How the Colorado Gerontological Society Supports Seniors

The Colorado Gerontological Society (CGS) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado, that has been providing advocacy, assistance, and information for senior citizens since its foundation in 1980.

CGS offers help with a broad range of issues that affect senior citizens, including assistance with housing, health insurance, and food supplies, and filing for government benefits such as Medicare, Social Security, and tax rebates.

CGS also produces several publications focusing on the news that matters most to seniors. STA-Well News is a quarterly newsletter that covers issues facing Colorado’s seniors, while the Colorado Senior Resource Guidebook is a vital resource that lists housing and home care options, complete with payment information and legal directives.

Projects and Programs Run by the Colorado Gerontological Society

Such is the breadth of service provided by CGS that the organization currently has more than 20 programs and projects to assist Colorado’s seniors, their family members, and caregivers. Here's an overview of their most important initiatives:

Health Literacy Kit: Navigating the health insurance landscape can be confusing, so CGS has designed a Health Literacy Kit for seniors. The Kit helps seniors communicate with doctors and nurses, recognize and remember common signs of illness, and complete complicated health insurance paperwork.

Quality Management Plan Compliance Consultations: This four-day program is aimed at Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) and other group homes to help them stay in compliance with Colorado Department of Public Health regulations.

Leadership in Diversity Training: This is a training workshop designed for caregivers and administrators to help them more effectively care for and provide services to Latino seniors. The training provides tools to help professionals meet this community's needs in a culturally responsive way.

Health First Colorado Application Training for Professionals: Aimed at professionals who help seniors with Medicaid applications, this workshop aims to boost approval rates by providing education on the right documents to file.

New to Medicare Workshops: CGS offers ongoing workshops for senior citizens who require information and hands-on assistance to better understand the often-confusing process of enrolling in Medicare and choosing coverage.

Advance Care Planning: In partnership with the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado, CGS has a carefully designed program to help Latino senior citizens handle the sensitive and challenging topic of end-of-life planning.

Life Care Planning Classes: CGS offers classes to help senior citizens address two key health care issues: Who would speak for you if you are unable to speak for yourself? And what would you want them to say? These classes help seniors understand what to consider when choosing a health care agent, determining their wishes for future health care decisions, and completing Advance Directive forms.

Assisted Living Rules Update: Designed for ALR administrators, this program provides an overview of the most recent rules and regulations for group homes, to ensure they are complying with the latest policies for kitchens and food service, business management, staff trainings, and labor.

Dental Grants: CGS provides limited financial assistance for Denver-area seniors to cover basic dental care. These grants are made possible through the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.

Elder Abuse Reporting Workshops: In line with Colorado's elder abuse reporting law that came into effect in July 2016, this workshop covers the types of elderly abuse, responsibilities of the mandatory reporter, who to contact in cases of abuse, what to report to law enforcement, and when to call Adult Protective Services.

Hearing Grants: Made possible through a grant from the Denver Regional Council of Governments and community donations, this program provides financial assistance to seniors to cover the cost of hearing aids, treatments, and exams.

Holiday Baskets for Seniors: CGS delivers more than 200 baskets every year over the Christmas holidays to low-income seniors who are alone, without family or friends, during this time. These baskets include food and a present and are made possible by donations of food, money, and personal care items from the Denver community.

Vision Grants: CGS, in collaboration with Denver Regional Council of Governments, is able to provide limited financial assistance to seniors who need help paying for eye exams and eyeglasses.

How to Get Involved and Support CGS

CGS relies heavily on the generosity of the Denver community to assist seniors in the area, with hundreds of volunteers lending their time and support.

Ways to get involved with CGS include volunteering with one of the annual projects, such as Holiday Baskets for Seniors or The Salute, a senior-focused expo. Additionally, schools, community groups, and companies may want to consider participating in the nationwide Make A Difference Day. In the past, CGS, its volunteers, and partner organizations have spent Make A Difference Day providing dental, hearing, and vision check-ups for low-income seniors in Denver.

If you're interested in supporting CGS on a more regular basis, the organization welcomes volunteers to help out in the office and out in the community, while university students have the opportunity to undertake internships.

America's seniors are a rapidly increasing group. By 2034, the Census Bureau predicts that, for the first time in US history, older adults will outnumber children under 18. Organizations like CGS play an increasingly important role in ensuring that our older adults receive the support and services they need to stay healthy and happy during their retirement.