Generations
Michigan
Winter 2011
Adult Day Care
Fills Important Need
for Caregivers
Also in This Issue:
n Ask the Expert
n Caregiving News & Notes
n People Making a Difference
Published quarterly by Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging
TM
Welcome to
Michigan Generations
Michigan is
divided into
16 AAAs,
each serving
a different
part of the
state.
11
They are:
10
Whether you are an older adult yourself, a caregiver or a friend concerned
about the well-being of an older adult,
Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are
ready to help. AAAs in communities
across the country serve as gateways to
local resources, planning efforts, and
services that help older adults remain
independent.
AAAs were established under
the Older Americans Act in 1973 to
respond to the needs of Americans
aged 60 and over in every community. The services available
through AAA agencies fall
into five general categories:
information and consultation,
services available in the community, services in the home,
housing, and elder rights. A wide range of programs is
available within each category.
9
8
7
5
14
4
3A 3B
3C
4Region I V Area Agency on Aging
5Valley Area Agency on Aging
6Tri-County Office on Aging
7Region VII Area Agency on Aging
8Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
9NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging
10 Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan
11 Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging
14 Senior Resources of
West Michigan
Visit the AAA’s state website at www.mi-seniors.net
6
1A
The services offered by
Michigan’s 16 AAAs cover a
broad spectrum of needs, such
as information and referral, case
management, in-home services,
home-delivered meals, senior centers,
transportation, and special outreach.
To read more about each of Michigan’s AAAs and the
services available, turn to page 8 of this issue. MI
1B
2
1C
Generations
Michigan
WINTER 2011 Published quarterly
through a cooperative effort of
Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging.
For information contact:
Mary Ablan
Executive Director
Michigan Area Agencies on
Aging Association
[email protected]
Editorial Project Development:
JAM Communications, Atlanta, GA
Design and Production:
Wells-Smith Partners, Lilburn, GA
On the Cover:
Adult day care provides family
members with a much-needed break
in caregiving, as well as offering
important services such as medical
monitoring and a variety of wellplanned activities. Here’s what you
need to know about this important
resource for caregivers. See story,
page 4.
Winter 2011 Volume 8, #3 © 2011 by the
Michigan Area Agencies on Aging. The information
contained herein has been obtained from sources
believed to be reliable. However, the Michigan Area
Agencies on Aging and JAM Communications make
no warranty to the accuracy or reliability of this
information. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means without written permission. All rights
reserved.
map photography courtesy travel michigan
AAAs —‑Gateways to
Community Resources
1A Detroit Area Agency on Aging
1B Area Agency on Aging 1-B
1C The Senior Alliance
2Region 2 Area Agency on Aging
3AKalamazoo Co. Health &
Community Services Dept.
Region 3A
3BRegion IIIB Area Agency on Aging
3CBranch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIIC
CAREGIVINGNews&Notes
Be
a
E
Smart
Protein
Eater
ating protein daily is important to provide the building blocks for your muscles, organs, hormones and
immune system. Inadequate protein can lead to decreased
strength and stamina from muscle loss, less immune
power and more difficult recovery from
injury or illness.
How much protein
do you need? How
much is too much?
Check with your doctor
about your individual
needs. For adults who are in good health, 58 grams per
day for a 160-pound adult is average. Distributing your
protein consumption throughout the day is more effective
than eating it all in one or two meals.
Lean meat, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy products are
your best sources, as well as plant foods such as beans
and nuts.
Here are some excellent plant sources of protein:
• Beans
14-16 grams per cup
• Grains
6-8 grams per cup
• Brown rice 5 grams per cup
• Whole wheat bread 4 grams per slice
• Peanut butter 8 grams per 2 tbsp.
• Almonds 6 grams per oz. (23 almonds)
• Walnuts
4 grams per oz. (14 halves)
MMAP MONITOR
I
f you are new to Medicare, you will need to
understand the Medicare Prescription Drug
Benefit. Medicare coverage includes a prescription
drug benefit, which helps people to pay for their
prescription drugs. Medicare works with insurance
and other private companies to offer these plans.
If you enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan,
portions of your costs are paid by the plan.
If you are worried that your prescriptions aren’t
covered under your new prescription drug benefit,
keep in mind that the plans normally cover all the
types of drugs commonly needed. Each drug plan
has a set of “transition” rules that apply to a person who is new to a plan and is already receiving a
course of drug treatment. If a particular drug is not
covered, Medicare has a procedure for requesting a
“non-formulary” drug or appealing any decision by
a plan not to cover a prescribed drug.
To access MMAP’s free health-benefit counseling service, call 1-800-803-7174 or visit the MMAP
website at www.mmapinc.org.
Read MMAP MONITOR in future issues of
Generations for more information on MMAP services.
Winter 2011
When the “Weather Outside
Is Frightful”
I
t’s common to reduce your physical activity during the cold winter months. But
fitness experts say that there’s no reason to
stop exercising. Without leaving home, you
can do flexibility, balancing and strength
exercises in your kitchen or bedroom.
These include circling your arms slowly to
stretch the upper body, toe raises standing
at the kitchen counter, and balancing on one leg at a time. In
addition, you can join mall walking groups or, if you live in an
apartment building, walk the hallways and staircases. Just by
doing these exercises 30 minutes a day, you can help to maintain
your strength and balance until the warm months return.
Stroke:
e:a Killer
trokIt’s
S
D
espite progress in the prevention and treatment
of stroke in the past decade, stroke remains the
U.S.’s third-leading cause of death and number one
cause of disability.
A recent survey found that only 28% of adults recognized the warning signs for stroke — and just 18%
knew what to do in the event of a possible stroke. The
right answer: Call 9-1-1. The fastest way to get stroke treatment started is
to get paramedics to the patient immediately, rather than trying to get the
patient to an emergency room yourself.
Keep these warning signs of stroke in mind:
• Sudden numbness or weakness in face, arm or leg,
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding,
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes,
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance,
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.
Surfing the Net
Each issue of Michigan Generations offers several
websites devoted to caregiving information
and resources:
www.disability.gov/housing tells about
housing rights, tax credits, making a home
accessible and supportive housing services
that can help people with disabilities.
www.grandparents.com offers articles for today’s active seniors who
wish to be involved grandparents — activities, kid-friendly recipes and
expert advice on family, education, health and fitness and more.
3
e
r
a
C
y
a
Adult D
Fills Important Need for Caregivers
By Martha Nolan McKenzie
T
wo or three days a week, Christine Mlecki drops her
85-year-old mother off at Pleasant Days Adult Day
Care in Omer. For Christine, it’s an opportunity to
get some things done around her home or work as
a part-time home cleaner. For Matilda “Tilly” Wloch, who
suffers from Alzheimer’s, it’s an opportunity to spend some
time in a different setting with other seniors who have similar
memory issues.
