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Utilizing a Colorado Springs business directory is one of the best tools available for those who want to let the world know about their business. It is a listing service that allows you to get your company’s name out there to people who are looking for the products and services you offer. Simple to use and reliable, this type of tool can help your company get in front of the people you need it to – potential customers and other stakeholders.

There is much to do in Colorado Springs for those who are a bit older. The good news is this community has incredible resources to offer for most people. Exploring the outdoors or enjoying a fine meal is easy to do. Take a closer look at some of the Colorado Springs things to do that may appeal to you.

Despite being the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, and despite being the single largest risk to the health of our Medicare system, Alzheimer’s disease is not widely understood. Even some of the people most clearly at risk will go to great lengths to maintain a distance from the illness.

“Callers to our Helpline sometimes won’t even give us their name,” said Meg Donahue, director of Community Engagement for the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, which operates the Association’s free multi-language Helpline that is accessible 24/7, 365 days a year to provide information and counsel to individuals who have questions or concerns about their own or a loved one’s mental health.

“For some, acknowledging their concerns about memory loss may be an admission of their worst fears – that they have Alzheimer’s disease,” said Donahue. “For that reason, many people don’t want to address the subject. But it’s important for people to realize that there can be other causes of memory loss, making it crucial to get a doctor’s diagnosis.”

Yes, Alzheimer’s deserves its fearsome reputation. It kills more people annually than breast and
prostate cancers combined. More than 6 million people in the United States, including 76,000
Coloradans, are living with the disease which currently has no prevention or cure. And caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is currently taking 1 of every 5 Medicare dollars – a total expected to rise to $1 of $3 by 2050 if a cure is not found.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the largest non-governmental source of funding for research to find a
cure for the disease. That research is ongoing. Until a cure is found, people should be aware of some common myths regarding Alzheimer’s:

Myth 1: Memory loss is a normal part of aging
Reality: While it’s normal to have occasional memory challenges as we age, such as forgetting names of
someone you just met, when that memory loss disrupts one’s daily life, that is a cause for concern. The frequent memory loss that is part of Alzheimer’s results in needing to rely on memory aids or family members for things that one previously handled on their own.

Myth 2: Alzheimer’s is not a fatal disease
Reality: Alzheimer’s disease is America’s sixth-leading cause of death – ahead of breast and prostate cancers combined. It slowly destroys brain cells, ultimately leading to the loss of body functions and death.

Myth 3: Alzheimer’s only affects the elderly
Reality: 6.2 million Americans over age 65 are living with Alzheimer’s. More than 200,000 additional
people in the U.S. under age 65 are living with the disease.
 
Myth 4: The risk from Alzheimer’s is the same for everyone
Reality: While the main risk factor for Alzheimer’s is aging, some population groups are at greater risk than others. Black Americans are twice as likely as Whites to be diagnosed, and Hispanic-Latinos are 50 percent more likely. And, as a group, two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women.

Myth 5: I can ignore the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and get by
Reality: Some people are able to temporarily work around the memory loss and other symptoms of
Alzheimer’s, compensating in other ways, but delaying diagnosis is detrimental because it also delays access to medications, supportive services, planning and other resources that help both the person with Alzheimer’s as well as caregivers and loved ones. Delaying the diagnosis does not delay the progression of the disease.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and services available through the Alzheimer’s Association, go to www.alz.org or call the free 24-hour Helpline at 800-272-3900. All programs are available to families at no charge.
 
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Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the premier source of information and support for the more than 6.2 million people in the United States with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association offers education, counseling, support groups and a 24-hour Helpline at no charge to families. In addition, contributions help fund advancements in research to prevent, treat and eventually conquer this disease. The Alzheimer’s Association advocates for those living with Alzheimer’s and their families on related legislative issues, and with health and long-term care providers. For information call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 bilingual Helpline at
800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org.

Are you or someone you know are a 'solo ager' and want to expand your social circles? Here are suggestions for you...

Your longtime friends know all your best stories, what you'll order when you go out to eat and how you feel about your relatives, current events and exercise preferences. We suggest you make new friends and open up a whole new world — and that's good for you as you age!

"We've all just gone through an unwanted national experiment on social isolation, and there's no better time than the present for increasing your social circle," said Dr. Eric Lenze, a geriatric psychiatrist and psychiatry professor at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
His research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, explores the effects of stress and social isolation on older adults and the benefits of social activities for increasing resilience.

"Older adults who report a higher level of social support have better emotional health, physical health and brain health, plus they have better cognitive functioning over time," Lenze said. "Initially, many older adults proved quite resilient at sheltering in place. But as it went along, it started to take a toll on mental and physical health."

That may be especially true for "solo agers." Some 27% of adults 60 and older in the U.S. live alone, and it's particularly important for these individuals to stay connected. Source...

According to Dr. Lenze, here are ways to ramp up social interactions:

• Write down any social networks you gave up during the pandemic and start reconnecting.

• Consider what you do online, including scheduling grocery deliveries, and go back to doing some of the activities in person.

• Think about all things you wished you could have done during the pandemic and start filling your schedule. In psychology this is known as "pleasant-events scheduling" and is one of the most effective treatments for depression

"Fill up your calendar, even with things you never did before," he said. "There's nothing about aging that suggests you can't try new things."












More 'Intentionality' Is Required
Increasing your social interactions requires a deliberative effort.

According to Margit Novack, "Developing friends as an older woman requires more 'intentionality'. When I was raising kids or at work, friendships developed naturally. Now, if I want deeper relationships than acquaintances, I need to create space/opportunity for that to happen."

Conventional wisdom suggests that we'll find new friends by joining a book club or knitting group — or starting one. Others choose to volunteer at a food bank, work on a political campaign or sign up for docent training at a museum or zoo.

"You get a two-fer if you join an exercise or yoga class or a meditation group because you get the physical and mental benefits of the activity plus the socialization," Lenze said. "Going to a dance class is a three-fer, because that's also cognitively stimulating."

When you move to a new city or town, opportunities immediately arise for making new friends. Volunteering for local organizations is an excellent way to learn more about your new community and what it has to offer even if you aren't particularly 'social'.

The Value of Younger Friends
Charlotte Japp makes a case for welcoming younger people into your inner circle. Japp is the founder of CIRKEL, a platform that connects workers ages 20 through 70+. "More and more, we are siloed by age, and there are career and social consequences to that," Japp said. "We all go through very nuanced abstract experiences and it's good to talk to someone who has a different perspective. Life is so enriched by diversity, in every sense."

Find 'New Horizons'
Hart Edmonds, a Presbyterian pastor, appreciates younger adults, "I give thanks for several younger adults as friends as I enter retirement," he wrote. "As a minister, I've been privileged to work with and learn from younger people who I find yearning for mentors and friendship with older adults. Too often our culture segments people by age and stage of life."

Anne Crowley also appreciates her younger friends, "for the energy they have and for reminding me it's important to have hope and keep working to make this world a better place."

Steve Trickler is in his 60s, and he's noticed many people his age are starting to slow down. "Maintaining ties with my younger friends allows me to stay more active," he wrote. "Plus, they are more adventuresome, more willing to try new things, go places. They are more in tune with literature and music — all of which excites me and keeps me enthused. Staying young at heart is about challenging yourself and finding new horizons to excite you and energize you."

Making new friends may help you do just that.

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