April 10, 2025 Minutes

Weld Area Agency on Aging - Advisory Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting Location: Zoom Invite & Area Agency on Aging, 315 N 11th Ave., Bldg. C., Greeley, CO
Meeting: Thursday, April 10, 2025 (Thursday) 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Minutes

1. Roll Call

   • Board Members
     

     • Attended
       

       • Kay Broderius, Susan Collins, DeAnn Cure, Chair-Nancy Haffner, Vice-Chair-Alan Kress, Valeria Ortiz, Commissioner Peppler, Aaron Sanchez, Anne Curry Sanchez, Gillian Smith, Lynn Young
         

     • Absent

       • Father Steve Karcher, Ruth Leitel, Jami Shepherd, Diana Vasquez
         

   • AAA Staff
     

     • Attended
       

       • Tami Grant, Department of Human Services Deputy Director
         
       • Kelly Morrison, Home & Community Supports Division Director
         
       • Meredith Skoglund, Community Outreach Manager
         
       • Michelle Roper, Administrative Assistant
         

   • Guests
     

     • Olivia Egen, MPH, DrPH – Public Health Initiatives Manager, Weld County
       
     • Introduced and welcomed new board member, Linda Quade.
       

2. Approval of Minutes
   

   • Motion made by Chair Haffner to approve the minutes from March 13, 2025. Member Cure made first approval and Member Curry-Sanchez made second approval. All approved.
     

3. Program

   • Acts of Connection, presented by Olivia Egen
     

     • Acts of Connection is an initiative that aims to combat social isolation and foster connection in Weld County. The campaign was created by the many organizations that are part of the Healthy Mind and Spirit work group of Thriving Weld. Acts of Connection encourages us all to find ways to connect with others, build relationships, and promote a stronger sense of well being and a culture of connection for all.
     • According to recent surveys, about half of all US adults report experiencing loneliness or social isolation. Lacking connection hurts our health and well being because it is as essential to survival as oxygen, food, water, and shelter.
       

     • Acts of Connection aims to:
       

       • Increase awareness of social isolation and loneliness
         
       • Change the way social connection and loneliness are perceived in Weld County
         
       • Drive action toward and increase opportunities for connection
         
       • Promote values of kindness, respect, service, and commitment to each other
         
       • Create community through shared support networks
         
       • Encourage and amplify local activities and events that increase belonging in Weld County
         
       • Reduce poor mental health and suicide rates through the power of social connection
         
       • It’s up to each of us to take a step towards connection. This can start with building strong and meaningful relationships, so no one feels alone. Look for opportunities to connect with your neighbors and community in fun, relaxing, and positive ways. Say hi to the person you see on your morning walk or call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Step out of your comfort zone and check out the fun things our communities have to offer.

     • Loneliness and Social Isolation
       

       • Social Isolation: Objectively having few social relationships, social roles, group memberships, and infrequent social interaction.
         
       • Loneliness: A subjective distressing experience that results from perceived isolation or inadequate meaningful connection – a discrepancy or unmet need between an individual’s preferred and actual experience.
         
         • Q: Member Smith – Can someone experience both loneliness and social isolation at the same time?
           
           • A: Guest Egen – Absolutely. Usually if someone is socially isolated, they are probably lonely. You can’t tell by looking at someone how many social connections they have. Someone can have many social connections but still feel lonely.
             

     • Rates & Trends
       

       • 24 more hours of isolation monthly per adult in 2020 compared to 2003.
         
       • Only 39% of adults reported feeling very connected to others in 2022.
         
       • 79% of young adults reported feeling lonely at least some of the time in 2021.
         
       • Less than 20% of those that are lonely or isolated recognize it as a major problem.
         
         • Q: Member Collins – Are these trends related to the use of technology.
           
           • A: Guest Egen – In part but it has been happening long before. People are doing less things together, but it has increased due to technology. Connections can be made online, but they are not deep connections.
             

     • Health Effects:
       

       • 50% increased odds of survival is attributed to social connection.
         
