MiGen 2010 Fall by Wells-Smith Partners

Generations Michigan

Fall 2010

NEW for our Readers:

PEOPLE Making a Difference

Caregiving 101: Making It Work

Also in This Issue: n Ask the Expert n Caregiving News & Notes Published quarterly by Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging

Welcome to Michigan Generations Michigan is divided into 16 AAAs, each serving a different part of the state.

They are:

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.

7 5

3A 3B

4 Region I V 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

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

Generations Michigan

FALL 2010 Published quarterly

through a cooperative effort of Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging. For information contact: Mary Ablan Executive Director Michigan Area Agencies on Aging Association ablan@iserv.net.

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

2009

On the Cover: If you are new to the world of caregiving, you are faced with a myriad of challenges and choices. Where do you start first — and how do you find help? This caregiving overview, starting on page 4, explains the most important steps you must take.

Fall 2010 Volume 8, #2 © 2010 by the Michigan Area Agencies on Aging. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, the Michigan Area Agencies on Aging and JAM Communications make no warranty to the accuracy or reliability of this information. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission. All rights reserved.

map photography courtesy travel michigan

AAAs —‑Gateways to Community Resources

1A Detroit Area Agency on Aging 1B Area Agency on Aging 1-B 1C The Senior Alliance 2 Region 2 Area Agency on Aging 3A Kalamazoo Co. Health & Community Services Dept. Region 3A 3B Region IIIB Area Agency on Aging 3C Branch-St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIIC

CAREGIVINGNews&Notes The War on

Sodium H

ealth experts continue to push the public to consume less sodium, the majority of which comes from salt. While new recommendations call for slashing sodium intake to 1,500 milligrams (mg), the average American consumes 3,460 mg a day. Much of this comes not from the salt shaker, but from processed foods and restaurant items. Five categories of food that are among the worst culprits are: Prepared grain mixtures, frozen meals and soups. Ham, bacon, sausages and lunch meats. Breads. Meat or poultry with marinades and fish mixtures. Cakes, cookies and crackers. Not surprisingly, restaurant and take-out food most loaded with sodium includes French fries, hamburgers and pizza.

•

• • • •

MMAP MONITOR

re you having trouble finding your way through the health-benefits maze? There’s a helping hand in Michigan, reaching out to educate, counsel and empower seniors and caregivers, so they can make informed health-benefit decisions. MMAP is a FREE health-benefit counseling service, which works through the Area Agencies on Aging to provide high-quality and accessible information and assistance. MMAP counselors are trained in Medicare and Medicaid law and regulations, health insurance counseling and relevant insurance products. Their purpose is to assist you objectively and confidentially. Here are some things they can help with: Identify resources for prescription drug assistance, Explain Medicare health plan options, Understand doctor and hospital bills, Understand Medicare/Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, coverage, claims and appeals. How do you access this help? Call 1-800-803-7174 or visit the MMAP website at www.mmapinc.org and click on “Get Started.” Read MMAP MONITOR in future issues of Generations for more information on MMAP services.

• • • •

Fall 2010

RMDs: They’re Back! R

MDs — required minimum distributions — are the amounts the federal government requires you to withdraw annually from traditional IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans after you reach age 70½. If you turned 70½ in or before 2009, your RMD for the 2009 calendar year (which was due by December 31, 2009) was waived due to the deteriorating economic conditions in 2008. At present, the economy may not have bounced back, but RMDs are back! That means you now must resume taking RMDs. If the above age cut-offs apply to you, your RMD must be taken no later than December 31, 2010. If you have turned 70½ this year (2010), the waiver does not affect you. Your first RMD is due by April 1, 2011, and is based on the value of your account on December 31, 2009. Contact your financial advisor or account manager for guidance.

Looking Ahead to the

Holidays F

or many seniors, the holidays can be highly stressful, confusing or even depressing. You can help them enjoy the season by following these simple tips: 1. Stroll down memory lane. Use picture albums, family videos and music, even theme songs from old radio or TV programs, to help stimulate memories and encourage older seniors to share their stories and experiences. 2. Plan ahead. Limit the number of activities the older person is involved in or the length of time he or she is included. Schedule time for a nap, if necessary, and consider designating a “quiet room” where an older person can take a break. 3. Avoid embarrassing moments. If an older person experiencing short-term memory problems forgets a recent conversation, don’t make it worse by saying, “Don’t you remember?” 4. Be inclusive. Older adults with physical limitations can still be included in kitchen activities by asking them to do a simple, helpful task like greasing cooking pans or folding napkins.

Surfing the Net Each issue of Michigan Generations offers several websites devoted to caregiving information and resources: www.foodinsight.org provides food safety, nutrition and healthful eating information to help you make good and safe food choices. www.bankingmyway.com is a good source of rates for CDs, money market accounts, savings and checking accounts, mortgages, home equity loans and more. 3

FINANCES

HEALTH

Caregiving 101: Making It Work

HOUSING

daily living By Martha Nolan McKenzie

t might start with a phone call, the voice on the other end telling you that your mom was found wandering and lost in her own neighborhood. Or perhaps it begins with a visit, when you notice Dad’s house is dirty and there is no food in the fridge. Or maybe it starts as you are sitting next to your spouse of 50 years when he suffers a severe stroke. Whatever path brought you here, you suddenly find yourself a caregiver. Now what do you do? Robin Petruska well remembers wrestling with that question two years ago. Her apparently healthy, capable father had been caring for her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s. “Then one day they went to bed and Dad never woke up,” says Petruska, 53. “Overnight I inherited Mom, her condo, her checkbook and a whole boatload of other things. After I got the call about Dad, it took me three hours to drive from Gaylord to Mom and Dad’s home downstate, and the whole time I was thinking, ‘Oh my God! What am I going to do?’” The answer to that question is unique to every situation, of course — an adult daughter caring for a parent in another state will need different solutions than an elderly spouse caring for a mate in their home. But there are some commonalities of caregiving that will impact nearly everyone in that role.

