In-Home Care

National Legislation Could Help Colorado Caregivers

U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) have introduced legislation at the federal level that would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to review their eligibility, processes, procedures, forms, and communications to reduce the administrative burden on family caregivers in Colorado and across the nation. Their bill is titled the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act.

Investigative Report Cites “Neglect” in Nursing Home Care for Colorado Veterans

In early October the Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper published findings of its investigative report, which it said included a lack of consequences for allegedly neglectful care given in nursing homes to Colorado veterans and troubling questions about how the Department of Veterans Affairs awards contracts to nursing homes in order to meet the growing needs of aging veterans in the state.

The Many Facets of AARP in Colorado

AARP Colorado is focused on empowering its nearly 700,000 members in Colorado to choose how they live as they age. You will learn here about AARP National, about AARP’s Elder Watch program, Senior Planet/Older Adult Technology Services from AARP, Wish of a Lifetime from AARP, AARP’s legislative advocacy and get to meet the people behind these groups.

National Programs May Help Colorado’s Family Caregivers

Although it has not garnered a lot of media coverage, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Administration for Community Living (ACL), has in place a “National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers” (NSSFC).

Colorado Is Exploring the Potential of Robotic Caregivers

One possible way being explored to help fill the caregiving gap is the use of robotic home companions. And one such companion is going through the paces in Colorado at the Daniel Felix Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Denver. It’s a project being done in collaboration with the Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, an AgeWise Colorado Provider. The robot’s name is Ryan.

You Are the Adult Child of an Older Family Member, or An Older Adult Yourself —Life Happens — Be Better Prepared

Become a Wiser and Better Informed Caregiver/Receiver and Help Yourself and Your Family at the Same Time

When Medicare Covers In-Home Care for Coloradans Aging in Place

For Coloradans who are aging in place, they may at times have need for medical services provided in the home. Since it is commonly understood that “home health care” is not something Medicare covers generally, that leaves a question of whether or not Medicare will ever pay for in-home services. The answer is Yes — but with qualifiers, as you might expect. In this article we will cover the key things to know, including who can qualify for paid services and under what conditions.

Employed Coloradans Who Also Serve as Family Caregivers are Part of a National Phenomenon

In late spring of 2023 the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on this growing trend in America that sees more and more people who find themselves having to combine regular employment with the added “job” of caring for adult family members. In many cases, these employees may also have their own children to look after at the same time, making these workers part of what’s been called the “sandwich generation” as they simultaneously care for both older and younger family members

For Older Coloradans, Caregiver Numbers Are Falling Short of Caregiving Demand

In late 2022, an analysis by the Public Health Institute’s Workforce Data Center pointed to a national shortage in caregivers and ranked each state by what the expected growth in

Frontotemporal Disorders Pose Challenges for Colorado Caregivers

Anyone providing care for loved ones living with frontotemporal disorders (FTD), sometimes called frontotemporal dementia, faces a host of challenges. (Frontotemporal dementia has gained celebrity attention in 2023 after it was revealed that actor Bruce Willis was diagnosed with it.) A person with FTD can exhibit a range of symptoms, including unusual behaviors, emotional problems,…

“Consumer-directed” Care Assistance for Colorado Seniors and Caregivers

Caring for an older parent or other elderly loved one poses many challenges involving available time, energy, and finances. Caregivers need all the help they can get. There are a number of government programs designed to assist in one way or another.

Colorado Support Foundation Offers Help for Family Caregivers

When it comes to family members who choose to provide care for loved ones afflicted with challenging conditions such as Alzheimer’s, other dementias, nerve disorders, brain failure, and the like, one of the big questions that arises is: Who will care for the caregivers? It’s a question that AgeWise Colorado (AWC) itself has been created to help provide an answer for by offering relevant guidance and steering caregivers to pertinent resources.

Caregiver Considerations and Resources for Dementia-Alzheimer’s & for Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities

Learn about the physical, emotional, mental, and financial impacts of being a caregiver; the signs/symptoms of stress and
what you can do to reduce stress.