​Going out to eat with our clients is always such a treat.  If they don’t already have a spot in mind, we like to make the most of our outings by choosing a spot they can really enjoy! When it comes to restaurants, loud music and a crowded, busy atmosphere might not be the best choice. Some of our clients have difficulty hearing or need space for a walker or wheelchair (or just enjoy a more laid-back experience). Fortunately for us, Denver’s restaurant scene is thriving, and there’s no reason to limit yourself to the old standbys! Here are some of ECS’s favorite local spots for eating out in the city.
ANNIE’S CAFÉ, 3100 East Colfax Avenue, Arvada
A Denver classic, Annie’s has been serving regulars for over 35 years. A great casual spot for breakfast or lunch, this place is full of fun vintage bric-a-brac and a large-screen TV that plays classic movies on low volume. Its all-day breakfast

menu, large variety of sandwiches and salads and southwestern favorites has something for everyone!  The front doors can be a bit difficult to maneuver with a wheelchair, but once inside, the aisles between tables are nice and wide.

STEUBEN’S FOOD SERVICE, 7355 Ralston Road, Arvada
The menu at Steuben’s is a true masterpiece of comfort food, with everything from fried chicken to macaroni and cheese to pot roast. Make sure you save a little room for one of their homemade desserts…the butterscotch pudding and coconut cake are standouts!  Styled as a modernized 50’s diner, Steuben’s is clean, bright and full of friendly staff that are never in a hurry to take your order. The Arvada location is much more accessible than the smaller spot on 17th, but both offer the same great menu and fantastic service.

ZAIDY’S DELI CHERRY CREEK, 121 Adams St., Denver
Another diner-style restaurant, Zaidy’s has been serving home-style food to Denver regulars since 1985. Usually lunchtimes are busy and you might have a short wait for a table, but the home-made food more than makes up for it. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Zaidy’s offers old-world recipes, all-you-can-eat pickles and an amazing fresh-baked dessert selection. Parking in front and back.  This is a great place to visit after a day of shopping in Cherry Creek!

​BASTIEN’S RESTAURANT, 3503 East Colfax Avenue, Denver
If you have passed by this oddly-shaped building and bright sign on Colfax without giving it much thought, it’s time for a visit!  Since 1937, this midcentury American steakhouse has been serving up supper-club style dinners with old-school sides and classic cocktails. Their famous “sugar steak”, a New York strip with a lightly caramelized sugar glaze is not to be missed; in fact, the beef served at Bastien’s rivals any in town.  The atmosphere is just dim enough, with the music at a great volume for conversation. The ground floor and tables are easily maneuverable, with a wide path around a center “birds nest” second story seating area. 

SWEET COOIE’S ICE CREAM AND CONFECTIONARY, 3506 12th Avenue, Denver
Ok, technically, this isn’t a restaurant, but our clients love it so much that we had to include it! Next time you have a sweet tooth, Sweet Cooie’s is the perfect destination. This adorable soda fountain and ice cream shop has plenty of seating in back, and serves traditional ice cream sodas (striped paper straws and all) that bring back memories for those indulged in them as teenagers! Friendly soda jerks serve homemade truffles, banana splits, malts, shakes and more in a bright, fun atmosphere.
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Sometimes sharing time over a meal or treat is a perfect way to brighten someone’s day! Our Concierges are ready to accompany clients wherever they want to go, so when you can’t be there, think about giving us a call 720-217-8137.  We can plan an outing perfect for the one you care about! 

The need to depend on others for transportation can cause panic, anxiety and even depression, so it’s important to respect their feelings and give them time to process. If possible, making your loved one feel like part of the decision can go a long way in easing the transition.
Get Started on the Right Foot
Rather than coming at your parent with emotion-based concerns for their safety or examples of worrisome behind-the- wheel behavior, try to begin a dialogue about how driving ability changes for all of us as we age. Changes in vision, hearing or mobility; fatigue; prescription medications or chronic conditions; these are just some of the factors that can affect our safety on the road. Not sure how to get started?  Check out The Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence’s free, downloadable publications on how to begin family conversations about driving safety. 
Enlist the Professionals
If your parent rejects the idea that their ability to drive may have declined, you don’t need to be the “bad guy” on your own. There are a variety of programs offered through insurance companies, hospitals and other agencies that work with seniors to educate them on age-specific driving issues, assess driving skills, and when necessary, advise on when it may be time to let others do the driving. Start by contacting your parent’s doctor, or your local Department of Motor Vehicles.   Provided your loved one agrees to a revaluation, if it is indeed time for them to surrender their license, that advice may be better taken from a professional than from a family member.
If you think your parent might respond well to advice from a peer, the Colorado Neurological Institute’s website features a sobering video made by a gentleman who was asked not to drive by his children. He did drive, and unfortunately caused an accident that took someone’s life. The video can be found here. The Institute also offers the DriveABLE Cognative Assessment tool, an on-site assessment program that accurately predicts on-road driving performance. The assessment requires a prescription from a physician, and is used to ascertain when changing abilities from aging are affecting safety behind the wheel.
 
Forcing the Issue
Of course, persuading an elderly parent to voluntarily stop driving is preferable, but if this isn’t possible, there are legal avenues one can take to have an unsafe driver’s license revoked. These procedures vary state by state. In Colorado, a letter must be written to the Department of Revenue, including your name, the driver in question’s name, and your relationship to the driver as well as an explanation of why you feel this person’s driving abilities should be reexamined.  After being reviewed by the Department, a letter to the driver will be issued, explaining that a report has been filed and requesting that the driver report to a center for reevaluation (which may involve written and/or behind-the-wheel testing, depending on the situation).  If the driver does not report for testing within the specified time frame, their license is automatically revoked. It is important to note that although the letter to the driver may not include the name of the person who filed the report, you cannot remain anonymous; the Department of Revenue will, under law, release this information if asked by the driver.
Know Your Options
One way to make sure your parent doesn’t feel isolated after giving up driving is by making sure they are aware of the alternative transportation options in his area. Click here to find AAA’s links to senior-friendly transportation programs by region, or give Elder Concierge Services a call at 720-217-8137 to see if our customized, door-through-door transportation services might be a good fit for your family. ​