
Distances are LongEnvironment is Harsh
Population is Sparse There are More Elk than People!
Why was Aging Well created?
To respond to a growing aging population
To improve health and social connection for our elders
To give elders options to stay at home in our rural communities
To address the challenge of growing old in a rural place
“It’s difficult enough for individuals to do all the right things to age well - communities cannot afford to let the future suddenly appear.”-
- CO Dept. of Human Services, Division of Aging & Adult Services
What do we do?
Provide public health services, classes, activities and social spaces in each of our rural communities
Enable older adults of northwest Colorado to remain at home in their communities for as long as they wish to stay
Connect older adults to each other and to their communities
Improve the health and social function of our rural-dwelling elders
Encourage our communities to be active participants in improving the quality of our elders’ lives
Services, Classes and Activities
Blood Pressure Checks
Blood Glucose Reading
Flu & Pneumonia Shots
Medication Review
Nutrition / Weight Assessment
Foot CareEvidence-Based Fitness & Nutritional Classes
Wellness Checks & Screenings
Community Connection
In the Schools At Assisted Living
At the Community College
Health improvement and social function
Healthier Living workshop to manage chronic conditions, Oak Creek, CO
Art Class at Wellness Wednesday, Craig, CO
Community Investment in our elders
Bob, Age 100, walks every day in Hayden, CO
Nina is 84… at Wellness Wednesday, Craig, CO
Some of our Aging Well instructors…
What do we hope to accomplish?
For the elders in our communities: Improve health outcomes Keep our elders at home in our rural mountain communities Enable elders to remain healthy, safe and independent for as long as possible
For our communities: Increase local investment in the health and well-being of our elders Raise awareness of the need to plan for our communities’ futures Foster policy discussion to promote wellness & prevention
A healthy aging community is a healthy community for all.
How do we do it? Work within our Agency
Northwest Colorado Community Health Center (FQHC) Public health Community Health and Outreach
Work with our Communities Wellness Day programs and collaboration Physician Referrals Social Marketing and branding of Aging Well Business Support and Participation
Work with our Policy Makers Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Colorado Health Care Policy and Finance Colorado Clinical Guidelines Collaborative Consortium for Older Adult Wellness
Aging Well is a Collaborative Effort
Funded by local, state and national foundations
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Local Funding Partnerships The Daniels Fund Colorado Trust The Colorado Health Foundation U.S. Administration on Aging Yampa Valley Community Foundation Colorado Grand Charitable Vintage Auto Rally
Aging Well does not receive legislative support for programs
Collaboration at the State and Local Level
Community Partnerships are the Backbone of our Success
Area Agencies on Aging and their regional directors
Community Colleges – CMC and CNCC and CSU Extension
Local newspapers - Steamboat Pilot and Today, Craig Daily Press
Local Businesses – Wal Mart, Sports Authority, Sysco Foods
Consortium for Older Adult Wellness
Colorado Clinical Guidelines Collaborative
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
The Arthritis Foundation
Dace Carver Kramer, Director of Wellness and Aging Services
Program Director, Aging Well
A program of Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, Inc.
Some Questions to Ponder…
How do we define “community” – Not “When is old age,” but “Where is old age”?
What are we trying to accomplish?
Is the mission of these models the same?
How do we know if we are making a difference?
Questions…
Are the traditional linkages (AAAs, State Health Departments, etc.) working?
Who is the system established to serve?
Questions…
How do we recognize a genuine shift in…
Individual Health & Community Connection?
Community Culture?
Social Norms Surrounding Aging
Structural elements of support for aging?