As we age, we face significant life changes that can impact our mental wellness.

Retirement, illnesses, or deaths of loved ones, changes to our physical health or mobility, isolation, and even some medications can impact the way we feel, sleep, eat, and interact with the world around us. Adults over 60 sometimes believe that depression and anxiety are a normal part of aging. Because of this, signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety can be misinterpreted in our golden years.

North Range's senior peer counselors are 55 years old or older and trained to provide supportive counseling services to clients in the privacy of their homes or apartments, assisted living facilities, or nursing home facilities. We provide encouragement and support to help with coping through life stressors and emotional challenges.

Take this Mental Wellness Check-In for the Golden Years

• I feel sad or blue often.
• I get nervous and anxious often.
• I get easily overwhelmed.
• It's hard to make decisions–big or small.
• I worry a lot.
• I often feel jumpy–it's hard for me to feel settled.
• I feel lonely and alone.
• I have trouble sleeping.
• My appetite has changed/decreased.
• I feel tired often.
• I have little energy, motivation, or ambition.
• It's hard to find enjoyment or pleasure in things.
• I wish I had someone to talk with about my life, feelings, thoughts, and situation.

Our golden years are not supposed to feel like this. These are not simply normal signs of the aging process and of "just getting older."

North Range Behavioral Health's confidential, private Senior Peer Counseling Program may be able to help, at no cost to you.

Established in 1976, The Senior Peer Counseling Program has consistently provided outreach and supportive paraprofessional counseling services to Weld County seniors 60 years and older. Our peer counselors are 55 years old or older and trained to provide supportive counseling services to clients in the privacy of their homes or apartments, assisted living facilities, or nursing home facilities. We provide encouragement and support to help with coping through life stressors and emotional challenges.

All peer counselors work under a Licensed Professional Counselor with a focus in Gerontology. Senior Peer Counselors have a variety of education, knowledge, experience, talents, and skills in working with other older adults. In fact, peer counselors and clients may have similar lived experiences related to the aging process. We have found this is one of the many reasons why our program has been so helpful to people over the years.

"This program is amazing–you have been with me through so much. I trust you and I know you stand by me." – Senior Peer Counseling Client

The Senior Peer Counseling program is supported in part by The Area Agency on Aging (AAA.) This means there is no cost for working with a peer counselor. Although some participants choose to make a donation to the program if they can.

Find out more about North Range Behavioral Health's Senior Peer Counseling Program or arrange for one of the peer counselors to visit with you or a loved one today!

Call Dee McClure, Program Coordinator, Community Based and Peer Counseling, at 970.347.2125