After 50 years of serving the greater Colorado Springs community, Silver Key wants to make sure that every aging adult who needs care gets quality care. In that vein, its new motto, “Aging is…all of us,” focuses on the nonprofit’s future growth and sustainability, even in the midst of a pandemic.

A MISSION TO SERVE

Silver Key Senior Services was created in 1970 when founder Betsey Myers-Burroughs sought to enhance the quality of life for those in local nursing homes. She literally had a dream that included a cloud with a silver lining and a key. The name was eventually shortened to Silver Key, but its mission has since expanded. The organization now serves more than 11,000 El Paso County seniors annually.

“We are committed to making this the best community in the nation to age,” said Derek Wilson, Silver Key’s chief strategy officer. “We do that by preserving the dignity and independence of older adults by allowing them to safely and healthily age as they choose.”

Silver Key supports seniors with their Reserve & Ride Program, which offers ADA accessible transportation to medical appointments, shopping and more. Seniors also have access to health and wellness programs, including behavioral health and companionship services, case management and the food pantry. Finally, Silver Key offers home-delivered meals.

The nonprofit even works with government entities like the Coalition on Aging, Adult Protective Services and others to formulate the Guardian Volunteer Advocacy Program (GVAP) for individuals who have been deemed by the courts unable to make safe decisions for themselves.

“Health and wellness services run the gamut from being a resource for answering questions about health care to helping navigate aging challenges,” Wilson explained.

ADJUSTING TO COVID
Silver Key’s food pantry is the largest in Southern Colorado, with more than 2,000 families of all ages receiving food every month. Furthermore, one-third of Care and Share Food Bank’s donations come from Silver Key. 

When the pandemic arrived in Colorado last year, Silver Key’s leadership knew they had to continue serving the community safely.

“So many people depend on us,” Wilson said. “We had to adjust services. Essential medical transportation and food services stayed, but we couldn’t do social trips or congregate meals. So we pivoted to offering frozen meals for pick up at one of our 14 cafes.”

Silver Key’s “Calls of Reassurance” service, where volunteers call enrolled seniors weekly for social or safety purposes, expanded during COVID from 50 to about 350 clients weekly. The nonprofit has since added a new program called Reassurance+ that combines meal delivery with social interactions one to seven days a week, for a fee.

Another new program Silver Key offers is Five Wishes—an advanced directive care plan that’s easy to understand.

“One of the biggest concerns seniors had as a result of the pandemic was about being a burden to their families,” Wilson said. “We’re committed to our clients to have an informed legal document that clarifies their wishes and gives them peace of mind.”

Silver Key differentiates itself from other senior services by providing everything under one roof. Its V.E.T.S. program helps to serve and provide companionship to veterans in El Paso County. 

“In population terms, we are growing at double the national average for those over 60,” said Wilson. “I think [the organization] has grown that way out of necessity and from the unique characteristics of our area, with the nuance of the military and the impact they’ve had on our community identity.”

While Silver Key’s 50 Year Anniversary Gala was postponed due to the pandemic, it’s now planned for August 7, 2021, at the Boot Barn Hall. Silver Key is located at 1625 S. Murray Blvd. in Colorado Springs. 

To learn more, call 719-884-2300 or visit the Silver Key website.