Grammy award nominated musician Melanie DeMore will lend her soulful voice to lift the pain of our losses at A Community Gathering of Song and Healing on October 9, 2023. Sarah Lee, Program Director for Voices of Grief Support and Education Center shares details about the event, and about the concept behind it. People of all ages in the Pikes Peak region are invited to join this celebration of hope and remembrance. A second event on October 10 will offer a panel of local art therapy experts joining Melanie to explore how the professional community might weave the arts into our caregiving roles to foster growth and resilience in those we serve. The event will also feature art displays highlighting work being done locally by outstanding local art therapists.

A Community Gathering of Song and Healing
October 9, 2023 (professional panel October 10)
Information and tickets
www.voicesofgriefcenter.org/events

Ent Center for the Arts
5225 N. Nevada Ave.
Colorado Springs

 Sarah has spent more than 20 years in non-profit administration. Her professional experience includes hospice chaplaincy, event planning, fundraising and human resources. In addition to grief support training, Sarah holds a BA in psychology and an MA in Theology. Sarah has partnered with Kathy Sparnins and Voices of Grief since 2020, facilitating support groups and expanding grief support and education programs in the Pikes Peak Region through the Voices of Grief Support and Education Center.

 Voices of Grief Support and Education Center
https://www.voicesofgriefcenter.org

Aging with Altitude is recorded in the Pikes Peak region with a focus on topics of aging interest across the country. We talk about both the everyday and novel needs and approaches to age with altitude whether you’re in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Leadville, Colorado. The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is the producer. Cynthia Margiotta with PEARLS Program of Colorado is our moderator. Learn more at Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging http://www.ppacg.org/aging/  and PEARLS Program of Colorado  https://pearlsprogram.net/

If you live in the Pikes Peak region, find your new favorite local podcast at https://studio809podcasts.com

Learn how the financial, legal, health and even social determinants of retirement can and will impact your future. For the past nine years, Ent Credit Union has partnered with the Pikes Peaks Area Agency on Aging to present retirement preparation classes. In this episode, two of the masterminds behind the classes, Pamela Haugard of Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging and Bree Shellito of Ent Credit Union join host Cynthia Margiotta to explain what the series covers and how to attend the classes.

All classes will be held virtually and at no cost to the participants. This year, the series has been expanded and offers an even more in-depth view of what stepping into retirement can look like.

Included in this series will also be the latest information on Social Security and Medicare. Attend one class or the entire series for important information and tools to jump-start your retirement planning NOW!

More information about the classes and registration:
https://www.ppacg.org/aaa-events/

Ent Credit Union
https://www.ent.com/

Aging with Altitude is recorded in the Pikes Peak region with a focus on topics of aging interest across the country.  We talk about both the everyday and novel needs and approaches to age with altitude whether you’re in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Leadville, Colorado.  The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is the producer.  Cynthia Margiotta with PEARLS Program of Colorado is our moderator.  Learn more at Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging http://www.ppacg.org/aging/  and PEARLS Program of Colorado  https://pearlsprogram.net/

Aging with Altitude is recorded in the Pikes Peak region with a focus on topics of aging interest across the country.  We talk about both the everyday and novel needs and approaches to age with altitude whether you’re in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Leadville, Colorado.  The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is the producer.  Cynthia Margiotta with PEARLS Program of Colorado is our moderator.  Learn more at Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging http://www.ppacg.org/aging/  and PEARLS Program of Colorado  https://pearlsprogram.net/

If you live in the Pikes Peak region, find your new favorite local podcast at https://studio809podcasts.com

Support groups and system changes are just two ways discussed to minimize elder abuse. We also continue our discussion of sex. June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging can link you to, or help you organize, a small group conversation about this topic during the week of June 11. Lori McGinnis, regional director of the ombudsman program for the agency, shares insights with host Cynthia Margiotta. The ombudsman helps make sure elders are aware of their rights. If there are issues with an assisted living or long term care facility, an ombudsman is the one to call for help.

To contact the ombudsman:
Lori McGinnis: 719-471-7080 ext. 132
lmcginnis@ppacg.org

Aging with Altitude is recorded in the Pikes Peak region with a focus on topics of aging interest across the country.  We talk about both the everyday and novel needs and approaches to age with altitude whether you’re in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Leadville, Colorado.  The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is the producer.  Cynthia Margiotta with PEARLS Program of Colorado is our moderator.  Learn more at Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging http://www.ppacg.org/aging/  and PEARLS Program of Colorado  https://pearlsprogram.net/

A father-daughter team share their breathtaking tale of overcoming barriers and aging stereotypes that embody Aging Unbound, the theme for Older Americans Month 2023. 

