A variety of health care, safety and fitness events, classes and opportunities are taking place this month. Here is a roundup of those opportunities and additional health care news.
Smart Driver source Wednesday
The AARP Smart Driver course is coming to Steamboat Springs Community Center for a class 1-5 p.m. Wednesday.
The Smart Driver course teaches valuable defensive driving strategies and provides a refresher of the rules of the road. The course helps drivers learn research-based tips to adapt their driving to compensate for physical and cognitive changes that may occur with aging.
Course completion may quality attendees for an automobile insurance discount. The classroom course costs $20 for AARP members or $25 for non-members. Class size is limited. Register in advance by calling 970-846-0144.
Routt County approves co-responder program
Routt County and UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center have entered into an agreement to offer a co-responder program called Routt County Mental Health Response Team, where a mental health professional can respond with a sheriff’s deputy to suspected mental health-related calls.
A licensed clinical social worker will work exclusively with the Routt County Sheriff’s Department as part of a dedicated co-responder team. The program has been a goal for several years, and the official agreement was signed between the county and YVMC last week. The team is expected to kick off in early fall.
According to Routt County Assistant Manager Melina Bricker, the new team will include one social worker and one designated and specially trained deputy. The unit will be mobile and answer calls for service through 911 dispatch 40 hours per week in an effort to connect people to appropriate services and to divert from unnecessary hospitalization or escalations leading to arrest.
Pickleball Palooza fundraiser Saturday
The nonprofit Love Life women’s sober living house in Steamboat Springs is hosting its second annual Pickleball Palooza fundraiser 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at the inside courts at Steamboat Tennis and Pickleball Center.
Any level of pickleball player is welcome for the tournament with a fun “bump up, bump down” competition, with racquets and instructors on hand for people just learning.
Participants will help support women in recovery through the fundraiser with games, food and prizes. The cost is $80. For more information or to register, visit LoveLifeSteamboat.com.
The Love Life house for women was established in 2023 under the umbrella of the nonprofit Travis House for men that opened its doors after founder Jeff Welton lost his son to an accidental fentanyl overdose.
Healthy coexistence with bears talk June 25
For the health and safety of humans and bruins, Keep Bears Wild will host its next educational community program at 7 p.m. June 25 at Library Hall in Steamboat Springs.
Attendees can learn about coexisting with bears this summer. Longtime educator Christy Bubenheim will provide information and safety tips and answer questions. For example, Bubenheim will dispel common myths, such as bears are not nocturnal.
“It’s cooler at night for them, and they typically run into less risk from vehicles and people,” Bubenheim said, but seeing bears during the day in normal. For more information, visit Facebook.com/groups/keepbearswild.
Free Safe Paddle session June 27
Stagecoach State Park is hosting a fun and educational Safety Paddle event 4-6 p.m. June 27 at Keystone Cove at the state park in southern Routt County.
Boaters should bring their own non-motorized watercraft to learn essential water safety tips, gain a refresher on paddling techniques and make sure their paddling gear is ready for the summer season. The event is open to everyone from beginner to experienced paddlers.
The family-friendly event will include free safety checks, life jacket fittings and demonstrations for kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats and canoes. Attendees also can watch without bringing a watercraft.
Attendees should park at Keystone Point and launch their paddle vessel from there if it is not already in the water. Preregistration is required at Friendsofstagecoachsp.org/safetypaddle.
Cornhole fundraiser June 28 supports senior services
The Routt County Council on Aging will host its second annual BBQ, Beers and Bags cornhole tournament 11 a.m.-4 p.m. June 28 with all proceeds supporting local services to help older adults remain independent and in their homes.
The cost for a two-person team is $150 for a double-elimination tournament, lunch and a brew. The event will include prizes and a silent auction. The cornhole boards painted by local artists will be sold after the event as part of the silent auction.
For more information or to register, visit RCcoaging.org or contact [email protected] or 970-879-0633.
Council on Aging offers Helping Hands
Routt County Council on Aging offers the Helping Hands program for people who need a little extra, non-medical help on a weekly basis such as for companion care, light housekeeping, laundry, shopping and meal prep.
Helping Hands non-medical home care services and compassion care is available for a suggested donation of $15 per hour. Call Ellyn with questions or to schedule an assessment at 970-879-0633 ext. 1.
The Council on Aging offers a wide variety of programming at its locations in Oak Creek, Steamboat Springs and Hayden such as regular times to play bingo or Mahjong, to participate in a Knitters Circle or to join others for lunches and outings. The council provides regular services such as Eat and Greet, Meals on Wheels, Foot Care, transportation for medical appointments or grocery shopping, and loans of medical assistance equipment.
The council also hosts a variety of health classes in Oak Creek and Steamboat including Arthritis Exercise Association Fitness Class, Tai Chi, Yoga for Arthritis and Dance Vitality. The fitness classes have a $3 suggested donation, but a donation is not required.
Learn more through the monthly “Senior Scoop” newsletter found online at RCcoaging.org.
Aging Well Water Aerobics offered in Craig
Aging Well Water Aerobics returns at 11 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays at the Craig Swimming Complex as part of a variety of Aging Well health and fitness classes offered by nonprofit Northwest Colorado Health.
The Water Aerobics class at 605 Washington St. takes place in the shallow water and will run through Aug. 14. The suggested donation is $3. Aging Well fitness classes are open to adults 50 and older of all abilities.
Other Aging Well classes in Craig include Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention on Tuesdays, Geri Fit on Mondays and Thursdays, and Geri Fit and Movement & Exercise on Wednesdays. The full schedule of Aging Well fitness classes is found at Northwestcoloradohealth.org/agingwell or call 970-871-7676.
Dental bus open this summer
Northwest Colorado Health’s dental clinic bus is open this summer for dental cleaning or check-ups.
Appointments are available in the mobile dental clinic at Soda Creek Elementary School in Steamboat Springs, at the Hayden School District and at the Boys & Girls Club of Craig.
Private insurance and Medicaid are accepted, but if families do not have insurance, the fee for services is based on family size and income.
View the summer schedule at NorthwestColoradoHealth.org/SchoolBasedHealth or call 970-846-4426 to schedule an appointment.
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