According to senioranswers.org, this is a day for and about seniors.

But what exactly does that entail? A great deal—to be honest. 

The day will feature live music and dance. Not to mention a magic show and even a fashion show—all performed by active seniors. “This is a senior fair featuring products and services that focus on the needs and interests of seniors. Be it health and wellness, recreational activities, hobbies or what have you, it’s a day for and about seniors,” senioranswers.org stated.

This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and get involved in the Highlands Ranch senior community. Bring a friend or come alone and make new friends. Either way, you are bound to have fun and go home with a wealth of information.

For additional information, call 1-800-917-3123.

Senior Fairs are a perfect place to connect with your peers in a safe environment. Do you know of other great senior-minded events happening in your area? If so, share your ideas and thoughts with Assisted Living Colorado by leaving a comment below. Together, we can create a remarkable resource for Colorado seniors and their families.

9Health Fair is making rounds throughout Colorado, focusing on health awareness. Here is where the upcoming fairs are slated to happen:

Monday, April 11 – Tuesday, April 12 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Augustana Lutheran Church
5000 E Alameda Ave
Denver, CO

Saturday, April 16 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Medical Center of Aurora
1444 S Potomac St
Aurora, CO

Saturday, May 7 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Carpenter Recreation Center
11151 Colorado Blvd
Thornton, CO

With three locations and time to choose from, 9Health Fair is making is easy and accessible to connect with local health experts. Health Fairs are also a great way to meet individuals with similar health concerns and issues. Networking with similar individuals, allows you to see that you are not alone in your struggles. As you hurry through the door to make it to one of the health fairs, I advise to bring a small notepad with you and get names and numbers. You can utilize these connections and possibly start your very own support/healthy-living group.

Do you know of great senior-minded activities happening in your area? Share your ideas with Assisted Living Colorado by leaving a comment below.

“Our mission is to inspire an entire generation and to create a cultural shift on how we view aging. Our belief is that growing older doesn’t mean you have to stop dreaming and living a life of purpose,” according to seniorwish.org. “By granting lifelong wishes to seniors who have overcome tremendous challenges in their own lives, our foundation is able to spread its inspirational stories of hope.”

And there is no doubt that this Denver, CO based non-profit is doing just that. With JBWOL’s help, seniors are enjoying everything from skydiving to reconnecting with loved ones.

Jeremy Bloom founded JBWOL in living memory of his 83-year-old grandma, Donna Wheeler. “For many years I have wanted to start a foundation that would change the lives of others forever,” Jeremy Bloom has explained. “JBWOL Foundation is built on the premise that senior citizens should be respected, honored and aided in our society. They have given a lifetime of service, wisdom and most of all love to their community and families.”

Do you have a wish? Would you like to help fulfill a senior’s wish? For more information on getting involved in JBWOL, click here.

JBWOL is a great example of local individuals doing something great for Coloradoans. Do you know of other great senior services in the area? If so, leave a comment below and share your ideas and thoughts. We here at Assisted Living Colorado would love to hear about all our area has to offer.

The site lists everything from activities and volunteer opportunities for area seniors to understanding Medicaid. In fact, under the Consumer Services & Protection category, you can order a free video on how to avoid scams and frauds (specially created for Colorado senior citizens).

Another great tool offered on the website are the great links to employment and volunteer opportunities for senior citizens. Studies have shown how incredibly important it is to stay active and engaged in your golden years and volunteer work is an easy and rewarding way to do just that. Getting started, however, can be daunting and deciding where and what to do as a volunteer can be even more difficult. Colorado.gov succinctly lists legitimate places to get your start.

Perhaps the most valuable category is the Health Care section. Here, you can learn how to navigate the maze of Medicaid or find where to get senior discounts at local pharmacies.

To take advantage of this great resource, click here.

What websites have you found invaluable for senior citizen related issues? We here at Assisted Living Colorado would love to know! Share your ideas and thoughts by leaving a comment below.

A new study, however, has taken sodium consumption to a new level. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, clear changes can be seen in your arteries in just 30 minutes after you ingest a salty snack. Their research has found that salty foods rapidly impair the ability of blood vessels to widen—even in individuals with normal blood pressure.

“What surprised us was that this is similar to responses seen after a meal high in saturated fats, which we know can damage blood vessels in the long-term,” Kacie M. Dickinson, the study’s lead author and researcher at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Adelaide, Australia, said.

The results of this study are staggering. If you think about the fact that sodium affects out heart in a mere 30 minutes—just think of what it can do during a lifetime of salty snacks. Here are a few tips to help you steer clear of salt-laden foods:
• Skip fast food. It has been found that if you eat fast food even once a week, you are likely getting 2 to 3 times as much salt as you need.
• Read labels. Check the regular items on your grocery list for salt content. Look for low sodium foods—if you purchase canned items, it is often prominently listed on the label.
• Keep the saltshaker off the dining room table. This way, you will be less inclined to douse your meal with a sprinkle of the white crystals.
• Avoid packaged foods. Stick to fresh fruits and vegetables instead—they are better for you and are generally tastier.

