Denver Commission on Aging – September 17, 2020
The Denver Commission on Aging met virtually on September 17. Olga Garcia with Denver Connect reported on an upcoming event Saturday, 9/19 10am-2pm at the Denver Indian Center. The event includes COVID testing, and Denver Connect will be onsite for older adults looking for employment and resources. She also mentioned an event at the Center for African American Health scheduled for Friday, 9/25. The events will include voter registration. Another event will be 10/7 – Back to Work for those over 50. See the Facebook page for Denver Commission on Aging.
Denver Office on Aging currently has only about $2,000 in their budget, but will be going before the committee that, through the Cares Act grant, oversees distribution of grants to ask for $150,000. This will give them the ability to distribute iPads to older adults in isolation. This will help them see/talk to friends and family and give them Telehealth opportunities/connection.
There is a great need for more volunteers to help distribute food boxes (each box weighs about 20#s). If anyone is interested, email volunteers@benefitsinaction.org. Check in time is 9:30am, in the east parking lot, 8725 W 14th Ave (their office #210). Phone #720-534-0454. Email them first to get all the particulars such as dates, etc.
Also, anyone interested in volunteering in their neighborhood this winter to help seniors with snow shoveling (or other needs), contact Kaylie.Showers@denvergov.org.
The Chair of the Commission, Mike Cortes, once again mentioned the Mayor’s request for input from the public re: assets of the city like recreation centers, community names, streets, mountains, that might be offensive (e.g. Stapleton neighborhood now changed to Central Park).
DRCOG has a voucher program for older adult transportation needs. This covers veterans who have transportation needs too. DRCOG also has a new partner Hop, Skip, Drive. They give out Access-A-Ride tickets as well. Now they are working on a contract with Uber so that individuals can request their own ride thru Uber rather than going through the agency. There is no cost for those over 60 who need medical and grocery rides. Some of these transportation services are in their infancy, so check with DRCOG. DRMAC also has a Getting There app for transportation needs. DRCOG is working on getting vouchers for In Home (personal care, 2 hours week) services. They currently have three providers.