“We live out in the middle of nowhere, and it can be
pretty isolated here,” says Mlecki. “She enjoys the activities
and the people at the center, and they take such wonderful
care of her there. And I get a break, which I really need now
and then. It’s really been a blessing for both of us.”
It’s a blessing more and more of us are going to need. By
2030, the number of Americans age 65 and older will double —
to 70 million. Anywhere from 50% to 80% of this group will
need some type of long-term care due to physical or mental
limitations. Many of these seniors will be cared for by a
spouse, adult child or other family member. To keep from
burning out while juggling jobs, children and community
obligations with their caregiving duties, these caregivers will
need a break — the kind of break adult day care is designed
to give. In other words, what child care centers were to
4
working parents in the ’80s and ’90s, adult day care centers
are to caregivers now and in the coming decades.
“The need for adult day care is huge and it’s only going
to get bigger,” says Jennifer Burley, community outreach
specialist with the Tri-County Office on Aging in Lansing.
“People are living longer and want to stay in their own
homes. Adult children are balancing their jobs, children and
other responsibilities with taking care of an elder parent.
Adult day care provides a critical resource for these families.”
Despite the need, many who could benefit from adult
day care don’t take advantage of it. “We’ve been around for 15
years now and people still come in here and say, ‘Oh my gosh!
You are the best-kept secret in town! I never knew you were
here,’ ” says Karol Cain, program director for the Caring Place
Adult Day Center in Alpena. “I think it’s because people don’t
look for these types of services until they really need them.”
Others confuse adult day care centers with senior centers. The latter caters to seniors who are physically and
mentally active and seek interaction with peers. The ratio of
staff to clients is about one to 50 or 60. Adult day care centers, by contrast, provide a more sheltered environment for
people who have memory loss or physical impairment and
need more care than someone going to a senior center. The
ratio of staff to clients is closer to one to five.
Some caregivers see adult day centers as a last-resort
option. “There is still a stigma out there that people associate with going to an adult day care center,” says Florence T.
Michigan Generations
Photo courtesy of Golden Horizon Adult Care Center
Parker, executive director of SAC Adult Day Care, Inc., in
Detroit. “Caregivers may find it hard to accept a day care
concept for their husband or father. Seniors may feel like
they are being taken to something like a nursing home. But
really what adult day care offers is balance and enhanced
quality of life to seniors and their caregivers.”
Once they clear these hurdles and give adult day care
a try, caregivers and seniors alike are often very pleasantly
surprised. “We always feel most comfortable when we are
with people like ourselves,” says Kara LaMarre, developmental projects coordinator for Region 9 AAA. “At adult day
care, seniors can have social interaction with others who are
in similar situations with similar memory or health issues.
Everyone is understanding of everyone else because they
have the same issues. And caregivers can have the freedom
to do the things they need to do and recharge themselves
physically and mentally while knowing their loved one is
being cared for in a safe place.”
There are three models of adult day care centers:
The Social Model: This type of center provides assistance
with some activities of daily living (ADLs) and recreational activities designed to stimulate physical and mental functioning.
The Health/Medical Model: This model provides — in
addition to the above — skilled nursing and rehabilitation
services, including occupational and physical therapies,
speech and language therapy, and other health and medication services. This model is partially funded by Medicaid
because it provides these health services.
The Specialized Model: This type of center provides
services targeting specific populations, such as individuals
with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Virtually all adult day care centers provide a midday
meal, and some serve breakfast as well. Some offer transportation to and from the center, while others require clients
to get there on their own. Medical models can accept clients with a wide range of impairments, but if you have any
Winter 2011
questions, you should check with the center to make sure it
can accommodate your loved one’s particular condition.
Michigan has no licensing requirements to open a center.
That means you should get your information from a reliable
source and ask plenty of questions:
• Who owns or sponsors the adult day care center?
• How long has it been operating?
• What are the days and hours of operation?
• Is transportation provided?
• Which conditions are accepted (e.g., memory loss, limited mobility, incontinence)?
• What are the staff ’s credentials, and what is the ratio
of staff to participants?
• What activities are offered? Are there a variety of individual and group programs?
• Are meals and snacks included? Are special diets
accommodated?
Providing respite for the caregiver
The overriding benefit of adult day care is to provide
respite for the caregiver. The ability to entrust a loved one
in a safe, caring environment, with competent staff and peer
interaction, may be the extra buoy that keeps the caregiver’s
head above water.
“The job of caregiving is often 24 hours a day, seven days
a week, and it’s extremely stressful,” says Cain. “And many
people land in the role unexpectedly, so they are unprepared
for it. Plus, they might have other obligations — a job, raising children, etc. Or they might be fairly frail themselves.
Getting a little time away from the stresses and responsibilities of caregiving is absolutely critical.”
So critical that failing to take needed breaks can compromise the caregiver’s ability to provide care. “I’ve seen it
so many times,” says Burley. “The caregiver puts her loved
one’s needs first and neglects her own. She may feel like a
5
failure if she asks for any kind of help. But if you let yourself
become too depleted, you wind up in a situation where you
and your spouse both need care.”
Virginia Thornley doesn’t plan to let that happen. The
78-year-old Lincoln woman uses the two days her husband
attends the Caring Place Adult Day Care to play tennis.
“When Donald developed Alzheimer’s, I had to drop out
of a lot of my activities,” she says. “But I wouldn’t give up
my tennis. It’s good exercise and I get to let out some of my
aggression and frustration on the ball. It helps keep me in
condition for what is ahead. I have to take care of myself or I
won’t be able to take care of him.”
Respite can also mean the difference between being able
to keep a loved one at home and being forced to put him or
her in a nursing home. “The use of adult day care centers can
help caregivers delay nursing home placement for their loved
one, sometimes by several years,” says Deb Conarty, director of
dementia services with Seasons Adult Day Services in Midland
and immediate past president of Michigan Adult Day Services
Association. “Sometimes it can prevent a placement entirely.”
That’s what Debbie Owens hopes to achieve. Owens,
45, has lived in her mother’s Detroit home and cared for
her since the now-85-year-old woman was diagnosed with
dementia. At first, she was able to leave her mother alone
during the day while she went to work, calling each day at
lunch to check on her. “One day I called and didn’t get an
Adult day care offers a huge
financial savings in avoided
nursing home stays.
answer,” says Owens. “I went home and she wasn’t in the
house. I found her wandering several streets away.”
Faced with the knowledge she could no longer leave her
mother home alone, Owens saw two options ahead — a nursing home or adult day care. She chose the latter. “My whole
purpose has been to keep her in her own home, in her familiar surroundings,” says Owens.
So while she goes to work each day, her mother, Catherine, attends SAC Adult Day Care. “I needed to know that
when I was at work, she was being properly taken care of in
a clean and safe environment,” says Owens. “It’s given me
tremendous peace of mind.”
