Project Visibility is a training program developed in 2004 by Boulder County Aging Services, after the agency conducted extensive focus groups with area LGBT elders. These seniors wondered which service providers were “safe and friendly” and feared many could be unwelcoming, even hostile. The goal of Project Visibility is to co-create an aging services community that is informed, sensitive to, and supportive of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender elders. The training is designed for administrators and staff of nursing homes, assisted living residences, home care agencies, and other senior service providers, as well as the friends and families of LGBT elders.

http://www.bouldercounty.org/family/seniors/pages/projvis.aspx

SHO has been involved with this training since 2009. Emily Lewis, a PV trainer from Boulder County Area Agency on Aging provided FREE training to Colorado managers and the SHO main office staff. Since this time, SHO has been working on more inclusive marketing, visual signage, forms and numerous others in-house projects to create communities where everyone feels safe and secure. Recently, a meeting was held to share the successes and challenges that still remain in spreading the training information. SHO continues as a partner in this effort by training new staff and offering compassionate services to all.

LGBT Denver Resource Guide

Trans Resources

The Colorado Gerontological Society presented the 23^rd Annual Salute to Seniors. This year commemorated the Centenary of the Maiden Voyage of the Titanic. Molly Brown’s Great Granddaughter was on hand and there was a chance to enter to win dinner with her on May 11^th.

Upon entering the fair, each person was given a “boarding pass” with a name of a real passenger of the Titanic and then guests were able to see if that person was a survivor on the Remembrance Wall. Many people were dressed in theme costumes and there was even a photo booth with old time clothes for guests.

There was a Molly Brown House Museum exhibit, vintage cars from the Forney Museum rare collection and a full Titanic Boutique with jewelry and accessories. There was also live entertainment and numerous booths and vendors who serve seniors.

SHO staffer Bob thought he would check it out since he is a senior and see what community resources are available.

The WP Christian School performed for the Cliffview residents on May 8th.  They sang Christian songs and gave a rose and card to each Cliffview resident.  They have performed for the residents every year for the last three years.

Ellen is the new Administrative/Development Assistant at the SHO Main Office.

Beverly and Tootsie

Tootsie was a rescue dog……but she has rescued me.  She is my life and my love.  I have lots of pillows both on the couch and on the bed.  Tootsie loves pillows. She sleeps on her back on a stack of pillows.

Terri and Max

Max and I met and fell in love in the lobby of Emerson Gardens, one of the residents was dog sitting for her son’s dog Max.  I had not lived at Emerson very long and I was wanting a dog for companionship.  I told the resident that if her son ever wanted to give Max away I would love to have him.  A couple of weeks passed, one evening there was a knock at my door – there stood Max, dog bowl, food and leash. His owner could not keep Max at this time, I told him I would keep the dog 3 months, in case he might want him back. Max is still with me living a stress free life with someone who would never throw him to the curb.  What more could he want – 1 owner and a least 7 other residents pet Max daily.  Spoiled…..who’s spoiled?

The AVMA and the Auxiliary created National Pet Week in 1981 to foster responsible pet ownership, recognize the human-animal bond, and increase public awareness of veterinary medicine.

The Auxiliary held its annual poster and writing contests in early 2011 to generate promotional materials for National Pet Week 2012. The winner of each contest received $300.

Stephanie Jensen, a stay-at-home mother from Grantsville, Utah, submitted the painting that won the poster contest. Her seven children and many pets provided inspiration for the painting.

Emma Jewell of Lincoln, Neb., was a fifth-grader when she submitted the poem that won the writing contest.

The Happy Home Recipe

A healthy pet is a happy pet;
That means that they don’t
rip up curtains,
Or “go” in the house,
Or decide to raid the fridge.

A healthy pet is a happy pet;
And when they’re happy,
They usually behave.
That makes their owners happy, too.

A healthy pet is a happy pet;
So their owners don’t mind
If (once and a while)
They decide to chase a squirrel on the evening walk.

A healthy pet is a happy pet;
Paradise is a nap in the sun,
A favorite squeaky toy,
Not an “all you can eat of your owner’s chocolate stash” buffet!

The recipe:
Happy, healthy pets +
Nice owners =
A happy home.

http://www.avma.org/

http://www.petweek.org/about-npw.html

Please consider supporting Senior Housing Options

and its 500 elderly and disabled residents in your

Mother’s honor.  A gift from you will also honor people

who might not otherwise be honored! 

Please provide your gift to: 

Senior Housing Options

1510 17th Street

Denver, CO 80202

  OR

you can donate online at

www.seniorhousingoptions.org 

If you’d like, a special acknowledgement can be sent to your Mother.

Please include her name and address with your donation.

This year’s theme “Never Too Old to Play” encourages older Americans to stay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their communities. SHO supports this theme and encourages our 500 residents to continue to explore, grow, learn and have fun as they age.

When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthdays. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing, however. In April of 1963, President John F. Kennedy’s meeting with the National Council of Senior Citizens served as a prelude to designating May as “Senior Citizens Month.”

Thanks to President Jimmy Carter’s 1980 designation, what was once called Senior Citizens Month, is now called “Older Americans Month,” and has become a tradition.

Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every President since JFK has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs and other such activities.

http://www.aoa.gov/aoaroot/Press_Room/Observances/2012/Older_Americans.aspx

Randy, a long time resident and his dog Arlo enjoy the afternoon sunshine in The Olin courtyard. Randy has several raised garden areas that he plants each year and says he just loves this area of the community. Arlo was a rescue dog and is now a dear companion. Randy is also currently serving as Resident Council President. This group plans events and supports positive changes at the Olin.

The Olin Apartments is a pet, companion and service animal friendly environment. Many of our residents enjoy having a companion and say this provides great meaning in their lives. 

The AVMA and the Auxiliary created National Pet Week in 1981 to foster responsible pet ownership, recognize the human-animal bond, and increase public awareness of veterinary medicine.

The Auxiliary held its annual poster and writing contests in early 2011 to generate promotional materials for National Pet Week 2012. The winner of each contest received $300.

Stephanie Jensen, a stay-at-home mother from Grantsville, Utah, submitted the painting that won the poster contest. Her seven children and many pets provided inspiration for the painting.

Emma Jewell of Lincoln, Neb., was a fifth-grader when she submitted the poem that won the writing contest.

The Happy Home Recipe

A healthy pet is a happy pet;
That means that they don’t
rip up curtains,
Or “go” in the house,
Or decide to raid the fridge.

A healthy pet is a happy pet;
And when they’re happy,
They usually behave.
That makes their owners happy, too.

A healthy pet is a happy pet;
So their owners don’t mind
If (once and a while)
They decide to chase a squirrel on the evening walk.

A healthy pet is a happy pet;
Paradise is a nap in the sun,
A favorite squeaky toy,
Not an “all you can eat of your owner’s chocolate stash” buffet!

The recipe:
Happy, healthy pets +
Nice owners =
A happy home.

http://www.avma.org/

http://www.petweek.org/about-npw.html