Michigan
Fall 2006
Generations
Also in This Issue: ■ Ask the Expert About Aging and Dementia ■ A Look at Area Agencies Around Our State 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:
AAAs— Gateways to Community Resources
10
9
8
7 5
14
3A 3B
4
3C
4 Region IV Area Agency on Aging 5 Valley Area Agency on Aging 6 Tri-County Office on Aging 7 Region VII Area Agency on Aging 8 Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan 9 NEMCSA 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
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
1A
1B
2
1C
Michigan
Generations FALL 2006 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 Cover photography: Green Frog Photography, Grand Rapids, MI
On the Cover: On the Cover: Nichole Myers of Benton Harbor helps care for her father, Dale Myers, who has Parkinson’s disease. All across Michigan, aging agencies, churches, organizations and employers are ramping up their services and support for caregivers. See story, page 4.
Fall 2006, Volume 4, #2 © 2006 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
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.
1A Detroit Area Agency on Aging 1B Area Agency on Aging 1-B 1C The Senior Alliance 2 Region 2 Area Agency on Aging 3A Kalamazoo Co. Health & Community Services Dept. Region 3A 3B Burnham-Brook Region IIIB Area Agency on Aging 3C Branch-St.Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIIC
CAREGIVINGNews&Notes Generations Wins National Award Michigan Generations magazine has won a gold award in the 15th annual National Mature Media Awards Program. The program recognizes the nation’s finest educational, advertising and marketing materials designed and produced for older adults. The magazine was honored for two entries: “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” (Spring 2005) and “Seniors Discover the High-Tech World” (Summer 2005). Nearly 1,200 entries were judged by a panel of mature market experts from across the United States for overall excellence of design, content, creativity and relevance to seniors. Michigan Generations is available free-of-charge to older adults and caregivers. It is published quarterly through a cooperative effort of the state’s Area Agencies on Aging. The magazine is produced by JAM Communications, Inc.
H
New Research on
EARTBURN
Doctors think they have found a link between obesity and heartburn or acid reflux, otherwise known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). According to the Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, if you or a loved one suffers from these conditions — and if you or they have put on weight — your discomfort might be related to the additional pounds. A Nurses’ Health Study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that shedding extra pounds can reduce a woman’s risk of heartburn by as much as 40%. The study also found that even moderate weight gain can double the risk of heartburn and acid reflux. Over 10,500 women participated in the study over a 14-year period.
The Warning Signs of
Remember Your
FLU
Shots
This is the start of flu season, so it’s time to think about getting your annual shot. You will also want to make sure you have been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease, which kills 10,000 individuals every year. Vaccine supplies and availability are plentiful this year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The shots are free under Medicare.
Michigan Companies Named Top Employers TOP
W
STRESS
hen you experience an unusual level of stress, certain warning signals occur. Answering the following questions will increase your awareness of these signs: 1. Do you feel a loss of energy or zest for life? 2. Do you feel out of control, exhibiting uncharacteristic emotions or actions? 3. Do you lack interest in people or things that were formerly pleasurable? 4. Are you becoming increasingly isolated? 5. Are you consuming an increased amount of sleeping pills, medications, alcohol, caffeine or cigarettes? 6. Are you having increased health problems: for example, high blood pressure, ulcers or difficulties with digestion? 7. Do you have difficulty sleeping at night? 8. Are you experiencing appetite changes?
EMPLOYERS
AARP has published its sixth annual list of the Top 50 U.S. employers that welMICHIGAN come workers over 50 and promote practices that are friendly to older workers. Four Michigan companies made the list, with two — Volkswagen of America Inc., Auburn Hills, and Oakwood Healthcare System Inc., Dearborn — scoring in the Top 10. In addition to innovative wellness programs, Volkswagen provides mature employees with a flexible spending account including an option to allocate $5,000 in pretax earnings to eldercare needs. VW retirees are invited to return to the company for part-time and contract work. Nearly 25% of its employees are over 50. Oakwood, with 30% of employees over 50, has increased its flexible work options and beefed up health coverage. Other Michigan companies ranking in the Top 50 are Beaumont Hospitals, Southfield, and MidMichigan Health, Midland. Fall 2006
Surfing the Net Each issue of Michigan Generations offers several websites of interest to older adults and their caregivers … right at your fingertips. www.careplanner.org is a free website to help seniors and their caregivers choose between different living options.
