MIG03-3_Su_Editorial by Wells-Smith Partners

Generations Michigan

Summer 2003

Premier ISSUE

Locating Help for Caregivers Also in This Issue: ■ Expert Advice on Long Term Care Insurance ■ A Look at AAAs Around Michigan Published quarterly by Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging

Michigan

Generations SUMMER 2003 Published quarterly

through a cooperative effort of Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging. For information contact: Jenny Jarvis 248-262-9202 jjarvis@aaa1b.com

Editorial Project Development: JAM Communications, Atlanta, GA Design and Production: Wells-Smith Partners, Lilburn, GA

On the Cover: Generations of families are linked by love — and the knowledge that caring for each other is a family affair. Excellent caregiving resources are available to make the job easier. See story, page 4.

Summer 2003, Volume 1, #1 © 2003 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.

Michigan Generations

Welcome to Michigan Generations Michigan is divided into 16 AAAs, each serving a different

part of the state. They are:

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PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY TRAVEL MICHIGAN

AAAs— Gateways to Community Resources

9 Whether you are an older 8 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 Summer 2003

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1 Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging 2 Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan 3 Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan 4 Senior Resources of West Michigan 5 Tri-County Office on Aging 6 Burnham-Brook Region IIIB Area Agency on Aging 7 Kalamazoo Cty.Human Services Dept.Region 3-A 8 Branch-St.Joseph Area Agency on Aging (IIIC) 9 Region I V Area Agency on Aging 10 NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging 11 Region VII Area Agency on Aging 12 Valley Area Agency on Aging 13 Detroit Area Agency on Aging 14 The Senior Alliance 15 Area Agency on Aging 1-B 16 Region 2 Area Agency on Aging

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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. 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 10 of this issue. MI

Caregiving Today:

Challenges and Choices

Text by Martha Nolan McKenzie Photography by Larson Photography

n July, 2002, Hattie Patterson made a decision that changed her life. She moved her brother from the nursing home where he had lived for two years into her own home. Her brother, once a vibrant man who loved to garden, suffered from dementia and restricted mobility, the result of brain damage from a diabetic coma. “He was deteriorating, but I knew having the love and care of family would inspire him to get better,” said Patterson, who lives in Grand Rapids. And in fact, her brother, Walter, did improve under his sister’s care. He started speaking more clearly and walking without assistance. The responsibilities of caring for him, however, took a toll on Patterson. A “fifty-something” co-chair for a local hospital authority and active volunteer, Patterson had to cut back on many of her activities and curtail most of her social outlets. “I had to help Walter get dressed before I could get dressed,” she said. “I had to help him eat before I could eat. It was hard to get out because I couldn’t leave him alone.” Happily, Patterson found Family Life Center, an adult day care facility in Grand Rapids. “Walter loves it,” said Patterson. “There is a garden and aquarium there, and they have so many activities for him to do. And for me, it has meant more than I can say. I have the According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, a caregiver “propeace of mind of knowing he is in a place that vides unpaid care to a relative or friend who is aged 50 or older to is going to take good care of him and I can live help them take care of themselves. Caregiving may include help with my life again.” personal needs or household chores. It might be taking care of a Patterson has also taken advantage of Famperson’s finances, arranging for outside services or visiting regularly ily Life Center’s overnight respite program, to see how they are doing.This person need not live with you.” enrolling Walter for a three-day stay in January so she could take a much needed rest. And she has participated in caregiver support groups at the center. Mary McCartney and “It’s a very uplifting experience to share your experiences with othdaughter, Maria Milstead. ers who have gone through the same thing,” said Patterson. “I found out I’m not alone out there.” Indeed, Patterson has plenty of company. Nearly one quarter of all U.S. households — representing 22 million people — provide care for a relative or friend over 50, according to study by the National Alliance for Caregiving. And those numbers are only going to increase.

Are you a caregiver?

Michigan Generations

“The oldest boomers are now 57,” said Sandra Timmerman, a gerontologist and director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute in Westport, CT. “Their parents are in their 70s and 80s, which is when chronic conditions begin to show up. Eldercare will be to the coming decade what childcare was to the previous decades.” These 22 million caregivers face what may be the most daunting task of their lifetime. All too often, the full weight of providing care for a loved one falls on one pair of shoulders. The caregiver struggling under that burden can become overwhelmed. Just ask Linda Jones. A registered nurse in Michigan, Jones had cared for patients professionally for years when her father became ill with Parkinsons and she assumed responsibility for his care. “I had the skills to do it, was trained to do it and knew how to find the resources I needed, and it was still an incredibly hard job,” said Jones, who is now president of a home health care agency, president of the Chronic Illness Coalition of Michigan and a board member of the National Family Caregivers Association. “It is a very physically, emotionally and financially draining job. And if it was that difficult for me, just imagine what it’s like for someone with no caregiving background.” Fortunately, there are more resources available for caregivers like Jones and Patterson than ever before — from respite care to transportation services, from legal aid to support groups and from home health services to prescription drug programs. The challenge for caregivers is to locate and evaluate these resources. “Many family caregivers don’t know what they need, and if they do, they don’t know where to go in the system to find it,” said Suzanne Mitz, president and co-founder of the National Family Caregivers Association in Kensington, MD. “Everything is so fractured, so it’s difficult to pull together exactly what you need. And people usually start looking for resources when something has happened, like their spouse has had a stroke, so they are in a heightened state of emotional anxiety.” Caregiving experts point out that if you know where to look, however, the process can be a lot easier. Here are several general areas in which to begin your search.

Here’s just a sampling of programs at AAAs around Michigan: ■ Branch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging (IIIC) in Coldwater offers funding for unique family caregiver needs that are not able to be met through traditional sources. “We’ve helped families pay for insurance premiums, clothing, car repairs and respite care,” said Laura Sutter, the agency’s Senior Services Coordinator. “And, we helped one woman get a mammogram for the first time in about 20 years. We’ve also provided lift chairs to assist families with ambulating their loved ones.” Last year, the agency gave out about $20,000 to fulfill these unique needs and expects that number to increase this year. ■ Area Agency on Aging 1-B in Southfield provides out-ofhome respite care for older adults in each of the six counties it serves. Caregivers can make reservations for stays of up to two weeks twice a year. “One of the most difficult challenges facing any caregiver is arranging to be away from their loved one for a length of time, whether it’s to take a brief vacation or attend a family or business event,” said Sandra Reminga, executive director of the Area Agency on Aging 1-B. “Many caregivers had nowhere to turn until now. Our program gives caregivers flexibility to plan time away while knowing their loved one is in good hands.” ■ Burnham Brook Region IIIB in Battle Creek partners with a local hospital and a local mental health agency to provide a care-

