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In November 2017, research from the AARP Public Policy Institute found that socially isolated older adults are at greater risk for poor health than their well-connected counterparts.  Social participation is a key factor in a person’s health and overall satisfaction.  Therefore, the Age Friendly Colorado Springs Plan highlights social participation as one of the eight domains of livability.

Innovations in Aging recently released a Midway Progress Report that highlights the progress and next steps in each domain. Some of the highlights in the social participation domain are the new programs or expanded programs fostered by our Age Friendly partners: Pillar Institute for Lifelong Learning, the Senior Center, and Silver Key.

In addition to supporting local efforts, Innovations in Aging works to communicate changes and improvements made at the national level.  One new tool that seeks to promote and provide opportunities to improve the rates of social engagement for older adult is the engAGED website. The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) recently published this new website for the National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults.  The engAGED website has toolkits, resources, and research which advance innovative engagement approaches and programming. The centerpiece of the campaign is a consumer brochure: Doing Good is Good for You: Volunteer! To discover more resources created by the National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults, click here.

What is the best way to walk or bike in between the Southeast Y and the Sand Creek Library?

A key component of a livable city is the knowledge and ability to walk or bike between major community hubs. Through a collaboration with Bike Colorado Springs (a program of the Trails and Open Space Coalition) and Age Friendly Colorado Springs (a program of Innovations in Aging Collaborative), it is now easier to learn about the major trails and paths in Southeast Colorado Springs.

Innovations in Aging and Bike COS worked together to create large-format vinyl maps that show the physical relationship between key points of interests and places of value. We included the on-street bicycle infrastructure (bike lanes) and the off-street urban trail system, both paved and unpaved sections, on the map to encourage placemaking in the region. Additionally, we incorporated the zip code boundaries on the map to show the relationship of those across the region of Colorado Springs and Southeast Colorado Springs proper (80910/80916).

These placemaking maps will be a great resource for many organizations in Southeast Colorado Springs. Local organizations can use the maps for community meetings, planning, and bike and pedestrian trip developments.

November 6 is Election Day

One of the focus areas or domains of livability in the Age Friendly Colorado Springs Plan is Civic Participation and Employment. Voting is an important way for people of all ages to participate in their local, state, and federal community and make their voices heard. Innovations in Aging Collaborative wants to ensure that older adults in Colorado Springs have a complete guide of what is on the ballot and how to vote.

How to register to vote

Colorado offers same day voter registration. If you forgot to register online (the last day to register online was October 29), you can go to your polling location and register in-person on election day.

Initiatives on the November 2018 Ballot

This year’s ballot has a large number of offices, amendments, and propositions to decide on. In order to see what is on the ballot before visiting a polling location, a sample ballot is available here. The American Sign Language interpreted ballot is also available.  Additionally, Colorado releases a Blue Book detailing each ballot initiative and the arguments for and against each initiative.  Another useful election guide is the interview hosted by AARP with the gubernatorial and treasurer candidates. AARP asked candidates for Colorado governor and treasurer how they would provide essential services for older adults, promote retirement savings, protect PERA, and create livable spaces so that seniors can remain in their communities as they age.

How to vote

Registered voters received a ballot in the mail at the end of October, and ballots can be dropped off at these locations or mailed in.  If you are dropping off or sending in your ballot remember to sign the envelop, so your vote can be counted.  If you are planning to vote at a polling location on November 6, here is a tool to find your nearest polling location.  All polling locations are required to meet ADA accessibility requirements, and the Independence Center location is offering a fully accessible polling place. One of these highly accessible features is that their voting machines can read ballots in audio format. If you are wondering how to get to the polls, Uber and Lyft are offering  discounted rides to the polls.

If you have any additional questions about voting visit the El Paso County Elections Department website or call 719-575-VOTE (8683).

On September 18, Colorado became the third Age Friendly State in the U.S. This recognition from AARP coincided with the announcement of Lifelong Colorado, an initiative that address the challenges of a growing population of older Coloradans. Governor John Hickenlooper noted “Lifelong Colorado demonstrates our commitment to making the necessary improvements and provide appropriate resources to strengthen families and our communities.” As of 2018, 24 Colorado communities were either in AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities or participating in the “Boomer Bond” Initiative through the Denver Regional Council of Governments.  A major goal of Lifelong Colorado and the Age Friendly designation is to add at least 100 more communities to that list in five years.

Innovations in Aging Collaborative is thrilled to see the expansion of the Age Friendly initiative into the State of Colorado. The commitment by state officials to Age Friendly will improve Colorado and make sure it is a great place for everyone to live in, whether they are 8 or 80.

We are proud that this new initiative will build on the success of the established Age Friendly Cities in Colorado, including Colorado Springs. Mayor John Suthers pointed out, “Colorado Springs has benefited tremendously from our age-friendly initiative. I am excited to help bring the lessons we’ve learned to the rest of Colorado.” Along with using our lessons learned to benefit Lifelong Colorado, Innovations in Aging is also hopeful this momentum will allow us to advance our local efforts.

Intergenerational Month is a global movement celebrating the many benefits of relationships between older adults and younger people.  Innovations in Aging wants to encourage you to participate in intergenerational month by engaging with someone that is a different age than you.  We complied of list of intergenerational opportunities in Colorado Springs,  but we also want to hear from you! If you know of any intergenerational activities in Colorado Springs that we didn’t list, please fill out this short survey.

Intergenerational Opportunities in Colorado Springs

Intergenerational Programming at the Pikes Peak Library District.

• The PPLD offers a wealth of programs that are available to people of all ages. The library categorizes many of their events as intergenerational.  Below is a list of some of those programs:
  • Tabletop games at Penrose
  • Movie Night
  • Monday Musings
    • Click here for a listing of all intergenerational events

Dragon Theatre Productions

• Dragon Theatre Productions is a community-inclusive theatre program of Imagination Celebration in Colorado Springs that creates roles for any actor who can make the performance commitment. This opportunity is open to people of all ages and abilities, which helps in building community and celebrating diversity.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

• Big Brothers Big Sisters pair volunteers (Bigs) with children (Littles) in a variety of different mentoring programs including community-based, academic, and sports-centric programming to pair the talents of Bigs with the needs of Littles.

Grand Friends

• District 11 has a program called GrandFriends, where retired people and older adults use with their multiple and valuable skills to serve as talented mentors to students. The students benefit not only from the sharing of these skills but also from the relationships they develop with the GrandFriends.

Kraemer Intergeneration Collection @ UCCS

• The Kraemer Intergeneration Collection consists of books, videos, and other materials related to intergenerational studies and concerns. The Kraemer Intergeneration Collection is integrated into the Main Collection on the 3rd floor of the Kraemer Family Library.

Have you wondered how you can stay informed and get involved in local Age Friendly activities?

Innovations in Aging Collaborative recently compiled a list of activities that will help you learn more about the Age Friendly initiative, and the list offers suggestions on actions you can take to make Colorado Springs a great place to live, regardless of age.

• Learn more about Livable Communities across the country at aarp.org/livable
• Shift the “Us vs. Them” mindset to an understanding that we are all growing older
  • Visit Changing the Narrative Colorado to learn more about the impact of our language
• Support universal design in parks and homes
• Volunteer with one of our Age Friendly non-profit partners (a list can be found here)
• Support accessible and multi-modal transportation
• Participate in Older Americans Month in May
• Participate in Intergenerational Month in September by engaging with someone in a different stage of life than you

Finally, to stay up to date with latest news from Innovations in Aging Collaborative by following us on Facebook (and Age Friendly Colorado Springs on Facebook), and signing up for our newsletter.