www.familydoctor.org provides in-depth health information from the American Academy of Family Physicians, including medical conditions — from A to Z — plus health tips and easy-to-understand guides.Visitors can choose Spanish or English. 3
Takes a Village By Martha Nolan McKenzie
Services from many corners of the community are ramping up to offer new support for Michigan caregivers. WHEN DAN RIDENOUR’S FATHER passed away 10 years ago, his final request was simple. “Take care of your momma.” Honoring that request turned into a Herculean task when Dan’s mother, Joyce Ridenour, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s four years later. Determined to keep Joyce in her Clare home for as long as possible, Dan, his wife, his brothers, their wives and a sister-in-law collaborated on a plan: They have cobbled together a complicated schedule that allows them to work in shifts to care for Joyce. Their only break is a few hours each Friday, when a home health aide from the local commission on aging comes for a respite visit. “It’s really a chore to work out the schedule for all of us — my wife does it on the computer,” says Dan. “But so far, everyone has maintained their marital happiness and their sanity, and we’ve been able to honor Dad’s last wish.” In some ways, Dan and his family are in good company. Contrary to the popular perception, about 80 percent of all care received by older Americans is provided by family members — spouses, children, grandchildren and other relatives. But in other ways, Dan is unique, since few caregivers enjoy the luxury of a large and willing family, such as Dan’s, to lend a hand with the physical, emotional and financial responsibilities of caregiving. Happily, there is a vast and growing network of services available to help caregivers — with or without big families. This support system has grown out of the recognition of the vital service that family caregivers provide. Indeed, they allow millions of seniors to live relatively independently for as long as possible. They save some $257 billion a year — 4
more than twice what is spent on nursing homes and paid home care combined — by offering their services for free. And many times these providers don’t even think of what they are doing as caregiving — they simply believe they are being a good wife or son. With the enactment of the National Family Caregiver Support Program in 2000, national and state attention, as well as resources, began to focus on the caregiver as never before. “Agencies and programs are focusing on the needs of the caregiver, as well as those of the care recipient,” says Sandra Timmermann, director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute. “If the caregiver gets burned out or falls ill, he or she will not be able to provide care. If we are going to preserve this valuable resource — family caregivers — we have to take care of it.” Here is a look at some of the most popular services available to support caregivers:
I need a break! Perhaps the most pressing need of many caregivers is a temporary break from their responsibilities. Respite care, whether at a center such as an adult day center or in the Michigan Generations
home, can give the caregiver time to rest and recharge. But to use it, the caregiver first has to know that the service is available, and second, he or she has to be willing to use it. “The biggest trouble I have is convincing people that they don’t need to — and in fact, should not — shoulder all the responsibilities by themselves,” says Douglas Durand, program director of Catholic Human Services in Cadillac. “Some people think they are failures if they accept help from family, friends or agencies. Nothing could be further from the truth. Caregiver stress and burnout are so important to avoid.” Adult day centers offer a place where a caregiver can drop off the care recipient occasionally or on a regular basis and know their loved one is being cared for properly. The service provides a structured program of social, rehabilitative and maintenance services for seniors who are unable to perform activities
pretty boring. We offer so many different things for them to do here — they end up really loving it.” At the Otsego Haus in Gaylord, the most popular feature is its student intern program. Students in a medical occupation class at a local high school have the opportunity to work at the center as paid employees. The students have a chance to gain valuable career experience, and the seniors enjoy the companionship of the students. “Many of our clients have dementia, and many times, the past is what they remember best,” says Christine Holewinski, services coordinator for Otsego Haus. “They love to talk and reminisce with these young students.” The Otsego Haus was a godsend for Joyce Renon when she was caring for her father, who suffered from dementia, diabetes and heart disease. During the year her father lived
of daily living without assistance. It gives both the care recipient and the caregiver a chance to get out of the house, have a change of scenery and get a break from each other. There are adult day centers throughout the state, some run by churches, others by senior agencies and centers, disease organizations and for-profit companies. The Living Room Adult Day Services in Petoskey is fairly typical. From Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Living Room staffers lead their elderly and disabled guests through a variety of individual and group activities. One older gentleman loves to play cribbage, so the staff has learned the game so they can play with him. Some participants like baking and cooking, so the staff takes the seniors on outings to the local farmers market to buy produce and supplies and returns to prepare a dish. Some like to participate in crafts, others in rounds of Bingo. “A lot of people are hesitant to come to an adult day center, but it can put the spark back in their eyes and re-engages them back in life,” says Diane Lagerstrom, director of the Living Room. “If you were 75, couldn’t get around and had to stay inside the same four walls every day, it might get
with her, Renon dropped him off every weekday at Otsego Haus. “If it had not been available, I would have had to put my dad in a home,” says Renon, 51, a bank customer services supervisor. “There was no way I would have been able to leave him home alone and go to work. And he loved it there. They would do crafts and he would bring them home and be so proud of himself.” Renon’s father passed away two years ago, at age 84. In rural areas of the state, which may not be able to support a free-standing adult day center, and in cases where the senior cannot get to an adult center, in-home respite offers a convenient alternative. The Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, for example, offers in-home respite services in addition to running two adult day centers in the metro Detroit area. “Volunteers will go and stay with the senior up to four hours a week,” says Marcia Mittelman, education and training director for the chapter. “It gives the caregiver a chance to have some time for themselves. It’s a wonderful support program to have.” In other areas of the state, the Alzheimer’s Association can refer seniors to respite services available in their area.
Fall 2006
5
In Cadillac, Catholic Human Services has fashioned a win-win in-home respite service. Called the Senior Companion Program, it trains volunteers who are over 60 and on a limited income. These volunteers then go and visit an elderly homebound senior for four hours on one day per week. “It’s great for everyone,” says Durand. “The volunteers tell me it makes them feel useful and gives them a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Plus, they are paid for their efforts. The senior gets the same visitor at the same time each week. I’ve heard some clients describe their visitor as their best friend. And the caregiver gets a chance to run out to do errands or just take a break.” Sometimes a caregiver’s needs go beyond simple respite. They need someone to come into the home and care for their loved one for extended hours, perhaps even around the clock. That’s where a home health care company can help. Harbor Home Healthcare in Petoskey, for example, has a staff that includes RNs, LPNs, home health aides and companions. “We can provide care for people who are on respirators,
“They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it may be that it takes a village to care for our elders.”
for people who are recovering from surgery — things a family caregiver typically is not trained to do,” says Dale LaBrie, president and owner of the company. State Senator Jud Gilbert knows the value of home health workers. His 84-year-old mother is bedridden with Alzheimer’s, and even though Gilbert moved into a house right across the street from her, he could not provide the level of care necessary to keep her in her Algonac home. Through Catholic Human Services, he was able to schedule three home health care aides to stay with her almost 24/7. When there is an occasional hole in the schedule, Gilbert or his brother fill in, and he still looks in on her every morning and several times on the weekend. “With my job, I have to be away from home a lot,” says Gilbert. “Although she is never really out of my mind, I feel better knowing she is being well-cared for in her own home.”
