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Home My WebLink About09/10/2025 - SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD - AGENDA - Regular MeetingSenior Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, Fort Collins, CO Meeting Contact: Sarah Olear, Senior Supervisor, solear@fcgov.com, 970-224-6028 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL a. Board Members Present –  b. Board Members Absent –  c. Staff Members Present –  d. Guest(s)-  3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 6. REOCCURRING BUSINESS a. Check in b. Recent City Council Activity c. Correspondence d. Six Month Calendar Update e. Status of joint project with Loveland SAB f. FRCC meeting information 7. GUEST SPEAKERS AND BOARD DISCUSSIONS a. Gil & Chris Atanasoff, Owner/Executive Director of Senior Helpers 8. NEW BUSINESS a. Work Plan review b. SAB application updates 9. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS-Roundtable Minute 10. COMMITTEES, EVENT ATTENDANCE & ONGOING INITIATIVES a. Housing: b. Transportation (Alicia): Discussion about paid parking downtown and the possibility of generating $2-4 M; further discussion about security aboard Transfort and at transit Centers. c. Safety & Wellness (Tom): d. Office on Aging (Joe or Sarah): e. Outreach to isolated communities (Suzanne or Debbie): f. Senior Center (Sarah): Prepping for Holiday Market, Veteran’s Day, and other fall programs. g. Future Speaker Ideas: Senior Advisory Board REGULAR MEETING 11. UPCOMING EVENTS & OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS a. November SAB will be located at the Gallery in Fort Collins. 12. ADJOURNMENT 1 | P a g e SENIOR ADVISORY BOARD REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, August 13, 2025 – 11:30 AM Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, Fort Collins, CO, 80526 · CALL TO ORDER: 11:35 AM · ROLL CALL · Board Members Present -Tom Hilbert, Myles Crane, Alicia Durand, Suzanne King, Debbie Bradberry · Board Members Absent – Joe Glomboski · Staff Members Present -Susan Gutowski, Sarah Olear, Lisa Hays · Guest(s) -Gil Atanasoff and Christina Schneider from Senior Helpers, Wendy Abbott PAFC Compassion Care, Yvonne Hanning · AGENDA REVIEW · Under New Business, discussed Motion to support CSU Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. · CITIZEN PARTICIPATION · APPROVAL OF MINUTES Myles Crane motioned for approval, Tom Hilbert, seconded, all approved. · REOCCURRING BUSINESS a. Check in-All individuals present at the meeting shared what their all-time favorite job was. b. Recent City Council Activity-Susan shared updates from City council. · There is a proposal for charging for parking in the old town area and the Remington Parking lot. c. Correspondence-The Senior Advisory Board received a response letter from the mayor in appreciation for the letter sent to City Council by the Senior Advisory Board regarding the future of the Remmington Parking area. d. Six Month Calendar Update-Review the City Council 6-month planning calendar. a. Sarah Olear reviewed with the board. e. Status of joint project with Loveland SAB- No Report GUEST SPEAKERS AND BOARD DISCUSSIONS · Karrie Hetfield, Artificial Intelligence review. o View slides to learn more. PAFC has a YouTube channel where everyone can learn more about AI. NEW BUSINESS · CSU Athletics and discounts for Older Adults · Sarah reported that the Senior Advisory Board would be able to help promote CSU Athletics when there were discounts or benefits to older adults. · Proposal for the Senior Advisory Board to support CSU offering a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. 2 | P a g e · The motion carried, all approved. · BOARD MEMBER REPORTS-Roundtable Minute-No updates · COMMITTEES, EVENT ATTENDANCE & ONGOING INITIATIVES a. a. Housing: b. Transportation (Alicia): FC Transportation Board was given the same presentation about micro mobility that we got. Discussion was similar with a focus on impact on all ages. Parking is their next focus. They also recently discussed their vision for the Transfort Optimization Plan which is to create a realistic five to ten year fiscally constrained plan that is grounded in the Transit Master Plan that was adopted in 2019. c. Safety & Wellness (Tom): Online Scam information was shared d. Office on Aging (Joe or Sarah): e. Outreach to isolated communities (Suzanne or Debbie): f. Senior Center (Sarah): Fall Recreator is coming out, Paralympic Expo in Sept and a Try- cycle event for older adults in end of September. g. Future Speaker Ideas: · UPCOMING EVENTS & OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS · ADJOURNMENT: 1:20 PM Date Meeting Agenda Item Tuesday, September 23, 2025 Work Session Discussion 2026 Budget Revision Requests, Mobile Home Park Enforcement & Livability, and Which Wheels Go Where: Micromobility Calendar Link https://www.fcgov.com/cityclerk/files/six-month-planning-calendar.pdf?1733417612 City Meeting Portal https://fortcollins-co.municodemeetings.com/ Aging in Place Paying for Home Care May Not Cost a Dime! •Personal Care Assistance – ADLs •On-site Care Management •Housekeeping – IADLs •Companionship •Medication Management •Medical Condition Management •Virtual Wellness and Care Monitoring •Care Coordination and Referrals •LTC Insurance Advocacy •Veteran Affairs Advocacy Learning Objectives: •The Rising Need for Long Term Care •Why Recognizing the Signs is Critical •Why Seniors Don’t Get the Care they Need •Review 5 Key Payor Options to Help Pay for Care •Support and Advocacy for Clients •Seniors are redefining aging in America! •Gone is the stereotype of spending “old age” in a rocking chair at the nursing home! •Seniors want to remain independent in the place they call home! Redefining Aging in America 70% of Us Will Need Assistance at Some Point in Our Life! Why Don’t People Get The Care They Need? ❑ They Have Some Assistance at Home ❑“My daughter takes care of me” ❑ Denial ❑“I’m fine” ❑ Fear of change ❑“I’m not leaving my home” ❑ Not sure how to go about getting help ❑“I’ve been independent my whole life!” ❑Cost ❑“Will Medicare pay?” ❑“I can’t afford it” Burden of Care! •74% of caregivers work •70% of caregivers say caregiving has interfered with their job Family caregivers report a high degree of emotional and physical stress 66% of Caregivers used their own retirement and savings funds to pay for care for their loved one! Don’t Ignore the Signs! Emergency Room Visits Continue to Rise! •There are 29 million ER visits by patients over 60 years old •ER visits increase with age •One-quarter of ER visits among patients over 60, resulted in a hospital admission, this percentage increased with age Stop the Revolving Door of Hospitalizations •Medical condition management •Ensure that there is a system in place to ensure that needs are being met safely and consistently •Remove risks that could lead to a fall or unsafe occurrence •Create a care team to support needs – share your wishes •Seniors living in Assisted Living are at the same level of risk for hospitalization ...Hospital Rehab Home Repeat When Is It Time to Suggest Help? Knowing When You Need Care? 14 AUTONOMY - GETTING TO THE CAR AUTONOMY – DOING THE LAUNDRY AUTONOMY – MANAGING THE HOME AND MEDICATIONS LIFE PROFILE- INDEPENDENCE 10% 40% 10% 60% 40%60% 80% 80% Choices in Care Settings How Will I Pay For Care? Payer Options for Care 1.Private Pay •Funding Solutions & Planning that will help a person private pay 2.Long Term Care Insurance 3.Veteran’s Affairs •Community Care Network (CCN) Home Health Aide Program •Aid & Attendance Pension 4.Medicare GUIDE Program 5.Medicare Advantage Plans Payment Options for Care Long Term Care Insurance Understanding LTC Insurance Policies 2 3 Have You Ever Wondered? •When is a client eligible to activate their LTC policy? •How difficult is it to qualify for benefits? •What types of care and services does LTC pay for? •Is cognitive decline an acceptable trigger to activate LTC benefits? •What can we do to ensure that a client’s claim is not delayed or denied? •What type of advocacy and support is available to help a client through the process? 2 4 615–591-7007Schedule a Free One-On-One Review of Your Policy WHAT DOES THE POLICY COVER? VARIATIONS INCLUDE: Home care / assisted Nursing home only Combination of home care, nursing home, and assisted living ADDITIONAL COVERAGES Durable medical equipment Care coordinators Homemaker services Home modifications Monitoring 25 There are several coverage variations in long term care policies. Note that not all policies provide comprehensive coverage. Coverage types can limit your options so plan accordingly. THE ELIMINATION PERIOD (DEDUCTIBLE) An elimination period is a predetermined period of time in which you must need and receive covered care. You are responsible for paying for these days out of pocket. Almost all policies contain an elimination period. 26 Typically much less expensive in a home care setting. ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS Most policies mandate that before benefits can be paid out, an insured must either: Require assistance (hands on or standby) with at least two activities of daily living Require supervision due to a cognitive impairment COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS “If I start now, I will run out of money” Truth: 50 percent of policyholders will die before EVER using ANY benefits Truth: 70 percent of policies end because the person passed away, not because their policies ran out of money 2 9 “I’m not sick enough for my policy to pay benefits.” Truth: You do not need to be bed-ridden or require 24/7 care. Truth: There are 8 million active policies in the US. Of that only 300,000 are being used. Studies show that in reality 4 million people can already qualify. COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS LTC Insurance Advocacy •Ask about LTC insurance at intake •Make a referral early •Encourage scheduling a policy review and LTC planning session Free! Schedule a Free One-On-One Review of Your Policy (970) 658-8228 •Our office has three LTCCP certified employees! 3 1 Long Term Care Insurance Policyholders have the advantage Knowledge is Power Veterans Affairs Programs that Help Pay for Care Veteran Care Benefits 1.Community Care Network (CCN) Homemaker/Home Health Aide 2.Aid & Attendance Veterans in CO & WY •Approximately 340,050 veterans live in Colorado, or 7.4% of the population •164,350 are over 65, or over 48% •Approximately 42,240 veterans live in Wyoming, or 9.4% of the population •20,570 are over 65, or nearly 49% •53% of Veterans are currently enrolled in the VA Healthcare System across both states •Majority are Wartime Veterans (Eligible for Aid and Attendance - if criteria met) •Over 100,000 Veterans in CO & WY are receiving some disability compensation (Eligible for HHA/HM if criteria met) Homemaker & Home Health Aide Eligibility 1.Active Military Service 2.Enrollment in the VA Health System 3.Needs considerations 4.No income or network requirements •Hours are determined by the needs of the Veteran and authorized by the service care coordinator. Homemaker/Home Health Aide → Provides personal care services and helps with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and grooming. Household tasks, such as meal prep, laundry and cleaning. Respite → Provides same services to provide relief for the primary caregiver who may still be working, has other commitments, or other time for their own needs. Homemaker & Home Health Aide How to Get Started •Contact the Cheyenne Eligibility & Enrollment office: 307-778-7550 x 17579 to confirm veteran is enrolled with the VA for services. •Once enrolled, contact the VA Outpatient Clinic to schedule an appointment with a VA Primary Care Physician for an assessment of the need for care. •Generally takes 7 – 10 business days to receive a referral for care once the VA PCP request has been processed. Provides additional monthly income for qualified recipients •Wartime Veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses •Eligibility is based on military service, health needs, monthly income, and total assets •Ranges from $1,500 to $2,800 monthly •Can be used in addition to other benefits Eligibility 1.Military Service 2.Health Needs 3.Monthly Income 4.Total Assets VA Aid & Attendance Pension Applying For Benefits – Aid & Attendance 38 Documentation needed to submit: •Discharge Papers •Marriage Certificate (if married or surviving spouse) •Death Certificate (surviving spouse only) •Income and Asset Statements •Social Security Award Letter (not required, highly recommended) How to Get Started •Complete the pre-qualification form. We will submit the form on your behalf directly. •A team member will reach out to the veteran/family member with initial qualification questions within 24- 48 hours. •If eligible for A&A, veterans may use this benefit in addition to the hours of care authorized and paid for by the VA. Applying For Benefits – Aid & Attendance Navigating the System •Identify those in need of care services ✓Military Service ✓Surviving Spouse of Veteran – Not divorced or remarried •Make a Referral… •Life Profile Assessment •Assess what payor source they may be eligible for •Review the step-by-step process with Vet and/or spouse •Client Services Manager coordinates care when approved Centralized Intake (970) 658-8228 Medicare CMS GUIDE Model Senior Helpers +Synapticure Partnership 4 What is GUIDE? 