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 people per square mile 12% above age 55 Moffat County 4,836 square miles Population of 13,750 in people per square mile 18% above age 55

What is the Challenge? Distances are Long Environment 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 Care Evidence-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?