But much more than peace of mind is at stake. Adult day
care offers a huge financial savings in avoided nursing home
stays. According to the National Organization of Adult Day
Centers, the average annual cost for a five-day-a-week adult
day care program is $25,000, while the average annual cost
for nursing homes is $75,000. Five-day-a-week in-home care
runs an average of $40,000 a year. “We are talking about
incredible health care cost savings,” says Gloria VanHaitsma,
current president of the Michigan Adult Day Services Association and caregiver support coordinator of Evergreen Commons Adult Day Care. “Adult day care can help keep people
in their home, where they want to be anyway, and save society a staggering amount of money.”
6
Social stimulation for seniors
While caregivers reap incalculable benefits from adult
day care, the seniors who attend gain something as well —
primarily socialization. At the centers, the seniors interact
with each other in activities designed to stimulate body and
mind. They may discuss current events, do chair exercises,
work in a garden, play bingo or do a craft.
“You often think about the caregiver needing a break, but
the loved one being cared for at home needs a break, too,” says
Burley. “It’s an opportunity for them to be with other people
who are functioning in their same situation. It stimulates them
mentally, socially and emotionally. And it can give them a
sense of autonomy. They are going out and doing something
that is theirs — their center, their friends, their activities.”
Indeed, a recent study by San Francisco’s Institute on
Aging found that adult day centers help maintain their clients’ health and independence. The study followed 16 seniors
at adult day centers and compared them to a group who did
not attend a center. It found that after one year, the seniors
who went to a center had fewer problems with daily activities and perceived an increase in their quality of life.
“It’s quite overwhelming when you see the difference
from when they first come in to when they’ve been here
a while,” says Karen Pitylak, director of the Sunrise Side
Senior Services, which operates Pleasant Days Adult Day
Care in Omer. “At home they are just staring out the window. But here they do so many different things and talk to so
many different people. It just adds so much to their life, and
you can see the difference.”
Attending a day care center has made a difference in
Fred Kausch’s life. Kausch, 73, suffers from a rare neuro­
degenerative disease that is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease because it carries similar symptoms. When he
was diagnosed four years ago, his prognosis was not promising. But Kausch, according to his wife, Diana, “…is doing
great. He is physically and mentally active. His disease has
not progressed as rapidly as the doctors thought it would.
And I attribute a lot of it to the adult day care.
“He loves every minute of it,” continues the Owendale
woman. “He can’t speak but there is nothing wrong with him
mentally, and he is somehow able to communicate with everyone there. They play cards, do exercises and once a week a
lady comes in with a therapy dog — they go wild for that.
If he sat here with me in the house all day, you can imagine
how fast he’d go downhill. He comes home (from HDC Adult
Day Care in Bad Axe) every day tired in a good way.”
Promoting physical and mental health
Adult day health services can play a vital role in keeping seniors healthy and independent. These medical model
day cares employ registered nurses and nursing assistants to
monitor and care for their charges.
At Evergreen Commons in Holland, two certified nurses
provide a monthly assessment of each participant, checking
weight, blood pressure, glucose levels and other vital signs. They
can dispense medications, empty catheters and change bandages. If the nurses notice any physical change, they notify the
Michigan Generations
family immediately. “We’ll suggest that the client needs to see a
doctor,” says VanHaitsma. “The medical monitoring we provide
can be a real benefit for our clients and their caregivers.”
Many adult day centers specialize in serving clients with
dementia. That’s because caregiving to this set of seniors is
particularly taxing. Centers that cater to clients with dementia focus on activities that enhance physical, cognitive and
memory skills and are staffed with people who are specially
trained to deal with the disease.
These centers offer a host of benefits for caregivers and
their elderly parents. First and foremost they provide a safe
environment for the participants, with safety features in
place to handle wandering and other behaviors that are common among Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. The staff is
trained to pay attention and look for signs of trouble or dangerous behaviors in elders.
Daily activities, exercise and socialization are tailored to
individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. In addition, the
staff provides assistance with personal care and toileting, as
well as coordinated care between physicians, families and
other care providers. Programs run from several hours to a
full day. Participants may attend daily, a few times a week,
weekly, or just for special activities.
“We incorporate several cognitive activities throughout
the day,” says Conarty. “We do memory-enhancing games,
reminiscing and meaningful life skills, such as cooking, gardening and personal care. When I talk to caregivers, I find
this setting helped their loved ones by improving their language skills, cognitive skills and sleep quality.”
Unique day care models
Some adult day centers are going intergenerational,
combining child care with adult care. While the two groups
congregate in separate areas, they come together for combined activities, to the benefit of all participants. Golden
Horizons Adult Care Center in Bay City started life as a
child care center housed in an old elementary school. In
1988, adult care was added, and no one has looked back.
“Our senior clients read to the children, do arts and
crafts projects with them and musical activities,” says Stacy
McIntyre, the center’s program coordinator. “We’ve done an
ice cream social for the seniors and the kids, and we’ve had
a bingo day.” The seniors look forward to the times they have
with the children. “It gives the seniors an opportunity for
some unconditional attention,” says McIntyre. “Our senior
clients have dementia and the language problems that can
come with it, and having a conversation with a child can be
less frustrating.”
In Caro, the Generations Center was built as an intergenerational center from the get-go. “We set out to create an
intergenerational center so we could have programming that
involved both groups,” says Sean Smith, intergenerational
services manager of the center. “We have a before- and afterschool program for kids and an adult day program for seniors.”
The seniors get a chance to bring out their child-atheart, and the children develop an understanding of people
with differing abilities. “We do sensitivity training with the
kids,” says Smith. “They wear glasses smeared with Vaseline
Winter 2011
How to Evaluate Your Visit
to a Day Care Center
• Did you feel welcome?
• Were the center services and activities properly
explained?
• Were you given information regarding staffing,
programming and costs?
• Is the facility clean, pleasant and free of odor?
• Is the building and site wheelchair-accessible?
• Is the furniture sturdy and comfortable?
• Are there loungers and chairs with arms for
relaxation?
Is
• there a quiet place in the center?
• Did the staff and participants seem cheerful and
comfortable?
to simulate cataracts, ear plugs to simulate hearing loss,
things like that. We hope it makes them more empathetic.”
In Benton Harbor and Paw Paw, the Day Services for
Seniors programs of Child & Family Services of Southwestern Michigan, Inc. boast the state’s only Eden Alternative
Centers registration. Eden Alternative’s philosophy strives to
eliminate loneliness, helplessness and boredom by empowering seniors to give as well as receive care. “Some people with
more physical ability push those in wheelchairs,” says Susan
Struwin, director of adult services. “We have one man who
loves to fold laundry and wipe tables down. Others help care
for plants and animals.”
The seniors’ services reach beyond the walls of the center. They make dog biscuits to give to the local animal shelter.
They make gifts to send to servicemen and women overseas.
“To be able to make a contribution means so much to anyone,
but especially to seniors who have experienced many losses,”
says Struwin. “It can add dignity and meaning to a life.”
The average cost for an adult day care center is about $64
per day, depending on where you live and the services provided. Professional health care services will mean higher fees.
