Enacted in 1965, in response to concerns by policymakers about the lack of community social services for older citizens, the Older Americans Act (OAA) established the Administration on Aging and the aging services network. Since then, the OAA has been amended numerous times. Recently reauthorized in 2020 through 2024, this law ensures that the voices of older adults are heard by decision makers and elected officials.
The Seniors’ Council of Douglas County (SCDC) is our county’s Council on Aging. It is an all-volunteer organization that promotes living well/aging well for our residents age 60 and older. We aim to understand and communicate the views, needs and aspirations of our older population to decision makers, increase older adult involvement in the community and support anti-ageism efforts at the local level to enhance the quality of life for all residents. We accomplish this through advocacy, education and collaboration with local government, various community members and local service agencies. Although we are not part of local government, we are affiliated with Douglas County government and appreciate its past and continuing support.
Our audience includes older adults, their adult children, health and home care providers, senior living facility representatives, Senior Center staffers and others serving the older adult population. SCDC meets on the first Thursday of the month beginning at 10 a.m. and ending at approximately 11:30 a.m. Our meeting consists of several brief announcements followed by an educational presentation and a community conversation.
Our educational presentations focus on a wide variety of topics of interest to older adults. In the past we’ve hosted presentations on multi-generational outdoor fitness parks, such as the “Possibilities Playground” in Castle Rock, the changes in Medicare for 2023, how to start a business later in life, our libraries as a local resource, volunteer opportunities for older adults, using technology to enhance our health care, the health benefits of pet ownership and much more.
Please join us for our annual End-of-the-Year Review and Holiday Reception on Thursday, Dec. 1 in the Hearing Room of the Philip S. Miller building at 100 Third Street in Castle Rock. We’ll be reviewing our accomplishments of the past year, sharing our goals for 2023 and revealing details of our signature event “Vintage & Vibrant”, a day-long educational event scheduled for next Sept. 28 at the PACE Center in Parker. This event was hugely popular in 2018 and 2019. Due to COVID, it was necessary to postpone our plans for an event in 2020 until next year.
Our Dec. 1 meeting will be available virtually to accommodate those unable to attend in-person and can be viewed that morning via this link:
https://douglasco.webex.com/douglasco/onstage/g.php?MTID=e62ab798b70ce271430db0a2a92cf31ce
Gretchen Lopez is the current chair of the Seniors’ Council.
For additional information about the Seniors’ Council, its meetings, events and presentations please visit our webpage mydougcoseniorlife.com or connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/MyDougCoSeniorLife. You can view some of our past meetings in our YouTube channel and to receive our electronic newsletter “First Friday Update” contact us at dcseniorlife@douglas.co.us.