8-year CMS innovation model,launched July 1,2024 Tests combination of care coordination,caregiver support,&respite services with aim to improve quality of life and delay avoidable nursing home care Who participates? Beneﬁciaries:Community-dwelling Medicare FFS (including duals)with Dementia diagnosis (not MA,not hospice,not PACE);~3M meet criteria Participants:Part B-enrolled providers who meet requirements ○Interdisciplinary care team with care navigators and “dementia-proﬁcient”clinicians ○Ability to provide direct or contract respite care What are the beneﬁts? Caregiver supports:24/7 access,caregiver education,care coordination,local service referrals Respite care:Caregivers of patients with moderate/severe dementia are eligible for $2,500/yr (~65 hours)in no-cost share funds for in-home and facility-based respite Enrollment Workﬂow Voluntary alignment:participants inform beneﬁciaries about the model,and document that a beneﬁciary or legal representative consents Participants conduct initial assessment attesting to diagnosis,and includes dementia staging, whether patient has caregiver,and caregiver burden level Participants submit documentation to CMS to conﬁrm the beneﬁciary meets the model eligibility requirements before alignment GUIDE:A new Medicare program for Dementia patients Specialty Neurologist Speech Language Therapist About Synapticure:A virtual neurology clinic addressing comprehensive patient and caregiver needs Care Navigator Care team surrounds patient &caregiver In -Home Service Partners PT/OT,respite,home health,hospice care Safety and independence 24/7 access for local services coordination,caregiver education, crisis support &transitions of care Genetic Counselor Testing &personalized treatment Psychiatrist / Psychologist Integrated BH for patients &caregivers Diagnosis &treatment Patient-centric:Founded by a patient and caregiver to improve the care journey for those living with neurodegenerative diseases Wraparound care:Interdisciplinary model designed to comprehensively support patients and caregivers National footprint:Caring for patients in all 50 states Enrolling in GUIDE now:Selected to participate in GUIDE started on July 1, 2024 1.Comprehensive Assessment 2.Comprehensive Care Plan 4.24/7 Access 7.Ongoing Monitoring &Support 5.Care Coordination &TOCs 6.Referral &Local Coordination 3.Medication Management 8.Caregiver Education &Support EHR/HIE to retrieve records Clinical intake with Neurologist Assessment w/Care Navigator In-home assessments via Senior Helpers Care plan documented in EHR, populated by assessments Shared with patient and PCP In-house 24/7 coverage with escalations to RN/provider Platform captures all touches and drives care plan Partner-speciﬁc aligned workﬂows EHR and/or HIE integration Directory of service providers, extended by partners and based on coverage/eligibility Neurologists and psychiatrists with prescribing authority Partner-speciﬁc workﬂows to notify and adjudicate Rx changes 24/7 support administered in-house by Care Navigators Patient portal with disease education,emerging therapies and trials,caregiver supports Caregiver training via partner and in-house peer support including: ○Library of education content ○Virtual trainings &support 9.Respite Care Contracted partners in all 50 states Deﬁned post-visit data reporting and workﬂows INTAKE &ATTESTATION Synapticure approach to GUIDE requirements LONGITUDINAL CARE COORDINATION CAREGIVER SUPPORTS Senior Helpers +Synapticure:Fulﬁlling GUIDE care delivery requirements together Home Visit Assessments ○In-person home assessments for beneﬁciaries with more severe cases of dementia ○Senior Helpers teams will conduct LIFE Proﬁle Assessments ■ADL and IADL functions,fall risks,environmental risks (e.g.,clutter,sharp objects), mobility device functionality and usage,communication device functionality and usage,outdoor area evaluation,emergency preparedness,vulnerability to fraud and/or abuse Respite Care ○Caregivers of patients with moderate-to-severe dementia are eligible to receive $2,500 worth of respite care annually (~65 hours/year) ○Synapticure will refer prospective clients to Senior Helpers Medicare Advantage Plans Part C Medicare Advantage Plans •Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to traditional Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B), both of which don’t cover non-medical in- home health care. •Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, is the supplemental plan that covers non-medical in-home care. •Not all Medicare Part C plans have the same coverage and benefits. Because they’re sold through independent insurance companies, rather than delivered by the federal government, some of the benefits vary by company. •Non-medical in-home care includes medication management, personal assistance with bathing and