       • Increased risk of dementia by 50% heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32% due to isolation / loneliness.
         
       • Has similar health impacts to smoking 15 cigarettes a day by being socially isolated.
         
       • Increased risk of anxiety, depression and suicide due to isolation / loneliness.
         

     • Campaign Strategies:
       

       • Website Awareness – Asking people to do a connection quiz on the website. No data collected, just lets the person taking the quiz know where they are at on the scale. Offers tips on talking to someone that might need additional support. Provides contacts for mental health resources. Provides links for parents and caregivers on how to better connect with their children or grandchildren.
         
       • Digital & Print Media – Currently only had enough funding to put up one billboard in Fort Lupton. Materials have been created for both younger and aging adults with different messages.
         
       • Resource, Presentations & Trainings – Spreading awareness through different organizations that wish to partner or at classes where people come together such as at libraries or community centers.
         
       • Pledge Program – An organization or person can make a pledge to make a difference.
         
       • Partnership with Organizations – Bringing groups of people together for a connection workshop to raise awareness.
         
   • Q: Member Broderius – How many people are you reaching in group settings?
     
     • A: Guest Egen – Currently only meeting with service providers to get ideas on bringing it to their members.
       
     • S: Commissioner Peppler – Loneliness feeds on itself. You can intellectually know that you need to get out but it’s not always that easy.
       
     • A: Guest Egen – Set small goals. Call someone that you love to speak to. Start with a couple of weeks and then build off that. It takes a long period of time to become lonely and it will take time to become social again.
       
   • Q: Member Sanchez – Are you meeting in care homes, assisted living facilities? Has seen people placed in care homes and then family does not come back to visit. Is there an organization or group of people that go into care homes?
     
     • A: Guest Egen – Currently there is not enough funding for the Coalition to do that but by reaching out as is being done today and getting more people aware and involved then hopefully, more people will take it upon themselves to do so.
       
     • S: Chair Haffner – Churches and members would be good resources for people that could make those visits.
   • Q: Member Curry-Sanchez – How many people are on the Coalition team?
     
     • A: Guest Egen – There are 10 from different organizations such as UNC, United Way, North Range Behavioral Health, UC Health, Intermountain, etc. There is only so much that the coalition can do which is why it’s so important to raise awareness and let it spread.
       
   • Q: Member Curry-Sanchez – How often do you meet?
     
     • A: Guest Egen – Every month and would be happy to send out the meeting schedule to anyone that would like to attend.
       
   • Q: Member Collins – Is it possible to bring this to middle schools as way to look up, get off the screens and connect with others in an after-school program?
     
     • S: Chair Haffner – High school students as well, to have inter-generational workshops.
       
     • A: Guest Egen – This is not being done at this time but would support any organization that would like to do it. If anyone knows of a church or organization that they could recommend?
       
   • Q: Chair Haffner – Are there any plans for an inter-generational workshop?
     
     • A: Guest Egen – The coalition could put together a program. Larimer County is currently doing one.
       
   • Q: Member Smith – Ranchers are usually very isolated and what can we do to check in on them and stay connected when they are so busy?
     
     • A: Guest Egen – By raising awareness, putting on more programs, working with organizations and agencies we can get the information out there and keep it spreading to more rural areas.
       
   • Q: Member Curry Sanchez – With having many different cultural aspects, how can we bring different people together to create lasting bonds and friendships?
     
     • A: Guest Egen – It’s a grassroots effort with communities creating community. How do we get those people to take those steps and be more intentional?
       
   • Q: Commissioner Peppler – As technology is not the only issue, there is also stranger danger, fraud, meeting in a safe location, fear has a huge impact. How do we overcome those concerns?
     
     • A: Guest Egen – Start with friends and family and then build from there.
       
   • Q: Staff Member Skoglund – Are there any upcoming workshops?
     
     • A: Guest Egen – The are starting to be scheduled and will forward out those dates and times. Currently working on events in Fort Lupton, community parties, block parties. The goal is to have 1000 events.
       

