When Andy Searls moved to Summit County in 2005, she was in her late 60s and quickly became involved in conversations about making aging in place easier for the community. In 2018, she helped create and became the president of Staying in Summit, a nonprofit that advocates for the creation of senior living communities and expanded services. Now 89, Searls has worked with the organization to mitigate challenges of aging in place, though the only challenge she has personally faced is having to stop skiing about a year and a half ago after hip-replacement surgery.
Medical experts say the best practices for aging in place in rural mountain communities involve physical fitness, mental health, socialization, financial planning, and logistics. Both Summit and Grand counties have high costs of living and unique health challenges from living at high elevations. Staying active is one of the best things adults can do to increase their chances of aging in place, according to officials from Middle Park Health and CommonSpirit St. Anthony Summit.
Key Components for Successful Aging
Jason Cleckler, the Middle Park Health CEO, noted that orthopedic cases in people 65 and older often involve patients wanting to get procedures done to enable outdoor activities. Dr. Rebecca Smiley, the chief medical officer of CommonSpirit St. Anthony Summit, said some of the best things for aging adults include staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, and not excessively using alcohol and drugs. For older adults specifically, it is important to think about fall prevention, as injuries can cause them to be less active, leading to deconditioning.
Socialization also improves mental and physical health. Social isolation can lead to negative mental health outcomes like depression and anxiety. Medical studies show that people with strong social connections have lower risks of cognitive issues like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. The Summit County Community and Senior Center provides space for Summit 50 Plus, an organization focusing on building community among aging adults. The organization charges members $25 per year and includes events ranging from weekly community dinners to winter games events with skiing and ice skating competitions.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.skyhinews.com/news/summit-county-aging-success-fitness-social-engagement-finances-longevity-2026/