For more information about the author, click to view their website: Larimer County Office on Aging
Northern Colorado is home to a rapidly growing population of older adults who bring history, culture, and vitality to the region. With its blend of outdoor recreation, community-centered neighborhoods, and active lifestyle, Larimer County has become a place where many seniors want to age in place—staying connected to the homes and communities they love.
But as aging needs evolve, many families discover they aren’t sure where to turn for help. Questions about caregiving support, Medicare benefits, transportation, respite, food assistance, or long-term planning can feel overwhelming without guidance.
That’s where the Larimer County Office on Aging (LCOA) becomes an essential lifeline. Serving Fort Collins, Loveland, Wellington, Estes Park, and communities across the county, the Office on Aging provides accessible, reliable, and compassionate support designed to help older adults live safely, independently, and with dignity.
The Office on Aging is dedicated to informing, supporting, and empowering seniors—and the families who care for them. Their programs ensure that older adults have access to the resources they need for health, wellbeing, and independence.
Erin Alt, a respected leader within the department, emphasizes the heart behind the work:
“Our goal is to make sure no older adult in Larimer County feels alone in navigating aging. We’re here to provide guidance, support, and programs that help people thrive—no matter their circumstances.” — Erin Alt
This commitment to dignity and advocacy is woven into every service they offer.
The LCOA offers a broad network of support, designed to meet seniors where they are and connect them to practical resources.
Aging can bring up complicated questions. The Office on Aging helps families understand and access:
Housing resources
Transportation services
Nutrition programs
Senior centers and activity programs
In-home support options
Medicare and benefit programs
This guidance prevents families from feeling overwhelmed and helps them make informed decisions.
Caregiving is an act of love—but also an immense responsibility. The Office on Aging provides:
Respite care assistance
Caregiver grants
Caregiver education and training
Support groups and peer connection
These supports help reduce burnout and increase confidence.
A crucial advocacy service within the community, ombudsmen help seniors living in nursing homes, assisted living, and memory care communities by:
Protecting resident rights
Addressing concerns and complaints
Ensuring quality of care
Supporting families through transitions
This program ensures that seniors in long-term care settings are treated with dignity and respect.
Aging decisions can feel overwhelming. Options Counselors guide seniors through:
Housing choices
In-home care decisions
Safety planning
Community resources
Financial and benefit considerations
This personalized support helps families create clear, realistic plans for aging.
For older adults no longer driving, transportation is essential. LCOA connects seniors with:
Dial-a-Ride programs
Paratransit services
Volunteer driver networks
Accessible mobility resources
Lack of transportation shouldn’t prevent seniors from accessing healthcare, shopping, or social activities.
The Office on Aging is deeply integrated into Northern Colorado’s senior resource network, collaborating with:
UCHealth
Senior centers in Fort Collins & Loveland
Meals on Wheels
Local nonprofits
Housing communities
Dementia support organizations
Veterans’ services
Because of these strong partnerships, seniors receive comprehensive support tailored to local challenges and opportunities.
Whether it’s helping an Estes Park resident secure transportation to medical appointments, supporting a Wellington caregiver through respite resources, or guiding a Fort Collins senior through Medicare enrollment, the Office on Aging is committed to being a steady, trusted resource.
Families across Northern Colorado rely on the LCOA for its:
Compassionate, knowledgeable staff
Commitment to equity and accessibility
Personalized support
Strong community partnerships
Holistic approach to aging
Their mission is simple yet powerful: help every senior live with dignity, safety, and independence.
To explore resources, programs, and support available through the Larimer County Office on Aging, visit their Seniors Blue Book listing for contact details and service information.
1. Is there a cost for Office on Aging services?
Most services are free or low-cost, funded by county and federal aging programs.
2. Do I need to be low-income to qualify?
No—resources are available to all Larimer County seniors regardless of income.
3. Can caregivers request support directly?
Yes. Caregivers can access respite grants, education, and support groups.
4. Do they help with Medicare questions?
Absolutely—trained counselors assist with Medicare, benefits, and supplemental plans.
5. What areas does the Office on Aging serve?
They support all of Larimer County, including Fort Collins, Loveland, Timnath, Windsor, Wellington, and Estes Park.