Many facilities offer services on a sliding fee scale, meaning
that what you pay is based on your income and ability to pay.
Medicare and traditional Medicaid do not cover adult day
care centers. The MI Choice program (Medicaid Waiver) can
pay in some cases, if certain medical and financial qualifications are met. MI Choice is a community-based program that
provides care to people still living at home, but are nursing
home–eligible. Other state funding for adult day centers
comes from OSA (Office of Services to the Aging) through
the Area Agencies on Aging. Each region has their own rules
for assessment and financial support for individuals.
Private medical insurance policies sometimes cover a
portion of adult day care center costs when licensed medical
professionals are involved in the care. Long-term care insurance may also pay for adult day services, depending on the
policy. Additionally, dependent-care tax credits may be available to you as a caregiver.
To find an adult day care in your area, call your local
AAA. You can also ask your physician’s office or an association such as the Alzheimer’s Association. MI
7
Regional News
In communities across the U.S., Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serve as gateways to local resources,
planning efforts and services that help caregivers and older adults. In this section, you will find timely
information on the services offered by the Michigan AAAs that co-sponsor this magazine: Detroit Area
Agency on Aging, Region IV Area Agency on Aging, Tri-County Office on Aging, Region VII Area Agency on
Aging, NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging and Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging.
Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA
Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B
Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc.
Reg 2 / Reg 2 AAA
S potlight O n …
Region IV Area Agency on Aging
Covering Michigan’s Great Southwest including Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties
One Call Can Change Lives!
Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human
Services Dept. (Region 3)
Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB
O
ffering Choices for Independent
Lives is the mission of the Region
IV Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in St.
Joseph, Michigan. Since 1974, the AAA
has been serving seniors, people with
disabilities and caregivers in the Southwest Michigan counties of Berrien,
Cass and Van Buren.
The AAA, a not-for-profit corporation, is designated by the state of
Michigan to receive federal and state
funds that support elders. Additional
local, state and federal resources are
used to meet local needs for people
regardless of their income, while targeting those most in need.
Part of a network of more than
650 AAAs nationwide and 16 in Michigan, the AAA identifies community
needs, plans services, finds local agencies to fill gaps and uses resources to
pay for services.
The AAA’s programs and services
impact one person and one family at a
time. A recent visit to the home of a
local family demonstrates this firsthand.
As “Sadie” became more and more
confused, her daughter and son-in-law
were concerned for her safety while
they were at work. They learned about
the AAA and called the Info-Line
8
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging
Sadie and her senior companion take a stroll.
for Aging and Disability and received
information
that
couldMI
Reg 9 / NEMSCA Regabout
9 AAA services
Reg 10 / AAA
of Northwest
support Sadie and her family.
The AAA’s Care Management staff
visited the family and told them more
about programs and costs. Together
they put a plan in place according to
Sadie’s wishes and preferences. Now
Sadie enjoys attending Adult Day
Services once a week, and her family purchases additional home care.
Through the AAA-funded volunteer
senior companions, Sadie and her companion are together at home twice a
week — they’ve formed a close bond.
A hospice nurse also comes in a few
Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA
(IIIC)
Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA
times a week, and the church
family pitches in, too.
Should more help be
needed in the future — like
home-delivered meals or MI
Choice waiver services — the
AAA is available to explain
these to Sadie
family.
Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA
Reg 8 /and
AAA ofher
Western
Michigan
MI Choice is one of several
care management services
offered and is designed for
low-income people who need
nursing home care. It provides
options for those who wish to
remain living independently in
the community with services, instead
to aAAA
nursing
Regof
11 /going
Upper Peninsula
Reg home.
14 / Senior Resources of
Michigan
Sadie’s daughter West
attended
“Creating Confident Caregivers” classes, an
AAA evening class series for caregivers of persons with dementia.
This story illustrates how one call
to the AAA can positively affect the
lives of one family. These services and
many others are available in Southwest Michigan, thanks to the AAA
and its partner agencies.
To learn more about the AAA or
services, call the Info-Line for Aging and
Disability at 1-800-654-2810, or log on
to www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org.
Michigan Generations
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
Serving Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and the five Grosse Pointes in Wayne County
No Wrong Door to Long-Term Care
Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA
Reg 1-B / AAA
Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human
Services Dept. (Region 3)
Reg 3-B / Burn
DAAA’s Long-Term Care Navigators proudly display their certificates after completing classroom training and on-the-job experience to assist
consumers with long-term care planning.
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
A
team of Long-Term Care
Navigators is now in place at
the Detroit Area Agency on Aging
(DAAA) to provide information
and to advocate for those who need
access to the long-term care system.
After 60 hours of classroom training
and several days of on-the-job experience, the navigators assist DAAA’s
information specialists, economic
security coordinator and options
counselors in their work with older
adults in Detroit, Highland Park,
Harper Woods, Hamtramck and
the five Grosse Pointes.
The navigators are all paraprofessionals who have had community college or vocational training, and
collectively they have several years of
experience in human services, customer service or business. They, too,
are older adults with a vested interest
in quality long-term care.
Navigators share information
about the multiple pathways to
long-term care, including help finding existing resources, exploring
options and follow-up services.
They will urge the consumer to
Winter 2011
plan for legal and financial issues
with long-term care, and they will
explain how long-term care can be
paid for with Medicare, Medicaid,
pensions, insurance and/or annuity
funds. In the process, navigators
will assess consumer needs for
long-term care using centralized
screening and assessment tools.
Person-centered planning
drives the work of navigators. This
approach to counseling delivers
individualized, creative options that
aim to achieve meaningful goals
based on the individual’s strengths
and preferences. The personcentered approach creates a team
of people who know and care
about an individual and who work
together to organize and provide
the supports necessary to make
the goals a reality. Through personcentered planning, navigators will
help consumers see their personal
options and possibilities, now and
into the future.
For any assistance related to longterm care, contact the Detroit Area
Agency on Aging, 313-446-4444.
Reg 6 / Tri-Cou
New Help for Caregivers
The six-week series, Creating Confident
Caregivers, is now available in Southeast
Michigan to provide participants with
information and skills to manage stress
and improve caregiving skills. Sessions are
based on the Savvy Caregiver
Program,
a
Reg 9 / NEMSCA
Reg 9 AAA
university-tested program for family members caring for a loved one with dementia
at home. Call 248-996-1052 for more
information on a class in your area.
Reg 10 / AAA
10–11 a.m., Saturdays
WGPR, 107.5 FM
A magazine-style radio show covering
healthy aging, caregiving, long-term care
planning and more — all for older adults,
individuals with disabilities, caregivers,
health and long-term care professionals,
and the grown children of aging parents.
Hosted by Paul Bridgewater, President &
CEO, Detroit Area Agency on Aging.