Your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) AAAs are located in many communities and serve as gateways to local resources for caregivers. “Your first stop should be your Area Agency on Aging,” said Tom Czerwinski, president of the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan. “We all have large databases of resources and services in our areas. We can’t give you everything, but we can get you started.” For example, if you wanted to find homemaking assistance for your elderly mother, to help her remain in her own home as long as possible, an information and referral specialist could give you a list of organizations that provide this service in your area. She will also help you determine if there are other services your mother may require that would help improve her quality of life including care management. AAAs have teams of nurses and social workers that would work with you and your mother to develop a care plan specific to her needs. While all of the AAA offices provide information and assistance, actual programs and offerings vary from agency to agency. Summer 2003

early

one quarter of all U.S. households

care

provide

for a friend or relative over 50.

giver resource library and caregiver training classes. The library houses books, videos and computer stations with Internet access. “As far as we know, our library is the only one like it in our sevencounty area,” said Rosalie Rypma, program coordinator for Senior Health Partners, which is the name for the partnership of the AAA, the hospital and the mental health agency. The training classes are held four times a year and include a session at an adult day care facility so enrollees can get hands-on experience with things like transferring patients from a bed to a wheelchair. ■ In addition to funding two caregiver training programs and specialized respite programs, the Detroit Area Agency on Aging funds two faith-based caregiving initiatives at six local churches. “We thought working with neighborhood churches would be a good way to identify caregivers and bring them into our network that way,” said Gale Simmons, service provider manager for the agency. “It’s also been a good opportunity to let the churches know about the AAAs and the services we offer.” ■ The Kalamazoo County Human Services Department (Region 3A) in Nazareth provides funding for the Caregiver Resource Center, which offers programs designed to help seniors stay in their homes. “We have books and videos they can borrow, information sheets, and we do private consultation,” said Lorie Peterson, coordinator of the Center. “We will sit down with the caregiver, give them options and help them get the services they need.” The Center also sponsored a Caregiver Wellness Day in April. 5

Rep. Zelenko Works to Improve System freak accident transformed Paula Zelenko, state representative from the 50th district in Genesse County, from daughter into caregiver almost overnight. It was a fall day in 2000 and her 63-year-old father was helping a neighbor take down a tree in Zelenko’s hometown of Burton. “It’s something he did all the time,” said Zelenko. But a large dead limb from an adjacent tree fell and hit her father on his head, breaking his neck and leaving him a quadraplegic. Zelenko’s mother, who suffered from diabetes and hypertension, threw herself in to caring for her husband, to the detriment of her own health. “After Dad’s accident, Mother’s blood pressure was often out of control, even with her medications,” said Zelenko. “She soon had several small strokes and was finally left with blood pressurePaula Zelenko with her parents, Richard and related dementia.” Louise Prine, and her brothers, Steve and It became clear Dennis, in 1999. to Zelenko that her parents needed help. She and her two brothers hired a caregiver, whom they found through the Valley Area Agency on Aging. “Her name is Robin Callaway and she was with my parents for three years,” said Zelenko. “She was terrific.” However, her parents’ conditions continued to deteriorate. Zelenko found Medicare would not pay for physical therapy for her father, so she and her brothers started doing the therapy themselves. Zelenko could also find no suitable therapy for her mother, who got to the point where she could no longer walk and drifted through the day in a dream state. Zelenko was still grappling with finding appropriate care when her father caught pneumonia in January and passed away. Zelenko’s mother followed her spouse 10 days later. “When Dad passed away, Mother’s condition deteriorated very rapidly,” said Zelenko. The experience left Zelenko determined to improve the system that she found so challenging. “If I had difficulty finding answers, I can imagine the frustrations of people who are regular citizens and not public office holders.” Zelenko now heads Michigan’s Long Term Care Task Force. She is spending the summer traveling across Michigan and holding public hearings to determine common concerns and experiences regarding long term care. “As our population ages, we need to get services lined up to take care of these situations. I want to put together some sort of game plan for how we can begin to prepare ourselves for long term care.” MG

“It was a day to pamper the caregivers,” said Peterson. “We gave them breakfast and lunch, we had workshops where they could get a lot of information, and we even had a massage table so they could get a rub. It was a wonderful thing for them, and we plan to make it an annual event.”

Your church or local faith-based organization Churches, synagogues or temples are the first place many people go when they need help and support. Religious organizations can often refer parishioners to support services in the community, and some even provide programs themselves. The Helping Helpers program in Grand Rapids began in two local churches a year ago. Funded by the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan and produced by the Gerontology Network, Helping Helpers is a six-session program in which caregivers can learn about services available to them in their community, acquire new skills to help in their caregiving tasks and share feelings and issues with other caregivers. “We touch on everything from legal and financial issues to stress management to specific skills needed to provide care,” said Terry Azkoul, Helping Helpers project coordinator for Gerontology Network. “One caregiver who attended the sessions told me she didn’t know how she survived before she found Helping Helpers.” Faith-based organizations, such as Catholic Charities USA, the Lutheran Ministries Association, Jewish Family Services and other similar groups are also good places to look for help. Jewish Family Services in Southfield provides a myriad of services, including assessments, care management, counseling, home care, meals-on-wheels, respite care and escorted transportation. “We’ll pick up an older adult, for example, drive him to his doctor’s appointment, walk him into the doctor’s office, get him seated and sign him in,” said Dave Moss, director of marketing and development for Jewish Family Service. The organization also offers an assisted living program on one floor of the Jewish Federation Apartments in Oak Park. “We provide everything — meals, social activities, personal care,” said Moss.

Your employer or the care recipient’s employer More and more U.S. companies are recognizing the importance of supporting their caregiving employees. This has led to a growing trend in providing eldercare benefits for workers. Harris Rothenberg, International, LLC, a national work/life services firm, offers eldercare information, counseling and referral to employees at companies, large and small, across the U.S. Many are located in Michigan. Alan Kulevicz, a stocker at Costco in Waterford, recently turned to his company’s employee assistance program, which offers eldercare counseling through Harris Rothenberg. When Kulevicz’s father passed away in November 2002, he moved his 84-year-old mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, into his home. The Costco employee knew very little about his mother’s condition and wasn’t sure where to go for help. He decided to call Costco’s employee assistance number, and he was happy he did. Kulevicz was immediately connected to Harris Rothenberg’s eldercare specialists. They gave him referrals to home care agencies, sent him materials and directed him to an Alzheimer’s Association Chapter. “The counselor helped educate me about the disease and directed me to local support groups that can provide assistance. It was very helpful to me.” Michigan Generations

Company-provided eldercare assistance can range from resource and referral services to on-site geriatric case management, from company-sponsored eldercare support groups to lunchtime “brown-bag” seminars. “It’s a win-win for both the employee and the employers,” said Melissa Strada, director of Harris Rothenberg’s Work/Life Division. In Michigan, the need for caregiving benefits for employees is also the focus of The Senior Alliance in Wayne. “It’s a huge issue for companies,” said Kevin McGuckin, associate director of The Senior Alliance. “Studies have shown caregiving costs employers nearly $2 billion a year from lost productivity and absenteeism. Yet for every $1 a company spends in providing caregiving benefits, it can save $5.” With these statistics in mind, the Senior Alliance started the ElderSupport program, which provides elder care case assessment and management services. “Basically, we come up with a care plan and then broker the recommendations that we make,” said McGuckin. McGuckin is aiming big. Rather than focusing on selling these services directly to employers (although he has recently begun to

do that), he has partnered with large national employee assistance programs (EAPs) and with some Area Agencies on Aging around the country. So ElderSupport would provide the actual case management services offered by the EAPs and AAAs.

