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There are 99,406 seniors aged 65 and over in El Paso County according to 2021 census data. In November, the Age Friendly Summit, hosted by Innovations in Aging Collaborative (IIAC) at City Auditorium downtown, was the culmination of three listening sessions held throughout the area to brainstorm age-friendly measures. Jarrett Hughes, Governor Polis’ senior policy advisor on aging, spoke of the intersectionality of all of us. County Commissioner Cami Bremmer acknowledged the duality of an aging population and limited resources. In a visioning session, participants were invited to draw their ideas for what would make Colorado Springs more age friendly. Then participants were invited to choose two topics for small-group discussions from the following six priority areas: communication, physical environment, social isolation, community support/health care, housing and transportation. The event concluded with a discussion of next steps, turning input into action by composing the county’s Age Friendly Plan. The final document will be submitted to El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs by March 2023. For details, contact IIAC at info@ innovationsinaging.org or 719-602-3815.

Long COVID and government disability benefits

The disability system has always been time-consuming and difficult to figure out. Now those with long COVID are facing years-long wait times, insufficient legal support and questions about how to prove they are disabled. Unfortunately, the U.S. medical system does not have a uniform process for diagnosing long COVID. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines it as a “range of ongoing health problems” lasting weeks to years. The Department of Health and Human Services formally recognized long COVID as a disability in 2021. About 40,000 disability claims include a mention of COVID, but how many of these are long COVID is unclear—plus Social Security has not given instructions on how to evaluate COVID claims to its employees. To receive disability insurance, people must prove their long COVID symptoms are so debilitating they cannot work. Most long COVID applicants are denied, then appealed, and denied again. The next step is a hearing. The process is lengthy and usually depends on legal help. Symptoms like brain fog and fatigue add to the difficulty, as does the financial burden of legal and medical appointments for documentation. Those who were hospitalized with severe symptoms are more likely to receive benefits. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website at www.hhs.gov. Colorado Talking Book Library offers accessible options for those with disabilities

If standard libraries are not as userfriendly as they could be for you due to a disability, the Colorado Talking Book Library (CTBL) is here to assist you. The CTBL is the statewide audio library for those with print disabilities, which may include (but are not limited to) vision problems, learning disabilities, dyslexia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, stroke effects, arthritis, chemo, dialysis, surgical patients, hospice patients and those with temporary health issues that interfere with reading standard print. For people with reading disabilities to enroll for services, reading specialists, educators, librarians and school psychologists can certify the eligibility of applicants with reading disabilities. The library is now downloadable for any patron with a smart device through the library app BARD: https://myctbl. cde.state.co.us/bard. Test your memory with a local cognition assessment

Have you wondered if your forgetfulness is the garden variety type that can happen to anyone or a symptom of something more serious? The UCCS Memory Clinic offers a baseline assessment of cognition to anyone 55 and up. Allow two hours for the Memory Clinic appointment, which includes a 45-minute assessment followed by a discussion of the results and recommendations. You will meet with a licensed psychologist and a supervised graduate student clinician during your appointment. The Aging Center also offers more comprehensive evaluations to aid in diagnosis and treatment planning when appropriate. The fee for the cognition assessment is incomebased. Please disclose any financial hardship. No one will be turned away due to inability to pay the service fee. Call 719-255-8002 to schedule an appointment. State tax credit for making home more accessible

The Income Tax Credit for Retrofitting Home for Health bill created a state income tax credit of up to $5,000 to help people with an illness, impairment or disability retrofit their residence for greater accessibility and independence. The credit is available for retrofits completed in tax years 2019 through 2023. The Colorado Legislature recently passed clarifying legislation to make dependents and spouses eligible. It also allows for up to a $5,000 credit per person in the family with a disability. Email dola_ homemodtaxcredit@state.co.us or call 303-482-7670 for more information.

National Council on Aging urges Congress to protect Medicare and Social Security

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is working with the current and new Congress to protect and strengthen the programs seniors depend on: Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. These three programs represent retirement security for millions of Americans, considering that Census data reveals that more adults are living in poverty. For those 65 and older, the rate rose from 8.9% in 2020 to 10.3% in 2021. One in four Americans depend on Social Security for 90% of their income. Focus areas are passing adequate 2023 funding to promote health and independence for older adults (and their caregivers), enacting bipartisan legislation to improve the retirement system and increase savings for low- and middle-income workers, improving access to home care for low-income older adults and those with disabilities by making Medicaid’s Money Follows the Person program permanent and helping Medicare beneficiaries with mental health by covering marriage and family therapy and mental health counseling. Learn more at www.ncoa.org. ■ SEND ANNOUNCEMENTS TO: Info@LaFifty.com