Older Adults and Mental Health
The majority of older Americans successfully cope with the physical and cognitive changes associated with aging as well as various losses, such as the loss of family and friends that frequently are associated with late life. However, a substantial proportion of the population aged 55 years and older—almost 20 percent of this age group—experience specific mental disorders that are not part of “normal” aging including:

• depression
• anxiety disorders
• dementia including Alzheimer’s disease

which can be debilitating and severely affect an older adult’s quality of life. (from: http://www.cdc/gov/aging/info.htm)

Mental Health of America provides an online resource of fact sheets about the mental health issues that commonly affect seniors.

• 10 Tips for Improve Mental Health in Older Adults
• Alzheimer's Disease
• Coping With Loss
• Depression in Older Adults
• Grief and Bereavement
• Multi-infarct Dementia
• Suicide
• Taking Care of an Aging Parent
• Information on Medicare

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation provides information about substance abuse and misuse among older adults.

The document outlines what is gero-psychology, the growing need for pyschological services for older adults, and physical and mental health care.

• health-related behaviors
• mental health
• injuries
• infectious diseases

and other issues that affect older adults

How to Cope
Mental Health America of Colorado has provided this site with information about mental health topics that that affect older adults.

Topics incude:

• How to cope
• Alzheimer's and Dimentia
• Suicide and Depression
• tips to improve mental health

Is Retirement in your near future?
Looking forward to retirement is a life-long goal and dream but do you know when you are eligible and what your Social Security retirement benefits will pay?

Click here for more information from the Senior Law Handbook about retiring and your Social Security benefits.

Click here to go to the Social Security Administration website.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
FINANCIAL PLANNING

Many adult children who are caregivers for frail parents have primary responsibility for administering medicines. Yet even active older adults who care for themselves may need help in taking medicines safely and appropriately. Here are some ideas from the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE), for helping parents who are not in your care to make good use of their medicines. The time you take now can help your parents stay independent longer.

Staying healthy and looking good are two main wishes of today's seniors. Exercising and eating right are important. Equally important as good general health for seniors is good oral care of teeth and gums. Simply by brushing twice a day with fluoride, toothpaste and flossing daily seniors can avoid many oral health problems. Regular dental checkups and having their teeth professionally cleaned are also important. Click here for oral care health tips.

Senior Veterans of our nation’s Armed Forces are eligible for numerous benefits as a result of their service to our country. Of the 25 million veterans currently living, nearly three of every four served during a war or an official period of hostility. About a quarter of America’s population - approximately 70 million people - are potentially eligible for benefits and services because they are veterans, family members or survivors of veterans. From insurance to health guidance, it’s worth exploring the resources available to those who have sacrificed so much to preserve our freedom.

The Senior Law Book has an extensive explanation of Veteran benefits. Learn more:

Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs
The Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs is the state agency created to assist veterans and their family members and survivors in securing any benefits they may be entitled to because of service in the military. Learn more:

VA Health Care Eligibility And Enrollment
Learn about the U.S. Department of Veterans Affair’s medical benefits package and the health care services provided to all enrolled veterans:

Life Insurance
The VA’s life insurance programs were developed to provide insurance benefits for veterans and service members who may not be able to qualify for insurance from private companies due to the extra risks involved in military service, or a service connected disability:

Pharmacy Benefits
The mission of the VA’s Pharmacy Benefits Management Strategic Healthcare Group is to improve the health status of veterans by encouraging the appropriate use of medications in a comprehensive medical care setting. Learn more:

Colorado Property Tax Exemption
Disabled veterans may qualify for property tax exemption. The link below contains an application form and phone number for more information:

Colorado State And Veterans Nursing Homes
The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is committed to providing superior care for Colorado’s Veterans and all other residents in our State and Veterans Nursing Homes. Learn more at:

Burial & Memorial Benefits
Veterans are entitled to important burial and memorial benefits. Get facts, information and details about these benefits:

Veterans History Project
Authorized by Congress, the Veterans History Project is an effort by the Library of Congress to preserve our nation’s history by collecting the stories and experiences of America's war veterans and the people who supported them at home:

Don't Become a Victim!
Find ways to protect yourself from street crime, frauds and scams, emotional and physical abuse, financial swindles and other vulnerable aspects of senior life.
Protecting Yourself from Crime
Protect Yourself from Frauds and Scams

Colorado Coalition for Elder Rights and Adult Protection (CCERAP)
CCERAP's mission is to educate and facilitate the first positive steps to resolving or moving out of an abusive situation that elder and at-risk adults may find themselves in.