Michigan Generations

What do I do now?

The first thing you need to do is come to terms with two things — that you are now, in fact, a caregiver and that you are going to need help. “You have to try to find a point in your heart and your mind where you accept what has happened and what the situation is now,” says Dona Wishart, executive director of the Otsego County Commission on Aging. “Things are probably not going to go back to how they were before.” Once you acknowledge the situation for what it is, you need to be willing to ask for help. If you are like most caregivers, the responsibilities have landed on your shoulders alone, even though you might have siblings. That doesn’t mean that you can, or should, do everything yourself. You need to assemble a team of family, friends and/or professionals to help you along the road that lies ahead. “Maybe your brother can’t help with providing actual care, but he might be good at finance,” says Tammy Rosa, master trainer for the Creating Confident Caregivers program at UPCAP Services in Escabana. “He could take over bill paying, balancing the checkbook and following up on insurance claims. Someone else might be able to do research for you, finding out what care facilities are available, for example, and what they offer. You can hire someone to do the house cleaning or sit with your loved one while you run out. Even if the person you are caring for is your spouse, you can’t do everything yourself without risking burning yourself out.” You and your team will need to assess several key areas:

HEALTH Chances are, you will need

to take a more active role in managing your loved one’s health. That means you need to educate yourself on his current condition, including his medications, diagnoses, disabilities, care providers and insurance coverage. “The medical issues can be so overwhelming,” says Viki Kind, a bioethicist and principal of KindEthics.com in Granada Hills, Calif. “You might arrive at the hospital and be bombarded with questions like, ‘Does your mom have any allergies?’ ‘Who is your mom’s primary care physician?’ ‘What medications is your mom currently taking?’ “It can be a very pressurized situation,” continues Kind, who wrote The Caregiver’s Path to Compassionate Decision Making: Making Choices for Those Who Can’t. “The more you can do to educate yourself about your loved one’s health and medical situation, the better it will go.” At a minimum, you should make a list of all his medications, including doses. But you may want to create a more comprehensive personal health record for your loved one. This is a tool that captures key health care information (all with phone numbers), including: primary care physician, specialists, pharmacy, home health agency, community services (such as Meals on Wheels), advanced directives, medical history, immunizations, red flags that could signal his condition is worsening, and medication list, including dose, reason and start date. You should take this record to every doctor’s appointment or hospital admission. You can download perFall 2010

sonal health record forms from many websites, including www.myphr.com and www.mymedicare.gov. In the event that your loved one can no longer make health care decisions for himself, you will need to obtain a durable power of attorney for health care, if you don’t already have one. This document allows your loved one to name someone who can make medical and treatment decisions on his behalf if he is unable to do so. This document typically has two parts — the first designates a person to make decisions and the second is the medical directive, which allows your loved one to say what kind of and how much treatment he wants in various situations.

daily living You will need to assess what your loved one can and cannot do for himself. “You’ve got to figure out where your loved one is and what level of care he needs,” says Kind. “Does he need help with ADLs (activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing) or does he need skilled nursing care? Many times the loved one doesn’t want to believe he is as disabled as he is, so the caregiver really needs to provide an objective assessment.” Next you have to figure out how to help your loved one with the things he can’t manage on his own. It may be as simple as making a few modifications or arrangements — adding

You will need to take a more active role in managing your loved one’s health. a bar in the bathtub, having meals delivered or installing a raised toilet seat. You can also hire a home care or home health agency to come in and assist your loved one. The type of services provided by home care agencies can be divided into two areas: medical and social or personal. Medical services might include injections, intravenous therapy, wound care, medication management and physical therapy. These services are provided by registered nurses (RN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN), physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists. Agencies that provide medical services can either be Medicare-certified or private duty. Social or personal services might include assistance with activities of daily living, such as getting in and out of bed, bathing and dressing. They might also include companionship visits, transportation and help with household tasks and errands. To find a Medicare-certified home care agency, you can go to Medicare’s Home Health Compare website to get information about home health agencies, including areas they serve and their quality of care compared to others in the state. Go to www.medicare.gov/hhcompare/home.asp. In addition, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) website offers a locator service by zip code. Visit www.nahc.org. 5

HOUSING The level of care your loved one needs will heavily influence where he can live. Can he continue to live in his home? If so, are modifications needed? Can he move in with you? Or does he need more care than can be provided safely and practically at home? If you are trying to keep your loved one in his home or yours, will you need only a few modifications or will you need an extensive remodel? For the latter you can consult a growing number of “aging-in-place” professionals. The National Association of Home Builders, for example, now offers a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation. To find a CAPS remodeler, call the NAHB at 1-800368-5242 or visit the website at www.nahb.org. You can also purchase an impressive array of products to help your loved one function in his own home. In the bathroom, for example, not only can you purchase higher toilets, you can get an automatic toilet seat that raises you back to standing position. You can now get bathtubs with doors, so you can walk or roll in without having to step over the side.

The level of care your loved one needs will heavily influence where he can live. In the shower, you can install a showerhead that slides up and down on a bar and lifts off on a hose. An overhead lift can help move seniors within the bathroom. In two-story homes, stair lifts can connect on the side of the stairs to carry a senior from level to level. Or private elevators can be installed. And the list goes on. If your loved one needs to go into a care facility, you’ve got another decision on your hands. There are three broad types of senior housing in Michigan — independent living, assisted living and nursing homes — which vary primarily according to the level of assistance and care they provide for residents. Increasingly, all three types are being combined in a fourth type — continuing care retirement communities. Assisted-living facilities provide help with many tasks of daily living, such as getting dressed, bathing or taking medication. Some offer three meals a day, housekeeping, transportation and social activities. Nursing homes offer extensive skilled nursing care and therapies, as well as assistance with activities of daily living.