Associations dedicated to a specific illness Organizations such as The American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, National Stroke Association, National Parkinson Foundation and the American Heart Association can offer valuable services, advice and referrals for caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association stands out for the level of service it provides for those who suffer from the disease as well as for their caregivers. In Michigan, caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients can call 1-800-337-3827 and their call will automatically be routed to the nearest Alzheimer’s chapter. People can also access any chapter in the country from the association’s national Web site at www.alz.org. While programs vary from chapter to chapter, typical services offered by the Alzheimer’s Association include a help line that caregivers can call for emotional support and information about the

Adult Day Care Offers Help for Caregivers veryone has heard of day care services for children. Many people, however, are unaware of day care services for seniors. There are, in fact, many such facilities in communities throughout the state. Adult day care provides a structured daytime program of social, rehabilitative and maintenance services for seniors who are unable to perform activities of daily living without assistance. That means care recipients can spend the day away from home getting the care and supervision they need, while their caregivers are freed to work or attend to personal needs. Evergreen Commons in Holland is a successful example of an adult day care program. The senior center offers three adult day care programs. One is for seniors who need a lot of assistance — some enrollees have feeding tubes. Others have catheters. Some suffer from Parkinsons. “We have nurses who staff that program because of the level of care required,” said Jo Ver Beek, associate director of health and respite services at Evergreen Commons. The center also offers two programs called “Prime Time” — one for men and one for women. Seniors in these programs can take care of their personal needs and take their own medications. “We’ve found it works well to have separate groups for men and women,” said Ver Beek.“The women are interested in craft and cooking activities. They have a kitchen in their room. The men have a pool table and basketball hoops. They go out on field trips more — to a car museum or to watch the salmon jump in the Grand River.” Evergreen Commons has also started an adult day care that is open two days a week in neighboring Douglas. The center offers many other services besides adult day care. It has just started an in-home respite program in which a volunteer will go into a home and stay with a senior to give the caregiver a two to four hour break once or twice a month. The Holland Community Hospital has a satellite facility at Evergreen Commons and offers health maintenance exercises and restorative rehabilitation on site. Finally, Evergreen Commons offers caregiving training classes, which cover topics such as managing medication, proper transfer

Summer 2003

Helen and Gerrit Stam relax at Evergreen Commons, where Gerrit attends the adult day care program.

techniques, how to use assistive devices and how to access national, state and local resources. Humphrey DeVries, who took the course in April, found the information very helpful. The 68-year-old retiree is helping his wife care for her father, who has Alzheimer’s, and her mother, who suffers from diabetes and restricted mobility. “We covered a lot of topics,” said DeVries. “We learned the best way to help someone in and out of a car. We learned how to get a wheelchair up the porch stairs into a house. “But what impressed me the most was the mindset. Jo said everyone has different limits, so no one should feel guilty about decisions they have to make. And she really stresses that while we may be taking care of them, we must be careful not to treat them like children. They are still our parents and deserve our full respect.” MG 7

Caregiving for Mom and Brother ast July, Cynthia Canty’s aunt called her with the news that her mother, Marie Bruce, had just been released from the hospital. It was the first Canty had heard of it. “She didn’t want me to know,” said Canty, a popular broadcaster on Magic 105.1 FM, in Detroit. “Well, come to find out, she had been in the hospital in May and hadn’t told me then, either.” Canty’s mother was living on the family’s 22-acre farm in Fife Lake, near Traverse City, taking care of Canty’s brother, Tim, who has brain damage from an injury he suffered two decades ago. “She was extremely protective of their relationship,” said Canty. “Whenever I asked, she would always tell me everything was fine.” But things, Canty would find out, were not fine. Her mother, who suffered from diabetes and osteoporosis, was having heart problems. It was her turn to need someone to take care of her. “On August 26, the day after we dropped my oldest child off at college, she called me at 7:30 in the evening and said, ‘I don’t feel well. I need you to come right now,’ ” recalled Canty. She admitted her mother to the hospital, this time for a severe urinary tract infection. By now it was clear to Canty that her mother couldn’t return home. She turned to the hospital social worker and the adult protective services worker at the Family Independence Agency in Kalkaska County to help her find a suitable place for her mother. The workers found Canty’s mother a respite bed in a community hospital and were able to place her in the facility’s long term care unit within a few days. “They were great, particularly the woman from FIA,” said Canty. “I don’t know what I would have done without her.” Cynthia Canty with her mother, Marie Bruce, She is also very and baby Siobhan Canty. happy with the long term care facility the worker found. “They are so caring and so good to her there, and it’s such a relief to me to know she is in that kind of loving setting.” When Canty returned to the farm a few months later, she realized Tim could not take care of himself, either, and she had to put him in adult foster care. Though her mother and brother are now receiving the care they need, Canty is still trying to sort out their affairs. “I’m meeting with lawyers to set up a trust for my brother, I’m filling out Medicaid applications for my mother, and I’m going to have to sell her house soon. If I think of everything I have to do, I get overwhelmed, so I just think about it in bite-sized pieces.” MG

disease, support groups, educational programs and a Safe Return program — a nationwide identification, support and registration program that provides assistance when an Alzheimer’s patient wanders off and becomes lost. Some chapters also provide various forms of respite care. “We are an educational family-service oriented health agency,” said Beverly Bartlett, regional office director for the Upper Peninsula Region of the Greater Michigan Chapter in Marquette. “We train individuals who have Alzheimer’s, their families, caregivers and professional service providers so they know about the disease and what to expect.”

