Christian Living Communities

02/16/2026

Scammers are getting more sophisticated—and older adults are in their crosshairs.
This week on Aging Unscripted, we're joined by Jamie Sorrells from Colorado's 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, who works on the front lines of elder fraud cases. Jamie breaks down why older adults are targeted, the most common scams happening right now, and the red flags we all need to recognize.
From phone calls claiming to be the IRS to crypto schemes, romance scams, and even financial abuse by family members—Jamie shares real-world warning signs and exactly what to do if you suspect fraud.
🎧 Listen to "Staying One Step Ahead of Scams" (Season 2, Episode 3) now on your favorite podcast platform.
https://youtu.be/jX59h3KcJNo?si=2cdC50brP5aVTKb5

Knowledge is protection. Let's keep our community informed and one step ahead.

This episode of Aging Unscripted, "Staying One Step Ahead of Scams," is focused on protecting older adults from the growing threat of fraud.From online, phon...

02/13/2026

In recognition of America’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th anniversaries, we are taking this moment to reflect, honor, and pass forward the stories of the remarkable people who have shaped both our history and our future. We’re gathering stories of individuals within the CLC family of residents, families, team members, and supporters who have made a meaningful impact locally or nationally. Learn more about this initiative, get inspired, and submit a story at https://christianlivingcommunities.org/who-we-are/our-people-our-legacy/.

As we approach two extraordinary anniversaries - the 250th birthday of the United States and Colorado’s 150th year of statehood - we are proud to celebrate the individuals who make our organization, our state, and our nation strong.

02/06/2026

The future of long-term care is evolving and so can you! Christian Living Communities is one of only six state-approved organizations offering a Medication Aide Authority Training program and spots are filling up for the Spring Session (April 6 - May 1). This fast-paced program helps CNAs expand their skills, build their confidence, and make an even greater impact in the lives of older adults. Learn more at https://christianlivingcommunities.org/blog/advancing-cna-careers-through-medication-aide-training/.

01/30/2026

This week, Denver7 featured Holly Creek Life Plan Community’s radio station, HCRK, and its Wanderings program, through which hosts Cil Stenman and Sandy Washington highlight the stories of residents and team members. Cil and Sandy recently interviewed three fellow neighbors, Carol Furuta, Ruth Kawamura and Jane Mayeda, who shared their experiences as Japanese Americans during World War II. We encourage you to listen to their stories.

Three WWII Japanese-American incarceration survivors share their stories on Holly Creek’s “Wanderings” radio program, connecting a Colorado retirement commun...

01/23/2026

New Episode Alert! 🎙️
Colorado is changing. Birth rates are falling, fewer people are moving here, and the fastest-growing age group is adults 75–84—with more Coloradans living into their 90s and beyond.
What does this mean for our communities, healthcare, and workforce?
In the latest episode of Aging Unscripted, hosts Jill Vitale-Aussem and Pam Sullivan talk with former Colorado State Demographer Elizabeth Garner about Colorado's population pivot and what it means for all of us.
🎧 Listen now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HbJyS04ar4 or wherever you get your podcasts

Colorado is in the middle of a demographic shift unlike anything we’ve seen before. Birth rates are falling, migration has slowed, and the fastest-growing ag...

01/20/2026

A tax-smart giving strategy allows supporters of non-profit organizations to make an incredible impact while also maximizing their tax savings. Beginning in 2026, there will be some exciting (and in some cases complicated) changes to charitable giving tax deductions. As you start thinking about your charitable giving plan for this year, you may want to keep these changes in mind. Learn more at https://christianlivingcommunities.org/blog/why-2026-brings-new-opportunities-for-meaningful-tax-smart-giving/.

We break down the exciting - and complicated - changes to charitable giving tax deductions that start in 2026.

01/20/2026

Evidence tells us that to live a long and healthy life, we need a role to play, meaningful purpose in our lives, and we need to belong and have influence. This is what CLC’s Citizenship Model is all about. In a recent guest blog written for Love & Company, CLC President & CEO Jill Vitale-Aussem shares how cultures of citizenship within senior living communities can unlock meaning, autonomy, and well-being: https://christianlivingcommunities.org/blog/reimagining-senior-living-citizenship-model-life-plan-communities/.

CLC President & CEO Jill Vitale-Aussem shares how citizenship can help senior living communities unlock meaning, autonomy, and well-being.

01/08/2026

For CLC communities providing care for lower-income older adults, Medicaid already reimburses just 70–80% of the actual cost of care. What happens if funding is cut even more? When the Colorado legislature convenes on January 14, lawmakers will face a $1.2 billion budget shortfall, and Medicaid funding will be at the center of the debate over how to balance the budget.

Medicaid makes up close to 36% of Colorado’s combined budget and supports critical services for families, people with disabilities, and older adults. That’s why we’re urging all Coloradans to understand the real cost of cutting Medicaid—and learn how you can help protect essential senior services: https://christianlivingcommunities.org/blog/medicaid-budgets-and-the-future-of-aging-care/.

Medicaid funding makes up 36% of the state’s budget when state and federal dollars are combined, and supports critical aging care services.

01/08/2026

After reading “Bed Number Ten,” written by Sue Baier and Mary Zimmeth Schomaker about Sue’s 10-month hospital stay battling Guillain-Barre syndrome, Dan Swiatkiewicz, CLC’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, drew parallels between Sue’s story and the experiences of residents of senior living communities who are impacted by institutional practices.

While many senior living communities have moved away from institutional models, there are still opportunities for growth and change in our field. Through the lens of The Eden Alternative Domains of Well-Being, Dan shares the lessons that senior living communities - and healthcare providers as a whole - can learn from Sue’s story and how they can embrace a culture of well-being, dignity, and person-directed care: https://www.edenalt.org/lessons-in-senior-living-from-the-book-bed-number-ten/.

**New blog alert!**

Eden Alternative Board Vice Chair, Dan Swiatkiewicz, was moved when he read "Bed Number Ten" by Sue Baier & Mary Zimmeth Schomaker. Read his blog to find out which parts were particularly powerful and how he is using what he read to remind himself of the consequences of loneliness, helplessness, and boredom.
Click here to read: https://bit.ly/48jhnFp

12/31/2025

New Episode Alert - Aging Unscripted. The funding crisis affecting older adults isn't abstract policy — it's about real people who deserve better.

In our latest episode of Aging Unscripted, hosts Jill Vitale-Aussem and Pam Sullivan sit down with Doug Farmer, President & CEO of the Colorado Healthcare Association, to break down the Medicaid funding landscape in clear, everyday terms.

Listen now and discover how you can make a difference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2m5I5hKSYY

In this episode of Aging Unscripted, “The Fight for Funding: Seniors, Medicaid, and the Road Ahead,” we break down the complex world of Medicaid funding — wh...

12/30/2025

It has been a festive and joyful December at CLC-Ca****la communities across Colorado! From horse-drawn carriage rides and caroling to Christmas light parades and holiday dinners, we’ve enjoyed gathering with friends and family this holiday season.

12/19/2025

For many supporters, giving is about more than meeting a financial requirement. It’s about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. A gift from your IRA offers a powerful way to do both. Learn more about IRA gifts and how they can support creativity, connection, and well-being for older adults: https://christianlivingcommunities.org/blog/making-an-ira-gift/.

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows individuals age 70½ or older to make a tax-free gift directly from their IRA to a qualified nonprofit—like Christian Living Communities.