I need someone who understands! It’s easy for caregivers to feel isolated from their peers and overwhelmed with their responsibilities. Support groups 6
can provide a much-needed shoulder to lean on and a sympathetic ear to talk to. Associations dedicated to a specific illness, such as the Alzheimer’s Association and the Parkinson’s Foundation, often sponsor support groups for those caring for loved ones suffering from a particular disease. The Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, for example, runs 160 support groups serving 60 counties, up from 92 groups in 44 counties a couple of years ago. “The support group offers a level of education about the disease and its progression, but mostly it provides a sympathetic ear,” says Mittelman. “It lets family caregivers know they are not in it alone, and that can be a tremendous support.” Nichole Myers of Benton Harbor saw how beneficial a support group could be when her father, Dale Myers, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. “After my parents started going to a support group, I saw a change in my dad,” says Myers, who is pictured with her father on Michigan Generations’ cover. Myers, who lives with her parents and helps care for her father, explains, “He felt more comfortable with his condition and was no longer embarrassed.” Myers, 33, was so impressed that she has started a support group that meets in the evenings, so working caregivers, like herself, can attend. “I have always been involved with volunteer efforts, but Parkinson’s disease hits home for me since I have a personal experience with it,” she says. Churches, senior centers and aging agencies also offer support groups throughout the state. In Midland, for example, the Midland County Council on Aging offers several different support groups — one that is open to anyone, one for male caregivers, one targeting caregivers of people with dementia and, most recently, one for adult children caregivers. “Sometimes the more specific the support group can be, the better,” says Nancy Farison, education and support coordinator for the council. “The male caregivers like to meet by themselves and talk about issues specific to caring for their wives. And after we held some mixed support groups, some adult child caregivers approached me and said the issues they are dealing with are different from those faced by spouse caregivers. They are slowly taking over responsibility of a parent, and it brings up a whole new set of questions. So I started a support group just for adult child caregivers.”
I need more information! Educating caregivers about specific diseases, caregiving issues and resources has been a big push by agencies across the state. The Alzheimer’s Association provides ongoing community workshops that deal with understanding behaviors of people with dementia, coping with caregiver stress, and legal and financial considerations. The association also maintains an informative website and puts out a quarterly newsletter. In Isabella County, the local commission on aging felt the need for information about Alzheimer’s was so great that it arranged to bring in a nationally renowned speaker on the Michigan Generations
topic. In April, Joanne Koenig-Coste, author of Learning to Speak Alzheimer’s, addressed an overflowing gathering of professional and family caregivers in Mount Pleasant. “We worked in conjunction with the Central Michigan University Gerontology Department to bring her in, and it was a huge success,” says Barbara Frankenfield, in-home service program coordinator for the commission. “We had people sitting in the aisles to hear her talk.” Since about 60 percent of male caregivers and 41 percent of female caregivers work full-time, Midland County’s Farison is taking her education effort to the workplace. “We’re starting to do brown bag lunches at some of the bigger employers, such as Dow Chemical and Dow Corning,” says Farison. “We’ll address different issues of caregiving — financial, legal, resources available. We are just starting it up, but I’m expecting it to be well-received, since there is such a need for this kind of information out there.” And in northwest Michigan, Catholic Human Services’ Durand co-sponsors day-long caregiver retreats and sponsors a once-a-month radio program offering information on various caregiving issues. Catholic Human Services also operates a website, www.caregivernorth.org, which offers a wealth of information, including caregiving tips, a comprehensive guide of services and a message board. “The site is really for any caregiver,” says Durand. “A lot of the resources listed on it are for our 10-county area, but there are links to national and state programs, and all the tips could help anyone.”
I need help with the costs! Finding a way to pay for the help you need can be challenging for many caregivers. Help is available — you just have to look for it. The Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation, for example, has a grant that allows it to fund up to $360 a year per client toward an adult day center. It can also pay up to about $500 toward Parkinson’s medication for people who lack prescription coverage. The Alzheimer’s Association offers a respite scholarship program to help fund respite care for those who cannot afford it otherwise. The program has been a lifesaver for Pat Langford, whose husband, Edward, was diagnosed with dementia three years ago. Since her husband had to leave his sales job and she had to cut back to part-time as a school aide, money quickly became tight in the Langford home. Yet, Pat needed a break from the 24/7 responsibilities of caring for Edward. With the help of her local Alzheimer’s Association chapter, she has been able to arrange for a companion to stay with Edward twice a week for four hours each time, and the respite scholarship program picks up the entire tab. “We would never have been able to pay for this ourselves,” says Pat. “But it is our only lifeline. It’s the only break we get. I know Edward likes to visit with someone besides me once in a while, and I love being able to get out of the house knowing someone who is trained in this kind of thing is there with him.”