Other sources Sometimes the best information comes from other caregivers. To find them, consider joining a support group in your community. You can find support groups by contacting your local Area Agency on Aging. Other care options include hiring a geriatric care manager. A note of caution: No license is required to become a geriatric care manager. So ask questions about the manager’s background and check references to be safe. To find a geriatric care manager in your area, you can visit the website www.caremanager.org and look up the information for free or you can call 1-520-881-8008 and purchase a directory for $15. For those who can navigate the Internet, the Web offers a wealth of information for caregivers: www.caregiving.org, site of the National Alliance for Caregiving, provides an extensive searchable database of resources. www.benefitscheckup.org is run by The National Council on Aging. Visitors fill out a short questionnaire; then the site identifies federal and state benefits programs for which the care recipient might be eligible. www.miseniors.net is the site of the Michigan Department of Community Health’s Office of Services to the Aging. Visitors can search for specific services, such as out-of-home respite or adult day care; for specific agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging; or for services by county. www.wellspouse.org gives support to wives, husbands and partners of the chronically ill or disabled. www.nfcacares.org is the site of the National Family Caregivers Association. It provides caregivers with support and resources. Caregivers can join the Association for no charge and receive many benefits including a quarterly newsletter. www.caregiving.com includes weekly tips, on-line support groups, articles, caregiving book club and more. Caregiving is often a labor of love, but it can be a very taxing and draining labor. Yet, there are resources all across Michigan available to help caregivers in need. The key is to be proactive — to seek out these resources before the challenge of caregiving becomes a crisis. “Caregiving is often thrust upon people, and many times they don’t even recognize themselves as caregivers,” said Jones, the president of the Chronic Illness Coalition of Michigan. “You have to be able to stand up for yourself and look for resources yourself. Caregivers need to become educated and trained.” MG Michigan Generations

ASKtheExpert

Kyra TePaske

Long Term Care

Insurance

Long term care insurance: Do I need it?

Who pays for long term care?

LONG TERM CARE is the kind of help you

nationally more than half of all nursing home expenses out-of-pocket and state Medicaid programs pay somewhat less than half. Medicare, Medicare supplemental insurance, or the health insurance provided by your employer will not pay most long-term care expenses.

need if you are unable to care for yourself because of a prolonged illness or disability. It can range from help with activities of daily living at home, such as bathing and dressing, to nursing care in a nursing home. Long term care is provided by families, home care agencies, senior centers, adult day care centers, traditional nursing homes, and continuing care retirement communities. Many people work hard all of their lives, anticipating that they will be self-sufficient in their later years, only to watch their assets dwindle to pay for long term care. Middleincome families are particularly vulnerable in this area, because they do not readily qualify for Medicaid and yet cannot afford the high cost of long term care.

How much does long term care cost? DEPENDING ON THE TYPE AND AMOUNT of

care needed, long term care costs can be expensive and will add up quickly. The average cost of a year in a nursing home is $42,000. Home care, with outside assistance on a part-time basis, will be approximately $15,000 a year.

Do you have a caregiving question? Write or email your question to our “Expert” at: Jenny Jarvis,Area Agency on Aging 1-B, 29100 Northwestern Highway, Suite 400, Southfield, MI 48034; jjarvis@aaa1b.com.We will make every effort to answer your question in an upcoming issue of Michigan Generations.

Summer 2003

INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES pay

What are my chances of needing long term care? IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT whether

you will need long term care, but statistics show that about half of those over the age of 65 will spend some time in a nursing home. The average stay in a nursing home is 19 months. Approximately 1 in 3 will spend 3 months or more, 1 in 4 will spend one year, and 1 in 11 will spend more than 5 years in a nursing home.

Should I buy long term care insurance? NOT EVERYONE SHOULD BUY long term

care insurance. Buying such a policy should not cause a financial hardship. People should carefully examine their own needs and resources to decide whether such insurance is appropriate. You can call the Michigan Office of Financial and Insurance Services at 1-877-999-6442 for information about specific companies and policies.

What kinds of policies are available? THERE ARE NO STANDARDIZED long term care policies as there are for Medicare supplemental insurance. Many companies write policies, and many combinations of benefits and types of coverage are available. Most policies pay a fixed dollar amount each day you receive care. Unless these policies provide a way for benefits to increase as nursing home costs rise (inflation protection or adjustment), you may be

left with a benefit that it too low when the time comes to use the policy. You can also buy long term care benefits as part of an individual life insurance policy. Under this arrangement, a certain percentage of the policy’s death benefit is paid when the policyholder requires long term care.

How do long term care policies work and what’s covered? MICHIGAN LAW SETS certain standards for long term care insurance policies sold in the state. Since 1990, long term care policies sold in Michigan must: • Provide coverage for all levels of nursing home care — skilled, intermediate, and custodial. • Provide coverage for home care services. The home care benefit must be at least half the daily dollar amount of coverage for nursing home care. • Pay for care even without a prior hospital or skilled nursing facility stay. • Not exclude or limit coverage for Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders after a policy is purchased. • Be guaranteed renewable. As long as you pay your premiums, the insurance company cannot drop you if you reach a certain age or become ill. • Not limit coverage for pre-existing conditions for more than six months. • Offer an inflation adjustment option. • Provide a 30-day “free look” period. If you decide you do not want the policy within the first 30 days after you receive it, you are entitled to a full refund. After 30 days, a pro-rated refund is available. MG

For specific questions on Medicare, Medicaid and long term care insurance, call the Michigan Medicaid Medicare Program at 1-800-803-7174.

KYRA TEPASKE is the director of Access and Benefits Assistance at the Area Agency on Aging 1-B. 9

REGIONALNews 10 NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging 11 Region VII Area Agency on Aging 12 Valley Area Agency on Aging 13 Detroit Area Agency on Aging 14 The Senior Alliance 15 Area Agency on Aging 1-B 16 Region 2 Area Agency on Aging

In communities across the U.S.,

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serve as gateways to local resources, planning efforts and services that help older adults remain independent. Here are the programs and services offered by Michigan’s AAAs.

