From the Publisher

From the Publisher

Last month, we published our annual health care issue, which included articles about legal rights and having a plan in place for the future of older adults, we reviewed the aging population in Colorado and the effects associated with a lack of exercise among older adults. I would like to add another health care issue this month, which involves my 85-year-old dad. 

Sometimes I wonder if some health care providers consciously or unconsciously write off older people. My sister and I have been helping my dad the last few years negotiate life’s issues, from housing choices to health care setbacks. When it comes to health care, we have observed that dad has often been disregarded. For example, oftentimes when my dad, my sister and I are present with a health care provider in the room, the provider will talk directly to me and my sister and ignore my dad. I’ve said a few times, “My dad is well-aware of his situation and can hear you so you can talk directly to him.” 

Over Christmas, my dad developed severe pain in his back. He was ready to quit life. My sister and I took him to one hospital in the Springs, and I asked them for an MRI but they didn’t think that was necessary. They gave dad morphine and sent him home. A few days later, my dad was still in agony with his back. It was suggested that we call in hospice so his pain could be managed and his “final days” more comfortable. However, we decided to take him to another hospital in the Springs. That hospital set him up with an MRI and found a fractured vertebrae, which can be very painful at any age. My dad eventually had minor surgery (in one day and out the next), and his pain was gone — just like that. 

I am telling his story because I think it’s important that families and health care professionals, instead of dismissing problems because someone is older, do everything they can before determining that it’s just “his age.” It was a simple surgical procedure, not a heart transplant. 

Speaking of hearts, February is American Heart Month. Overall, the leading cause of death for both sexes across all races and origins and ages is heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

February is also Black History Month. The 2025 theme is “African Americans and Labor.” Coben Scott wrote a great piece in his column, Yesteryear, about some of the first black people to settle on the plains of Falcon. 

It’s a busy month. Feb. 14 is Valentine’s  Day and Presidents’ Day or Washington’s Birthday, as some states call it, is celebrated Feb. 17. I forgot to mention Feb. 3 is National Tater Tots Day (that’s a good day). 

Groundhog Day is Feb. 2, so we won’t know before we go to press if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow. With these freezing cold spells, I’m hoping Phil doesn’t see his shadow and there is an early spring. If he does see his shadow, we will have six more weeks of winter.

Super Bowl Sunday (this year on Feb. 9) is almost a national holiday — some say it should be. El Paso County has shared Super Bowl safety tips in their February column

Last but not least, I want to recognize the Southern California wildfires, which have wreaked havoc in the Los Angeles area. People have lost neighbors, friends and relatives — and homes and businesses. And they’ve lost a lifetime of accumulated treasures, documents and records. I know we have readers who moved from California to Colorado. I hope your friends and families are safe. SoCal strong! 

See you in March! 

Michelle

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Michelle Barrette

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