Today's family caregiving looks different from that of our great grandparents or great, great grandparents. Today's caregivers are facing a perfect storm of challenges that make caregiving more stressful than ever before. Modern medicine has extended the aging process. While this means we are living longer, it means the need for care is longer too. On average, family caregivers are caring for their loved ones 4.5 years. That length of time doubles if they are caring for a family member suffering from dementia. Research has shown that the longer a caregiver has been providing care, the more likely she or he is to report their own declining health.This added caregiving time also means greater financial strain. Those receiving care are dipping into their life savings to pay medical co-pays for expensive medical treatments. As a result, many do not have the money to pay for basic services that would make it possible for them to live at home. 25% of caregivers report it is difficult to get affordable services in the community to help them with their caregiving.Because the care commitment is exponentially longer now than generations ago, caregivers are under extreme emotional distress. 40 to 70% of caregivers have clinically significant symptoms of depression. Many reports strong feelings of frustration, anger, guilt and helplessness in their role as a caregiver.Even with all of these challenges, there is hope and support. The Family Caregiver Support Center at the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging (PPACG AAA) helps family caregivers. The center provides free consultations for caregivers, to help them identify needed resources, how to access these resources and then make a plan for continued caregiving. The Center provides free respite vouchers to give the caregiver a much-needed break from the strains of caregiving. And the Center provides classes and support groups through community partners to help caregivers understand the unique challenges of today's caregiving.For more information about the Center and its services, please call Kent Mathews MSW at 719-886-7526 to set up a free consultation about your unique caregiving needs.Editor's Note: This article was submitted by Kent Mathews MSW. He may be reached at 719-886-7526

The Older Americans Act established in 1965 continues to provide funding to a wide range of services that prevent unnecessary nursing home placement, promote healthy aging and help people age with independence and dignity where they want to live, in their home and communities. In the Pikes Peak region, El Paso, Teller and Park counties funds are administered through the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging. The OAA helps millions of older adults each year by providing in-home supportive services that assist them to bathe, get dressed and maintain a clean safe home. It provides transportation services to keep people engaged in the community and 19 other services like family caregiver support and vision services. The PPAAA also houses the State Health Insurance Program, providing no-cost insurance counseling for those with questions.Services are coordinated through a state four-year plan. The PPAAA is updating the regional part of the plan for 2023.  The full plan can be accessed on the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments website. Highlights will address affordable housing, mental health, equity, workforce, caregiver supports and transportation resources. Services to explore this year include the PPAAAs Retirement Series with Ent Credit Union, Family Caregiver Support Centers lending library and the support of the Ombudsmen.  Additional resources can be explored at ppacg.org/aging and Aging with Altitude podcast at https://studio809podcasts.com/aging-with-altitude/.   Editors Note: This article was submitted by Melissa Marts, Program Development Administrator, Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging. She may be reached at, 719-471-2096.

The vital Older Americans Act established in 1965 continues to provide funding to a wide range of services that prevent unnecessary nursing home placement, promote healthy aging and help people age with independence and dignity where they want to live, in their home and communities. In the Pikes Peak region, El Paso, Teller and Park counties funds are administered through the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging (PPAAA). The OAA helps millions of older adults each year by providing in -home supportive services that assist them to bathe, get dressed and maintain a clean safe home. It provides transportation services to keep people engaged in the community and 19 other services like family caregiver support and vision services. The PPAAA also houses the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) providing no-cost insurance counseling for those with questions.In 2019, the PPAAA updated its State Four Year Plan. The full Plan can be accessed on the AAA website but highlights include a focus on affordable housing, mental health, social engagement, elder abuse prevention and transportation resources.COVID19 brought on many unique needs in serving older adults and the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging was the recipient of additional funding to adapt to the daily challenges. This funding was passed on to partner organizations who rapidly changed their service model. Some of these changes included partnering with restaurants in Teller County to get senior their meals, adapting transit vehicles with anti-bacterial film to keep virus transmission at bay, increased calls of reassurance, busy bags and much more. For 2022, the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging will continue working with older adults and the service agencies to meet the immediate and evolving needs.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Melissa Marts, Program Development Administrator for Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging. She may be reached at 719-471-2096.

Alison comes into the PPACG Area Agency on Aging with concerns about her mother, Jean, who has just relocated to Colorado to be nearer to Alison and her family. Jean, 73, has been under a great deal of stress, associated with her recent move to a new community. Alison, who works full-time, isn't able to manage all of Jeans needs and finds that she needs some support herself, as she tries to learn about resources in the community for her mother and herself. Alison and Jean are directed by staff to talk to the team at the Area Agency on Aging, whose focus is serving seniors and their family members. Jean and Alison start with the PPACG Family Caregiver Support Center, where the case manager meets with them one-on-one for over an hour, listening to them both share their concerns and asking follow-up questions that will allow him to make the best referrals possible. The case manager recommends that Alison attend one of the classes for caregivers offered by the center, to better her help both Jean and herself, as she navigates the new changes in both of their lives. As part of the conversation, it becomes clear that Jean needs some extra help at home and may qualify for assistance through Medicaid. A center manager from the PPACG Information & Assistance Center joins the conversation and agrees to meet with Jean at a later date, to help her with completing a Medicaid application. The center manager tells Jean and Alison that if they are ever interested in local assisted living residences, they can talk to the PPACG Ombudsman team and learn about what is available in the community. The center manager also provides Jean with a Yellow Book, which has over 800 agency and business listings that serve seniors. Jean also needs to see a doctor and receive new prescriptions for the insulin she takes daily to treat her diabetes. Alison's family doctor does not accept Medicare, and since Jean is on a fixed income, she must use a doctor that will accept Medicare as payment for her appointments. A counselor from the PPACG Senior Insurance Assistance office is invited to join the conversation. She is able to provide Alison and Jean with a list of doctors in the Pikes Peak Region who accept Medicare. The PPACG Senior Insurance Assistance counselor also helps Jean choose a new Medicare plan, one that provides good coverage for the medications that she takes to treat her diabetes and has the least out of pocket cost to her. Jean and Alison leave the PPACG Area Agency on Aging feeling well-informed and supported. They feel as if they have just joined a team, and that everyone is working together to help them to help themselves.Editors Note: Article submitted by Carrie Schillinger of Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging She may be reached at 719-471-7080 x135