MIG10Su PPrf ALL r3 by Wells-Smith Partners

Generations Michigan

The Importance of Staying

Summer 2010

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

Generations Michigan

The Importance of Staying

Summer 2010

“Social”

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

SUMMER 2010 Published quarterly through a cooperative effort of Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging.

For information contact: Jenny Jarvis 1-800-852-7795 jjarvis@aaa1b.com

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

2009

On the Cover: Older adults need to stay socially engaged. It’s a critical part of feeling healthy and whole. Yet aging brings changes that can make staying socially connected a serious challenge. Turn to page 4 for a look at those challenges and ideas for overcoming them.

Summer 2010 Volume 8, #1 © 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 No Bones About It A

Understanding

Esophageal Cancer

nother message about the importance of exercise? You bet! Exercise has previously been linked to beneficial effects on arthritis, heart disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer. Yet, even if you or your loved one claims to be a picture of good health, exercise can improve your odds of aging well by strengthening your bones and reducing the risk of falls. A new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine states that women age 65-plus assigned to an exercise program for 18 months were found to have denser bones and fewer incidents of falling than women in a control group. Half the older women exercised four days a week with special emphasis on intensity, while the rest participated in a wellness program that focused on well-being. When the test was completed, the 120 women who exercised had higher bone density in the spine and hip, along with a 66 percent reduced rate of falls. What’s more, fractures due to falls were twice as common in the non-exercising control group.

ess in the news than breast or colon cancer, this deadly disease is highly preventable, according to recent studies. The American Institute for Cancer Research reports that esophageal cancer is strongly tied to obesity, smoking and alcohol — all factors that can be eliminated or reduced by making lifestyle changes. The report states that nearly 70 percent of all cases are possibly preventable. An important factor linking excess weight with esophageal cancer is gastroesophageal reflux disease — GERD. The most common symptom of GERD is heartburn, which may be caused by acidic digestive juices leaking back into the esophagus from the stomach. Over time, GERD can irritate the esophageal lining, leading to inflammation and possible cancer risk. The obesity connection: People with GERD are more likely to be overweight.

WILL

Updating Your

will won’t keep itself up to date. No matter how carefully you wrote your will many years ago, it’s important to update the document on a regular basis — just to make sure its provisions are still current. Lifecycle changes — a first grandchild, the death of a spouse, a new home, an inheritance or an unforeseen expense — may mean that your will needs revising. Just as important, make sure that those you named to carry out the will — your executors or personal representatives — are still willing and able to take on that responsibility. Circumstances change over the years, so it’s a good idea to name more than one person, so you always have a backup. Rather than name co-executors, experts advise that you set up a line of succession. That way, if the first person you named is unable to fulfill the duties when the time comes, there will be another individual who automatically steps into the role.

Surfing the Net Each issue of Michigan Generations offers several websites devoted to caregiving information and resources: www.retirementjobs.com offers job postings — full-time and part-time — from companies specifically looking for candidates older than 50. www.ourparents.com lists care providers geographically, including independent living communities, assisted living, in-home care and Alzheimer’s care. Summer 2010

Keep Foods

Safe

this Summer

ummer brings picnics, barbecues — and foodborne illness. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, foodborne illness peaks in the summer as warm, humid weather encourages the growth of bacteria. Some 76 million people get sick from foodborne illnesses in the U.S. each year, and 5,000 die. Here are steps you can follow to ensure a summer of healthy eating: • At the supermarket, buy meat and poultry last, just before checkout. Choose packages that feel cold to the touch. • Head straight home and refrigerate perishables immediately. On hot days, pack an ice chest in the car to store perishables, especially meat and poultry. • If you won’t be cooking meat or poultry in a day or two, put it in the freezer. Never set frozen meat or poultry on the counter to thaw out. The refrigerator is best for safe thawing. Microwave defrosting can also be used. • Avoid cross-contamination on the grill by using different utensils and platters for raw and cooked food. • Refrigerate leftovers promptly.

The Importance of Staying

“Socia

Life is relationships. The rest is just details. — Gary Smalley By Martha Nolan McKenzie

he recipe for successful aging has long been touted as remaining physically and mentally active and eating well. However, we need to add another crucial ingredient into the mix — staying socially engaged. Indeed, we are hard-wired to crave human contact — early humans who banded together had a leg up on the competition. Hundreds of thousands of years later, we still need those social connections to feel healthy and whole. Michigan Generations

As we age, those connections become even more critical to our well-being. On a practical level, if we have ties with friends and relatives, we are more likely to have someone who can give us a ride to the grocery store if we can’t drive. Or someone who can help us monitor our medications. Or someone whom we can call if our heater goes out. But beyond these benefits, socialization actually boosts physical and mental health and helps protect against the stressors of aging. Yet, aging often brings losses that make staying socially connected more challenging. The loss of loved ones, loss of mobility, or loss of familiar surroundings can weaken social ties and lead to isolation. “Loneliness and isolation lead to depression,” says Peter Lichtenberg, director of the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University in Detroit. “And depression doesn’t just impact emotion — it impacts health much more broadly. People who are depressed tend to restrict their physical activity. They don’t problem-solve as well. They are at greater risk for increased disability and earlier mortality. “Conversely, studies have shown that social connectivity is one of the key variables that predict successful aging, minimal chronic disease and good mental health,” continues Lichtenberg. “Scientists have begun to investigate this from a multitude of dimensions.” The benefits of social engagement are well documented. An increasing number of scientific studies corroborate what we all know intuitively — we need to connect with other people. The ties that bind us to others provide physical and mental benefits that reach down to our very core. In fact, recent studies have shown that staying social has a positive effect on many important areas of our health, including our immune system, blood pressure, memory and nutrition. (See “Stay Socially Engaged — Stay Healthy!”, page 16.)