FINANCES What your loved one

needs and what he can afford may be two different things, so you’ll need to delve into his finances. What are his assets and income? If he is on Medicare, does he have any other policies, such as a Medigap plan? Does he have long-term care insurance? If he has few assets, can you get him on Medicaid? The Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) can help you navigate the system and understand the benefits to which your loved one 6

is entitled. To reach a MMAP counselor, call 1-800-803-7174 or visit www.mmapinc.org. If you have to take over your loved one’s finances entirely, you will need to obtain a durable power of attorney. This is a legal document that lets your loved one designate someone to handle his financial affairs if he becomes unable to do so. Even spouses need to draft powers of attorney. If your house is jointly owned, for example, you cannot sell it or refinance it to help pay for your spouse’s medical bills without a power of attorney, unless you go to court to obtain a special court order.

Where can I get help? Now that you know what sort of help you need, where can you go to find it? Area Agencies on Aging. Your first stop should be your local Area Agency on Aging or your local Council or Commission on Aging. Many offer online databases that you can search yourself. You can also call your AAA or aging commission and talk to an information expert who will refer you to the services you need. The referral service, whether online or via telephone, is free. “If these agencies can’t provide direct help, they will have a wealth of information for making referrals to appropriate services,” says Wishart. (See the AAA Resource Guide on page 15 of this issue.) Petruska immediately turned to her aging commission when she became her mother’s caregiver. “The first call I made after I heard Dad passed away was to the Otsego County Commission on Aging,” she says. “They told me how to go about finding a caregiver, what to look for in a home health agency and how to arrange transportation for Mom. Because of the help I got through the Commission, I was able to keep Mom in her own home until she fell and broke her hip. She passed away very shortly after that.” In addition to making referrals, AAAs offer training programs for caregivers of people with dementia or memory loss. Creating Confident Caregivers is a six-session program that offers education about dementia and its effects on the brain, instruction on caregiving skills, tips on managing behaviors and referrals to local resources. To find the AAA nearest you, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1166 or visit www.eldercare.gov. Disease associations. 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 provides services for those who suffer from the disease as well as for their caregivers. In Michigan, caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients can call 1-800-272-3900 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 website 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 disease, support groups, educational programs and a Safe Return program — a nationwide identification, support and registration program that provides assistance when Michigan Generations

an Alzheimer’s patient wanders off and becomes lost. Some chapters also provide various forms of respite care. Geriatric care managers. If you or your loved one have the resources, you can hire a professional geriatric care manager to navigate the caregiving labyrinth for you. The manager can meet with your loved one and conduct the initial assessment (which can be especially helpful if you live in another city or state), recommend services and equipment and arrange for their delivery. “Geriatric care managers are a wonderful resource,” says Rosa. “If you are not knowledgeable about some of the resources or are overwhelmed by what’s on your plate, they can really reduce your stress by helping you handle those responsibilities.” To find a geriatric care manager in your area, you can visit the website of the National Association of Geriatric Care Managers at www.caremanager.org and look up the information for free, or you can call 520-881-8008 and purchase a directory. Other sources. There are many more places you can turn to for help. Hospital discharge planners, churches and faith-based organizations, employers, the Internet and other caregivers can offer a wealth of information, tips and resources.

What about me? While you’re caring for your loved one, don’t forget to take care of yourself. That may seem self-evident, but many caregivers neglect their own health, with devastating results. Spouses in particular might feel that it is their duty to care for their mate and that taking a break or getting help is a

sign of failure. “A significant number of caregivers die before the person they are caring for,” says Kind. “A person just cannot continue to function with that level of stress, worry and exhaustion. Many caregivers become depressed and isolated. When the caregiver’s health starts failing, now we’ve got two vulnerable people instead of one.” To keep yourself healthy, make sure you carve out a bit of time each day to do something that you enjoy — work in your garden, meet friends for a game of bridge, take a walk with a neighbor. Take advantage of some of the resources that are available. Joining a support group can help lift the feeling of isolation and connect you to others going through similar experiences. People you meet in support groups might also have helpful tips and advice. To find a nearby support group, contact your AAA, a disease-specific association or a local hospital. Adult day care centers can provide you with muchneeded respite. At such a center, you can drop off your loved one occasionally or on a regular basis and know he 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 of daily living without assistance. It gives both you and your loved one a chance to get out of the house, have a change of scenery and get a break from each other. “Sometimes what we are facing seems so overwhelming that we forget that our life is a gift, but we are not required to give it all away,” says Wishart. “We really must find a balance. That’s the only way caregiving can work.” MI

More Resources for Caregivers • National Alliance for Caregiving: Provides an extensive searchable database for resources. www.caregiving.org. • Well Spouse Association: Gives support to wives, hus•

• •

•

bands and partners of the chronically ill or disabled. 1-800-838-0879, www.wellspouse.org. Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (MI Seniors): Provides searchable database for services, such as outof-home respite or adult day care; for specific agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging; or for services by county. 517-373-8230, www.michigan.gov/miseniors. National Council on Aging Benefits Checkup: Identifies federal and state benefits programs for which the care recipient might be eligible. www.benefitscheckup.org. Citizens for Better Care: Helps find appropriate senior housing and works with residents of facilities on problem resolution. Also publishes “The Michigan Long Term Care Companion,” which includes information on long-term care insurance, assisted-living options, nursing home selection and more. 1-866-485-9393, www.cbcmi.org. National Association for Home Care and Hospice: Offers a wide variety of information about how to choose a home care provider, including a list of state resources. Also publishes “All About Hospice: A Consumer’s Guide.” www.nahc.org/Consumer/coninfo.html.

Fall 2010

• Michigan Adult Day Services Association: Maintains a data•

base of adult day centers in the state, with contact information. 1-877-362-2322, www.mimadsa.org. Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors: Gives legal advice and referrals to elder law attorneys. 1-800-347-5297.

