In Longmont, a beloved Spanish-language diabetes management program at the Longmont Senior Center is facing an uncertain future, as federal funding cuts threaten vital services that help older adults stay healthy and connected. Community members and longtime advocates warn that the loss of this program could have serious consequences for seniors, particularly Spanish-speaking residents managing chronic conditions.
Across Boulder County, programs funded through the Older Americans Act have helped seniors live longer, healthier, and more independently. But now, a popular Spanish-language nutrition and diabetes management class at the Longmont Senior Center is set to end this December due to funding cuts.
KGNU’s Rossana Longo visited the center to hear directly from participants, meet the instructor behind the program, and understand the impact of this loss. She also spoke with Theresa Deanni, former program manager for the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, about why programs like this are so essential for the health and dignity of our aging community.
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Narration_RLB_Seniors Rossana Longo-Better
With chronic conditions like diabetes disproportionately affecting older adults, especially in underserved communities, programs like this one have been life-changing. For many Spanish-speaking seniors in Longmont, the class offers more than just vital information on managing diabetes; it’s also a place of connection, support, and empowerment. As the program faces closure, its participants, instructors, and advocates worry about the future and the ripple effect this loss could have on seniors’ health and well-being.