CCERAP provides statewide information and training about the abuse of elder and at-risk adults and promote projects, publications and activities that benefits elder and at-risk adults.

We also provide support for laws, regulations, and policies that promote the rights of elder and at-risk adults.

CCERAP also works to provide opportunites for professionals to meet, share information, address policy issues and develop strategies for increase service coordination.

The National Center on Elder Abuse can help if you fear yourself or a loved one is in danger of fraud or physical abuse.

Click here to see the National Center on Elder Abuse PSA's

If you suspect elder abuse, neglect or exploitation, please call 1-800-677-1116. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 or the local police for immediate help.

Assisted Living and Nursing Homes
What are the six key steps to selecting a good assisted living residence or nursing home?
Compare Nursing Homes in your area in your area

End-of-Life Decisions
In the event of no longer being able to communicate, how will you convey your wishes? With a Medical Advance Directive legal document, your very important desires concerning your care and disposition can be communicated.
Read More
AARP's End Of Life Resources

Hospice and Palliative Care
Hospice and palliative care are both options for those suffering from terminal and non-terminal illnesses. Find out what the difference is between the two and how to find, pay for and choose the right care option for you or a loved one.

Request a Senior Law Handbook

Power of Attorney
If you become incapacitated, your Power of Attorney can make important decisions on your behalf. Answers to all your questions about Power of Attorney can be found here.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Wills, Estate Planning and Trusts
Estate planning, wills and trusts can become very complex. Find answers to common questions and an easily-understood discussion of the options available to distribute your personal property after you die. Learn more: Re
Medicare Drug Insurance and You:
Colorado Options 2008

Request a Senior Law Handbook

End Of Life Care

Making decisions for a loved one or ourselves about end of life care can be difficult and emotional. The one area that most of us avoid planning is the end of our life. Yet, if we don't at least think about it and share our ideas with those we love, others take over at the very time when we are most vulnerable, most in need of understanding and comfort, and most longing for dignity.

Estate planning, living wills and complex Medicaid laws are major issues that are likely affect you and your loved ones.  By seeking legal advice now, you’re taking an important step in easing the stress of tackling legal issues later.  Fortunately, there are a number of helpful resources to help you understand the rights and laws that affect seniors

Giving Your Time & Talents

In Colorado, seniors give back to our communities in countless invaluable ways by volunteering, care giving and through paid work.  In 2004, the value of volunteer contributions by older adults in our state was estimated at more than $1.6 billion!  If strategically mobilized, the powerful resource of an aging “Baby Boomer” population could increasingly fill our society’s gaps in the areas of education, health care and family support.

“Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.” Civic Responsibility and Higher Education

Contrary to popular perception, the aging of the significant increase in the Baby Boom population presents our nation with a potentially powerful resource opportunity. If strategically mobilized, older adults can increasingly fill gaps in areas such as education, health care, and family support.

Tax Refund Anticipation Loans (BEWARE)

The need for good nutrition does not diminish as a person ages. It is essential for older adults to maintain a proper diet to stay healthy and independent in their later, more vulnerable years.

Senior Nutrition & Creative Meal Sharing:
Eating well as we grow older is important. Numerous benefits of a healthy diet and proper nutrition include: increased mental acuteness; resistance to illness and disease; higher energy levels; a more robust immune system; faster recuperation times, and; better management of chronic health problems.

The following are signs that may indicate abuse, exploitation or neglect are occurring:

What is depression?Click to enlarge image

Depression is more than just feeling blue or sad. It is an illness. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and normal functioning, and causes pain for both you and those who care about you.

Learn more about depression from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Brought to you by
Colorado Department of Human Services,
and
Denver Regional Council of Governments