Colorado employers will soon be barred from asking questions that could reveal someone's age on a job application.

Colorado lawmakers passed the Job Application Fairness Act in the last session to address age discrimination, which AARP projects could cost the nation nearly $4 trillion in lost productivity by mid-century.

Andrea Kuwik - senior policy analyst with the Bell Policy Center - said in addition to highly honed skill sets, older workers also bring hard-won wisdom that comes with years of experience.

"Whenever we have multi-generational workplaces - so, both older workers, younger workers, middle-age workers - there has been research that shows that increases productivity," said Kuwik. "It benefits the employer, it benefits the workplace across the board."

Continuing to work is a necessity for the vast majority of Americans who have zero or insufficient retirement savings.

According to the National Institute on Retirement Security, white baby boomers own over 90% of the generation's financial assets. Just 3% are owned by Black or Hispanic boomers.

According to AARP, over six in ten workers age 40 and older have seen or experienced some form of age discrimination in the workplace. The growing use of computer algorithms also makes it easier to weed out older job candidates.

Kuwik said many workers who turn 65 - the age society says it's time slow down and enjoy one's 'golden years' - want to remain productive members of society.

"But we also know that a lot of people are saying, 'I want to continue to work, because I find that really meaningful and really valuable. It makes me feel like I am contributing to my community,'" said Kuwik.

Colorado is currently facing a worker shortage crisis for high-demand jobs - including in education, early childhood education, forestry, and nursing.

Kuwik said the new law could help ease that burden by helping more qualified applicants get their foot in the door.

"But we also have these shortages of in-demand workers, if we think about health care, etc," said Kuwik. "And we know that older workers are both able and willing, and really talented and really skilled, to be in these positions."




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November is National Family Caregivers Month, and many of the 200,000 Nebraskans who help care for loved ones with a health issue or disability could use help.

Caregiving can take its toll. In one survey, almost three-fourths of caregivers said they were emotionally stressed, and over half reported financial strain.

Mike Osberg is coordinator of the Caregiver Support Program at the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging, which provides respite, or relief, for caregivers. He said the person being cared for must be age 60 or older, unless they have a diagnosis of early dementia. And they must require help with at least two activities of daily living.

"That includes things like being able to take a bath or shower by themselves, dressing themselves, being able to manually feed themselves," Osberg outlined. "Then, do they have problems with walking and using the bathroom?"

Osberg pointed out the caregiver is actually the client and must be at least 18 years old. They can receive up to six hours a week of relief from an in-home respite provider, or they can have their loved one attend an adult day program for five full days per month.

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging serves Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. Each of Nebraska's eight Area Agencies on Aging provide support for caregivers, although the services may vary.

Each month, they send the caregiver a "contribution request" to cover a suggested percentage of respite expenses. Osberg noted the amount is based on the care receiver's monthly income, or a couple's combined income, if the spouse is the caregiver.

"A lot of folks, their income is low, so we may only ask for them to consider 10% of what the total cost was for the month -- or 20%, or 30% or on up -- but it's strictly voluntary," Osberg emphasized.

He added no one is denied services based on income or inability to pay.

Those who choose an in-home respite provider can schedule how they use the six hours per week, and Osberg stressed the adult day program can benefit the care receiver as well as the caregiver.

"The caregiver gets a bigger chunk of time," Osberg observed. "But also, the care receiver gets to participate in activities, is going to probably eat their noon lunch and snacks there, participate maybe even in a little road trip, things like that."

He said the participating caregiving agencies are all bonded and insured, and conduct background checks on their employees.


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Idaho officials are holding an event in the capitol to recognize family caregivers during National Family Caregiver Month. Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke is reading a proclamation signed by Governor Brad Little in the Capitol Rotunda today.

Francoise Cleveland, associate state director of advocacy, AARP Idaho, said family caregivers often don't recognize the vital role they play.

"They sacrifice their time, their health and their financial stability to provide that care and support, and often this is a labor of love," Cleveland said.

Cleveland added that family caregivers are crucial for ensuring people stay in their homes as they age, which is the option many prefer. There are about 210,000 caregivers in Idaho, according to data from AARP.

Deneice Anderson, a family caregiver in Idaho taking care of her 82 year old mother, said it can be difficult to balance the assistance her mom needs with her own needs.

"She had a gal hit her car one day and so I'm the one that's doing the insurance work for that. And I take her to her appointments - and I work full time," she explained.

Cleveland says AARP Idaho has legislative priorities for the 2024 session that could help improve caregivers' lives.

"We will be working on addressing the shortage of direct care workers in Idaho, protecting vulnerable adults from financial exploitation, ensuring health care is available through Medicaid and working to update the guardianship and conservatorship statutes," Anderson said.

The 2024 legislative session is scheduled to begin on January 8th.

November is National Family Caregivers Month and a few tips can help people with these duties.

Executive Director of the Oregon organization Aging Concerns, Vicki Schmall, said family caregivers often are called the backbone of long-term care.

But she said people performing these roles must remember to think about themselves as well.

"I often say to family caregivers," said Schmall, "taking care of yourself is really the best gift you can give to the person who needs your care."

Schmall said its critical that they be willing to ask for and accept help. She said there are local supports available for caregivers through programs such as Oregon Care Partners and the state's Aging and Disability Resource Connection.

Schmall said people also should do their research early about potential facilities in the event in-home care becomes too much. She pointed to the service Eldercare Locator as a helpful resource in this search.

"What is most important about decision making," said Schmall, "is making decisions based on what is best and not on promises I made earlier or feelings of guilt, and also not on pressures from others."

Schmall emphasized that caregivers need to pay attention to how they're doing.

"If as a caregiver you find yourself becoming socially isolated, it's a warning sign," said Schmall. "It says the importance of making some change because social isolation is not good for either the family caregiver or the person receiving care."