On August 11, the research team at the Colorado Latino Leadership Advocacy & Research Organization (CLLARO), Dr. Jazmin Muro, Omar Temprana, Blair Bacon, and Mia Villa, presented CLLARO’s preliminary findings and policy recommendations on aging as a Latine at the Colorado Center for Aging’s Advocacy Committee Meeting. This event marked an exciting step forward in CLLARO’s Next50 aging project and pilot cohort, which examines how Latines in Colorado experience aging and social connection.
Read more and view the slides from their presentation here: Social Connection & Aging among Older Latines.
What CLLARO Is Learning About Latine Aging
Early conversations with older Latines in Colorado reveal both common threads and unique challenges.
Work and Caregiving Responsibilities
Many participants shared that they are still working—whether full-time, part-time, through side jobs, or by caring for loved ones—to make ends meet. Caregiving, in particular, appears to play a much larger role in their lives than initial reporting suggested.
Fears and Hopes Around Aging
Experiences varied widely. Some participants expressed fear of becoming a burden, worries about getting sick, or concern about not having someone to care for them. In contrast, others spoke with gratitude and acceptance, embracing aging as an opportunity to reflect and appreciate life.
Quality of Life Shapes Perspectives
These differences are deeply connected to financial stability, support systems, and access to social capital. For some, aging means freedom and peace. For others, it is difficult to accept the changes that come with later life.
Key Themes Emerging
CLLARO’s research highlights several important dynamics in the Latine experience of aging:
- The intersection of aging and gender, which shapes caregiving roles and expectations.
- The cultural value of familismo, which both strengthens social bonds and complicates caregiving pressures.
- The protective mechanisms older adults use to cope with social isolation.
These insights underscore the need for thoughtful, culturally responsive policies that reflect the realities of older Latines in Colorado.
What’s Next
This work is just beginning, but already CLLARO sees the rich diversity of perspectives and the resilience within Latine communities. CLLARO will continue to explore how culture, family, gender, and social supports interact to shape the experience of aging.
CLLARO invites you to follow along as more findings from this project are shared. And if you have questions about the research so far, the CLLARO team would love to hear your thoughts!
Together, we can build a fuller understanding of what it means to age as a Latine adult in Colorado and beyond.