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Caregiver Initiative

AAA Caregiver Initiative

We empower and support caregivers and care partners through their caregiving journey. We provide valuable information and resources and make referrals. We host ongoing educational events and special events. Programs are offered to caregivers of any age who assist a person age 60 or older (or of any age if the person has dementia).

Am I a Caregiver?

A caregiver is someone who partners with or supports a person who needs help managing their health and other aspects of their life. Caregivers might support someone temporarily or long-term. Caregivers might also support someone even if they don’t live in the same location.

You might be a caregiver if…

  • You pick up groceries for someone who can no longer do so themselves.
  • You make sure a family member’s bills are being paid (or you pay those bills yourself).
  • You have helped someone with getting dressed, preparing meals, taking a shower, or using the toilet.
  • You organize someone’s medication for them and/or take them to medical appointments.
  • You have a family member who could not live safely in their home without your help.

Connect and Collaborate

Call 303-441-1617 to learn about resources in the community including:

  • Help in the home
  • Housing and Long-Term Care options
  • Options for caregivers to take a break (respite)
  • Legal support
  • Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
  • Public assistance benefits, services, and programs
  • Guidance and tips on accessing services
  • Plan for emergencies
  • Family and informal caregiver support training
  • …much more!

All calls are free and confidential. Opción disponible en Español.

Email: infoADRC@bouldercounty.org

Online: BoulderCountyHelp.org

You can work one-on-one with us when you are not sure where to begin, have multiple caregiving concerns, or need one-on-one support.

Collaborate with our team to:

  • Complete a holistic assessment specifically for family and informal caregivers to identify your needs and strengths,
  • Develop a plan of action to meet your needs and guide you towards options, and
  • Connect you with resources and services based on your unique situation and eligibility.

Office Hours with Caregiving Resource Specialists

Informal caregivers of adults 60+ or caregivers of those with dementia can walk-in to our open office hours to meet one on one with a Boulder County Area Agency on Aging Resource Specialist. The resource specialist can provide information and referrals and help caregivers coordinate resources to support their caregiving related needs. Resource specialists can guide caregivers to the next steps in their caregiving journey, help them make a respite plan, give information on end of life and estate planning, and provide resources for wellness and self-care. They can help caregivers locate meaningful support groups and other county and community resources for caregivers.

When: First and Third Mondays, Feb. 5 through June 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: Louisville Senior Center in the Imperial Room (900 West Via Appia Way, Louisville)

Questions? Please contact us at infoCaregiver@bouldercounty.gov or 303-441-3945.

Learn

Check out the “Caregiving Corner” in our monthly newsletter, Aging Well in Boulder County. Interested in receiving our newsletter in your email inbox? Email us at bcaaa@bouldercounty.org.

Check out past issues of Aging Well with the “Caregiving Corner” feature:

Sign up for our other Caregiving classes by emailing infoCaregiver@bouldercounty.org.

Savvy Caregiver teaches an understanding of dementia and strives to increase caregiver confidence while reducing the adverse effects of caregiving. It focuses on helping caregivers to acquire and strengthen their knowledge, skills and attitudes for this role and teaches caregivers how to manage and care for themselves day-to-day. This is a 6-week course is led by a gerontologist and specialist in dementia.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers helps caregivers gain “tools” to improve your self-care, increase your confidence, and reduce your stress while caring for an older loved one. Learn to thrive, not just survive, caregiving, while enjoying the support and encouragement of fellow caregivers. Book and resource info included.

The “Hero’s Journey of the Caregiver” course is inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell, a scholar who popularized various theories on hero myth narratives. Using a multimedia approach (video clips, art, poetry), the class will offer opportunities for the “inner hero” to show up in caregiving and ultimately help guide the Care Partner through obstacles on the journey.

The National Caregiver Training Program helps participants acquire the practical skills needed to provide safe, confident homecare for a frail older loved one. This course is taught by a nurse. Learn to provide personal care, take vitals, manage medications, lift and transfer, use a wheelchair safely, and more. Book and resource info included.

The Dealing with Dementia Program was created by the Rosalynn Carter Institute to provide answers needed throughout the caregiving journey. Topics highlighted during the workshop are the dementia caregiving experience, safety, building a CARE TEAM, problem solving and managing dementia behaviors, stress management and self-care.

Explore Resources

Explore these external resources for additional caregiver information and support.

Disclaimer: These sites do not necessarily reflect the views of the BCAAA. They are intended as additional resources for caregivers.

Alzheimer’s Association offers information of Alzheimer’s care, support, research, and advocacy including a 24/7 Helpline.

The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement is a foundation that raise awareness around Alzheimer’s as a disease that disproportionately affects women.

Validation is a method of therapeutic communication which can be used to connect with someone with moderate to late stage dementia.

Tam Cummings, PhD is a gerontologist that has spent years presenting the complexities of dementia in a simple manner. Tam defines the seven stages of dementia and downloadable tools to track the stages of dementia.

Parkinson’s Foundation offers advice and support to those living with Parkinson’s disease and their families and is committed to advancing research.

American Cancer Society offers, guides, videos, and articles to provide advice to families and caregivers of those living with cancer.

American Cancer Society

American Diabetes Association

American Heart Association

American Stroke Association offers help and support to caregivers.

AARP has helpful resources, guides and tools for family and informal caregivers.

Department of Veteran Affairs provides support for caregivers of Veterans, coordination of benefits, and additional assistance.

WellMed Charitable Foundation supports older adults and their caregivers with a special emphasis on wellness and prevention. Look here to participate in one-hour conference calls at no cost. You can get expert advice, ask questions and talk to other people who are providing care.

Caregiver Action Network offers caregiver resources, tools and advice including addressing challenges specific to long-distance caregiving and to working and caregiving.

Next Step in Care is a program dedicated to providing practical advice and easy-to-use guides that help in the process of transitioning your parent’s care from one location to another (e.g., hospital to nursing facility).

Carelinx is a site that that helps you find help in the home without using an expensive agency. Caregivers undergo a background check and post information about services they can perform. Always make sure that you interview and vet caregivers.

Family Caregiver Alliance provides online information , support and resources for family caregivers. Answer a questionnaire and receive follow-up by FCA staff.

Caregiving.com offers articles and short videos on caregiving, wellness, legal/financial, health/medical).

Caring Bridge is a free, easy-to-use communications platform to share updates, set up meal trains and more.

Caring Village has an app that helps caregivers communicate, coordinate, and care. The website also has useful articles and checklists.

Contact Us


Boulder County Area
Agency on Aging

Main: 303-441-3570

to the Aging Well e-newsletter.


Location

Sundquist Building
3482 Broadway St.
Boulder, CO 80304
Map and Directions
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday


Mailing Address

PO Box 471
Boulder, CO 80306

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