How do you keep the salt at bay? Share your tips and ideas with Assisted Living Colorado by leaving a comment below.

Enter Silver Key.

This Colorado Springs non-profit was created by group of conscientious citizens who wished to improve the quality of life of area senior citizens. They do this in a number of ways, including basic home repairs, transportation to doctor’s appointments and grocery shopping.

Serving 8,000 to 10,000 seniors each year, Silver Key operates under the mission—“to serve as the conscience of the community in partnership with all our stakeholders in the greater Colorado Springs area to find and implement ways to ensure that the elderly are aging with dignity and independence.” And in my opinion, they’re doing a great job of attaining this goal.

If you or a loved one is in need of assistance, Silver Key requires you must be 60 years of age or older to qualify and be a resident of Colorado Springs or Manitou Springs. For more information, call Silver Key at 884-2300 or click here.

With remarkable citizens dedicated to helping one another, it’s easy to remember what makes our nation so incredible. Do you know of any Colorado programs doing especially good work for our elderly? If so, share your ideas and thoughts with Assisted Living Colorado by posting a comment below.

Together, we can create a community of compassion and understanding.

There are means to combat this disease, including calcium and vitamin D supplements. Strength training is an additional method that is proving to be quite effective. In fact, weight-baring exercises have been found to help bones remain sturdy and strong.

“The exercise must place a load on the bone that’s heavy enough and different enough to stimulate a bone response,” Robyn Stuhr, American Council on Exercise spokesperson and clinical exercise physiologist, said.

Osteoporosis most commonly affects the spine, hip and wrist. But adding a few resistance exercises to you routine may be key in keeping this disease at bay. And, really, the exercises can be quite simple. Here’s a brief list to get you started:
• Use your own body weight during your exercise. Try balance exercises such as squats, lunges and jumps.
• Break out the dumbbells. Only use what is comfortable and try old standbys—lifts, presses, etc.
• Try using a medicine ball.
• Go for a walk. It’s easy and you can do it just about anywhere.

To be effective, strength training should be performed two to three times a week. Try getting a group together to provide encouragement and support. It is always recommended to consult with your doctor before beginning any new training routine.

Do you have tips on keeping your bones strong and healthy? Share your ideas with our community by leaving a comment below.

Pets Forever is a Colorado State University sponsored program designed to help low-income elderly Larimer County residents keep their furry friends as long as possible. They do this by providing needed help and resources.

“The bond between pet owners and their animals can be very powerful,” Lori Kogan, founder and director of Pets Forever, said. In fact, research shows that elderly people with pets benefit with fewer doctor visits, decreased depression and cholesterol levels, increased activity levels, independence and confidence.

With Pets Forever, low-income elderly are encouraged to utilize their direct pet services. They offer in-home animal car (dog walking, litter box cleaning, etc), transportation of animals to and from the vet or groomer and home delivery of pet food and supplies. Pets Forever also offers limited financial support for veterinary care and animal supplies. For more information on the program, click here.

Pets Forever is also receiving national acclaim for their work. It was recently announced that the non-profit is one of four finalists in the Heska Corporation’s Inspiration in Action contest. The winner of the contest will receive $25,000, which will directly impact the number of elderly in Larimer County that will be able to keep their pets with Pets Forever’s assistance.

The winner of the contest will be selected by public vote at www.heska.com/action (voting ends December 15). “Voting for us will help us continue supporting pet owners who particularly benefit from the human-animal bond,” Kogan said.

Do you know of any great senior programs in your area? Assisted Living Colorado would love to know! Share your ideas by leaving a comment below.

But what exactly is a senior playground? To put it simply, it’s an outdoor space designed to help older people get and remain fit. Many include low-impact fitness machines like stationary bicycles and sit-up benches. According to the organizers of the park, many began lining up early in the morning to try their hand at the offerings.

“It was great seeing a large group of older people there, trying to outdo each other,” said Mark Camley, the chief executive of the park. “As we get an increasingly older population, it’s important to find ways to keep them active.”

It seems that this is exactly what this parking is doing. Access to the space is free and there is always someone to socialize with and help push you to reach your fitness goals. In fact, many are commenting on the ease of accessibility and non-intimidating nature of the park.

Will this idea catch on in the states? I certainly hope so! This is a fantastic way to stay active in a fun and easy way—something we all look for when starting an exercise routine. To find out more about this particular park, click here.

Would you take advantage of an adult playground? Share your ideas by commenting below.