Printed in the March 22 issue of The Mountain-Ear.

Senior Scene, Serene Karplus.

Aging in place in our mountains presents challenges we don’t always foresee. When the going gets tough, many services sustain us that we never knew existed until we ask for the help.

Staying informed of resources helps our neighbors who are in need of assistance when we can’t provide what they need. Nederland Area Seniors and our local Area Agency on Aging Options Counselor Colleen Sinclair (here in Nederland) can refer folks to resources for services, many of which are free or very inexpensive. Services might include anything from rides to home-delivered meals to mental health counseling, Medicaid caregiving to caregiver respite, audio programs for the visually impaired to phones for the hearing impaired, assistance with Social Security and Medicare questions...and so much more!

We also have available a special all-encompassing assistance program. It is available to Boulder and Weld County residents and all transportation is provided. We have seen it work well for a mountain resident, who was picked up at home and transported to the program regularly, so we want to share the opportunity with everyone who is eligible.

TRU PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) coordinates and provides all needed preventive, primary, acute, and long-term care services so that older individuals can continue living safely in their community. This innovative model enables individuals who are age 55 or older and certified by the state to need nursing-home-level care (but choosing to tough it out at home) to live as independently as possible. It helps participants and their family members navigate the complicated issues associated with aging.

This program provides a person-centered approach to care. Their philosophy is based on balancing the medical, emotional, physical and social needs of seniors in the program. The Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) customizes each participant’s plan of care to reflect his or her personal needs. The IDT is made up of a physician, social worker, physical and occupational therapists, a dietician, home care nurse, clinic nurse, transportation coordinator, personal care attendant, center director, and a recreational therapist. They include the participant and family members in the development and approval of the plan of care.

Services the local TRU PACE program can provide include Adult Day Care, Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapies, Therapeutic Recreational Activities, Specialty care (cardiology, pulmonology, orthopedics), Home Health Care, Prescription Drugs, Hospitalizations, Dental, Vision, Hearing, and Foot Care, Medical Equipment & Supplies, Nutritious Meals and Dietary Counseling, Outpatient Services (labs, X-rays, surgeries), Caregiver Relief & Respite, Behavioral Health Services/Counseling, End-of-Life Support & Care, 24 Hour Access, Social Services, Support, and Transportation.

Participants must receive all needed healthcare, including primary care and special physician services (other than emergency services) from TRU PACE contracted providers. They handle all the paperwork and claims. Individuals who are eligible for Medicaid (and if not yet on it, they can help us sign up) can enjoy all the services at no charge. It is available to everyone, but those not on Medicaid may pay out-of- pocket charges to participate.

The PACE model became a permanent Medicare provider and Medicaid state option in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Over 40,000 participants attend 233 PACE centers in 31 states.

Contact our local TRU PACE office in Lafayette to learn more at www.pace.trucare.org or call 303-665-0115.

We are so Lucky! Please inform friends, especially those in Boulder, to please contribute to our nonprofit Nederland Area Seniors (host of Mountain MidLife) with their “wooden nickels” (10 cent bag credits, when they bring their own bag) at the checkout counter at Lucky’s Market North at Broadway and Quince. We are only in this program from now until May 16. Thank you!

All adults are welcome at all Mountain MidLife and Nederland Area Seniors events, attended mostly by folks over age 50. All ages adults are invited to all meals at the Nederland Community Center. Please call two days ahead for lunch reservations (more for dinners and breakfasts if possible) to 303-258-0799. Missed the deadline? Call anyway. Costs listed show first the over-age-60 requested anonymous contribution, then the under-age-60 price. Please note that all over age 60 are welcome regardless of ability to contribute financially.