9
Services Dept. (Region 3)
(IIIC)
Tri-County Office on Aging
A consortium of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties and the cities of Lansing and East Lansing
New Housing Specialist Serves
Seniors and Persons with Disabilities
T
he Tri-County Office on Aging
(TCOA) has a new Housing Specialist who helps seniors and persons
with disabilities to secure independent
living options in the community. The
Housing Specialist, in conjunction with
NFT staff members, offers support
and assistance to area seniors who
are transitioning from nursing facilities
to independent housing. When necessary, the transition team assists with
locating supplemental supports, such
as homemaker or chore services, to
ensure a safe and successful transition.
The Housing Specialist also provides information regarding subsidized
housing and other rental opportunities to interested seniors, and
advocates on behalf of older adults to
ensure adherence to fair housing laws
by property owners.
The Tri-County Office on Aging
serves as the lead agency in the area
for senior housing vouchers in Ingham
County. Community members can
Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA
schedule an appointment
with the
Housing Specialist to review eligibility
requirements and complete application materials. Using the voucher
program, seniors can qualify for discounted rent that is tailored to their
needs based on income. This option
gives participants a sense of security
because they have affordable rent
3-A / Kalamazoo
with a reliable financialRegsource
thatCty. Human
Services Dept. (Region 3)
pays the remaining portion. To be
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging
Reg 7 / Reg V
eligible for a housing voucher, persons
must be 55 or older, live in Ingham
County, be homeless or chronically
homeless, have special needs or be a
domestic violence survivor.
Reg 10 / AAA offor
Northwesta
MI
Seniors can apply
Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc.
discounted rent voucher.
Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA
Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B
For more information on housing options in Clinton, Eaton and
Ingham counties, contact Elena Shaw
at the Tri-County Office on Aging at
517-887-1448 or [email protected].
For more information about
other TCOA programs, please call
Reg
3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg
Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA
517-887-1440
orIIIB1-800-405-9141,
(IIIC)
or visit our website at www.tcoa.org.
Reg 11 / Upp
Reg 2 / Reg 2
Reg 4 / Reg I
Region VII Area Agency on Aging
Serving Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola counties
Intergenerational Program Provides a Unique Experience
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
G
olden Horizons Adult Day Care
Center, located at 1001 Marsac
Street in Bay City, is dedicated to
providing and coordinating support
services for individuals and their families affected by Alzheimer’s disease
and other related dementia disorders.
The adult day care center has an
innovative program for older adults
with memory loss, who participate
in activities in a supportive, supervised setting by day, and return to
the comfort of their home at night.
The benefits of participation can
include socialization, mental stimulation, physical activity, maintenance of
daily living skills and enhanced selfesteem. Another huge benefit, which
also makes the adult day care center
10
Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA
Seniors enjoy activities with children.
unique, is that it offers child care
in a separate section of the building. A couple times a week, the two
Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging
Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA
generations interact through activities
such as playing bingo, having an ice
cream social, singing karaoke or doing
arts and crafts.
Adult day care may be just what
you need if you are caring for someone with memory loss and:
•
having
difficulty
Reg 10 you
/ AAA ofare
Northwest
MI
Reg 11 / Upperfinding
Peninsula AAA
meaningful, stimulating activities for
them, and free time for yourself.
• your family member requires
supervision while you are at work.
• your family member has become
socially isolated.
For more information about Golden
Horizons Adult Day Care Center, call
989-892-6644. You can also contact
the Region VII Area Agency on Aging at
1-800-858-1637 or www.region7aaa.org.
Michigan Generations
Reg 8 / AAA
Reg 14 / Seni
West Michiga
NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging
Covering 12 counties of Northeast Michigan
Transportation Help for Seniors
Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA
I
n an effort to expand bus services
to individuals with special needs,
the Thunder Bay Transportation
Authority is promoting an important
cost-savings feature: a reduced fare
of 50% off their regular prices for
seniors and persons with disabilities.
The Authority has a new certification process for seniors or disabled
individuals who want to apply for
the reduced fare. To use this service,
the person should fill out a one-page
application, which will qualify him or
her for reduced-fare certification. For
disabled individuals, the form needs
to be filed by a medically trained person. Qualifying individuals will then be
issued a card, which they will need to
show each time they board the bus.
To qualify for the reduced-fare
pass, seniors must be age 65 or older.
The pass can be used at all times;
there are no date or time restrictions. Forms are available by mail or
can be picked up on buses.
Seniors or disabled
Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human
individuals canServices
apply
for
Dept. (Region
3)
a reduced fare of 50%
off the regular price for
riding the bus.
To further its reach into the community, the Authority has hired a
mobility manager to help
seniors and
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
other individuals who have trans-
Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA
Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B
Reg 10 / AAA
Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc.
portation problems. A person needing help can call the Region 9 office
or the Authority, and the mobility
manager will coordinate services,
so transportation can be provided.
“This will be important for people
who have no way to get to doctors’
offices or other important appointments,”
says Billi
general
Reg
3-B / Burnham-Brook
Reg IIIBEdmunds,
Reg 3-C / Branch-St.
Joseph AAA
manager and CFO of(IIIC)Prell Services,
the management company for the
Authority. “We want to reach people
who haven’t been able to use our
service in the past.”
To receive a reduced-fare application
form, call 989-356-4596 in Alpena; in
other areas, call 989-354-2487. For
information
about
theRegRegion
AAA, call
Reg
6 / Tri-County Office
on Aging
7 / Reg VII9
AAA
1-800-219-2273.
Reg 2 / Reg
Reg 4 / Reg
Reg 8 / AAA
Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging
Serving all 15 counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Prevention Is the Best Medicine
Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA
A
ccording to a recent study led
by the National Association of
Area Agencies on Aging, by 2030 one
of every five people will be age 65 or
older. Also according to this study, the
top growing concerns among older
adults are access to affordable health
care and preventive services; the ability to afford, prepare or gain access to
food; concern about safety and security; and remaining in their own homes
as long as possible with access to
services and assistance. (Source: The
Maturing of America, 2007)
We have all heard the old adage
that “prevention is the best medicine.” Many programs and services
have recently been created to ensure
that our growing senior population
Winter 2011
remains healthy, active and able to live
in their own communities throughout
their lifetime. Several of these services are provided locally by the U.P.
Area Agency on Aging.
Here are some things you can do
to guarantee that you stay as healthy
as possible and enjoy your best years:
• Starting in January 2011, take advantage of the new Annual Wellness Exam
and screenings available to everyone on
Medicare. These benefits are now free!
• Find out if you are eligible for “extra
help” programs that help seniors pay
their out-of-pocket health care costs,
or help pay for food. These programs
ensure that folks are getting the health
care, medications and food they need
to stay as healthy as possible.
• If you have been
diagnosed with a chronic
Reg 11 / Upper Peninsula AAA
disease (for example, diabetes or
heart disease), take advantage of a
PATH program offered in your area
to learn how to manage your condition in the healthiest way possible.
• If you are caring for a loved one
with memory loss, take the Creating
Confident Caregivers class to help
you manage the stress of caregiving,
and keep yourself healthy.
• Join classes at your local hospital
or senior center on healthy eating or
diabetes education.