Where can I find help? While respite care, support groups and financial assistance have seen growth in the past few years, there are many, Fall 2006
many other resources available to help caregivers. Transportation services, nutrition programs, assessments, case management services and legal and financial counseling are some of the services that are available around the state. To find these services and more, you just have to know where to look. Here are some good places to start: YOUR LOCAL AREA AGENCY ON AGING. Michigan’s 16 AAAs serve as gateways to local resources for caregivers. Many offer online databases that you can search yourself. You can also call your AAA and talk to a certified counselor, who will refer you to the services you need. The referral service, whether online or via telephone, is free. To find the AAA nearest you, turn to “Regional News” starting on page 8. For AAAs in other states, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. ASSOCIATIONS DEDICATED TO MEDICAL CONDITIONS. Groups such as the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Parkinson’s Foundation often offer a wealth of supporting services for caregivers. RELIGIOUS AND NON-SECTARIAN ORGANIZATIONS. Groups such as Jewish Family Services, Catholic Human Services and the Lutheran Ministries Association often offer resource and referral services. Some provide services as well. Jewish Family Services, for example, offers support groups, a transportation program, a Meals on Wheels program, counseling, electronic monitoring and home care. YOUR EMPLOYER. In recognition of the fact that many workers are also providing care for elderly parents, employers are beginning to offer caregiver benefits, much like the child care benefits of the 1980s. Paul Gladstone has witnessed the shift from both perspectives — as a human resources professional and as a caregiver to his wife, who has multiple sclerosis. A senior compensation specialist with Cooper Standard Automotive in Novi, Gladstone recently delivered a presentation on employer-based caregiver benefits at a California meeting of compensation and work-life professionals. “In the research I did for this presentation, I found at one end of the spectrum, some companies are simply expanding their employee assistance programs to include referral to elder care services,” says Gladstone, 53. “At the other end, I found an employer — Fannie Mae — that has a full-time social worker on staff to counsel employees as soon as they get into caregiving situations. I also found several companies that were offering emergency day care for elderly care recipients and some that were expanding their family leave programs to include time off to care for a parent or older relative.” Gladstone and most aging experts contend these types of services are only going to expand in the future, fueled by ever-increasing need as the boomers enter their caregiving — and then care recipient — years. “To make it all work, it’s going to take a true communitywide approach,” says Catholic Human Services’ Durand. “Churches, employers, agencies and communities will have to take an even more active role. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it may be that it takes a village to care for our elders.” MI 7
REGIONALNews In communities across the U.S.,
11
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.
Detroit Area Agency on Aging Area Agency on Aging 1-B The Senior Alliance Region 2 Area Agency on Aging 3A Kalamazoo Co.Health & Community Services Dept. Region 3A 3B Burnham-Brook Region IIIB 3C Branch-St.Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIIC 4 Region IV Area Agency on Aging 5 Valley Area Agency on Aging 1A 1B 1C 2
9
10
7
8
6 Tri-County Office on Aging 7 Region VII Area Agency on Aging 8 Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan 9 NEMCSA 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
5
14 6 4
1B
3A 3B 3C
2
1A 1C
S POTLIGHT O N …
Region IV Area Agency on Aging Covering Michigan’s Great Southwest including Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties
Memory Clinic Offers Care and Support
A
t any level, memory loss is a frightening prospect. It used to be that the only place to go for help or testing was your family doctor. Now there is a resource in southwest Michigan for comprehensive memory care. The LakeView Memory Clinic in Paw Paw is designed to give patients all-inclusive care, from evaluation to treatNadeem Mirza, MD, left, medical director of LakeView ment. Dr. Nadeem Mirza, the Memory Clinic, discusses a patient with Darryl Loiacano, medical director at the clinic, social worker, and Betty Thompson, intake coordinator. is a geriatric specialist who is recognized nationally for his range of services, including diagnosis, expertise in memory loss issues. As therapy, home health services, inpatient part of the LakeView Community services, education and supportive Hospital, the clinic can offer a wide services. 8
The clinic is able to serve all adults ages 18 and older, with an emphasis on persons over 50. A social work evaluation will help the patient and his or her family become aware of the resources available not only from the clinic but from the community.The clinic also serves as an excellent resource for family members, medical professionals and the general public. It is important to remember that early detection and diagnosis is key to treating a person with symptoms of memory loss, so don’t hesitate to call for help. For more information or to make an appointment at the LakeView Memory Clinic in Paw Paw, call 269-657-1471 or toll-free 866-657-9905. Michigan Generations
Detroit Area Agency on Aging Serving Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and the five Grosse Pointes in Wayne County
Governor Announces $13-million Grant for Detroit-Wayne County Long-Term Care Connection
W
long-term health and housing options ith an audience of over 200 to help individuals make the informed Detroit seniors, health decisions that are best for them. providers and long-term care profes“Single Points of Entry put people, sionals, Governor Jennifer M. not bureaucracy, first,” says Governor Granholm, Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Granholm. “This program will focus on Kilpatrick and Wayne County Executhe person who needs the care and tive Robert Ficano announced a their family, and make sure they get $13-million grant to create a one-stop the information and resources they resource center focused on long-term care for the aging and disabled populations in Detroit and Wayne County — one of four groundbreaking awards in Michigan totaling $34.83 million. The 27-month grant, which will be administered by the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), establishes a Detroit-Wayne County Long-Term Care Single Point of Entry (SPE). The establishment of long-term care SPEs was a key recommendation presented to Officials gathering at Farwell Recreation Center the Governor in Detroit to announce the $13-million grant and Legislature included (seated, L-R) Paul Bridgewater, in the final President and CEO, Detroit Area Agency on need when they report of the Aging; Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick; need them. Medicaid LongGovernor Jennifer Granholm and Wayne Once operaTerm Care Task County Executive Robert Ficano. Standing tional, families in