Looking for caregiver resources?  Here is a listing of some of the supports available in the Gunnison area:

Support Groups:  In Gunnison, contact Shandy at 641-0704 ext. 106, In Crested Butte, contact Cathy at 209-4528 or Joanne at 349-0368.

On-line support group: An on-line community for caregivers can be found at caringroad.org.  It’s free and allows caregivers to contact one another.  It’s an on-line support group!

Palliative Care - 641-4254 (more information listed below)

Family Caregiver Support Program offered by Caregiver Solutions: Barb at 970-249-0440 or email at cgsolutions@gmail.com.

In-home Care offered by Touch of Care (Private pay or Medicaid) 1-866-874-6115, or click TOC to visit their website.

WEB RESOURCES

If you’re looking for ideas to make your caregiving less stressful, please visit www.blueprintforcaregiving.com and take advantage of the free downloads on the pages for “Search for Light: Ten Crucial Lessons for Caregivers,” and Blueprint for Caregiving provided by local author and caregiving coach, Joanne Reynolds.

Caregiver.com is a great website full of caregiving tips and articles.  There is even an on-line magazine (”Today’s Caregiver”) and newsletter for which you can sign up.

Videocaregiving.org is a first-of-its-kind, video-based website that includes all-original, documentary video material showing real people facing real challenges in real life scenarios, and it’s FREE. Check it out!

nfcacares.org - National Family Caregivers Association site; provides information on resources, support, and classes/trainings

ec-online.net - care giver links to information sheets, support groups, and resources

caregiverresource.net - includes an on-line assessment to rate caregiver stress, plus many great articles

caregiving.com - online tips and support

familycaregivers.org - provides low cost kits for caregivers; “ask an expert”

caregiver.org - Family Caregiver Alliance site; packed with information on research, tips, fact sheets, newsletters, and support groups

There are more resources available for caregivers… continue browsing this page for details.

 

Mesothelioma -

The Mesothelioma Center is an up-to-date resource for all mesothelioma (What is Mesothelioma?) issues ranging from mesothelioma statistics to diagnosis options.  One of the most common forms of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos is lung cancer, a condition where the tissue cells within the lungs or bronchial tubes divide rapidly and uncontrollably with abnormal characteristics. In the United States alone, approximately 10,000 people die from asbestos-related illnesses, and many of these people are victims of lung cancer.

 

 

Exercise your Mind~

Exercising body and mind is important in maintaining vitality as we age.  We have found a couple of great websites that offer free mind-stimulating games, such as crossword puzzles, jigsaws, number games, trivia and more- Shockwave and AARP Magazine.  Do you have a favorite brain-boosting website that you visit?  Email us and let us know!

Your local library is also a great place for large print books, books on tape/cd, magazines, music cd’s, movies and more!  You can access the library from your home computer to see what materials are available and even renew your books from home.  Just visit the Public Library website and click on the branch you’re looking for.

 

Young At Heart~

Young At Health is an organization that provides a great social opportunity along with a delicious hot meal every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  If you are unable to leave your home to attend the lunches due to illness or disability, you may order the same hot meals to be delivered to your home by a friendly volunteer.   For prices and more information, please contact the Young At Heart office at 641-2107.

 

Homemaker Services~

Gunnison County Homemaker Program is a light housekeeping program available for seniors age 60+ who demonstrate the need for this service.  To learn more about this great program, contact the Senior Resources Office at 641-7984 or 642-4664.

The Gunnison County Homemaker Program is made possible by a grant from Region 10 Area Agency on Aging and through participant contributions.

 

Palliative Care~

Curative treatments are the mainstay of traditional medicine, palliative care is compassionate care for people with progressive, chronic or life threatening illnesses. Caring for the whole person invloves the body, mind and spirit, as well as caring for and supporting those who live with and care for the ill. This is especially important for individuals who are near the end of life.

The mission of the Palliative Care Program is for a diverse, specialized team to assist patients and families impacted by a chronic, progressive, life-threatening illness by providing emotional, physical, spiritual and clinical support while focusing on quality of life issues.

Controlling pain and other discomfort in a progressive illness is critical to the patient’s care. Palliative care can be a bridge between the patient, the patient’s primary care physician and specialist to assure the patient gets help when needed.

What kinds of cases could benefit from palliative care?

• Recurrent hospital admissions for advanced illnesses, such as COPD and heart failure
• Difficult symptom management compromising the patient’s ability to continue treatment
• Conflict among patient and family regarding illness management or treatment course
• Lack of response to curative therapies and changing goals of care
• Consideration of hospice care
• Spiritual distress and loss of hope

A palliative care consult is available to anyone facing a progressive, chronic, or life-threatening illness. Palliative care will support you as you redefine your goals while faced with an illness.

For more information about Palliative Care, call Hospice and Palliative Care of the Gunnison Valley at (970)641-4254 or click here to visit their website.

