The Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce held a meeting May 4. About 20 people attended. Members introduced themselves and their individual businesses. The chamber welcomed guest speaker Sean Dana, senior manager of business and donor relations at Silver Key Senior Services. Silver Key began in 1971, and has been in operation for 52 years. It began when a group of citizens came together with a concern to create advocacy for the aging population. ìWe need to treat our aging population with much more care and dignity as they are very valuable to us,î Dana said. Dana, founder and the lead of the initial group, Betsey Myers-Burroughs, had a dream one night where she saw clouds with silver linings with the sudden appearance of a key. She realized there are keys to the health, safety and independence of seniors. The mission is to transfer those keys to seniors where they can remain healthy, safe and independent in a place of their choosing. Thus, Silver Key Senior Services began. Today, they serve about 20,000 seniors a year in El Paso County and Woodland Park, with 70 members in the Falcon area, Dana said. They continue to expand with an ongoing revitalization effort. Currently partnering with Pikes Peak Library District, Dana said each Tuesday they provide high quality nutrition and fellowship for seniors. One of the key offerings of Silver Key is transportation. Currently, they run 225 trips a day. Providing transportation allows seniors to maintain activity, connect with others, share their wisdom with the community and prevent isolation. The program includes non-emergency transport to medical appointments, along with business and banking needs. The costs for these services are $3.75 per direction and $7.50 round trip. If one would like to volunteer, drivers are in high demand. Another important key is the health and wellness service, which includes resource navigators, case management, therapeutics, nutrition and companionship. Licensed therapists who assist with adjustments to retirement, physical needs or feelings of isolation are part of the staff. Dana said another important component of the services is having volunteers call their clients. A volunteer reaches out three times a week, offers encouragement and helps them stay connected. Silver Key also offers assistance with medical power of attorney. Seniors can gather together at any of Silver Key’s 13 connection cafes throughout El Paso County for meals and friendship. Meals cost $9.75 and other services are on a case-by-case basis. There is no charge for counseling services. Silver Key also has a thrift store that specializes in durable medical equipment. All items are donated. In addition, Silver Key offers a package of private-paid services called Reassurance Plus, which includes delivering hot meals, running errands, light housekeeping and a companion visitor seven times a week. Dana said recipients of the services would have likely been placed in long-term care, but they can remain home because of the support package. ìWe are really proud of this particular service,î she said. Silver Key also provides Five Wishes, which is a booklet that helps implement an advanced care directive. ìMany people think that when they sign an advanced care directive, they lose their rights,î Dana said. ìThe truth is when you sign an advanced care directive, you are guaranteed your rights.î Anyone can contact Silver Key regarding this service. Silver Key helps local businesses by providing community resources and offering volunteer opportunities through team-building activities, along with partnerships with Silver Key to organize supply drives for senior neighbors. ìYou used to need to know 20 different phone numbers to help a senior with their needs, but now you only need to know one phone number ó 719-884-2300,î Dana said. ìThis is where professionals connect them with the correct resource. The biggest thing you can do to help is telling family members who are seniors, or know seniors, about us.îThe Silver Key Senior Summit event is June 15, from 8:30 to 3:30 p.m., at the Antler’s Downtown in Colorado Springs. The free event features area resources and solutions for common issues, along with 70-plus vendors. Pre-registration is required.For more information about the event and Silver Key, visit https://silverkey.org.The Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce holds its monthly meetings the first Wednesday of the month: breakfast and coffee is served from 7 a.m. to 7:30; the meeting is from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30. The next meeting is June 1 at Grace Community Church, 9475 Grace Church View in Falcon.