• Take advantage of the local senior
nutrition program and other available
services that help you stay in your
own home for as long as possible.
For more information about these and
other programs in your community, call
UPCAP’s 2-1-1 call center.
Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI
11
Reg 14 / Sen
West Michig
People Making a Difference
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
Victor Getter
V
ictor Getter is 95 years old and has suffered a
stroke, yet he still volunteers regularly for the
Detroit AAA’s Holiday Meals on Wheels program.
“I’m the oldest volunteer they have,” says Getter.
Getter has not missed a single holiday since he
started volunteering with the program more than 20
years ago, according to Paul Bridgewater, president and
CEO of the Detroit AAA. “We deliver meals at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and Labor Day, and Victor has
not missed one holiday,” says Bridgewater.
A retired truck driver, Getter began volunteering with the Michigan Commission for the Blind as
a driver. In a sort of “Driving Miss Daisy” scenario,
Getter drove Betty Russ wherever she needed to go for some 20 years. “Her son
would tell people I was the grandfather he never had,” says Getter.
When Getter heard the Holiday Meals on Wheels program was looking for
dependable drivers to deliver meals to area churches, he signed up. “My grandmother
always told me, ‘If you can help someone, help them,’” says Getter.
And help he does. “Victor is the most generous person I’ve met,” says Bridgewater. “He is an inspiration to my staff and to the community he serves.” MI
Region IV Area Agency on Aging
Bev Reitz-Rittmeyer
“I
am truly interested in good health, achieved by
exercise, healthy eating and positive mind control.”
This, according to Bev Reitz-Rittmeyer, was the
reason she became an instructor for the Area Agency
on Aging’s (AAA) Personal Action Toward Health
(PATH) program, an initiative aimed to help people
with chronic health conditions live life to the fullest.
Bev has always been busy. She raised 8 children, and
15 kids know her as Grandma. Following a distinguished
career for more than 30 years in research and engineering with Whirlpool Corporation, she continues to keep a full calendar with volunteer
work through the YMCA, her church and her neighborhood association. She’s served on
the AAA Advisory Council since 1999, and chaired the group for two years.
Even with her busy schedule, it didn’t take much persuasion for Bev to agree to
teach PATH classes. She says that having a new direction and focus in her life has
helped her to work through some of the trials and tribulations that she experienced
being a caregiver and losing her husband in 2009 after an extended illness.
When asked what she likes best about being a PATH instructor, Bev says she
likes meeting and working with people who are interested in making changes in
their lifestyle, and as a result feel healthier and better about themselves. She says
this is her greatest satisfaction. MI
12
Tri-County Office
on Aging
Marilyn Noeker
M
arilyn Noeker laughs and jokes
as she works with other volunteers to prepare for the Tri-County
Office on Aging Annual Dinner and
Auction. She’s been a critical force in
making this event happen for about
10 years.
Marilyn worked as an occupational
therapist for several years. Many of
the people she served received critical
services from Meals on Wheels. “When
I retired early, I knew this was one
place I could help,” Marilyn says. She
started delivering meals 12 years ago.
“At the time I was over-committed,”
she says. “I had to drop some things,
but I stayed at Tri-County because I
knew I was appreciated and making a
difference.”
In addition to her work with Meals
on Wheels and the Annual Dinner and
Auction, Marilyn recently helped coordinate a Soup Bowl Dinner fundraiser
for Meals on Wheels. She is a shining
example of how one person can make a
difference in her community. MI
Michigan Generations
Caregivers, volunteers, professionals — they are the “unsung heroes” around our
state. And they share one common goal: to improve the lives of others.
Region VII Area
Agency on Aging
Lois Landrie
L
ois can still remember her first
volunteering experience with her
grandmother when she was about
10 years old, and today she continues
to dedicate her time to volunteering.
As a retired social worker, Lois loves
to be around people, and that is why
once a month she enjoys volunteering
her time to Golden Horizons Adult
Day Care Center. She is also giving
back to Golden Horizons for the care
they provided to her husband while he
attended the center.
Since Golden Horizons is an intergenerational center, Lois interacts with
Region 9 Area Agency on Aging
Denise Parrott
A
s a business owner, Denise Parrott
knows the importance of supporting
your community. It’s one of the things she
does best. Parrott is the Medicare/Medicaid
Assistance Program (MMAP) site coordinator
for Presque Isle County.
“Some years ago, I would have argued
that I was too busy with a full-time job, a
household and active life with family and
friends to find time to volunteer,” Parrott
says. “But, since I began volunteering, I’ve
learned that time is relative and, to my
surprise, the hours of the day expand just
enough to help other people.”
Although she is busy, Parrott finds the experience of helping seniors navigate
the world of Medicare to be rewarding. Recently she was recognized in Region 9
for providing the most MMAP “true” volunteer hours during the last fiscal year.
“My life is, without question, a better and sweeter life because I volunteer,” she
says. The residents of Presque Isle County are lucky to have her. MI
Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging
Ken Myllyla
“I
both the older adults and children. She
discusses a topic first with the older
adults, and then discusses a similar
topic with the children while the older
adults sit and listen to the children’s
responses.
In addition to volunteering once a
month at Golden Horizons, Lois also
volunteers for her local church and
sits on the Senior Advisory Council of
Bay County, where senior issues are
discussed and advocated for. For Lois,
volunteering “makes her feel good,”
she says. MI
Winter 2011
guess I don’t know how to say ‘no,’” says Ken
Myllyla. “And I like to help the community.”
That might explain why Myllyla, 78, volunteers some 10 to 20 hours per week on various
boards, including several affiliated with the Upper
Peninsula AAA, UPCAP. One board puts on an
informational program each year addressing specific interests/concerns of aging. “One year, for
example, we brought in pharmacists to talk about
the new Medicare drug coverage,” says Myllyla.
“It’s always very well received. People fill in evaluations afterwards and say things like ‘Keep doing
what you’re doing!’”
Another board on which Myllyla serves works
to secure state and federal grants to provide aging and disability resources. Yet
another board oversees the UPCAP budget and proposed initiatives.
Until recently, Myllyla and his wife, Rose, also volunteered as ombudsmen
for area nursing homes. “We would go visit nursing homes, and if a resident had a
complaint, we’d be the mediator between the administration and the patient,” says
Myllyla. “We were able to resolve a lot of disputes. As a retired elementary school
principal, and Rose is a retired teacher, you learn how to politely solve all kinds of
issues without causing a lot of arguments.” MI
13
ASK the Expert
Laura McCain
Vitamin D in the News
Why do we keep hearing about
Vitamin D in the news?
we’ ve known about vitamin d
since 1919, when the Industrial Revolution was in full swing and children were
developing a bone issue that made their
lower leg bones bend and deform. It was
found that these children were working in industrial conditions all day and
not receiving any sunlight. This resulted
in such weak bone structures that their
legs couldn’t hold up the weight of their
bodies without bending — a condition called rickets. In the late 19th and
early 20th centuries, German physicians noted that consuming cod liver
oil could reverse rickets. Many of my
patients remember holding their nose
and taking their dose from Mom when
they were small.
