by Lynn Johnson, Human Services Director
comments open from July 13 until August 1

Growing up comes with greater responsibilities – a house, a mortgage, children. These can be both rewarding and stressful aspects of life. In a similar sense, aging often involves unique and different rewards and stresses – there is the wisdom that comes with experience as well as the frustration that might come with thicker glasses.

Aging is significant to all citizens of Jefferson County because we have the largest number of folks age 60 and over in the state of Colorado, with that number expected to double by the year 2020.

What we know:
• The VERY OLD and POOR are populations of concern – mostly women in both groups.
• Most older adults would prefer to age in their communities, but there is a critical shortage of affordable housing and other services.
• Communities are not set up for successful aging.
• Aging of baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) will only make the shortages more severe.
• Funding for all services has not kept pace with needs.

Understanding the changing landscape and the aging of Baby Boomers, Jefferson County Department of Human Services created a unit two years ago whose goal was to develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of the growing senior population through Aging and Adult Services. This unit is within the Community Assistance Division which promotes stability and independence by providing financial and medical assistance to elderly and disabled adults.

These dedicated individuals, many representing organizations from areas of the aging arena, have been discussing and idea-gathering on the topics of transportation and mobility, housing, care giving issues, supportive services, basic needs such as financial, medical, legal, social and civic engagement, physical and mental health and wellness.

These topics were presented at the Jefferson County Summit on Aging on June 16. Open to the public, this summit brought the community together to explore how the aging population will affect everyone.

According to a summit participant, “The summit was extraordinary! I learned so much more than I thought I knew about aging.” Another participant expressed, “There was such great information available. It was fun to see so many people this passionate about seniors, our community and our future.”

Jeffco Human Services hopes to further collaborate with citizens in order to know what we can be doing to make Jefferson County the best place in which to age. Our next steps involve bringing community partners to Jefferson County to further train and promote these resources to Jeffco Human Services staff and other county employees.

For more information on the Aging Well Project please visit our web page.