Force, issued (L-R) are Christine Beatty, Chief of Staff, Office of Mayor Kilpatrick, City of Detroit; Detroit will simlast year. The Wayne County Commission Chair Jewel Ware; ply be able to grant was Tene Ramsey, Director, Detroit Senior Citizens call 211 and ask awarded to the Department; Wanda Bailey, SPE Deputy for information Detroit Area Director; Peggy Brey, Deputy Director, on the Single Agency on Michigan Office of Services to the Aging; Faiz Point of Entry Aging (DAAA). Esshaki, DAAA Vice President and CFO; Earlene for long-term Single Points Traylor Neal, SPE Interim Director and Gloria care.” of Entry will Hicks Long, DAAA Vice President and COO. SPEs are help ensure that focused on options in planning for, and families are not forced to navigate a utilizing, long-term care services. They complex maze of agencies or services. are independent entities and cannot be They will provide consolidated and a provider of Medicaid services. Their independent sources of information, strength comes from collaborations supports and assistance for long-term with hospitals, nursing facilities, home care needs for Michigan residents — a health providers and various commufirst for Michigan. Long-term care candinity-based organizations — all stakedates and their families will work with holders in providing optimal choices trained counselors who will present Fall 2006
for the aged and disabled populations in Michigan.The name chosen for SPEs in Michigan is Long-Term Care Connection. “Already, we’re working with 120 stakeholders to provide a one-stop shop for information on all choices for long-term care and for all people, despite socio-economic status,” says
Paul Bridgewater, president and CEO of DAAA. “We understand that historically, urban areas like Detroit have had few options beyond nursing homes, but with this demonstration grant, citizens will see additional options for community living.” Studies have shown that older adults prefer to stay in their own houses and communities as long as possible, making community and home health care services among the most significant options in long-term care. “Our seniors are some of our most vulnerable citizens who need special attention in their waning years, particularly when it comes to accessing the health care system,” says Mayor Kilpatrick. “It is great to be able to stand with the Governor, County Executive and DAAA to say jointly that our efforts are finally paying off.” 9
Area Agency on Aging 1-B Serving the counties of Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw
An Alternative to Nursing Facility Care
S
tatistics show that nearly 70 percent of people who move out of a hospital yet still need care are admitted to nursing facilities. Many of these individuals only require short-term care to complete their recovery, but often this turns into a longer stay as they or their family do not realize that there are other options in the community. There is a common misconception that the only choice for those needing long-term care after a disabling illness or accident is a nursing facility. However, many of the people in nursing facilities in Michigan could be at home in the community. Since June 2005, the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) through the Nursing Facility Transition Service (NFTS) has assisted over 40 Medicaideligible individuals with moving from nursing facilities back to the community in the six-county region of Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw. This service is available to all nursing home residents who are current or potential Medicaid recipients. Eligible individuals who need assistance to remain in the community and who meet certain medical requirements will be enrolled in the MI Choice Home and Community-Based Medicaid Waiver Program. The NFTS includes support and coordination services with an AAA 1-B care manager to assist in planning for an individual’s future in the community. All planning is done based on personcentered principles, where the individual directs the planning for the move and selects other person(s), such as friends or family, to be involved in the transition. The care manager will assist the individual or the family in identifying strengths and needs for living independently. 10
Other assistance may include the following: • Securing housing and applicable utility hook-ups, furnishings and domestic supplies • Developing and managing a budget • Planning for medical appointments • Daily living assistance • Linking with social activities in the local community Persons determined eligible for the
program are informed about the specific assistance that can be provided; often the individual and/or family may need to supplement the amount of care that the program is able to purchase on behalf of the client. Interested individuals or their representatives can contact the AAA 1-B at 1-800-852-7795 for a telephone interview, which will determine if they are appropriate to receive an inperson assessment by an AAA 1-B care manager at the nursing facility.
Caring for an older loved one and need a rest?
O
ur Out-of-Home Respite Program is designed to assist caregivers by providing 24-hour care for their older or disabled loved ones in a setting outside the home. This program gives caregivers the opportunity to plan a vacation, take care of their own health needs or simply relax at home while knowing their older loved
one is safe and receiving proper care. Caregivers and their loved ones must meet certain requirements. To learn more about this program or to determine eligibility, call the Area Agency on Aging 1-B at 1-800-852-7795. Michigan Generations
Medicare Preventive Benefits for Better Senior Health
M
any Medicare beneficiaries are not aware of the preventive benefits available through Medicare Part B. Individuals with Medicare can take advantage of three important new Medicare benefits: a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” physical exam, cardiovascular screening and diabetes screening. The physical exam must be taken within six months of enrolling in Medicare Part B and is for new enrollees only. Diabetes screen tests will be covered up to twice a year for certain Medicare beneficiaries designated as being at high risk of becoming diabetic, and cardiovascular screening tests will be covered for certain highrisk beneficiaries once every five years. Note that the preventive benefits include the lab cost but not the physician fee.
In addition to the physical and other benefits added, Medicare’s comprehensive set of preventive benefits includes screening services for the following: • Heart disease and diabetes • Weak bones and glaucoma • Cancers of the colon, breast, cervix and prostate
Historically, the vast majority of Medicare’s spending has gone to treating costly health problems after they occur. For example, 56 percent of Americans age 50 and older do not get screening tests that can detect colon cancer at an early, treatable stage, despite the fact that Medicare covers such tests. If you have questions about what Medicare covers, please contact the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) of the Area Agency on Aging 1-B at 1-800-803-7174. Trained counselors are available to address all of your questions on Medicare or Medicaid. There is no charge for this service, although a donation is appreciated.