grooming, mobility assistance. •Other home health care services may include modifications to the home, such as ramps for wheelchair access and hold bars in the bathroom. Plans Offering In-Home Supportive Services Growth of In-Home Support Services Medicare Advantage plans have been shown to improve health outcomes for their members, and many plans have received high ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Organizations Offering In-Home Support Services In recent years, the Medicare Advantage program has undergone significant changes, including increased funding and new regulations aimed at improving the quality of care provided by MA plans. Medicare Advantage (MA) is a type of health insurance offered by private insurance companies… ●Cambia Health Solutions, Inc. ●Centene Corporation ●CIGNA ●Elevance Health, Inc. ●Guidewell Mutual Holding Corporation ●Humana Inc. ●Molina Healthcare, Inc. ●SCAN Group ●The Carle Foundation ●Zing Health Consolidator, Inc. How Do I Know If I’m Covered? Call the number on your Advantage Plan C Card Ask to review coverage details Ask how many hours are covered for home care Make note of other types of services covered Ask for the process to be authorized for care Follow the process (doctor order, etc.) Submit requested information and request authorization Send Authorization to licensed care provider Medicare.gov Understanding Types of Coverage Payment Options - CARE SETTINGS Activating Home Equity To Pay For Home Care Transformational Shift in Aging INCREASE IN 55+ POPULATION DRIVES UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES AGE 55+ H OMEOWNERS WITH INSUFFICIENT SAVINGS $47.7 $51.7 $55.5 $58.6 $61.1 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 70.0 80.0 90.0 100.0 110.0 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 NU M B E R O F 5 5 + Homeowners 55+Insufficient Savings 76.9M 83.3M 89.5M 94.5M 98.6M 1.Merrill Lynch Retirement Study 2.Senior Health and Housing Task Force, Healthy Aging Begins at Home, May 2016, Bipartisan Policy CenterSenior Health and Housing Task Force, Healthy Aging Begins at Home 3.Home Health Care News, “Hone Health Spending Projected To Hit $141.5B In 2023, Accelerate Through 2031,” Andrew Donlan, June 14, 2023… From 141.5B to 250.6 Billion Ways to Access Housing Wealth ✓Sell your home ✓Cash Out Refinance ✓Home Equity Line of Credit ✓Reverse Mortgage Use Your Home to Stay in Your Home! ▰Part 1 What Is A Reverse Mortgage?  What Is A Reverse Mortgage? * Homeowner still required to pay property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, flood insurance (as applicable), HOA dues (as applicable) and maintaining the property in good condition.  A non-recourse mortgage loan that allows homeowners to convert a portion of their home equity into liquidity Cash out mortgage loan with Line of Credit growth option, which can grow over time No monthly (P&I) mortgage payments* (allows the option if they wish to pay) Loan balance plus any accrued interest does not have to be repaid to the lender until a maturity event occurs ▰What happens when the borrower passes? Maturity Event The loan becomes due and payable, unless there is a surviving coborrower / spouse or an eligible non- borrowing spouse on the transaction who will continue to live in the home for the remainder of their life ▰What happens if last surviving coborrower or eligible non-borrowing spouse passes? The heirs can sell the home or refinance the home in their name •Selling home – reverse mortgage payoff will be deducted from the sales proceeds and heirs will receive the remainder of the funds •Refinancing home – reverse mortgage will be paid off through the loan ▰Steps heirs will need to take after last surviving borrower passed? Heirs must notify the servicer on the loan Servicer will order appraisal to determine the value of the home Servicer will work with borrowers or the heirs to determine how the loan will be repaid Don’t let COST be a barrier to CARE! Make A Referral or Give Us a Call – We’ll Do the Rest Next Steps 1.Conduct Assessment- with a client services manager •Determine care needs •Review payor options •Guide clients through the process to tap payor sources •Connect patients to partners who can help •Monitor progress 2.Coordinate care Centralized Intake (970) 658-8228 Call the 3rd Party Payor Experts… Centralized Intake (970) 658-8228 Work Plan City of Fort Collins Senior Advisory Board (SAB) 2025 Work Plan Summary Statement: To help older residents live full and interesting lives, continuing to contribute and participate in our vibrant