Regional News Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept. (Region 3)

Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB

Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA (IIIC)

Reg 4 / Reg

In communities across the U.S., Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serve as gateways to local resources, planning efforts and services that help caregivers and older adults. In this section, you will find timely information on the services offered by the Michigan AAAs that co-sponsor this magazine: Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Region IV Area Agency on Aging, Tri-County Office on Aging, Region VII Area Agency on Aging, NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging and Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging. Reg 5 / Valley AAA

Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging

Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA

Reg 8 / AAA

S potlight O n …

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

UPCAP Promotes Aging in Place Through Its Long-Term Care Programs

ost people, if given the option, would prefer to live in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. While nursing facilities meet the needs of those who require skilled nursing care, many people in a long-term care situation do not need this level of care. Often they need only supervision and assistance with activities of everyday life, such as personal care or the preparation of meals. This type of care can usually be provided in the community safely, effectively and at considerably less cost. UPCAP’s MI Choice Waiver program allows those living in their own home or apartment the option to remain there for as long as possible. The program utilizes Medicaid dollars that would have traditionally been spent on nursing home placement to purchase necessary in-home services that allow folks to continue living in their own homes. This can help avoid unwanted and costly institutionalization. UPCAP also administers the Nursing Facility Transition Initiative, an expansion of the MI Choice 8

must have care needs that a nursing Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest facility MI Reg 11 / Upper Peninsula AAA could provide if no other option was available. Second, income and asset Waiver program that helps those guidelines apply. Typically, if a person living in nursing facilities transition would be financially eligible for Medback into the community. Residential icaid in a nursing facility, they would Service Coordinators (RSCs) assist then be eligible for Waiver programs. residents in nursing homes to deterAnd last, the person must need and mine whether accept at least a less restricone MI Choice tive environWaiver service on ment might a continual basis, work for such as specialized them, and medical equipment then aid them or home-delivered as they tranmeals. sition to a In 2009, UPCAP home in the assisted 754 seniors community of to remain in or their choosreturn to their ing. RSCs will community in the also assist setting of their those living Charles — here with his wife, Debbie — was choice. Charles, in Adult Fos- able to come home following a stroke, thanks who suffered from to the UPCAP Nursing Facility Transition ter Homes a stroke that left Initiative. Debbie says, “I never worry about and Homes him in a nursing him when I am gone, and that is a blessing.” for the Aged home, says, “I got to remain to come home to there even if more skilled services my wife … I never want to go back.” may be needed. For more information about the To be considered for either of MI Choice Waiver and Nursing Facility these programs, a person must meet Transition options, call UPCAP at certain criteria. First, the individual 1-800-338-7227, or dial 2-1-1. Michigan Generations

Reg 14 / Sen West Michig

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

Alarming Results Lead to Recommendations for Detroit Long-Term Care Delivery

Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA

Reg 1-B / AAA

Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept. (Region 3)

Reg 3-B / Burn

fter 18 months of stakeholder meetings and problemsolving deliberation, the Detroit Long-Term Care System Change Task Force is pressuring state and local governments to stabilize the long-term care delivery system to ensure quality care equal to that provided in other regions of the state. The 154-member task force was created by the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) to synthesize the results of several studies dating back to the 2003 landmark report, Dying Before Their Time, and including recent research conducted under the auspices of the DAAA and funded by the Michigan Department of Community Health that shows: • Some 17,000 Detroit seniors die before their time each year • Sixteen nursing homes closed in the economicallydepressed city of Detroit in the past 13 years • Detroit’s long-term care system is one of the most racially segregated in the U.S. • The existing system is a safety net for only the poorest of the poor In a report released in September, the task force details the crisis facing Detroit nursing homes and outlines the urgency for change. The task force found that disparities in the current long-term care system are not solely systemic or unalterable. Therefore, its recommendations address baseline issues that need to be resolved and implemented to stabilize the current system. Some of the immediate actions the task force recommends include: Create a disproportionate-share payment mechanism for those facilities that serve a higher proportion of Medicaid residents, similar to that provided to hospitals and other entities serving high-risk residents, Eliminate or modify reimbursement regulations to encourage spending on operations and reinvestment in facilities, Support the development of new facilities, including continuing care retirement communities, in order to elevate expectations of consumers and increase the competitive pressure on existing providers to reinvest, Increase resources available for training direct care staff as well as management staff, Enhance the efficiency and response time of the Medicaid eligibility approval process, Establish a system of oversight for guardians to Fall 2010

“ A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” —Mahatma Ghandi Reg 5 / Valley AAA

Reg 6 / Tri-Cou

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA

Reg 10 / AAA

ensure seniors are represented properly and funds are spent appropriately, Create a community advocacy network to educate and engage the community on issues related to long-term care services. Whether comprehensive system reform can be achieved in the midst of current political and economic realities is yet to be seen. However, significant improvement can be achieved in the existing delivery system with a commitment to new, positive and sustainable actions. It is to this end that our stakeholders, including consumers, nursing home administrators, health and long-term care professionals, and Detroit members of the Michigan State Legislature, will remain committed. For a copy of the report, Transforming Long Term Care in Detroit—A Synopsis of Findings from the Long Term Care System Change Task Force, call the Detroit Area Agency on Aging at 313-446-4444 or visit www.daaa1a.org. 9

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

Senior Volunteers Become Computer Savvy Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept. (Region 3)

Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB

his spring and summer, 49 Area Agency on Aging (AAA) volunteers received scholarships to attend computer classes. Upon completion of the coursework, each participant was given a computer to take home. The volunteers are part of the AAA’s Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs. In both programs, volunteers serve 15–20 hours each week, are income-eligible and are over the age of 55. Foster Grandparents work one-on-one with kids in schools and other community sites, while Senior Companions are paired with peers and provide friendship and support. The computer classes were offered at one of the AAA’s SeniorNet Learning

Reg 5 / Valley AAA

Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging

Seniors enjoy computer classes.

