by Emily Cooper
It’s 2 weeks before the Caregiving Symposium as I write this. We’re expecting a large crowd, and we hope that each person finds helpful information and feels more empowered as a caregiver by the end of the day. But we know there are many working caregivers who won’t be able to attend, some who won’t hear about it until after it’s over, and others who won’t take time off from their caregiving to be there. How do these caregivers get the information they need?
While the yearly Caregiving Symposium is a great place to get information about caregiving issues and resources, there are many other ways to access that info. First, there’s the ADRC (Aging and Disability Resources for CO), staffed by Options Counselors of Boulder County Area Agency on Aging. It’s the central place to call, email, or visit online for information about local resources and options. Call the help line at 303- 441-1617, email InfoADRC@bouldercounty.org, or visit www.BoulderCountyHelp.org, which features a comprehensive directory of local services and more.
Family caregivers also are welcome to contact me directly (see below), for resource information and discussion of caregiving issues. And caregivers can call their City Senior Services to talk with a Resource Specialist, who’s skilled at helping older adults and family caregivers connect with helpful resources. Call: Boulder 303-441-4388, Longmont 303-651-8411, Lafayette 303-661-1492, or Louisville 303-666-7400.
Our free newsletter ‘Care Connections’ provides information about caregiving issues and resources. Call or email me for a subscription. And many excellent websites lead caregivers through the basics and more complex issues of caring for an older loved one. To start, visit www.caregiver.org, www.caregiveraction.org, or www.alz.org.
There are a variety of ways to learn about caregiving. One or more is just right for you.
~ Emily Cooper is Information and Referral Specialist for Caregiver Programs with Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, a Division of Community Services. For more information on BCAAA caregiver services, call 303-678-6116 or email InfoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org/