This year’s annual Rocky Mountain Conference on Dementia will be a live/online virtual event held on Thursday, March 10 from 9:00am-4:00pm MDT. This educational conference hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter is available to family caregivers, paid caregivers and healthcare professionals. Multiple topics will be discussed and participants can engage with the speakers and exhibitors by having their questions answered. Topics includes practical daily strategies, stress management for caregivers, care options and research updates. Registration is now open.
Dementia Aware Series
Join Boulder County Area Agency on Aging on October 5 for an online session entitled, “What are the ADLs and how does that change care?” Presented by Dr. Tam Cummings, a leading national educator for dementia caregivers. Register for this free online session which will be held 10:00-11:30am. Call 303-441-1617 for more details and registration info.
Upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer’s
The annual Boulder County Walk to End Alzheimer’s will occur this year on October 9th. You can volunteer and/or donate to a team by contacting the Colorado Chapter at 303-813-1669. Registration is required. The walk location will be at the University of Colorado in Boulder. There will be a 1 mile and 2 mile route option available. The festival area will open at 9:00am. The Promise Flower ceremony will begin at 10:00am. The official walk will occur after the ceremony.
Local Age Well Series in June
The Boulder County Area Agency on Aging has organized a series with local professional volunteers presenting on services and resources currently available for aging in the community. Series topics range from Dementia Aware Series – June 8 at 10:00-11:30am. Learn about the lobes of the brain and unique behaviors that can be attributed from loss of brain function in each lobe.
Another series topic will be Food Insecure Older Adults in Boulder County. This panel discussion will be on June 16 2:00-3:30pm. Food and meal resources along with other local programs will be presented.
Aging Solo, But Not Alone will be presented on June 30 at 12:00-1:15pm. Registration for all Zoom meetings is required. Call the Area Agency on Aging at 303-441-3570 for more information.
Memories in the Making Art Auction
The annual Purple Gala sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter will be held on April 24th and will feature the Memories in the Making Art Auction. This year the event will be held virtually starting at 6:30pm. 100 art pieces created by those living with Alzheimer’s will be auctioned along with over 40 pieces donated by professional artists which correspond to pieces created in the Memories in the Making program. Bidding will start two weeks prior to the live event. To register, visit the Colorado chapter web site or call the chapter office directly at 303-813-1669.
Recruiting Older Adult Participants
The University of Colorado Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center of Aging is currently recruiting older adults who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with increased loneliness and isolation. The program is called COAST-IT, Connecting Older Adults to Students through Inter-Professional Telecare. If you or someone you know would benefit from a health professional student making phone contact on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule, please contact the program manager at 303-724-0832. Criteria for participation is available at the following link. COAST-IT Spring ’21 Program
Upcoming Virtual Holiday Events
For individuals living with early stage dementia or Alzheimer’s, these holiday activities are available to families and caregivers. Registration is required and Zoom will be used for each activity. Contact the Colorado chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association for more details at 303-813-1669.
Monday, December 7 – Colorado Model Railroad Museum at 2:00pm
Wednesday, December 9 – Denver Botanical Gardens at 10:00am
Monday, December 14 – We Are All Connected – Genomics: Observing Evolution at 2:00pm
Tuesday, December 22 – Boulder Symphony at 11:00am
Caregiver Coloring Book
The Alzheimer’s Association created a beautiful 18 page coloring book for caregivers to promote The Longest Day fundraising effort which was on June 20. Reminder that registration is currently available for the Boulder Walk to End Alzheimer’s event on September 12. Click on caregivercolorbook for pdf of coloring book.
Caregiver Tele-Learning Sessions
Boulder County is offering free informational and support programs for caregivers and family member during the COVID-19 crisis. You can call into the live session to participate or listen to podcasts from past sessions at a convenient time for you. Below is a list of some of the session topics and times available.
Dear Lucy – A renowned expert in caregiving, Lucy Barylak, will offer an interactive Q&A session. Live: Thursday May 14 – 10:00-11:00am MST
What Does That Behavior Mean? Live: Tuesday May 19 – 10:00-11:00am MST
Legal Issue For Caregivers. Live: Thursday May 28 – 10:00-11:00am MST
Previous sessions available via podcasts: I’m Not The Same Person Anymore: Coping With Caregiver Role Changes, and Revisiting Dementia: Dementia Types, Stages and Hope Through Research.
For more information about these sessions, contact the Boulder Area Agency on Aging at 303-678-6116
COVID-19 Resources for Family and Caregivers
The John A. Hartford Foundation has compiled a comprehensive list of resources from leading organizations specifically for older adults and their families as well as caregivers. This list continues to be updated regularly by the foundation based on current information available. Click the link below to view these resources.