Centers. The AAA has been providing education and access to technology for senior citizens through SeniorNet for past Reg 9the / NEMSCA Reg 12 9 AAAyears.Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI For most of the participants, the class was their first experience

Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA (IIIC)

Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA

working on a computer. According to SeniorNet instructor Tracey Skoda, many of the students were initially hesitant — some terrified — but everyone quickly became part of the fun, forming new friendships and feeling satisfaction in learning a new skill. The volunteers report byMichigan Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA Reg 8 / AAA that of Western Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B having a working understanding of computer basics — keyboarding, using the mouse, word processing, the Internet, and email — their lives have been enhanced. They feel more connected to the computer age, and empowered by knowing what their grandkids are talking about. For Peninsula more AAA information, contact theof Reg 11 / Upper Reg 14 / Senior Resources West Michigan Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Region IV AAA at 269-983-0177 or Reg IIIB Services Dept. (Region 3) 1-800-442-2803.

Reg 1-C / The

Reg 3-C / Bra (IIIC)

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

Creating Confident Caregivers

n collaboration with the Office of Services to the Aging, the Tri-County Office on Aging began providing the Creating Confident Caregivers training to dementia caregivers in the Tri-County area in January 2009. The six-week series, based on the Savvy Caregiver curriculum, teaches participants a unique perspective on dementia, highlighting the functional aspects of the disease and concentrating on the remaining abilities of the person with dementia. Participants learn new ways to view the disease and gain tools to make the caregiving journey less cumbersome. By focusing on the abilities of the person with dementia, caregivers can adapt everyday activities for them, 10

creating a positive atmosphere. The Creating Confident Caregivers series teaches caregivers to determine the disease stage of the person they are

Caregivers find the empowerment that comes only with knowledge. caring for, identify the skills that they have and encourage them to use those skills in a meaningful way. When caregivers learn to keep their loved one in the zone of contented involvement, caregiving becomes easier and more rewarding. Creating Confident Caregivers participants are taught not only about dementia and its effects on their

Reg 5 / Valley AAA

Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging

loved one but also about the importance of self-care. Many caregivers learn for the first time that reducing their stress level can have a significant effect on the care receiver. Caregivers come to the session to find tools for their caregiving roles — but they also leave with of MI Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA Reg 10 / a AAAsense of Northwest renewed hope and passion for the gifts of caregiving. They find support from their peers and most important, they find the empowerment that comes only with knowledge. For more information, contact Jennifer Burley at 517-887-1447. For more information about other TCOA programs, please call 517-887-1440 or 1-800-405-9141, or visit our website at www.tcoa.org. Michigan Generations

Reg 7 / Reg V

Reg 11 / Upp

Services Dept. (Region 3)

(IIIC)

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

Personalized Caregiver Services

Reg 5 / Valley AAA

or family members struggling to Jean MacNab works to build a special care for loved ones who are ill or relationship with each caregiver she have a disability, Caregiver Services meets. This ensures that they receive can help by proindividualized viding counseling, education, support groups and services and training. Caregiver support. Services are availReg 9Jean / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA facilitates able in each of the an exceptioncounties served by ally welcoming the Region VII Area support group, Agency on Aging. which meets at The Gratiot 1 p.m. on the County Commission Jean MacNab (left) and Betty. Betty is 103 third Tuesday of years old and has two sons, who are her on Aging in Ithaca the month at the primary caregivers. takes immense First Presbytepride in the way rian Church in they provide Caregiver Services. FamAlma. This support group is just one ily Caregiver/Support Coordinator feature of the Commission on Aging’s

larger program, which includes Reg 6 / Tri-Countyone-on-one Office on Aging Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA support for the caregiver; locating or providing needed resources such as suitable housing; and a library of books and DVDs on caregiving topics. The Commission on Aging can often arrange respite, which offers companionship, supervision and/or assistance to an individual in the absence of their caregiver. Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI primary Reg 11 / Upper Peninsula AAA Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. a Human When a caregiver desires respite, Services Dept. (Region 3) volunteer may come to the home to stay with the person requiring care, or they may arrange an outing to the Adult Day Care program. For more information about Caregiver Services, please call 989-875-5246. For information regarding services within Region VII’s other service areas, call Reg 5 our / Valleywebsite AAA 1-800-858-1637 or visit at www.region7aaa.org.

Reg 8 / AAA Reg 1-B / AAA

Reg 14 / Seni West Michiga Reg 3-B / Bur

Reg 6 / Tri-Co

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

TCARE Addresses Caregiver Needs

ichigan’s Care Management and Waiver program is implementing a pilot project of the Tailored Caregiver Assessment and Referral (TCARE) model within Region 9. While we spend much time addressing the needs of our clients, the TCARE protocol will enhance services by meeting the needs of caregivers. Staff members Theresa Kline, RN, and Rose Smith, care manager, are trained in the TCARE model. Using the TCARE assessment tool, care managers are able to identify the specific needs of a caregiver. They can assist caregivers in creating a care plan that caters to their needs and provides them with support. “Every caregiver responds differently

Fall 2010

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA

Reg 10 / AAA

to care situations,” Kline says. role, and “This program focuses solely offers the on the caregivers and putting appropriate things in place for them to be supports successful.” to create The TCARE model incorpoa positive rates a six-step guide used by experience. nurses and care managers to “I see assess the needs of the carethe benefit giver in order to make referrals of the proTheresa Kline and Rose Smith. based on the individual. gram as it Studies have shown that decreases stress is one of the most comthe stress of mon challenges of caregiving. TCARE the whole family unit,” Smith says. “If addresses the type and number of the caregiver is getting the support tasks the caregiver undertakes, the systems he/she wants, that makes for length of time they serve as caregiver, a better care environment.” the costs they incur and the benFor information about the Region 9 efits they perceive in their caregiving AAA, call 1-800-219-2273. 11