Region 2 Area Agency on Aging Serving Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee counties
Patio Dance Brings Summer Fun
T
he Jackson County Department on Aging has traditionally held an annual Street Dance to celebrate summer at the Crouch Senior Center. This year’s celebration took on a different atmosphere and incorporated the new garden/patio area to create the first “Patio Party Dance.” Attendance at the event was very good, with approximately 125 participants enjoying a night filled with toetapping tunes, a BBQ dinner, contests and door prizes. The band Obsolete Country, a favorite among the evening dance crowd at the Crouch Senior Center, provided the music throughout the evening, offering a chance for young and old to dance the night away. The Patio Party Dance offered Fall 2006
something for everyone, beginning with line dancing lessons from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the “early birds.” Partici-
Patio Dance attendees enjoy line dancing.
pants were then treated to a dinner of grilled burgers and brats, baked beans, coleslaw, cookies and lemonade. The evening ended with a drawing, prizes for the “oldest and youngest” guests
and a special prize for a hole-in-one contest using indoor putting greens. Over the past year, a focused effort to increase wellness activities, including the benefits of dance, has proven to be very successful. This initiative has added many new faces at the Department’s two senior centers and congregate meal sites. Comments received in recent months have been positive. A quote from one of the “regulars” sums it all up: “Thank you so much for doing the evening dances. It is the best thing that has ever happened to Jackson County!” For more information, contact Ginny Wood-Bailey at the Region 2 AAA, 1-800-335-7881 or 517-467-1909. 11
Branch–St.Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIIC Serving a two-county area surrounding Sturgis, Three Rivers, Coldwater and Quincy
New Leadership in Region 3C
T
he Branch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging’s mission is to provide an array of high-quality services, programs and opportunities that support the independence and dignity of older adults and family caregivers across Branch and St. Joseph counties. As an autonomous department within the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, we strive for efficient administration of public funds to carry out our mission. On August 1, 2006, the BranchHillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Board of Health selected Steve Todd to replace Duke Anderson as its Health Officer, effective August 5, 2006.Todd has been with the Community Health Agency for more than 30
years, possesses a Masters in Public Administration from Western Michigan University and has been the Director of Environmental Health Services with the Community Health Health Officer Steve Todd Agency since 2001. Todd brings a breadth of knowledge and the desire to make the local aging network stronger, services more accessible and a system that is easier to navigate. “With the Single Point of Entry demonstration project being
piloted in our area, I’m looking forward to seeing a difference in the way we approach the public about long-term care.There is much to do, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.” As a family caregiver himself, he says that “becoming familiar with available services earlier on would have helped us as we faced certain situations with my parents. If I could have known all the options up front, our decisions would have been much easier to make.” For information on long-term care supports and services in your area, please call us toll-free at 1-888-615-8009.
Tri-County Office on Aging A consortium of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties and the cities of Lansing and East Lansing
Preparing for Emergencies
T
his year the Lansing tri-county area of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham has initiated Do 1 Thing — an ongoing, easy and affordable program to encourage people to prepare themselves, their family and the community by doing one thing each month to prepare for an emergency. It is important to have tools to cope when a disaster strikes. The goal of Do 1 Thing is to improve community disaster resiliency by moving individuals through the process of disaster preparedness: from awareness to intention to action. This initiative works by encouraging individuals to take one step each month in a specific area of preparedness. They receive the message from a variety of agencies, each with its own
12
unique perspective but all providing a consistent message. For example, during the first month the message was to have a supply of water. The Tri-County Office on Aging offered free water to seniors; the Capital Area Humane Society encouraged an emergency water supply for pets; and the health departments promoted a larger emergency water supply for pregnant women and families with small children. The common messages stressed throughout the year are: • You are the only one who can ensure your own safety and the safety of your family in a disaster. • Disasters change things.You may not have comforts that you take for granted every day (electricity, water,
cell phones, rapid emergency response). • If you know that your family is taken care of, you will be better able to help your neighborhood and your community. • You can become better prepared in small steps. • Every step you take in becoming prepared will help those that you care about, first responders and others in your community. Other monthly emergency activities include preparing for alternative shelter; assessing your risk; food; communication; connecting with the community; getting emergency information; power; emergency supplies; first aid; and making sure you have special items such as medications. For more information on Do 1 Thing, contact www.do1thing.us. Michigan Generations
Region VII Area Agency on Aging Serving Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola counties
Four Opportunities to Make a Difference!
O
ne objective of an understanding Area Agency on Aging long-term care is to help people remain in options, availtheir homes for as long as able facilities possible by providing fundwithin a coming for in-home services. munity and Region VII also provides services within funding for Long-Term Care each facility. Ombudsman services The Saginaw through Citizens for Better branch of CitiCare. This organization zens for Better assists residents in longCare represents term care facilities by prolong-term care Volunteer Coordinator Allison Rossi Utter is available to assist callers with viding advocacy services — residents within information or to match up volunteers both by establishing a relaRegion VII’s with opportunities to help nursing home residents. tionship of trust with resi10-county servdents and family members ice area. It has and by acting as a resource for family volunteer opportunities available in members who would like help in four categories: Volunteer Advocates,
Friendly Visitors, Crafters and Office Assistants. The Volunteer Advocate works with an Ombudsman in resolving the concerns or complaints of residents, family members or friends of residents. The Friendly Visitor calls on nursing home residents who might not otherwise have contact with someone from the outside. Crafters make greeting cards and other decorations for nursing home residents. Office Assistants answer the telephone and perform other office duties. This agency currently needs volunteers in all four categories. If you are interested in helping, call 1-800-284-0046. For additional information on programs and services, contact the Region VII Area Agency on Aging, 1615 S. Euclid Ave, Bay City, MI 48706, 1-800-858-1637, or visit our website at www.region7aaa.org.
NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging Covering 12 counties of Northeast Michigan
Centers Provide Relief for Caregivers
N
ursing home staff work an eighthour shift for a reason: It can be a physically and mentally exhausting job! Family caregivers take care of everything 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Adult Day Centers can help persons who are socially isolated; are in need of supervision to ensure safety; are in need of assistance to complete activities of daily living; or have caregivers in need of respite. The northeastern lower Michigan region has a number of wonderful Adult Day Centers. Participants at the Pleasant Days Adult Alternative Care Center, located at the Arenac County Council on Aging in Omer, enjoy social interaction, and the caregivers appreciate knowing that their family members are well
Fall 2006
The Caring Place in Alpena enjoys the musical talents of one of their participants.
cared for. Contact Pleasant Days at 989-653-2692. Sand Castles Day and Respite programs have really taken off. Sand Castles is located within the new addition of the Cheboygan County Council on Aging Senior Center, and participants there enjoy the many activities available
to them. Contact Sand Castles at 231-597-8317. The Caring Place is the longestestablished adult care center in the northeast region. Located within a newly remodeled portion of the District Health Department building in Alpena, the Caring Place has been a home away from home for their many participants. Contact the center at 989-356-4507 or 1-800-221-0294. The Otsego Haus’ staff has been described as “angels on earth” by the family caregivers whose loved ones attend the day center. Contact Otsego Haus, located in Gaylord, at 989-7321122 for more information. Take advantage of these resources and become a wise caregiver benefiting from a well-deserved break. For more caregiving information, call 989-356-3474, ext. 216. 13
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan Offering information and funding senior services in the 10-county area of Northwest Lower Michigan
Website Is Useful Tool for Caregivers
C
aregivers across northwest Michigan and, in fact, anyone with a computer and Internet access have the ability to access a website designed with caregivers in mind: caregiverNorth.org. This site is provided and maintained by Catholic Human Services, Inc. and supported with funds provided through the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. The caregiverNorth.org website offers monthly articles for caregivers, message boards with information on support groups, educational workshops and conferences for caregivers and tips on caring for others as well as them-
selves. Sample titles of articles that you’ll find at caregiverNorth.org include: Challenging Behaviors, Legal Tips for Caregivers, Alzheimer’s Disease, Chronic Illnesses and Coping with Depression. To date, there are more than 30 articles available. The website also features resources for both Elder Abuse Awareness and Kinship Care (for those caring for other relatives’ children). The Elder Abuse Awareness page addresses topics such as how to avoid scams, scams that target the elderly and articles from the Michigan Attorney General’s Office. The Kinship Page features
articles about relevant workshops and conferences. CaregiverNorth.org provides timely and reliable information and has welcomed more than 54,000 visitors over the past 12 months. There are also many links to other helpful sites. Those who do not have Internet access or prefer speaking with an information specialist voice-to-voice can call a toll-free number for information and assistance: 1-800-658-8554. If you have any information that you’d like to be included on the site, please contact Douglas Durand at Catholic Human Services, Inc. at 1-800-658-8554. For more information, contact AAANM at 1-800-442-1713 or 231-947-8920.
Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging Serving all 15 counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
UPCAP Awarded Single Point of Entry Demonstration Grant
I
n early June, Governor Granholm announced the selection of four agencies to implement demonstration programs designed to assist people in need of long-term care services. Jonathan Mead, Executive Director of UPCAP, confirmed that UPCAP was selected as one of the four pilot sites. This selection means that residents of the Upper Peninsula seeking long-term care assistance will be among the first to benefit from expected improvements in accessing long-term care services. The Single Point of Entry (SPE) process was the key recommendation in Governor Granholm’s Long-Term Care Task Force Report. The concept of the SPE is to ensure that individuals 14
needing long-term care for themselves or for a loved one will have easy access to information in order to make the necessary choice on how, where and by whom those long-term care services will be provided. Under the present system in Michigan, people sometimes end up in a particular longterm care setting not because it is the right place but because it is the most convenient option given the time constraints of the moment. The SPE concept is designed to make sure that people have all of the information they need, as quickly as possible, to make the right choice. The SPE will operate on the principle of guaranteeing that individuals are
provided with timely, unbiased and appropriate information. The public should be able to start making use of the SPE by the end of October or early November. UPCAP will utilize its 2-1-1 call system as a primary point of access to the SPE. UPCAP will continue to work closely with all stakeholders who have an interest in long-term care, including nursing homes, hospitals, the Superior Alliance for Independent Living, the Department of Human Services and the entire home care network, to make the project successful. For more information about the SPE process or Michigan’s plans for long-term care, contact UPCAP at 1-800-338-7227 or visit these websites: ww.michigan.gov/ltc or www.upcap.org. Or simply dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in the U.P.