Dr. Tom Kilroy is the father of Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging staff and podcast sponsor Melissa Marts. These two adventurers and aquaholics (that’s right, not alcoholics) tell the story of how they became self-supporting, multi-day stand up paddleboard pros and lived through the Moab storm of the century on the Green River.

Aging Unbound challenges all of us to question the stereotypes of age and share stories of how we push past our own barriers and boundaries to live a rich, rewarding life.  As you listen, think about the labels and stereotypes you have experienced and what barriers you are pushing past.

Share your story: mmarts@ppacg.org

Aging with Altitude is recorded in the Pikes Peak region with a focus on topics of aging interest across the country.  We talk about both the everyday and novel needs and approaches to age with altitude whether you’re in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Leadville, Colorado.  The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is the producer.  Cynthia Margiotta with PEARLS Program of Colorado is our moderator.  Learn more at Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging http://www.ppacg.org/aging/  and PEARLS Program of Colorado  https://pearlsprogram.net/

What are the ways our elders can be subject to abuse and how can we guard against them? Abuse can be subtle and so not blatantly obvious to the victim. Abusers can also be adept at putting on a good show when others are around. June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging can link you to, or help you organize, a small group conversation about this topic during the week of June 11. Lori McGinnis, regional director of the ombudsman program for the agency, shares insights with host Cynthia Margiotta. The ombudsman helps make sure elders are aware of their rights. If there are issues with an assisted living or long term care facility, an ombudsman is the one to call for help.

Aging with Altitude is recorded in the Pikes Peak region with a focus on topics of aging interest across the country.  We talk about both the everyday and novel needs and approaches to age with altitude whether you’re in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Leadville, Colorado.  The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is the producer.  Cynthia Margiotta with PEARLS Program of Colorado is our moderator.  Learn more at Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging http://www.ppacg.org/aging/  and PEARLS Program of Colorado  https://pearlsprogram.net/

Medicare CAN be expensive, but there are ways to minimize the costs. Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging’s Roma Costanza shares information about the costs and ways to shrink them. Medicare Savings Programs can help you cover the cost of Medicare Part B. A Low-Income Subsidy can help cover the cost of Medicare Part D. Over 50% of the people in our area who qualify for these programs are not taking advantage. Determining eligibility and applying for these programs can be quite easy if you invite a SHIP counselor to help you.

This episode is hosted by Cynthia Margiotta, CEO of Pearls program of Colorado. Roma Costanza is Medicare Specialist and State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Coordinator at the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging.

For more information:
(719) 635-4891
seniorinsur@ppacg.org

Aging with Altitude is recorded in the Pikes Peak region with a focus on topics of aging interest across the country.  We talk about both the everyday and novel needs and approaches to age with altitude whether you’re in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Leadville, Colorado.  The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is the producer.  Cynthia Margiotta with PEARLS Program of Colorado is our moderator.  Learn more at Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging http://www.ppacg.org/aging/  and PEARLS Program of Colorado  https://pearlsprogram.net/

State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) Medicare Counselors are the best kept secret for seniors looking for non-biased Medicare support.  SHIP counselors can be identified through their Area Agency on Aging.  These counselors walk seniors through many healthcare options and are not associated with any health insurance company.  They receive extensive training in order to best support seniors in selecting plans that make sense for them.  Listen in for more and check your SHIP office out today.

This episode was recorded in June for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

El Paso County Colorado has one of the busiest Adult Protective Services (APS) offices in the State if not the Nation.  With over 3300 cases this past year, it is hard to believe that this number is actually lower than previous years.  APS notes this number is concerning because they believe the number should be higher and that COVID has led to a decline in recognizing and reporting abuse.  This episode explores the work of APS, who are mandatory reporters and how to connect to resources.

Aging with Altitude is recorded in the Pikes Peak region with a focus on topics of aging interest across the country.  We talk about both the everyday and novel needs and approaches to age with altitude whether you’re in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida or Leadville, Colorado.  The Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging is the producer Ms. Cynthia Margiotta with PEARLS Program of Colorado is our moderator.  Learn more at Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging   and PEARLS Program of Colorado