People Making a Difference Detroit Area Agency on Aging

Dr. Phyllis Vroom

hen Wayne State University’s president resigned his post in August, Phyllis Vroom, dean of the WSU School of Social Work, was asked to temporarily take the helm. “She served in that post for only a month, but the appointment reflects the esteem in which Vroom is held,” says Loren Hoffman, a clinical professor in the School of Social Work. Vroom joined the faculty in the late ’60s to introduce professional education in social work at the undergraduate level. During her 10 years as dean, she established a research center and a PhD program. “I’m very proud of what my team and I have been able to build,” she says. Vroom has served on a host of boards, including two different mayors’ Commissions on Aging and the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. “My experience with aging services and agencies certainly informed my teaching,” says Vroom. “I gained many insights on aging that I used in the classes I taught on policy, human behavior and resources. I also volunteered for different policy groups, and my experience on the aging boards made me a much better-informed member of those groups.” MI

Region IV Area Agency on Aging

Ethel Roberson

“D

edication” could easily be Ethel Roberson’s middle name. Ethel serves as a Senior Companion volunteer through the Region IV Area Agency on Aging. She visits clients — “I call them my friends” — twice a week in nursing homes and does in-home service three days a week. In addition, she attends in-service training once a month. “I love working with these people,” she says. “I love it when I can make them smile.” During a recent weekly visit, Ethel’s client, Myrtle Beiter, stopped breathing and was unreMyrtle Beiter and Senior sponsive to Ethel’s touch. Ethel called 911, then Companion Ethel Roberson (in the immediately started CPR, which she learned in blue vest) in Myrtle’s kitchen. Senior Companion training. Myrtle, her family and the EMTs credit Ethel with saving Myrtle’s life. “Myrtle’s daughters call me their guardian angel,” laughs Ethel. The Senior Companion Program brings together volunteers age 55 and over with seniors and disabled people who need assistance to live independently. Ethel says she benefits from the program as well. “It makes me feel worthy,” she says. MI 12

Tri-County Office on Aging

Gloria Kovnot

olunteering is in Gloria Kovnot’s blood. When her grandmother immigrated from Russia to the U.S. in the early 1900s, she helped establish a neighborhood center in South Philadelphia to assist other new immigrants. And Kovnot’s father coached a boys’ basketball league — even though he had daughters and no sons. So when Kovnot and her husband retired and moved from Maryland to Grand Ledge three years ago, it was only natural that she began giving to her new community. Today the 67-year-old is first vice president of the Tri-County Office on Aging Advisory Council, where she advocates to improve the lives of seniors. She also serves as a delegate to the Michigan Senior Advocacy Council, where she meets with legislators to discuss bills that will impact seniors. And she is a trainer for the Creating Confident Caregivers Program, where she teaches people how to effectively care for loved ones with memory loss or dementia. “I guess I have volunteering built into my DNA,” says Kovnot. “I don’t sit still very well.” MI Michigan Generations

Caregivers, volunteers, professionals — they are the “unsung heroes” around our state. And they share one common goal: to improve the lives of others.

Region VII Area Agency on Aging

Barbara Schroeder

or many people, volunteering is something they want to do, but for those like Barbara Schroeder, volunteering is something they love to do. Finding dedicated volunteers is not an easy task, yet Barbara is a devoted volunteer for a number of organizations, including the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP). Barbara began volunteering for MMAP in 2005, and for the past three years has committed every Monday and most Fridays to coming to the Region VII Area Agency on Aging and

Region 9 Area Agency on Aging

Loretta Miller

oretta Miller wears two hats at the Otsego County Commission on Aging (COA). As the coordinator of its Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), she helps seniors understand and access their health benefits. “I’m a lucky one,” says Miller. “I actually get paid to help people get what they need from Medicare and Medicaid. I help them understand Medicare A, B and D and what sort of supplement they might need. I help them apply for Medicaid. I help them with any billing issues. And this is a free service for seniors. How much better could it be?” As the office’s advocacy coordinator, Miller assists seniors with advanced directives, housing issues, financial aid and “almost anything a senior needs,” she says. When a senior housing unit burned down last year, Miller worked with the Red Cross and other agencies to help find temporary shelter and then permanent homes for all the residents. “My husband is talking about retiring, but I’m not ready,” says Miller, 58. “But whenever I do retire, I’d like to continue volunteering with the COA programs.” MI

Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging

Jean Isetts

assisting Medicare and/or Medicaid beneficiaries with their health benefits questions, which can sometimes be extremely complicated. In addition to volunteering for MMAP, Barbara works for the Saginaw County Commission on Aging as a meal site manager. She enjoys spending time with her six grandchildren, reading, gardening and simply staying busy. It is people like Barbara who are making a difference in the lives of others. MI Fall 2010

ean Isetts has been providing care for 37 years, and she’s not ready to stop yet. She retired from Pathways, MI in 2001 and now works as a private duty aide for Great Northern Home Care (GNHC), a home health agency. “I’ve worked with so many different people,” says Isetts, 67. “At GNHC, I worked one-on-one with mentally ill people, taking them out in the community for socialization or to run errands. I’ve worked with one man for 19 years, monitoring him during the night several days a week. And I help a couple with personal care activities like dressing, showering and light housekeeping.” She has also started providing care much closer to home. Isetts tends to her daughter’s husband, who suffers from Huntington’s disease, three days and nights every week. “I finished a training for Savvy Caregiving through UPCAP in order to provide adequate care for him,” she says. So when does Isetts sleep? “Oh, I get some sleep here and there,” she laughs. “But I enjoy this one-on-one personal care. It feeds my soul and it makes me feel whole, seeing them be able to keep their dignity.” MI 13

ASK the Expert

Ellis Liddell

How You Can Plan for

“The Golden Years”

How has ideal retirement, also known as “The Golden Years,” changed over time? oh, the golden years…where you’re supposed to be living on Easy Street and where highways are paved with gold. Unfortunately, that has now become a dream, and the reality has no resemblance to Easy Street or roads paved with gold. Today, seniors face challenges that their mothers and fathers never dreamed possible. Between cost of living and inflation lie unforeseen challenges for seniors that include the financial crisis, their children returning home, and, in some cases, the seniors become “children” themselves.

