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.

dkramer@nwcovna.org

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?