   • How to support the efforts:
     

     • Increase awareness
       

       • Social Media
         
       • Pledge
         
       • Connection Guides Partnerships

     • Partnerships

       • Grand Opportunities
         
       • Connection Workshop
         
       • Programming
   • S: Member Curry-Sanchez – Libraries, recreations centers and the funplex would be great venues.
     
   • S: Member Collins – LINC library has a flyer for events for adults. It’s a great way to get out and meet people.
     
   • S: Member Curry-Sanchez – There is an impact on how you make people feel, even if they can’t remember what you said.
     
   • A: Guest Egen – Thank you for all the wonderful recommendations and suggestions that will be presented at the next coalition meeting.
     

4. Committee Overview, Sign-up, and Committee Reports
   

   • Nutrition
     

     • Member Cure – Friendly Fork Advisory Committee met at the UNC kitchen to tour and have lunch.
       
     • Staff Member Skoglund – Received the UNC contract which is being reviewed.
       

   • ADRC
     

     • Staff Member Skoglund – Quarterly meeting on Monday, 4/14/2025.
       

   • AARP Livable Communities
     

     • Currently on hold. Removing from future agendas until further updates.
       

   • Fraud Updates
     

     • Member Smith – Invoices demanding payment are going out to companies. Keep reminding people not to click on links. Also, urgent phone calls about family members in jail. Always call the person they are claiming is in jail first before paying anything.
       
     • Member Curry-Sanchez – The fear of “don’t answer the phone”, “don’t click on any links”, “don’t answer the door”, etc. can all tie into isolation and fear.
       
     • HCSD Director Morrison – Although a lot of these scams have been around for some time, we need to keep reminding people about them and keep talking about it.
       
     • Member Cure – Recently received a package and the only thing inside was a stuffed animal with a card that had a QR code. DO NOT scan the QR code or they can get into your phone and financial data.
       

   • Legislative & CCA
     

     • Refer to email updates from Member Shepherd.
       

   • 50+ Art Show
     

     • Member Sanchez – Nothing to report. Next meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
       

   • Beyond 60
     

     • Staff Member Skoglund – Still looking for articles. Runs weekly and articles can be up to 400 words.
       
     • Member Broderius – Submitted an article on care giving and will send another one on ageism.
       

   • Monitoring, Oversight, Request for Proposal
     

     • Nothing to report
       

5. Board Participation Reports
   

   • Member Collins – Recent studies done on loneliness have provided good information to promote senior center activities in rural areas. Memberships in certain groups like Kiwanis, Elks and Rotary clubs are dropping.
     
   • Member Smith – It’s important to have many different safe locations for people to be able to meet and interact.
     
   • Commissioner Peppler – We need to get back to making connections because of the personal value rather than “how much will I get paid to do this”.
     
   • Chair Haffner – Attended the Walk with Ease class in Eaton and asked trainer Wickstrom to provide HelpSource guides and what AAA offers at the final class.
     

6. General Agency Updates
   

   • Staff Member Skoglund – The website has been updated with a new online HelpSource.
     
   • HCSD Director Morrison – Working on provider contracts but still waiting to hear from the State on how much funding we will be given.
     
   • HCSD Director Morrison – Case Management Agency is doing another round of hiring for an additional 10 Case Managers as the program has grown tremendously.
     
   • Commissioner Peppler – The Weld County logo has been updated and will be standard on all future documents.
     

7. Upcoming Events

   • Greeley/Weld Senior Foundation: May 25, 2025
     
   • 50+ Art Show: September 24, 2025
     
   • Senior Symposium: October 2, 2025
     
   • Project Connect: October 16, 2025
     
   • Caregiver Appreciation Day: November 7, 2025
     

8. Adjournment

   • Motion to adjourn meeting. All agreed.
     

9. Next meeting
   

   • Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 11:00am – 1:00pm – Private tour at UNC, closed to public