In response to Rose Pray’s letter to the editor regarding housing concerns for older adults and Summit County’s workforce, I concur that accessible, affordable housing is an issue for both older adults and many in the workforce, but I would like to set the record straight regarding available services for older adults.

Rose mentions the Timberline Adult Day Program, which is a fantastic respite provider for adults across the age spectrum. Located in the same building as Timberline, the Summit County Community and Senior Center offers a plethora of resources for those 50+, including caregiver supports, meals on wheels, dinners and lunches, care navigation, transportation to doctors’ appointments, and oodles of interesting and engaging activities.

I am the Director of Vintage, the Area Agency on Aging that serves Summit and five other counties in the region. We contract with local providers, like the senior center and Colorado Legal Services, as well as provide funding for those 60+ who need financial assistance with vision/dental, transportation, caregiving, and in-home services. Vintage also provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling, and is a source of information and referrals as we grow older.

We collaborate with other local provider organizations like the Family & Intercultural Resource Center, Northwest Colorado Center For Independence, and Lenka’s Loving Care, to create a network of supports and services for older adults and caregivers. In fact, it was through much collaboration that Summit County received an Age Friendly Community designation in 2021.

I agree that a community well-adapted for aging is one where all individuals can thrive, of which housing is an integral component. But thankfully, Summit county is resource rich with services available for older adults.