Region 10 — Free Western Slope Caregiver Support — Colorado
Region 10’s Aging & Disability Resource Center is the caregiver gateway for Colorado’s Western Slope — Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties. Through its Area Agency on Aging and a partnership with the Caregivers Support Foundation, Region 10 offers free caregiver education, peer support group access, and one-on-one help for families caring for a loved one with dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, brain cancer, or another serious illness. For rural caregivers who may not have a local support group within easy driving distance, Region 10 is often the first call.
What to Expect
Region 10’s For Caregivers hub at region10.net pairs a comprehensive video library — produced with the Caregivers Support Foundation — with direct staff support. The video series walks caregivers through the caregiving journey, brain failure conditions, caregiver grief, denial and burnout, palliative care, and how to participate in or even start a caregiver support group. Caregivers can also connect with Region 10 staff to access the Tri-County Resource Directory, find local Aging and Disability Resources, get matched with a Senior Companion for their loved one, or be referred to virtual peer support groups when local options are limited. Educational events and meetings are listed on the Region 10 calendar throughout the year.
Who This Group Is For
Region 10 is built for families on the Western Slope caring for an older adult, a spouse, or a relative with a terminal or progressive condition. The video and resource library is especially helpful for caregivers of people with dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and brain cancer, though caregivers in any aging-related situation will find useful material. Anyone in the six-county Region 10 footprint is welcome to call. Resources are also available to professional caregivers and healthcare teams looking to support family caregivers more effectively.
Why Peer Support Works
Rural caregiving has its own particular shape — the distances are longer, the local services are thinner, and the social network around the family may not include anyone with similar experience. Region 10’s approach answers that reality. The video series gives caregivers a steady, knowledgeable voice they can return to anytime, the staff can help find peer groups that meet by Zoom across regional lines, and the local Senior Companion program connects caregivers with volunteers who can sit with a loved one for short stretches.
How to Join
Region 10’s services are free. Call (970) 249-2436 or email admin@region10.net to talk to a staff member about your caregiving situation. Visit region10.net/senior-resources/for-caregivers/ to watch the caregiver video series, browse the Tri-County Resource Directory, and find AAA Meetings & Events. The Region 10 office is located at 145 S Cascade, Montrose, CO 81401. Sign up for the newsletter on the site to get periodic updates about programs and events for caregivers on the Western Slope.