When an older adult needs help at home and sees several clinicians, a coverage decision can affect everything from prescription refills to rides. If youre considering TRU PACE in Lafayette, start by asking how enrollment would change the care and coverage you already use. How Medicare and Medicaid Fit Into PACEPACE is the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It coordinates healthcare and support for eligible adults who meet a state standard for nursing home-level care and can live safely in the community with PACE support at enrollment. Applicants must also be 55 or older and live in the programs service area. TRU PACE and Your Current CoveragePhone: 303-665-0115Medicare says people with Medicaid pay no monthly PACE premium. Medicare beneficiaries without Medicaid pay premiums for the long-term care portion and Medicare Part D drugs. Medicare also says participants owe no deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for drugs, services, or care approved by their PACE team. Ask TRU PACE for an estimate based on your individual coverage before enrolling. Doctors, Prescriptions, and Existing ServicesTRU PACE says it becomes the participants insurance provider at enrollment. Participants generally receive care through the programs provider network. Bring a list of your doctors, medications, and scheduled services. Ask which providers are in the network and how the team would coordinate any changes. Why This Matters in LafayetteIf you regularly see a clinician near home or have a specialist visit scheduled outside Lafayette, give the enrollment team the names and dates. Ask which appointments can continue and what to do about any refill due around the enrollment date. How to Get Started1. Gather Your Coverage InformationHave your Medicare and Medicaid information, if applicable, along with details of any current plan. List the appointments and prescriptions you rely on most.2. Ask for an Enrollment and Cost ReviewCall TRU PACE and ask for your expected monthly cost, when any coverage change would take effect, and who would help coordinate the transition. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesPACE Adult Day Services Care Management
After a death, families may have to make several decisions in a short time. Others prefer to talk through their wishes ahead of time. In either situation, it helps to separate the practical arrangements from the decisions about how to gather, remember, and say goodbye. What Funeral and Mortuary Services CoverA funeral home can help arrange transportation and care of the person who died, assist with paperwork, and coordinate burial or cremation. A family may also arrange a viewing, funeral, memorial, or private gathering. Ask which decisions need to be made immediately and which can wait. The Natural Funeral in LafayettePhone: 720-515-2344The Natural Funeral lists natural burial, flame cremation, water cremation, and terramation, also called natural organic reduction. Water cremation uses an alkaline water process, and terramation transforms remains into soil. If one of these options interests you, ask what the process involves, how long it typically takes, and what the family receives afterward. Planning a Gathering and Reviewing CostsThe Lafayette funeral home is at 102 W Chester Street in Old Town. Ask what can take place at the Lafayette location and which parts would involve another venue or a cemetery. Request a General Price List and a written breakdown of your choices so you can see which fees cover the funeral homes work and which come from outside providers. Why This Matters in LafayetteIf relatives are coming from out of town or some guests have limited mobility, ask about parking, step-free access, and how many people the gathering space can accommodate. If you plan to hold a service and burial at different locations, check how much time guests will need between them. How to Get Started1. Write Down the Persons WishesLook for written instructions and note any cultural or religious preferences. If youre planning ahead, tell a trusted person where you keep your instructions and whom to call.2. Ask for a Written PlanCall 720-515-2344 and ask what is needed on the first call. Once youve discussed options, request the expected timeline and itemized costs before approving arrangements. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesCounseling Hospice Advance Care Planning
When an older adult spends most weekdays alone, families may need more than a place for them to go. They may also be juggling transportation, appointments, and help at home. TRU PACE in Lafayette offers a day center as part of a program that coordinates those needs for eligible older adults. What Are Adult Day Services?Adult day services offer daytime support outside the home. Depending on the program, participants may spend time with peers, eat a meal, take part in activities, or receive help with daily needs. Some centers accept people directly. The Lafayette TRU PACE center serves people enrolled in its broader Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. TRU PACE in LafayettePhone: 303-665-0115TRU PACEs Lafayette center is at 2593 Park Lane. The program coordinates medical and social services and arranges transportation to the day center and medical visits as needed. Ask the enrollment team what a typical center day includes, how often a participant might attend, and how the team decides what support to arrange at home. Who May QualifyPACE applicants must be at least 55, live in the programs service area, meet the states standard for nursing home-level care, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE support at enrollment. Ask how enrollment would affect access to current doctors and prescription coverage before making a decision. Why This Matters in LafayetteWhen family members already drive someone to several appointments a week, a coordinated schedule can change who needs to be available and when. Ask how pickup would work at the persons Lafayette address and who to call if a ride or appointment changes. How to Get Started1. Ask for an Eligibility ReviewCall TRU PACE. Have the participants ZIP code, current coverage, and a short list of the help they need. 2. Ask to Visit the CenterFind out what the participant might do on a center day, how transportation works, and what changes to their current care arrangements enrollment would involve. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesCare Management Transportation Respite Care