4 5 9

7 6 8

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S POTLIGHT O N …

Tri-County Office on Aging A consortium of Clinton, Eaton, Ingham counties and the cities of Lansing and East Lansing

Caregiver Support Program Offers Options, Resources n facing one of the most difficult decisions of her life, Maxine Rose began seeking assistance. Her husband of 34 years, Roger, a retired business owner,

has been in and out of the hospital receiving treatment for depression, anxiety, paranoia and multiple health related issues. Confused over what to do and where to go, Maxine contacted numerous community agencies, but could not find help. She became overwhelmed and intimidated by comments like “Lots of luck.” Desperate to find someone to talk to about her situation, Maxine contacted Sara Levine with the Caregiver Support Program at Tri-County Office on Aging. Sara helped guide Maxine through the Caregiver Maxine Rose receives advice from Sara Levine. process of figuring out what

would give Roger the best quality of life, including housing information and direction regarding their finances. Maxine stated that she “felt relieved that Sara took the time to explain options and answer her questions.” The goal of the Caregiver Support Program is to educate and counsel caregivers before crisis occurs, thus avoiding the tragedy of regrettable decisions made under stress. Tri-County Office on Aging is excited to offer this service amid a system that is not always sensitive to the special needs of caregivers. It offers information regarding what is covered, what is available, and eligibility requirements. For further information, contact TriCounty Office on Aging at 517-887-1440 or 1-800-405-9141. Michigan Generations

Detroit Area Agency on Aging Serving Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and the five Grosse Pointes in Wayne County

Detroit Area Agency on Aging Holiday Meals on Wheels

bound seniors. Like many non-profit programs, a large portion of the HMOW’s revenue is generated through fundraising events. One of HMOW’s biggest and most seniors have incomes less than $5,000 olidays have always been celepopular fundraisers is Chef Fest. Chef a year). brated as family traditions. Fest is a fun and serious way of raising • Are homebound and are elderly However, there are low-income, homeawareness and funds to support (yet these seniors want to maintain bound seniors unable to join in on the HMOW. The event attracts local welltheir independence). festivities. Thankfully, there is a proknown chefs who compete in a taste Because HMOW does not receive gram available to provide these seniors and presentation with nutritious meals delivered hot to contest. Guests their doorstep. of the Chef Fest Holiday Meals on Wheels (HMOW) are treated to a supplements our traditional Meals on sample of some Wheels program by delivering nutriof Detroit’s finest tious meals to homebound seniors on entrees while four holidays and some weekends enjoying a night when funding permits. This volunteerof music and based program augments Meals on dancing. Wheels regular Monday through Friday Chef Fest is meal deliveries. Corporate sponsors by far HMOW’s provide funding for the purchase, most anticipated preparation and delivery of meals on fundraiser. This one of the designated holidays. Last year’s theme for year, HMOW was able to deliver Chef Fest, “Bon 84,000 meals to frail, at-risk homeMeals prepared by volunteers are delivered to home-bound seniors on holidays Appetit Voyage” bound seniors. and some weekends as part of HMOW. will take guests The dire need for Meals on a culinary on Wheels and Holiday cruise of high Meals on Wheels stems adventure and from three factors: the high exotic flavors. poverty rate among urban Chef Fest will older adults, the lack of take place on awareness within the genSeptember 17, eral population of the crisis 2003 in Cobo in the senior community, Exhibition Cenand most of all, the lack of ter’s Riverview resources available to comBallroom in bat the unique needs that downtown develop as people age. Detroit. Most of our HMOW For more inforrecipients suffer from one mation about Guests sample the food at Chef Fest. or more of the following Holiday Meals on conditions: Wheels Program or Chef Fest, contact federal or state funding, the program • Loneliness and isolation (two out Detroit Area Agency on Aging at continuously relies on the generous of three seniors live alone). 313-446-4444 or write to: Detroit Area donations received from community • Are very old (seniors between Agency on Aging, 1333 Brewery Park and corporate sponsors to continue 75–95 and older). Suite 200, Detroit, Michigan 48234. its mission to provide meals to home• Live in abject poverty (many

Summer 2003

Area Agency on Aging 1-B Serving the counties of Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw

Coming Soon: Family Caregivers Fair ark your calendars to attend the 2003 Solutions for Family Caregivers Fair.This free event will be held by the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) on Saturday, September 6, 2003 at the Sheraton Detroit-Novi (formerly Novi Hilton) on Haggerty Road from 9 am to 2 pm. The fair will benefit people who provide care for elderly or disabled family members or friends. The program will include expert presentations on a variety of topics such as home health care options, preventing falls, coping with challenging behaviors, taking care of yourself and creative technology to assist the caregiver. More than 80 exhibitors will provide information, products and services for seniors, caregivers and persons with disabilities. Additionally, fair-goers will have the opportunity to “Ask the Expert” questions relating to Medicare, Medicaid, prescription assistance and long term care insurance. “All caregivers are confronted

More than 80 exhibitors offer information, products and services at Family Caregivers Fair.

with a range of financial, physical and emotional challenges,” said Sandra Reminga, executive director, AAA 1-B. “The 2003 Solutions for Family Caregivers Fair is a place for caregivers to turn for information,

Help is a Phone Call Away The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is the first resource for older adults, caregivers and persons with disabilities to call when looking to resolve problems or locate the resources they need to improve the quality of their life. When individuals call the toll-free Information and Assistance (I&A) service at 1-800-852-7795, they speak with a certified Information and Referral Specialist to determine what their needs are and what services and assistance are available to address those needs. Once the needs are determined, the specialist accesses the I&A database of over 2,000 community agencies and mails the individual a complete listing of relevant services and providers in their local community. The top requests for information and services include personal care, home-delivered meals and prescription assistance. There is no charge for the AAA 1-B information and assistance provided to callers; however, individuals are encouraged to make a voluntary donation. Call us. We can help.

1-800-852-7795

counseling and assistance before their challenges become too overwhelming.” For more information on the Solutions for Family Caregivers Fair visit our website at www.aaa1b.com or call us at 1-800-852-7795.

Prescription Assistance Is Available etermining the best way to save money on prescription drug purchases can be confusing for even the most astute older person. But a study conducted by the Area Agency on Aging 1-B has uncovered information that can help. The rapidly rising cost of prescription drugs has made it difficult for many older persons to obtain their necessary medications. Sources of supplemental prescription coverage such as Medicare+Choice plans have been

Michigan Generations

dwindling in recent years. As a result, vulnerable older persons are forced to rely on an overwhelming range of alternatives, which can be both confounding and perplexing. The alternatives currently include a number of discount card programs offered through counties and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Seniors also can save money by purchasing certain prescription medications through Internet pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, and Canadian pharmacies. However, there currently is no single savings option that provides a universal solution for lowering the cost of prescription drugs for older adults. The best way to save money and purchase drugs securely depends on the individual’s prescriptions and circumstances. “How to pay for prescriptions is a question many seniors can’t answer,” said Jim McGuire, director of planning and advocacy. “We at the Area Agency on Aging hope we can help educate them about their choices while we

work to find a real solution.” To understand the myths and facts of current prescription saving options, the study examined four methods of payment: paying cash at the local pharmacy, U.S.-based Internet pharmacies, county-based prescription drug discount card programs and Canadian resources. Of the four options, the study found paying cash at local pharmacies to be the most expensive, while utilizing Canadian resources can save the most money — an averSaving money on prescription drugs is a challenge for older persons. age of 40 to 53 percent per prescription. However, while purchasing For answers about prescription medications from Canada can result drug alternatives for your situation, call for significant savings, this option is the Area Agency on Aging 1-B at feasible for only a small percentage of 1-800-852-7795 and speak with one older individuals who are taking more of our certified information and referral costly, brand-name medications. specialists.

