|
Creating a livable Larimer County | |
June 2026
Thanks and gratitude to our Mission and Newsletter Sponsor
| | |
The Gallery at Fort Collins is our Mission Sponsor and our Newsletter Sponsor. The Gallery is deeply committed to fostering a thriving and connected community for older adults - just like we are. Their sponsorship helps us continue providing meaningful programs, services and resources that enrich lives and promote independence for older adults. Thank you, The Gallery at Fort Collins, for supporting our mission!
Congratulations to The Gallery on your official and very successful Grand Opening this month! We welcome you to the community!
| |
How Intergenerational Conversations Led to a 96-Year Old's Storied Legacy
When Diane O’Neil, a PAFC supporter, introduced her 96-year-old mother - the oldest attendee at a recent Intergenerational Conversations event - she invited her to read a brief poem to the audience. Following the reading, someone suggested that her mother consider writing a memoir about her experiences growing up in London during World War II.
For a 96-year-old, writing a life story is no small undertaking. Yet Diane’s mother, Stella Goldberg, was able to bring together a collection of short stories, reflections, and poetry with the support of two remarkable organizations.
The first organization, Remento, originally featured on the television program Shark Tank, provided the platform that made the project possible. Through an innovative app, Remento transforms spoken family memories into a professionally bound life story book. The platform captures personal histories without requiring the storyteller to write a single word. Voice recordings are preserved through QR codes embedded in the book, creating a lasting tribute to personal narratives for future generations. It is a truly special initiative for older adults and their families.
The second organization, Wish of a Lifetime, is a Colorado-based nonprofit that was first introduced at a community meeting by Dr. Alicia Durand, Chair of the Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board. Dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of older adults, Wish of a Lifetime helped bring Stella’s project to life in a deeply meaningful way. The organization provided copies of the finished book and arranged a book-signing event for Stella last month at The Wolverine. She spent the afternoon signing books for friends and acquaintances, enjoying a celebration filled with joy, connection, and shared memories.
Diane expresses her gratitude to the organizations and volunteers who created and supported Intergenerational Conversations, as well as to everyone who helped make this extraordinary moment in her mother’s life possible.
| | |
Photo: Stella (middle) with her daughter Diane and grandson Jeremy.
Photo courtesy of "The Art of Sharing According to Stella", Remento, 2026
| | | |
The Duck Race is back! We’re excited to share that PAFC is an official beneficiary of the 3rd Annual Fort Collins Rotary Duck Race!
On August 29, thousands of rubber ducks will race down the Lazy River at City Park Pool, and every $25 duck adoption directly supports our work. In fact, 80% of every adoption ($20) comes right back to PAFC.
Adopters also have a chance to win cash prizes if their duck crosses the finish line first!
Last year, PAFC had three finalists in the final heat with one PAFCer taking home the 3rd place prize!! (Please note that prize winnings go to the winner and not PAFC.)
Thank you for supporting our mission. Every duck makes a difference!
| | |
Center for Public Deliberation at CSU is developing plans to celebrate its 20th anniversary this fall. PAFC’s collaboration with CPD during the past 10+ years have included State Legislature Candidate Forums for Older Adults, Elder Abuse Prevention Forum, Intergenerational Conversations, Intergenerational Game Nights and event coordination with the Fort Collins Human Relations Commission and Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board, Compass Community Collaborative School, and numerous other activities led by CPD’s Director Dr. Martin Carcasson.
If you have a message that you would like to share with the CPD about the invaluable outreach that CPD has provided to our community, please share it to:
Sabrina at Sabrina.Slagowski-Tipton@colostate.edu.
| | |
Elderhaus Adult Day Program just celebrated a delightful Father’s Day event for the patience, wisdom and unwavering love of the men in our lives. Joy was everywhere as bird houses were painted and guests enjoyed delicious root beer and pretzels.
This year introduced a new Elderhands Workshop program consisting of meaningful projects that create purpose pride and productivity.
The impact of Elderhaus reaches far beyond its participants. Every day, caregivers rely on Elderhaus so they can continue working, caring for their families, attending appointments, or simply taking a much-needed breath. For many families, Elderhaus is the difference between coping and burnout. Peace of mind, support, and compassionate care are provided at a time when caregivers often feel overwhelmed and alone. More at: elderhaus.org
| |
Click here for July/August 2026 newsletter.
Over two dozen features and happenings virtually and/or in person at various locations are listed. Among those included are Circle Talk, getting advance directives done, downsizing, healthy brain and body, hearing better, Medicare counseling, multiple medical screening offerings, new member orientation, nutritional guidance, positivity in aging, sleeping well, and much more.
| |
The Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities takes on AI
Aging introduces a variety of new circumstances that redefine what we consider "normal." As the years pass, we often lose family members and friends, encounter new physical and health challenges, and lose established ways of connecting with our social environments. While parents, teachers, friends, and colleagues offer informal support and guidance through our early life encounters, those vital resources naturally diminish as we grow old.
Left to their own devices, many older adults must seek out their own means to remain safe, healthy, and actively engaged —and unfortunately, too many simply stop trying.
This challenge is compounded by the recent defunding of several historic information sources for local aging resources, which has created a major gap for seniors exploring their options.
We’re now living in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI brings its own set of challenges, it also provides incredible opportunities to explore tailored solutions that address our unique, individual needs and interests. Today, the primary obstacle is simply learning how to use it safely and effectively.
To bridge this information gap, the Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities (PAFC) is developing an innovative program to teach care providers how to securely leverage AI. This initiative will empower them to help older adults identify resources and opportunities that directly enhance their quality of life.
The program has initially secured the support of a dedicated group of local service providers, including A Little Help, Seniors Helping Seniors, SAINT, and Realtors and downsizing specialists with 8z Real Estate. Because each of these providers already works directly with older adults in need, they have the unique capacity to sit down and walk clients through the search for additional support.
In August, a two-hour, hands-on AI workshop for selected staff will highlight critical security issues, emphasize the need to focus on relevant concerns, and teach participants how to verify the authenticity of AI suggestions. Because these staff members already have established relationships with their clients, the capacity for meaningful follow-up is naturally built into the program.
The ultimate goal of this initial effort is to evaluate the outcomes and gather key insights. From there, the PAFC team will refine the process so it can be offered to any family or group dedicated to the well-being of its senior members. PAFC extends its deepest gratitude to the participating agencies for their invaluable help in developing this vital program.
| | | | |
What's in a Life?
by Lynette Reiling
I recently attended the memorial service of a dear friend and mentor, Carol. She lived 92 years and, as we learned that day, filled those years with remarkable experiences, meaningful relationships, and hard-earned wisdom. Before her passing, she left us pages she had written about her life—her memories, reflections, and impressions of the events that shaped her journey.
As I listened, another loss surfaced—one that has echoed throughout much of my life.
Continue reading here
| | | We'd love to get your thoughts on our blogs. The comment section is at the bottom of each blog. Let us know what you think! | | | | |