What benefits are the latest studies
showing?
since that time, the “ sunshine
Vitamin” has been definitely linked to
calcium absorption and bone health. But
recently there has been a flurry of studies that are showing an amazing number
of other health functions for Vitamin D.
Here is a brief list:
• Regulates cell growth
• Decreases malignancies, especially of the colon, breast and prostate
• Modulates cell-mediated immunity (increasing immune status)
• Promotes T-cells that do not
react to “self ” tissue (reducing risk for
auto-immune disorders)
• Stimulates insulin production
How much Vitamin D should we be
taking if it helps reduce the risk for
so many diseases?
a growing body of research suggests
that Vitamin D might play some role in
the prevention and treatment of cancer,
14
diabetes, high blood pressure, glucose
intolerance, multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
So how much Vitamin D do we
need? The current Recommended
Daily Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin
D is 400 I.U. per day for most adults,
and then it increases to 600 I.U. per
day for the age group over 70 years old.
We are expecting to see an increase
in that amount, but presently there is
no official amount yet cited from the
Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the
Institute of Medicine of the National
Academies (formerly National Academy
of Sciences). Most physicians are recommending a dose of 2000 I.U. per day
for those who have a low current blood
level of Vitamin D. This is the current
tolerable Upper Intake level (UL).
If you are concerned about how much
circulating Vitamin D you have, ask to
have your level checked at your next
annual physical. The desirable level for
overall health and disease prevention
appears to be >37.5 nmol/L.
What are the sources for Vitamin D?
there are very few food sources
of Vitamin D, which is why cod liver oil
was used years ago. The problem with
cod liver oil is that it also contains a
large amount of Vitamin A, which you
can end up getting too much of while
attempting to increase your Vitamin D
level. Salmon, mackerel and tuna, along
with fortified foods such as fluid milk,
are also fairly significant sources of
Vitamin D.
If your current blood level is low,
chances are you won’t be able to
significantly raise your level without
supplementation.
This may be a good topic of conversation to have with your doctor the next
time you have your check-up.
Once you get past a certain age,
does your diet still matter?
yes! as long as you are alive,
your diet matters! Adequate amounts of
protein, whole grains for their fiber, and
fresh produce for their vitamin/mineral
content all make a huge difference in
your health. Just deciding to eat at least
three to five servings of fruits and vegetables per day can impact your stores
of various vitamins and minerals, along
with improving bowel regularity.
Many elderly individuals have an
insufficient intake of protein. Women
often stop drinking milk because of a
lactose intolerance, they reduce their
meat intake striving to cut back on fat,
or they don’t eat cheese or peanut butter,
also because of a concern for fat content.
This leads to meals that are full of carbohydrate but not enough protein.
The bottom line for your body is that
it needs at least 50 to 65 grams of protein
per day. This can be achieved by eating
at least two to three ounces of meat, fish
or poultry two times per day. If you are a
vegetarian, you would meet your protein
needs with dried beans, peas, lentils and
potentially dairy and eggs.
Overall, a healthy diet is not complicated. Three balanced meals per day
with the occasional healthy snack is all
it takes. What makes a balanced meal?
A serving of at least three food groups:
for example, three ounces of chicken
with a whole grain such as brown rice,
and a healthy serving of a vegetable, like
steamed broccoli.
Laura McCain, RD, CDE, has worked
at Munson Medical Center for 15 years.
She received her BS in Medical Dietetics
from the University of Illinois in 1980.
She has worked in hospitals in Ann Arbor,
St. Louis and Shreveport, Louisiana.
Michigan Generations
RESOURCE GUIDE
for Michigan Caregivers and Seniors
Clip and Save this list of important statewide and regional resources and services.
STATEWIDE / NATIONAL RESOURCES
Meals-On-Wheels
Alzheimer’s Association — Greater Michigan Chapter . . . . 1-800-272-3900
American Cancer Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-227-2345
American Diabetes Association — Michigan Office . . . . . . . 248-433-3830
American Heart Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-242-8721
Arthritis Foundation — Michigan Chapter
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248-649-2891 or 1-800-968-3030
Bureau of Health Service (nursing home complaints) . . . . . 1-800-882-6006
Department of Consumer Industries (adult foster care complaints)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-685-0006
Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) . . . . . . . . 1-800-803-7174
Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization . . . . . . . . . . 517-886-6667
Michigan Office of the Attorney General . . . . . . . www.seniorbrigade.com
Michigan Office of Services to the Aging . . . . . . . . . . . www.miseniors.net
Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248-433-1011
National Multiple Sclerosis Society — Michigan Chapter . . 1-800-344-4867
Regional Resources
detroit area agency on aging (1a):
Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-446-4444
Outreach & Assistance
Bridging Communities — Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Detroit Senior Citizens Department — Detroit . . . . . . . . . . .
Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan — Redford . . . . . . .
Services for Older Citizens — Grosse Pointe . . . . . . . . . . . .
313-361-6377
313-224-1000
313-937-8291
313-882-9600
Senior Centers
Association of Chinese Americans, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Delray United Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Latino Family Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
North American Indian Assn. of Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
St. Patrick Senior Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
St. Rose Senior Citizen Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Virginia Park Citizens Service Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reuther Older Adult & Wellness Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
313-831-1790
313-297-7921
313-841-7380
313-535-2966
313-833-7080
313-921-9277
313-894-2830
313-831-8650
region iv area agency on aging:
AAA Info-Line . . . . . . . . 1-800-654-2810; www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org
Custom Care — Care Connections of Southwest Michigan
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-442-2803; www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org
Elder Care Locator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 -800-677-1666; www.eldercare.gov
Senior Nutrition Services . 1-800-722-5392; www.seniornutritionregiv.org
Senior Volunteer and Intergeneration Programs
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-660-2725; www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org
tri-county office on aging (region 6):
Information and Assistance — Clinton, Eaton and
Ingham Counties
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-405-9141 or 517-887-1440; www.tcoa.org
Project Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-405-9141 or 517-887-1440
For in-home service assistance and the Medicaid home/
community-based services waiver (MI Choice)
Winter 2011
Greater Lansing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-1460 or 1-800-405-9141
Clinton County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-224-3600 or 1-888-224-3030
Eaton County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-541-2330 or 1-866-541-5444
Rural Ingham County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-676-2775
Senior Dining Site Information . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-1393 or 1-800-405-9141
AARP Tax Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-1440 or 1-800-405-9141
region vii area agency on aging:
Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-858-1637
Alzheimer’s Association of Mid-Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-337-3827
Lakeshore Legal Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-552-2889
MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-858-1637
Bay Co. Division on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-895-4100
Clare County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-952-3160
Gladwin County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-952-0056
Gratiot County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-875-5246
Human Development Commission (Huron, Tuscola
and Sanilac counties) . . . . . . . . . . . 989-673-4121 or 1-800-843-6394
Isabella County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-878-0726
Midland County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-638-2058
Saginaw County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-763-6336
nemcsa region 9 area agency on aging:
Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-356-3474
Long-Term Care Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-485-9393
Multi-purpose Senior Centers
Alcona County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Alpena Area Senior Citizens Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arenac County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cheboygan County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Crawford County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iosco County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Montmorency County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ogemaw County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oscoda County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Otsego County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Presque Isle County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Roscommon County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
989-736-8879
989-356-3585
989-653-2692
231-627-7234
989-348-7123
989-728-6484
989-785-2580
989-345-5300
989-826-3025
989-732-1122
989-766-8191
989-366-0205
upper peninsula area agency on aging/upcap:
Information & Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dial 2-1-1 or 906-786-4701
Outside the U.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-338-7227
U.P. Long Term Care Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-485-9393
UPCAP Care Management/Field Offices
Escanaba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Houghton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iron Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Marquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sault Ste. Marie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
906-786-4701
906-482-0982
906-774-9918
906-228-6169
906-632-9835
15
Important Upcoming Dates & Events
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
Winter Wellness Classes
Contact the Detroit Wellness Center nearest you for a
schedule of upcoming sessions related to your health
and fitness needs, including Enhance Fitness, PATH
(Personal Action Toward Health) and A Matter of
Balance:
• St. Patrick Senior Center, 58 Parsons St., Detroit,
MI 48201, 313-833-7080.