The Senior Alliance Serving caregivers and seniors in the 34 communities of southern and western Wayne County

Senior Alliance ElderSupport Program n the United States, there are approximately 14.4 million employees — one-eighth of the nation’s workforce — who are providing care to an elder. Of these caregivers, nearly 20% ultimately will need to leave their jobs as a result of their caregiving responsibility. Of those who remain working, almost all will experience some absenteeism or workday interruptions. The resulting cost in lost productivity is huge, estimated at nearly $29 billion per year. And, this cost is only expected to increase exponentially through the decade. The Senior Alliance (TSA) Elder Support program was developed to assist businesses better meet the

Summer 2003

needs of their caregiving employees. TSA has built a National Network of Geriatric Case Managers to meet the eldercare needs of employers throughout the nation. This low cost employee benefit comes in 2 to 6 hour blocks of case management.These programs are available to companies or trade associations for $2.00 per month or less per employee/ member. Many corporations, industry and professional associations are now responding to these pressures by offering innovative and affordable eldercare benefits to ease the caregiving burdens faced by their employees and members. This program includes a comprehensive assessment and care plan to

identify the necessary resources in assisting the employee and/or family member. And, if based on our assessment, living at home is no longer feasible; we will assist employees in making arrangements for the older adult. The care manager, either a registered nurse or social worker, is highly trained in the complex issues facing older adults. This benefit is designed to meet the senior’s unique long-term needs. For a corporate consultation or further information, please contact Kevin McGuckin at The Senior Alliance at 734-727-2034. Employees need to know that they are not alone and resources and capable help are available for them.

Region 2 Area Agency on Aging Serving Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee counties

Summer Conference Planned for Seniors egion 2 Area Agency on Aging (R2AAA) was awarded a grant from the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association to fund a conference for seniors, “Seniors: Safe, Sound and Secure.” The conference will be offered in the counties of Hillsdale, Lenawee and Jackson with the support of the sheriff’s departments and Triad. It will be held in late summer and offered to area seniors for $5 to cover lunch expenses. Scholarships will be available for any senior who cannot afford the lunch fee. There will be three separate conferences, one for each community R2AAA serves. They will be held at the Lily Mission Center in Jackson County, Siena Heights University in Lenawee County and Hillsdale College in Hillsdale County.

Triad is a collaboration between Michigan Sheriffs’ Association, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and seniors striving to reduce criminal victimization of older citizens by addressing the needs and concerns that are

The goal is for seniors to feel in and out of their homes. unique to their population. The local Triads are always looking for ways to increase the number of seniors involved in their communities. Workshops offered at these conferences include identity theft, home security, neighborhood scams, elder abuse, and accessing community resources. The Attorney General’s

Office for Consumer Schemes will inform seniors about all the latest schemes, and the sheriff’s department will present information on safety in the home and community. Many resources are available to assist seniors. It is hoped that these conferences will not only provide information to seniors secure and their caregivers, but will provide them a contact to call if they need assistance. Local organizations will be invited to set up information booths during the conferences. The goal is for seniors to feel secure in and out of their homes. This is achieved through education and awareness. For more information on the conference and other programs, contact Region 2 at 1-800-335-7881.

Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept. Region 3A Covering Kalamazoo County and its 24 municipalities

Introducing the Kalamazoo County AAA n honor of this inaugural issue of Michigan Generations, we want to introduce ourselves. Like all Area Agencies on Aging, we take pride in providing accurate and timely information. Just ask Cindy, who says subsidized housing and assisted living lists, as well as help with paying for prescriptions,

Our staff members: Judy, John, Cindy and Peggy.

top the requests for assistance. John is a 15-year veteran of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. He has helped thousands of nursing home residents and their families solve concerns regarding quality of life and care in long-term care facilities. Peggy works closely with the agencies we contract with to provide quality, low-cost services. She also assists the Kalamazoo

County Advocates for Senior Issues, a non-partisan grassroots advocacy group, coordinate their informative monthly programs. Judy, as director, is involved in many community collaborative efforts that seek to improve the health and well-being of older adults, including promotion of adult immunizations. For information on Kalamazoo County AAA, we invite you to call the information numbers listed below. We will gladly help you determine what resources will best meet your needs.

Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-373-5147 Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-373-5157 55+ Discount Prescription Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-373-5071 Kalamazoo County Advocates for Senior Issues . . . . . . . . . 269-373-5173 14

Michigan Generations

Burnham Brook Region IIIB Serving Barry and Calhoun counties in Southwest Michigan

Region IIIB AAA Delivers Broad Array of Services egion IIIB is one of 16 AAAs in Michigan. It is operated by Burnham Brook, an agency located in Battle Creek, which provides comprehensive

services to senior citizens. Region IIIB’s mission is to promote and ensure quality services for older adults in Calhoun and Barry counties in order to maintain and increase their independence, dignity, and quality of life. Region IIIB delivers a broad array of inhome and community services to older adults. These include adult day care, chores, Clarica enjoys the homedelivered meal arranged by Region IIIB Area Agency on Aging.

guardianship, Kinship support groups, health screenings and education, congregate and home-delivered meals, legal assistance, transportation, homemaking and personal care. Clarica is a recipient of AAA services. When a chronic illness made it difficult for her to prepare meals, Burnham Brook staff arranged for her and her husband William to receive meals at home. Lunch is delivered to them five days a week, with two extra frozen dinners delivered for the weekend. “We look forward to the meals,” says Clarica. “They’re always good.” For further information about the Region IIIB Area Agency on Aging and its services, please call 269-966-2450 or visit their website at www.burnhambrook.com.

Branch–St.Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIIC Serving a two-county area surrounding Sturgis, Three Rivers, Coldwater and Quincy

Spotlight on a Special Caregiver ith the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act in 2000, there came a new title of federal funding that one caregiver in Region 3C is saying “Gave me part of my life back.” Carolyn Farler (pictured here with her close family friend Lonzo Cole of Colon, MI) is now able to get out of the house two to three times a week and “ …do whatever I want to do!” In collaboration with the Family Independence Agencies in Branch and St. Joseph counties, National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) funds have been used to fulfill unique family caregiver needs that are not able to be met through traditional funding sources or programs. A little

Summer 2003

over one year ago the Adult Services Specialist working with them noticed how tense and stressed out 65year-old Carolyn was feeling. Being Lonzo Cole with caregiver and friend Carolyn Farler. a 24-hour-a-day spend holidays with family and actually caregiver for nearly five years was relax when she goes out has made all finally catching up! the difference to Carolyn. “It has given In Carolyn’s case, the respite care me a part of my life back! Thank you that has been funded through NFCSP FIA and AAA!” has allowed her to hand-pick a couple For more information, contact the of qualified substitute caregivers who Branch-St. Joseph AAA, 570 Marshall are able to handle all of Lonzo’s speRoad, Coldwater, MI 49036; 517-279cial needs. To go shopping, have lunch 9561 or toll-free 1-888-615-8009. with friends, re-establish relationships, 15