 

Hinsdale County Seniors~

If you live in Hinsdale County (Lake City area), you may contact their Senior Services Office at 970-944-0321, or stop by and see Libby Aves at the Hinsdale County Public Health Office located at 304 W. 3rd Street across from the Armory in Lake City. 

Some of the programs, services and services they offer:

• Nutrition Education
• Physical fitness classes and education
• Homemaker services for qualified residents
• Quarterly Newsletter
• Coordination of some social events
• Bi-weekly notice board at Post Office of upcoming events
• Providing service coordination for seniors and their families to include information
  and referrals for local, regional, state and national resources
• Work with community agencies to facilitate coordination of senior services
• Communicating upcoming local, regional and state senior events and educational
  opportunities with seniors.
• Representing senior issues and concerns within Public Health and serves as a
  senior advocate in the County and Town of Lake City
• Assisting senior community members to complete complex paperwork required to
  access health and human services

 

Transportation Services~

Gunnison County provides limited transportation services for seniors, with wheelchair accessible vehicles.  In Gunnison, call 596-6700 to schedule a ride.  Crested Butte residents may call 349-5607 to schedule transportation needs.

Alpine Express Shuttle schedule
Visit the Alpine Express website

Gunnison RTA schedule
Visit the Gunnison RTA website

 

 

Veteran’s Services~

Veteran’s may receive assistance with questions about services or benefits by contacting Gunnison County’s Veteran’s Services Officer, Al Falsetto at (970) 641-7919.

VA Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colorado - Toll Free (866) 206-6415

 

Dental Care~

Region 10 Area Aging On Aging provides financial support for a dental prevention program that provides oral health screenings, chartings and cleanings for those 60 and better.  Stop by the Senior Resource Office for an application or click to download a Dental Application.

 

Housing~

The Gunnison County Housing Authority provides information on housing resources, including the Mountain View Apartments (Independent Living for those over 62 years of age).  Contact them at (970) 641-7900 or visit the Gunnison County Housing Authority website

 

Health & Human Services~

Gunnison County Department of Health and Human Services provides assistance with LEAP, food assistance, Medicaid, Adult Protective Services, Old Age Pension, and much more.  Contact them at (970) 641-3244 or visit the Gunnison County Department of Health and Human Services website

 

Mental Health~

Depression and mental illnesses require the support of professional who can provide support and guidance.  If you, or someone you know, needs support- don’t wait!  Call Midwestern Center for Mental Health today at 641-0229.

Twelve Step Meetings in Gunnison (AA, NA, Gambler’s Anonymous)- Meeting vary throughout the week.  Call 641-6056 for a current schedule and location.

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance- DBSA meets on Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm at the Newman Center (Behind Ute Hall just north of Western State College campus) 600 E Georgia Ave.  For more information contact Alicia at 641-0316 or email them at DBSAGunnisonValley@hotmail.com

The Cancer Support Group meets the first and third Thursday of each month, at 12 noon, at Webster Hall, 117 North Iowa in Gunnison.

H.I.S. Christian Care Center (Hope, Inspiration, Support) offers prayer, encouragement and counseling to individuals, couples and families who are experiencing crisis, grief, parenting challenges, family concerns or other difficult life issues.  All services are free.  Office is located in Webster Hall at 117 North Iowa St in Gunnison.

 

Women’s Health Services~

The Women’s Wellness Connection offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings to eligible Colorado residents.  For more information check our their website or call 641-0209 or 1.866.951.WELL (9355). 

 

Multicultural Resources~

Gunnison has one of the premier Multicultural Resources Centers in the state, and services are available to anyone needing help in our community.  Call them at 641-7999 or visit the Gunnison County Multicultural Resources Center website

 

Medicare ~

Medicare Website for details on Medicare programs
visit the Medicare government website

 

Colorado Medicaid ~

For more information about how Medicaid can help you pay for long term care help in your home, as well as Assisted Living or Nursing Facility, visit their website. Click on the “Persons over 65″ section, print and complete both parts, including all required signatures.
To complete the application, Department of Human Services will need copies of the following (if applicable):
Proof of all income (social security, railroad benefits, pensions, retirements, trusts, etc)
Social Security award letter
Bank statements
Investment: stocks/bonds/annuities/IRA/401k
Trust statements
Life insurance policies
Burial policies/accounts
Social Security card
Medicare card
Medicare Part D card
Power of Attorney (Medical and Financial) or guardianship/conservatorship documents

Once this information had been gathered, please mail or deliver, along with the completed application, to:
Gunnison County Dept of Health & Human Services
ATTN: MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY
225 N Pine St, Suite A
Gunnison, CO 81230

 

Guardianship & Conservatorship~

The required forms for filing for guardianship and conservatorship in Colorado can be printed from the self-help center on the Colorado State Judicial website (look under “Probate”)