As I write this column, it has been 2 weeks since we began social distancing in earnest to keep us as safe and well as possible in the time of COVID-19. While we can expect May to bring warm weather and a greener landscape, it is unclear how soon we can anticipate our return to our usual level of in-person engagement. I can’t think of a better time to learn how to access connection and support remotely.
Juliette Kershner
Despite physical office closures, Boulder County Area Agency on Aging staff have remained available through our Aging and Disability Resources Center (ADRC) at 303-441-1617 or infoADRC@ bouldercounty.org, and via our Caregiver Support line at 303- 678-6116 or infocaregiver@bouldercounty.org.
Senior services staff in the cities of Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, and Louisville remain available during closures by phone and email. While Boulder County and our partner cities have not been holding classes as usual, some great remote resources are available. The Alzheimer’s Assoc. provides online classes and a caregivers’ forum and message board, all at www.alz.org/co, Plus a 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.
WellMed Charitable Foundations offers live tele-learning sessions, covering topics such as dementia care, stress reduction, and – during this pandemic – coping with coronavirus as a caregiver. Callers can attend live or listen to recorded sessions. For more information, visit www.wellmedcharitablefoundation.org, email caregiversos@wellmed.net, or call 1-866-390- 6491.
Another organization, Well Connected, offers adults 60+ access to activities, education, support groups, and friendly conversation either by phone or online, along with weekly phone visits to clients registered for their Social Call program who are 60+. For more information about either of these services, call 877-797-7299, email coviaconnection@covia.org or visit www.covia.org/services/well-connected. We all hope to get back to some version of normal before long, but in the mean-time please don’t hesitate to reach out for support!