Region IV Area Agency on Aging Covering Michigan’s Great Southwest including Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties

Finding Caregiver Resources in Great Southwest Region f you or someone you know needs assistance in caring for a spouse, parent or loved one in Berrien, Cass or Van Buren counties, the Area Agency on Aging’s Senior Info-Line is an excellent place to start. By calling 1-800-654-2810 you’ll be able to talk with people who know about senior issues, caregiving and so much more. Community information managers are available to give information, and to provide assistance and referrals to callers Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Each operator is a certified Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program counselor who can answer any question regarding these complex programs. They also can help

Caregivers can get information at the Public Resource Center.

with questions and give available community resources for caregiving, in-home care, adaptive equipment, housing issues, long-term care, long-term care insurance, prescription drug costs, adult day care, counseling and issues associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Information can be sent out to callers through our Caregiver Resource Library in the form of books, brochures and videotapes. Call us today — it’s easy. If you’re Internet savvy, try www.swmi.info. This joint effort between the Area Agency on Aging and United Way of Southwest Michigan lists community resources. For further information, call the Senior Info-Line today 1-800-654-2810 — your specialists in aging.

ValleyArea Agency on Aging Serving Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee counties

Parenting Again at 70! t 70 years of age, Mrs. Maddie lose custody of Yevette. Everett* didn’t think she would Region V, Valley Area Agency on be raising any more children. Then her Aging (VAAA), was able to provide a 2-year-old great granddaughter,Yevette, solution to Maddie’s dilemma through came to live with her, bringing all the Kinship Caregiver Support those 2-year-old demands and all that Program. VAAA proenergy! Two-year-old Yevette came However, Maddie persevered and along, bringing all those managed to do all demands and all that energy! the day-to-day care with little or no help. But a serious vided day care for health problem derailed Maddie’s Yevette, as well as determination to raise Yevette alone. in-home services, Maddie needed hip replacement surwhich allowed gery, which would have placed Yevette Maddie to keep in foster care — at least temporarily, if Yevette at home not permanently. She did not want to while she recov-

ered. In addition, the day care, Rainbow Learning Centers, provided the toddler with quality, educationally structured time away from home. “I thought I would lose my baby, Yevette,” said Maddie. “I don’t know what I would have done without this program, and I had nobody to help me.Thank you and God bless you for all your help.” For more information on this program, contact Valley Area Agency on Aging, 711 N. Saginaw Street, Suite 207, Flint MI 48503; 810-239-7671 or toll-free 1-800-978-6275. *Names changed Michigan Generations

Region VII Area Agency on Aging Serving Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac & Tuscola counties

Information and Assistance Bring People and Services Together ave you ever had questions about the high cost of prescriptions? Does your mother need Meals on Wheels, safety bars in the bathroom, or help to bathe? Do you need a number for other Michigan senior organizations? We can help. Family members, caregivers, health care agencies, hospitals and physicians’ offices are encouraged to call our nationwide toll-free telephone number — 800-858-1637. The friendly and professional staff of Region VII helps inquirers to identify and prioritize their needs. They help connect people with programs for legal services and advice, home care, and housing alternatives. Our large resource database stores lists of

MMAP volunteers are available to assist with insurance questions and prescription discount programs. helping agencies, food programs, and An important part of the Aging emergency numbers. We receive freNetwork is the Eldercare Locator. It is a national directory assistance program that connects families of Michigan residents to our office from all over the country. The number is 800-677-1116. It is not unusual to receive calls spanning from California to New Jersey in the same day. Information is also available on our website, Social worker Barbara Raymond (right) assists Elaine Bovin with www.region7aaa.org. insurance forms. For further information, quent questions about Medicaid, contact Region VII at 1615 South Euclid Medicare, long-term care, nursing Avenue, Bay City, MI 48706 or call us homes, and support groups. Also, toll-free at 800-858-1637.

Area Agency on Agency of Western Michigan Serving Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, & Osceola counties

Variety of Programs for West Michigan Caregivers ne of every three people over the age of 60 in Kent County is a caregiver for an older adult. In the past 18 months, several caregiver support programs and groups have formed in West Michigan. The Caregiver Resource Network provides education, support and resources. The Network can assist churches or community organizations in developing caregiver support groups. Topics can include legal decisions, communicating with a physician and caring for the caregiver. A new resource that will help strengthen family caregivers in Kent

Summer 2003

Group respite helps caregivers avoid burnout.

County and surrounding rural counties is a Caregiver Support Line. A registered nurse will return a call to the line, offering assessments, education, and coaching for caregivers. Call 616-771-9714. Another option is the Caregiver Respite Account program, designed to help caregivers avoid burnout. Caregiver certificates worth $150 are issued

on a case-bycase basis according to need.The certificates may be used in whatever way the caregiver chooses, such as inhome respite, overnight respite, or adult group respite. Statistics show that 90 percent of all caregiving is done by friends or family of an older adult, said Tom Czerwinski, director of AAAWM. “Hopefully these new programs will enable caregivers to care for themselves, so they can keep older adults home for a longer period of time.” For more information, call the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at 1-888-456-5664. 17

NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging Covering 12 counties of Northeast Michigan

Region 9 Offers Resources, Support for Caregivers ortheast Michigan Community Service Agency, Region 9 Area Agency on Aging has programs available in every county of our service area for seniors and caregivers. Services funded: • Congregate Nutrition • Home Delivered Meals • Homemaker Services • Personal Care • Legal Services • Health Promotion • In-Home Respite Region 9 • Adult Day Services Area • Medication Agency Management on Aging • National Family Caregiver Support Program • TRIAD

Senior or caregiver must meet eligibility guidelines. Call your local center to see what programs are available in your county. Here are important telephone numbers for you to keep: Alcona County Commission on Aging, 989-736-8879 Alpena Area Senior Citizens Council, 989-356-3585 Arenac County Council on Aging, 989-653-2692 Cheboygan County Council on Aging, 231-627-7234 Crawford County Commission on Aging, 989-348-7123 Iosco County Commission on Aging, 989-728-6484

Montmorency County Commission on Aging, 989-785-2580 Ogemaw Commission on Aging, 989-345-3010 Oscoda County Council on Aging, 989-848-5812 Otsego County Commission on Aging, 989-732-1122 Presque Isle County Council on Aging, 989-766-8191 Roscommon County Commission on Aging, 989-366-3800 Alzheimer’s Association GMC of Northeast Michigan, 1-800-337-3827 For information on Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency, Region 9 Area Agency on Aging, call 989-356-3474.

Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan Offering information and funding senior services in the 10-county area of Northwest Lower Michigan

Northwest Lower Michigan Establishes Task Force ince the National Family Caregiver Support Program funds became available in 2001, Catholic Human Services, Inc. (CHS) has been busy collecting materials, developing trainings and informing caregivers of resources and support services available to them in Northwest Lower Michigan. CHS holds the contract with the Area Agency on Aging of North-

west Michigan, and, with the creative leadership of Barbra Mikowski, RNC, CNA, Gerontological Services Unit Supervisor, has established, among other things, an active Task Force, which began as intensive brainstorming sessions around the 10-county region. Now, meeting monthly, professionals and consumers alike gather to share ideas and offer CHS input related to caregiver needs and offer suggestions regarding how to inform the public of services and funds available. Most recently, the conversation has centered on Barbra Mikowski (left) meets with National Family Caregiver Support Program Task Force.

learning more about the effectiveness of family councils in the region’s nursing homes. The Task Force will be distributing a survey to learn of needs in this area. To respond to the need for accessible assistance, CHS has established www.caregiverNorth.org where users will find valuable information about services available and tips for caring for the caregiver. CHS also responds to calls related to caregiver needs at a newly established 800 number (1-800-658-8554). If you have questions about support services, CHS or Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan, call 1-800-442-1713 or visit our web page www.aaanm.org. Michigan Generations

Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging Serving all 15 counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Reducing Risks of Home Injury in the Upper Peninsula ccording to recent studies, more than one-third of all adults age 65 or older experience a fall every year. In fact, in 1999 approximately 10,000 seniors died from fall related injuries. Twenty to thirty percent of all falls result in moderate to severe injuries which reduce mobility and independence, increasing the risk of premature institutionalization or death. Utilizing resources from the National Family Caregiver Support Program, the Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging is providing funds to local service provider organizations to help identify potential environmental hazards in the homes of Upper Peninsula Seniors and to address these

hazards by installing assistive devices designed to prevent home injuries from occurring. This year, over $58,070 has been spent throughout the region to purchase and install preventative injury devices such as grab bars, raised toilet seats, shower transfer benches, bathtub safety rails, motion lights, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, etc. Some examples of how in-home assistive devices have been effectively utilized include providing handrails and grab bars for frail and vision-impaired individuals, replacing slippery throwrugs with rubber-backed safety mats, and installing motion-sensor lights which help individuals to move around

safely at night. In one particular situation, the installation of a smoke detector and a fire extinguisher has been credited with saving the life of an elderly person in the Upper Peninsula after cardboard boxes placed too close to a stove caught fire. To assure that resources are available to assist the greatest number of persons, a suggested limit of $200 per person per year has been established. Seniors requesting assistance through the Home Injury Control program participate in voluntary cost sharing to help pay a portion of the cost for assistive devices that are needed. For further information, contact the Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging at 906-786-4701 or toll-free at 1-800-338-7227.

Senior Resources of West Michigan Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, serving the three counties of Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa

I & A Specialists Empower Caregivers he telephone rings in the busy Information & Assistance office at Senior Resources. “Hello, can I help you?” asks an I & A Specialist. “Yes,” a tentative voice begins, “I’m calling about my dad. I think he might need some help, but I’m not sure what’s available.” “Why don’t you just begin by telling me what it was that prompted you to call us today?” This dialogue is played out hundreds of times every day at agencies across the state. At Senior Resources,

Summer 2003

Stacey Gomez (left), I&A Specialist, talks to Rose Smith.

a professional and caring staff helps inquirers connect with community programs. I & A Specialists draw on their experience, training, and a computerized data base to help individuals and families navigate the complex maze of human services. An I & A Specialist empowers inquirers by helping to identify their needs, by exploring

possible solutions and by helping them plug into appropriate resources. The information provided through I & A may be requested by anyone. While many requests come directly from seniors, caregivers may also call. If the information requested is not readily available, staff will research the issue in order to provide an accurate response. A caller should prepare a list of questions ahead of time, and have a pen and paper ready for taking notes. For further information, contact Senior Resources of West Michigan, 255 W. Sherman, Muskegon Heights, MI 49444. 231-739-5858 or toll-free 1-800-442-0054. 19

CAREGIVINGNews&Notes Are You a Caregiver? A caregiver is anyone who provides unpaid assistance to an elderly person or person with disabilities who is having trouble managing his or her day-to-day needs. Most caregivers are family members, and about 80 percent of the care provided to seniors is from family caregivers. Caregiver duties can be exhausting. Duties often involve preparation of meals, arranging and driving to doctor appointments, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, helping with bathing and grooming tasks and setting up medications to be taken. If you are a caregiver, you are not alone. More than 26 percent of the adult population is a caregiver and this number continues to grow each year as the population ages. Michigan Generations magazine is designed to provide you with information and assistance to improve the quality of life for you and your loved one.

A Reminder When Visiting Loved Ones This summer, are you traveling to see an elderly relative whom you seldom visit? Take advantage of the face-to-face contact to help him or

■ Insurance policies,

■ ■ ■

■

her put their affairs in order.Take time to review important information and documents, including: ■ All bank accounts, account numbers and the location of banks.

■

policy numbers, type of insurance and beneficiary as stated on the policy Deed and titles to ALL property. Social Security and Medicare numbers. Military history, affiliations and papers (including discharge papers). Up-to-date will in a safe place. Living will or other advanced directive and durable power of attorney.

Did You Know? ■ In 1900 the average life span was 47 years; today it is 76. ■ One of every eight Americans is 65 or older. ■ By 2030, older Americans will make up 20 percent of the population ■ Today there are four generations aging in the United States The pre-electric generation — individuals born between 1885–1904 The Great Depression/World War II generation born between 1905–1924 The “silent” or “middle” generation born between 1925–1945 The “baby boomers” born between 1946–1964 whose first members will become older Americans in 2006. Source: American Association for World Health

Surfing the Web Each issue of Michigan Generations offers several websites of interest to older adults and their caregivers … right at your fingertips.

www.nfcacares.org is the site for the National Family Caregivers Association, which offers free membership, a quarterly publication, support line and prescription discount program. www.benefitscheckup.org A website of the National Council of Aging, the site helps older adults and their caregivers find the right benefits program to meet their needs.

www.experienceseniorpower.com A website for all ages, Experience Senior Power has several Ask the Expert categories including a registered nurse, dietician, attorney and dentist as well as articles on various caregiver and older adult issues. Look for more helpful websites in the next issue of Michigan Generations.