Can you paint a picture of the typical household with aging parents and describe what challenges their children face? let’s consider the jones family.

On Easy Street lives the Jones family, a husband and wife who retired from the gold paving road company. Mr. Jones worked at the company for 45 years and receives a nice pension along with social security. He’s able to keep Mrs. Jones living a quality life. Mrs. Jones, a homemaker and also the mother of their four children, only worked the last 10 years prior to her retirement. She receives a very modest pension along with social security. Of

Do you have a caregiving question? Email your caregiving question to Mary Ablan, Executive Director, Michigan Area Agencies on Aging Association, at ablan@iserv.net.We will make every effort to answer your question in an upcoming issue of Michigan Generations.

their four children, two are doing very well. One has been in and out of jobs and the fourth child is also a homemaker with four children. As the Jones’s health begins to fail, whispers of what to do in the event that either Mr. or Mrs. Jones needs additional care have passed on to the Jones household. There are no formal family meetings, just a conversation here and there. Mr. Jones considers himself a “man’s man.” He’s the kind of person who, unless his arm falls off, feels there would be no need to go to the doctor. Yet, Mrs. Jones is the constant worrier, and she continuously encourages him to go to the doctor after each open discussion he has regarding any pain he feels. None of the Jones children looks forward to being caregivers for their parents. However, the harsh reality that their parents will someday need a caregiver has begun to set in. This story may relate to the lives of many of you reading it, especially the part regarding whispers of what must be done.

What is the process for having difficult conversations about caregiving for loved ones? here is an outline with a few

suggested ideas that will make it easier to have this desperately needed family conversation. 1. LOVE: Living Outside Values and Emotions. Tough love is having conversations that are uncomfortable but must take place. As of this article, I am 52 years of age. My mother and father are 71 respectively. My will and trust are in place and many of the above scenarios including the Jones scenario fit my situation. I have also begun to think about my own longevity. Regardless of how much money I put away, very few care-

givers would love me more and would work as hard to maintain my health as my loved ones. With emotions set aside, one must have these conversations while considering living, outside support, and one’s values. 2. RESPECT: Respect is a necessary ingredient to put things in place such as a will or a trust in order to make one’s final plans. A will or a trust is a roadmap to take us to our own highway paved with gold. 3. OUTREACH: Often, the expert advice that we need is not necessarily within the circles of our close-knit family. We must reach out to our friends and loved ones for the best caregivers, helpers and other professionals who are needed to make a smooth transition from earthly bound to heavenly bound. 4. ADVICE: Financial, legal and tax advisors are all available, and many offer free consultations to help you put all the proper steps in place to make your life easier.

Any additional advice for seniors or caregivers? the golden years can indeed be

golden with proper planning, coupled with great advisors. Put together your wisdom team, and you will find that any transition will be much smoother — and that you truly can pursue your milk and honey now that you’ve taken care of all the necessary steps. Remember this: The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. Ellis Liddell , President of ELE Wealth Management, LLC, is a financial advisor with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He can be reached at 248-356-6555 or go to www.elewealth.com. Michigan Generations

RESOURCE GUIDE

for Michigan Caregivers and Seniors Clip and Save this list of important statewide and regional resources and services. STATEWIDE / NATIONAL RESOURCES

Meals-On-Wheels

Alzheimer’s Association — Greater Michigan Chapter . . . . 1-800-272-3900 American Cancer Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-227-2345 American Diabetes Association — Michigan Office . . . . . . . 248-433-3830 American Heart Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-242-8721 Arthritis Foundation — Michigan Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248-649-2891 or 1-800-968-3030 Bureau of Health Service (nursing home complaints) . . . . . 1-800-882-6006 Department of Consumer Industries (adult foster care complaints) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-685-0006 Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) . . . . . . . . 1-800-803-7174 Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization . . . . . . . . . . 517-886-6667 Michigan Office of the Attorney General . . . . . . . www.seniorbrigade.com Michigan Office of Services to the Aging . . . . . . . . . . . www.miseniors.net Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248-433-1011 National Multiple Sclerosis Society — Michigan Chapter . . 1-800-344-4867

Regional Resources detroit area agency on aging (1a):

Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-446-4444 Outreach & Assistance

Bridging Communities — Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Detroit Senior Citizens Department — Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan — Redford . . . . . . . Services for Older Citizens — Grosse Pointe . . . . . . . . . . . .

313-361-6377 313-224-1000 313-937-8291 313-882-9600

Senior Centers

Association of Chinese Americans, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delray United Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Latino Family Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North American Indian Assn. of Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Patrick Senior Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Rose Senior Citizen Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia Park Citizens Service Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reuther Older Adult & Wellness Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

313-831-1790 313-297-7921 313-841-7380 313-535-2966 313-833-7080 313-921-9277 313-894-2830 313-831-8650

region iv area agency on aging:

AAA Info-Line . . . . . . . . 1-800-654-2810; www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org Custom Care — Care Connections of Southwest Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-442-2803; www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org Elder Care Locator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 -800-677-1666; www.eldercare.gov Senior Nutrition Services . 1-800-722-5392; www.seniornutritionregiv.org Senior Volunteer and Intergeneration Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-660-2725; www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org tri-county office on aging (region 6):

Information and Assistance — Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-405-9141 or 517-887-1440; www.tcoa.org Project Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-405-9141 or 517-887-1440 For in-home service assistance and the Medicaid home/ community-based services waiver (MI Choice) Fall 2010

