Pueblo Area Agency on Aging - PAAA

The aging landscape is changing at a rapid rate with the baby boomer population nearly fully aged into senior status.Colorado is now a state on the forefront of innovating services and options for retirement and Pueblo Area Agency on Aging is working with the State Unit on Aging and the Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging to address concerns and innovative approaches for Southern Colorado. Along with 16 other Area Agencies on Aging; Pueblo is positioned to ensure the aging agenda is kept at the forefront of conversations in the community. There is now a statewide initiative to increase aging funding to meet the demand of an almost 70% increase of population over 60 by the year 2030. Yes, thats right, the Baby Boomers have arrived. There has never been a time in our recent history when this dynamic has made such a great impact on culture and society. If youve heard, Im not my Grandmother or Life really begins at 60, youre most likely talking to a Boomer. We cannot look at services or community development the same in the coming years. Over 60 means, lifestyle, travel, aging in place, innovating intergenerational services. Aging means creating community and developing connections to ensure aging is enjoyable and safe. The Area Agency on Aging is working with community partners and agencies to develop dialogue and assessments to address Southern Colorados capacity to care for our aging population as well as identify opportunities to enhance the great services and housing options we already enjoy. They are also developing initiatives to increase awareness about elder abuse, emergency planning, community dialogue, intergenerational outreach, and much more to support the many other aspect of community life here in Southern Colorado. The Senior Resource Development Agency and Colorado Legal Services have also teamed up to identify ways to address need and look to future for innovative approaches, ensuring the needs of this new aging population are addressed. The hope is to engage each member of the community to become educated about aging topics and act as aging ambassadors for their own families and community.This article was submitted by Valerie Acosta Koehn. Valerie is a Program Manager & Ombudsman with the Area Agency on Aging and may be reached at 719-583-6317 or by email at koehnv@pueblocounty.us

A Long-Term Care Ombudsman is an advocate for individuals living in a nursing home, an assisted living, or similar licensed adult long-term facility. This free advocate service is resident directed and requires resident consent to investigate a complaint or to refer a complaint to another agency.Federal law mandates the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program and every state is required to have and administer an Ombudsman program. In Colorado, there are approximately 81 Certified Long-Term Care Ombudsmen. These programs are supported by regional Area Agencies on Aging and Disability Law of Colorado both, which receive funding under the Older Americans Act.Ombudsmen advocate and work to resolve problems that residents face. Our goal is to positively effect change and improve the quality of care at a local, state, and national level for individuals living in long-term care facilities.The Ombudsman program is responsible for protecting and advocating for Residents Rights, which include:To be treated with dignity and respectTo make independent choicesTo participate in social, religious, and community activities outside the facility including the right to voteTo privacy during care and treatment of your personal needsTo privacy and confidentiality regarding medical, personal, or financial affairsTo raise concerns or complaintsTo be free from involuntary confinementTo secure your possessionsTo choose or refuse medication and treatmentTo be free from neglect, mental, sexual or physical abuseTo be free from chemical and physical restraintsTo communicate in the language of your choiceTo participate in your own careTo private and unrestricted communication with any person of your choiceTo manage your own financesTo be free from financial exploitationTo be informed of the local Ombudsmans name and phone numberFor a complete list of Residents Rights, information, or local program contact information please call the Pueblo office 719-583-6123 or State Ombudsman office at 1.800.288.1376. We Advocate for You.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Pueblo Area Agency on Aging