community. Primary Functions of the Senior Advisory Board: Sharing a concern for aging members of our community, the Board assumes responsibility for involvement in a network of senior agencies and organizations to remain aware of issues, needs, and occurrences that are relevant to older/aging adults: · Larimer County Office on Aging Advisory Council · Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities in Larimer County (PAFC) · Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging at CSU · Various City Boards and Commissions and other relevant organizations pursuing similar goals with focus on neighborhood livability issues including but not limited to affordable housing, transportation access and mobility, and safety. Our priorities are to provide education to this community about the aging process, to inform and be informed, to advocate for a good quality of life and to encourage networking among the various groups that deal with senior issues. We participate in important community events throughout the year. We communicate information describing the needs and challenges of our older population and highlight the value and benefits of older people to our community. Work Areas for 2024 Prioritization 1. Neighborhood Livability and Social Health a. Education: We will learn and engage in discussion to help the Council work towards solutions for the senior community housing need by periodically attending the Affordable Housing Board’s and the PAFC’s Housing Priority Group’s meetings, as appropriate. We will also remain open and receptive to the general voice of older people in the community and their thoughts and opinions on local housing needs. We will actively seek out speakers from various industries, non- profits, health, and lifestyle advocates and others to give us a broad perspective in this and other areas regarding older people. b. Advocacy: We will work on ways to educate all members about the housing needs of seniors. We will share with Council our deliberations regarding improvement to senior housing options. c. Outreach: We will share, as appropriate, with the Affordable Housing Board and other organizations what we know and have learned regarding the housing needs of seniors. 2. Transportation a. Education: We will learn and engage in discussion to help the Council work towards solutions for the senior community’s transportation needs. We will work to understand plans, projects, and information about Transportation that might impact older adults by periodically attending and/or monitoring Transportation Board, Active Modes Board, Transfort Board, North Front Range MPO. b. Advocacy: Influence the City Council, Transportation staff, Active Modes staff, Transfort staff about ways the City can improve transportation for older adults. c. Outreach: Engage with and assist PAFC’s Transportation Priority Group, sharing our knowledge about older adults and their transportation needs. 3. Safety a. Education: We will learn and engage in discussion to help the Council work towards solutions for key safety issues that Fort Collins older adults encounter. We will remain an open and receptive group where the community can voice their concerns and encourage citizen attendance of our meetings. b. Advocacy: We will voice safety concerns with City Council and suggest areas for improvement based on our deliberations. c. Outreach: We will share potential safety issues with the community and, when necessary, we will request that the City make major safety issues known to our older population. Examples may include air quality, water availability, emergency plans in place for seniors, etc. 4. Timely Information to Assist Council Senior Board Members will provide timely information, as appropriate, to City Council regarding upcoming agenda items for Council meetings per Council request and our observance of important items approaching deliberations that may involve the older population. It is important that older adults are considered in decisions made by Council regarding the community. The ‘norms’ for the older generation are changing (as family dynamics change): as older adults become an increasingly greater segment of the workforce, as retirement years last longer, as older people contribute to the City’s economy and in the coming years will represent upwards of 20% of Colorado’s population. The SAB recognizes the importance of our work and we will inform Council so that the City of Fort Collins remains a healthy, vibrant community for people of all ages, with active members from the entire population.