As Eagle County’s aging population grows, can elder care services keep up?

Eagle County’s senior citizen population is growing. But senior care services are struggling to keep up.

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, the 4 Eagle Foundation hosted a senior celebration luncheon at 4 Eagle Ranch, gathering together a core of Eagle County’s seniors and some of the organizations and individuals that support them.

“This looks like the Episcopalian youth group,” joked Reverend Brooks Keith, senior pastor for the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, who provided an opening prayer for the luncheon.

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On a more serious note, “we need you and we need your wisdom in this valley to anchor us,” Keith said.

Luncheon celebrated seniors and the legacies they have created

Julie and Michael Barry, who hold the long-term lease on 4 Eagle Ranch and run the 4 Eagle Foundation, which supports 4 Eagle Senior Care, have taken a special interest in supporting Eagle County’s aging adults.

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“If you’re wondering if you’re loved in this valley, I think this kind of a luncheon shows you all the people that love our older adults,” Julie Barry told the group. “You built this town, and we are so grateful that we can support you to have a healthy and active life in the very community that you built.”

The luncheon, which took place at 4 Eagle Ranch, was “a day to treat them, and to let them know how much we, as a community, value our seniors,” Julie Barry said.

Around 120 people gathered together for the celebration, including 4 Eagle Senior Care participants, leaders and volunteers and senior groups from the Eagle County Healthy Aging site in Minturn, Golden Eagle Senior Apartments and Caregiver Connections. County officials involved in public health and healthy aging were also present, along with Eagle County Sheriff James van Beek.

The event was filled with joy, laughter and conversation — some attendees had not seen each other in years and caught up over lunch, while others have been friends for decades and reminisced over stories of what Eagle County looked like in the 1970s. Following the meal, the group sang several songs together and played games.

4 Eagle Senior Care, which is supported through the 4 Eagle Foundation, was founded 12 years ago to support Eagle County’s senior citizens. Pastor Dan Matney, pastor at New Life Assembly of God in Avon, has led 4 Eagle Senior Care since its beginning.

“This man is the glue that makes all this go,” Keith said. “We always need a leader, and he has been an excellent leader.”

4 Eagle Senior Care organizes a weekly meal program for around 60 mostly homebound seniors, a handyman program, music programs and intergenerational bonding opportunities, all supported by a spiritual emphasis.

When 4 Eagle Senior Care first started hosting its programs, around 20 or 30 people participated. “It’s definitely expanding and growing,” Matney said.

What are some of the challenges seniors face in Eagle County?

The percentage of the county’s population that are 65-years-old and older more than doubled between 2010 and 2022.

As Eagle County’s older adult population grows, how can Eagle County best support its residents? This is one question that Health Harmon, Eagle County Public Health director, is trying to address in the near future.

Eagle County Public health conducted a year-long survey to ask the community, including older adults, what is most needed. There were three key takeaways that the county plans to work on.

First, people want more gathering spaces.

“Social connections are so important to all of us in our community, regardless of how old we are. They become increasingly important as we get older, and I think this room is a testament to that,” Harmon said.

Second, people need assistance addressing the challenges associated with the high cost of living in Eagle County.

While cost of living was “a challenge long before the pandemic, but it certainly has exacerbated things,” Harmon said.

For seniors, specifically, entering the community or downsizing housing is very difficult, particularly as the number of lower-cost housing units dwindles. Additionally, the cost of medical care continues to increase, and there is a “really high number of community members” that lack health insurance, Harmon said.

While the county can’t decrease the cost of living, Harmon said his agency will try to reduce some of the burden.

Health care itself is the third category, and it contains a wide variety of challenges. For seniors, the lack of access to specialty care and to home health organizations, along with the lengthy amount of time it can take to schedule an appointment, are particular concerns. The county’s goal is to improve access to quality health care services.

Plans to expand senior care require community collaboration

Matney is retiring this year. Julie Barry and her team are in the process of hiring a new director of services and have already begun plans to expand the work 4 Eagle Senior Care does.

“It’s been wonderful and beautiful and it’s been challenging. We’ve had a wonderful group of volunteers. A wonderful group of sponsors and donors and everybody that helps make it work,” Matney said.

A few months ago, the Barrys hosted a collaboration meeting at 4 Eagle Ranch, with representatives from Eagle County, Eagle County Paramedic Services, Vail Health and Caregiver Connections in attendance.

The focus of the meeting was how the organizations can work together to grow older adult care, Julie Barry said. Particularly, how nonprofit organizations and the faith community can step up to support the efforts.

4 Eagle Senior Care has plans to set up a transportation network of volunteers to help older adults attend appointments and gain more freedom, Michael Barry said.