There are resources available for the elderly in West Montrose County, and this last week the Forum spoke with Brian Bowler, director for the Area Agency on Aging’s (AAA) services in the West End. Bowler confirmed the AAA falls under the umbrella of Region 10, an organization which helps “leverage resources” in the counties of Ouray, San Miguel, Delta, Montrose, Hinsdale and Gunnison for senior citizens, small businesses and more.
Bowler described the AAA as “quasi-government,” and said it takes funds and finds local providers, establishes MOUs or contracts of services, and works to support smaller, rural areas.
He’s only been in his current role for the last six weeks, but Bowler has nearly three decades of service working in human services and more. Last week he attended the West End Solutions Group meeting in Naturita. He wants to disseminate more information to the public. He also wants the elderly to have support in navigating technology and online platforms, which he said seem to be growing in complexity these days.
Regarding the West End, there are services and programs available to support the elderly. That includes the senior meals luncheons, a program which Region 10 helps fund. Senior meals are ongoing in Nucla on Wednesdays and Fridays at the Nucla Senior Center. In Norwood, however, Bowler said a coordinator is needed for the program, which is on pause at Norwood Town Hall.
Tri-County Health Network, along with the Telluride Foundation, continue to be great partners, Bowler said, adding that Randi Latham and Melissa Johnson help communicate options and referrals for resources related to behavioral health, food security, health insurance support and more.
All-Points Transit helps in the West End with senior meals and some other rides. Bowler said AAA would like to expand routes for doctor visits.
“We hope to develop that more,” he said.
There are “Life Alert” supports available right now also through AAA, with no waiting list on those. And, caregiver respite is still a resource available in the West End. Other community partners include Frontier Senior Services, which provides some administrative services, as well as Must Love Seniors, which offers home care.
And, though it’s not a Region 10 program, he said on Nov. 1, the LEAP energy program, managed through counties, will open again to support people, including the elderly, with heating costs for the cold season.
He said housing is in discussion right now. The recent West End Solutions Group talked about housing for senior citizens and that it’s a real need.
Bowler admitted some funding for past programs has been cut. That includes certain food programs, health classes and vision support. In the past, AAA used to have $125 vouchers for eye glasses — not anymore.
Recently, Bowler had a conversation with Norwood’s Deputy Town Clerk Becky Hannigan. The AAA is working on trying to find a volunteer coordinator in the West End. It could be a part-time, paid position, around approximately 10 hours, and it could include some insurance coverage too. Bowler said he wants the person to be a local from the Norwood, Nucla or Naturita area, someone who’s knowledgable of the communities, so the volunteer can do some grassroots work.
Anyone who’d like to speak with Bowler about resources or volunteering should email bbowler@region10.net. He invites all to visit the Region 10 website at region10.net.