• Matrix Human Services, Reuther Older Adult
and Wellness Services. Located at the Patton
Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere St., Detroit,
MI 48209, 313-831-8650.
• St. John Riverview Senior Wellness Center, 7633
East Jefferson, Suite 170, Detroit, MI 48214,
1-888-751-5465.
Miracles Happen: Black
Innovators, Then & Now
Friday, February 18, 2011; 6–8 p.m.
Detroit Area Agency on Aging, 1333 Brewery Park
Blvd., 1st Level, Detroit, MI 48207, 313-446-4444.
Be sure to attend this Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren Black History Month program.
Eat Right with Color — Nutrition
and Fitness Fair
March 2011
This annual event recognizes National Nutrition Month
and includes cooking and fitness demonstrations, educational forums, guest speakers and more. Date and
location were not confirmed at press time. For details,
call 313-446-4444 or visit www.daaa1a.org.
Easter Sunday — Holiday Meals
on Wheels
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Over 5,000 hot meals will be delivered on Easter
Sunday to homebound seniors and individuals with
disabilities in Detroit, Hamtramck, Harper Woods,
Highland Park and the five Grosse Pointes.
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED. Call 313-446-4444.
Region Iv Area Agency on Aging
Creating Confident Caregivers
People who care for someone with Alzheimer’s or
dementia are encouraged to attend a 12-hour training
course. To register, call Tracy at 1-800-442-2803.
• Thursdays, March 10–April 14, 2011;
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Cass County Council on Aging, 60525 Decatur Road,
Cassopolis, MI 49031.
• Tuesdays, July 12–August 16, 2011; 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Lakeland Hospital, Niles, 31 North St. Joseph
Avenue, Niles, MI 49120.
PATH (Personal Action
Toward Health)
PATH, a six-week workshop series, teaches skills
to live a healthy life while challenged with ongoing
chronic conditions. Pre-registration is required.
• Tuesdays, January 11–February 15, 2011;
1–3:30 p.m.
Region IV Area Agency on Aging, 2900 Lakeview
Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49090.
Call Julie, 269-982-7759, or Tracy, 1-800-442-2803.
• Tuesdays, January 18–February 22, 2011;
1:30–4 p.m.
Warren Senior Center, 540 Williams Street, South
Haven, MI 49090. Call Terri at 269-637-3825 or
Sandy at 269-637-3607.
Tri-County Office on Aging
Enhance Fitness
Enhance Fitness is an evidence-based exercise class
for older adults. Registration is required. Classes are
one hour long with three sessions per week. Class
content includes aerobic exercise, strength training
with ankle weights, balance and flexibility exercises.
Call today for a class location in your area!
For more information, contact Jane Braatz at
517-669-1864 or [email protected].
Creating Confident Caregivers
Based on the university-tested Savvy Caregiver program, Creating Confident Caregivers is a six-week
series that provides participants with knowledge and
skills needed to manage stress and improve caregiving
skills. FREE RESPITE CARE PROVIDED.
Call today for a class in your area. 517-887-1447 or
[email protected]
Region Vii Area Agency on Aging
PATH (Personal Action
Toward Health)
Workshops designed to provide the skills and tools
needed by people living with chronic health conditions
to improve their health and manage their symptoms.
Call 1-800-858-1637 for more information.
Disenrollment Period for
Medicare Advantage Plans
January 1–February 15, 2011.
This is an opportunity to disenroll in a Medicare
Advantage Plan and return to original Medicare and to
choose a prescription drug plan. Call 1-800-803-7174
for more information or for an appointment.
Senior Advisory Group
This is a non-partisan voluntary group that identifies
issues of importance to older adults in Mid-Michigan.
The Central Michigan Senior Advisory Group is
now accepting membership applications. For more
information, call Region VII Area Agency on Aging,
1-800-858-1637.
Region 9 Area Agency on Aging
Best Practices of Northern
Michigan Quarterly Meeting
Wednesday, February 1; 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Stone House, Kalkaska Memorial Hospital.
This meeting is open to all nursing home staff, direct
caregivers, APS workers, CMH workers and anyone
else interested in improving the quality of life and
quality of care for our elders and disabled adults. Call
Sharon Greenhoe, LTC Ombudsman, 989-358-2944, to
RSVP and receive a meeting agenda.
Personal Action Toward Health
Leader Training
March 23–24 and 30–31; Tawas, MI.
For more information, call Kara at 989-358-4616 or
1-800-219-2273, ext. 216.
Upper Peninsula Area Agency
on Aging
Personal Action Toward Health
(PATH) Classes
Menominee: February 15–March 22, 2011 at Interfaith Manor.
Marquette: January 28–March 4, 2011 at the Peninsula Medical Center.
Iron Mountain: Three workshops planned to begin
in February, March and May at Dickinson County
Hospital.
Watersmeet: January 2011.
Call Tonya LaFave at 1-800-338-7227 to inquire or
register for classes.
Creating Confident Caregivers
Iron Mountain: February 14–March 21, 2011*
Ewen/Trout Creek: March 2–April 6, 2011*
Marquette: March 8–April 12, 2011*
Ontonagon: March 8–April 12, 2011*
Grand Marias: March 8–April 12, 2011*
Escanaba: March 10–April 14, 2011; UPCAP, 2501
14th Ave. South
Sault Ste. Marie: March 10–April 14, 2011*
* Locations to be determined. Call Tammy Rosa at
1-800-338-7227 to inquire or register for CCC classes.