Greater Lansing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-1460 or 1-800-405-9141 Clinton County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-224-3600 or 1-888-224-3030 Eaton County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-541-2330 or 1-866-541-5444 Rural Ingham County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-676-2775 Senior Dining Site Information . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-1393 or 1-800-405-9141 AARP Tax Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-1440 or 1-800-405-9141 region vii area agency on aging:

Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-858-1637 Alzheimer’s Association of Mid-Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-337-3827 Lakeshore Legal Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-552-2889 MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-858-1637 Bay Co. Division on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-895-4100 Clare County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-952-3160 Gladwin County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-952-0056 Gratiot County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-875-5246 Human Development Commission (Huron, Tuscola and Sanilac counties) . . . . . . . . . . . 989-673-4121 or 1-800-843-6394 Isabella County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-878-0726 Midland County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-638-2058 Saginaw County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-763-6336 nemcsa region 9 area agency on aging:

Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-356-3474 Long-Term Care Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-485-9393 Multi-purpose Senior Centers

Alcona County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alpena Area Senior Citizens Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arenac County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheboygan County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crawford County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Iosco County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Montmorency County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ogemaw County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oscoda County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Otsego County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Presque Isle County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roscommon County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

989-736-8879 989-356-3585 989-653-2692 231-627-7234 989-348-7123 989-728-6484 989-785-2580 989-345-5300 989-826-3025 989-732-1122 989-766-8191 989-366-0205

upper peninsula area agency on aging/upcap:

Information & Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dial 2-1-1 or 906-786-4701 Outside the U.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-338-7227 U.P. Long Term Care Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-485-9393 UPCAP Care Management/Field Offices

Escanaba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Houghton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Iron Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sault Ste. Marie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

906-786-4701 906-482-0982 906-774-9918 906-228-6169 906-632-9835 15

Important Upcoming Dates & Events Detroit Area Agency On Aging Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Nov. 15–Dec. 31, 2010 Call MMAP for free information and assistance, 1-800-803-7174.

A Matter of Balance This evidence-based program is designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults. Registration is required. For information on locations, call the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, 313-446-4444.

Winter Wellness Classes November 2010–February 2011 St. John Riverview Hospital Wellness Center 7633 East Jefferson, Detroit, MI 48214 To register, call St. John Providence SeniorLink at 1-888-751-5465. • Stress Less (how to decrease your stress) • Rate Your Plate (diabetic nutrition, meal planning and carbohydrate counseling • The ABCs of Diabetes (a session on how to decrease your risk for future complications)

Region Iv Area Agency On Aging Medicare Part D Outreach Event Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Orchards Mall, 1800 Pipestone Rd. Benton Harbor, MI Review Medicare Part D options with a MMAP counselor.

Medicare Open Enrollment Period Nov. 15–Dec. 31, 2010 Call the Area Agency on Aging to make an appointment to review your Medicare Part D provider.

SeniorNet Learning Centers Computer Classes Nov. 8–Dec. 30, 2010 211 Hilltop Road, St. Joseph, MI • Beginner: Nov. 8 and 17; 1–3 p.m. • Intermediate: Nov. 22, 24, 29; Dec. 1, 6, 8, 13, 15; 1–3 p.m. 175 West Main Street, Benton Harbor, MI • Intro to the Internet: Nov. 16, 18, 23, 30; Dec. 2, 7, 9, 14; 1–3 p.m.

• M anaging Your Computer: Nov. 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 30; 10 a.m.–12 noon Call 269-983-4232 for information or to enroll in St. Joseph classes, and 269-757-0218 for classes in Benton Harbor, or go to www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org. Costs vary.

Tri-County Office On Aging Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness is an evidence-based exercise class for older adults. It includes aerobic exercise, strength training with ankle weights, balance and flexibility exercises. Classes are one hour long with three sessions per week. Registration is required. For more information or to find a location in your area, contact Jane Braatz at 517-669-1864 or jsbraatz@comcast.com.

Creating Confident Caregivers Based on the university-tested Savvy Caregiver program, Creating Confident Caregivers is a six-week series that provides participants with knowledge and skills needed to manage stress and improve caregiving skills. FREE RESPITE CARE PROVIDED. Call today for a class in your area. 517-887-1447 or burleyj@tcoa.org.

Region Vii Area Agency on Aging PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) Workshops designed to provide the skills and tools needed by people living with chronic health conditions to improve their health and manage their symptoms. Call 1-800-858-1637 for more information.

Medicare Part D Annual Enrollment Period Nov. 15–Dec. 31, 2010 This is an opportunity to change Prescription Drug or Medicare Advantage plans for the following year. Call 1-800-803-7174 for an appointment.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period Jan. 1–Feb. 15, 2011 This is an opportunity to dis-enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan and return to original Medicare and to choose a prescription drug plan. Call 1-800-803-7174 for more information or for an appointment.

Region 9 Area Agency on Aging OCCOA Educational Breakfast Series Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010 How Can We Enjoy the Holidays in New Ways 9–11 a.m. University Center, 80 Livingston Blvd. Gaylord, MI 49735

Ogemaw Commission on Aging Christmas Party Friday, Dec. 3, 2010 10 a.m.–2 p.m. K of C Hall, 601 Columbus, West Branch, MI 48661

MMAP Part D Enrollment Event Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010 Presque Isle Co. Council on Aging 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010 Crawford Co. Commission on Aging 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Nov. 15–Dec. 31, 2010 Call MMAP for free information and assistance — 1-800-803-7174 or dial 2-1-1.

Medicare Part D Enrollment Event Monday, Nov. 29, 2010 9 a.m.–12 noon Hermansville Senior Center, Meyer Township Hall, W-5480 1st St., Hermansville, MI Phone: 906-498-7735 MMAP counselors on hand to provide free assistance in reviewing Part D options for 2011.

Medicare Part D Enrollment Event Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010 9 a.m.–12 noon Mid-County Senior Center, 292 South U.S. Hwy. 41, Daggett, MI Phone: 906-753-6986 MMAP counselors on hand to provide free assistance in reviewing Part D options for 2011.