Michigan Generations
ASKtheExpert
Nadeem M. Mirza, MD
Memory Changes
Aging and Dementia
Are dementia and memory loss the same? NO. MEMORY LOSS IS A COMMON
symptom of dementia; Alzheimer’s disease is one example. But memory problems do not necessarily mean that a person has dementia. Some disorders that can lead to memory difficulties are well known and frequently discussed in the media, such as stroke, closed head injuries and dementia. But other, less common conditions can also lead to memory problems. These include medication reactions, metabolic and endocrine abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, brain tumors, poisoning and even some heart and lung problems.
Are memory problems a normal part of aging? A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH HAS BEEN
conducted about how memory changes with aging. But so far, there is no agreement about the type or degree of impairment that might be considered “normal.” Without this precise knowledge, it is difficult to distinguish between normal aging and disease-related changes. In general, we can say that when memory and problems in thinking or functioning affect a person’s life — whether socially, on the job or in performing daily tasks
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;
— the person needs to be evaluated as soon as possible.
Why is early diagnosis so important? EARLY, ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS IS CRITICAL
because more treatment options are available in the early stages of memory decline. In the long run, it is better if you talk with your health care provider as soon as you notice a change in how your memory seems to be functioning. Don’t be concerned that you are “over-reacting.”
How do physicians diagnose memory problems and how do they know if it is dementia? A DETAILED HISTORY IS ESSENTIAL TO
establish a diagnosis. It is important to take the history not only from the patient but also from someone who knows the patient well. A complete physical examination; lab tests; neurological imaging such as a CT or MRI scan; and some paper-and-pencil tests to evaluate thinking, memory and daily functioning may be needed in some cases.
Has a cure for dementia been found?
What are some early warning signs that I should watch for? IF YOU NOTICE SYMPTOMS LIKE THE
following in yourself or someone you love, don’t delay. See your personal health care provider as soon as possible. • Missing appointments consistently and/or struggling with maintaining a schedule • Having more trouble than usual completing job, volunteer service or recreational tasks • Having trouble managing medications • Feeling depressed or noticing a change in personality • Feeling absentminded, confused or more forgetful than usual • Struggling with complex daily tasks, such as paying bills on time or running the household.
NO, BUT THOUSANDS OF RESEARCHERS
across the globe are working to find new and effective medications to slow, halt or even reverse the effects of dementia. Currently, five drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the treatment of dementia. Four of these drugs boost the levels of a chemical called acetylcholine (a-seet´-l-ko´- leen). One blocks/modifies the effects of the chemical glutamate (glue´-t a-mate) in the brain. All five drugs have been shown to slow cognitive and functional decline in dementia.
jjarvis@aaa1b.com. We will make every
Are treatments the same for all types of memory problems?
effort to answer your question in an
TREATMENTS VARY WIDELY DEPENDING
upcoming issue of Michigan Generations.
on the cause of memory problems. Some memory problems are partially or
Fall 2006
completely reversible and respond to treatment very well. This is another reason that early, accurate diagnosis is critical to defining the underlying cause of a memory problem.
Nadeem M. Mirza, MD, is medical director of LakeView Memory Clinic as well as LakeView Community Hospital’s inpatient Behavioral Health Services unit in Paw Paw. He also maintains a private practice in Paw Paw. Dr. Mirza is board-certified in psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry. For more information or to make an appointment at LakeView Memory Clinic, call 269-657-1471 or 1-866-657-9905. A physician’s referral is not required.
15
SPONSORS Chalgian & Tripp Law Offices PLLC • Elder Law • Estate Planning • Special Needs Planning Offices in East Lansing, Jackson and Ithaca. 1-888-956-9600.
Health & Home Services Unlimited, Inc. Care, companionship and peace of mind. In-home or wherever your residence may be! We specialize in meeting your needs — from personal care to home maintenance. Insured and bonded. 1-800-314-8718.
LakeView Memory Clinic Part of LakeView Community Hospital in Paw Paw, offering comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of memory loss while serving as a resource for patients, family members, physicians and the community. A physician referral is not required. Call 269-657-1471 or 866-657-9905 or visit www.lakeviewcares.com
Presbyterian Villages of Michigan Senior Living Communities Serving seniors of all faiths since 1945. To find out more, visit our website, www.pvm.org, or call 248-281-2020 for a brochure describing the variety of housing and services Presbyterian Villages of Michigan offers.
American House Adult Communities with Services Unlike Any Other Stop by any of our 31 locations in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb, Washtenaw and Genesee counties or visit is online at www.americanhouse.com
Thanks to these companies and organizations for their generous support. For more information on becoming a sponsor of Michigan Generations, please call Jenny Jarvis at 248-262-9202 .
Tips for New Caregivers Are you a new caregiver for a relative or friend? Taking these important steps will help you to address your older loved ones’ needs. Learn their medical history. • What medical conditions or health problems do they have? • Who are their doctors? • What medications do they take? [If you or your love ones are unclear about the details, you can go with them on their next visit to the doctor.]
Make a list of people in their personal support system. • Get contact information for everyone on the list.These could include emergency contacts, other close friends and relatives, neighbors, members of their church, housing managers and others. Review their financial needs. • List sources of income, such as Social Security and pensions, monthly and yearly income.
• List expenses, bank accounts and investments, and statements of net worth. • Get important account numbers in case these are needed in an emergency. Review legal needs. • Determine which legal documents they need — for example, wills, advance directives such as living wills trusts, powers of attorney, etc. • Find out where they keep their important documents such as birth certificates, marriage license, deed to home and insurance policies.