al”

Challenges to staying connected

Despite the many benefits of social connections, these ties can become harder to maintain as we age. Changes in employment, location, physical abilities and marital status can all shift our social landscape, leaving us in uncharted territory. Here’s a look at some of the common challenges to socialization for seniors: n Loss of friends. As we age, our social network can dwindle significantly due to attrition alone. As friends pass away, we may find ourselves increasingly isolated. “You may have had a relationship with these people for 50 or 60 years,” says Suzann Ogland-Hand, a clinical geropsychologist for Pine

Summer 2010

Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids. “As these friends die, you experience a lot of grief. If you only have friends in your age cohort, that puts you at great risk. I always urge people to have relationships across the age ranges.” n Moving. Many seniors relocate, either to a retirement community or to be near adult children. Either way, a move involves many losses. “So often I see someone who has relocated to move closer to their caregiver, and they have lost their social network in the process,” says Susan Maixner, director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic for the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. “They have left their friends, their neighborhood, their landmarks. They are at a great risk of isolation.” Roberta Johnson knows that risk well. The retired administrative law judge moved from her San Jose, California, home to Saginaw in 2008 to be near her daughter. “It was black, really black, when I got here,” says Johnson, 85. “I left everything behind — my friends, my family, my mountains which I hiked in. At my age, it’s not easy to meet new people and make new friends. I really wondered if I had made the wrong decision.” Johnson met a woman by happenstance who introduced her to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Saginaw Valley State University. She began to take classes and trips through the institute, making new friends along the way. “I actually really like it here now,” says Johnson. “And I have to thank OLLI for much of it.” n Caregiving. There is a lot of worry over the isolation of frail and infirm seniors. But the people providing care for these seniors are also at risk. “Caregivers are so involved in taking care of their loved one, they typically don’t take time for themselves,” says Tammy Rosa, coordinator of the Creating Confident Caregivers Program for UPCAP Services, Region 11 Area Agency on Aging (AAA). “They can fall out of contact with friends. They stop making time for activities they used to enjoy. They may not even notice it, but they are slowly isolating themselves.” When their loved one dies, the caregiver is often brought up short. “Not only have they lost a loved one, they have lost a significant role in life,” says Rebecca Reimann, director of the Bay County Division on Aging. “Their duty and identity has been tied up with taking care of that loved one, and when that role is suddenly gone, they are at loose ends.” n Loss of a spouse. If the loved one you lost is your spouse, the impact is even greater. “Not only are you dealing with the loss of your life partner, you are dealing with an entirely new identity — a widow or widower,” says Ogland-Hand. “You might suddenly feel like a fifth wheel. The friends you had as a couple might be uncomfortable and not know how to include you.” The problem is exacerbated by our attitudes toward death and grieving, says Ogland-Hand. “In our culture, we don’t do a very good job of allowing grief,” she says. “In some cultures, if you lost a spouse, you would wear black for five years, and everyone would know you are grieving. But we

are a very fast-paced society. If you can’t get over a loss in two weeks, people think, ‘What is your problem?’” n Physical and cognitive limitations. A stroke that leaves you wheelchair-bound. Dementia that makes it difficult to remember where you are. Hearing loss that leaves you unable to follow conversations. These are just a few of the possible challenges that age can toss in the way of remaining socially active. In such cases, assistance from a caregiver or other loved ones can be invaluable. “Once someone starts to limit their activities because of physical or cognitive declines, they almost need to be coached to get past their barriers,” says Lichtenberg. “When we give up playing golf or bridge, for example, we not only give up the activity, but the informal opportunities to connect with others that come with those activities. A person might need help to look past what he can no longer do and what he has lost and see what might still be possible. If you can no longer golf, could you ride in the cart while your friends play? Could you revisit a more sedentary hobby you used to enjoy?” Cognitive decline poses particular challenges. “I see a lot of social isolation develop around dementia,” says OglandHand. “Friends are uncomfortable with the changes they see and may stay away. The support system of a person with dementia often fades away, yet they benefit greatly from social interaction. That’s where adult day respite programs can be a great benefit.”

Opportunities for socializing That was the bad news. Now, for the good. Opportunities abound for seniors who are willing to take a first step toward reconnecting.

Senior Centers The old congregate meal sites have evolved into community multipurpose centers, offering something for everyone. That’s why Shirley Walsh picked up the handbook for the Older Persons Commission (OPC) immediately after she was laid off from her post as a credit manager for Ingersoll Rand. “I’m not one to sit around or be by myself,” says the 73-yearold Rochester woman. “I take classes at OPC, take trips with them, volunteer when they have events. I’ve met a lot of really nice people there.” Walsh also accepted a temporary job with the U.S. Census, going door-to-door to enroll people who did not turn in their questionnaire. Plus she’s active in her church and has joined a singles group. “I would have been mentally in a very bad place if I didn’t have these opportunities to socialize,” says Walsh.

“Nobody is going to come to my house and knock on my door and ask me to please come. That’s not the way the world works. But there are things out there to do. You just have to go do them.”

Community Colleges Continuing education offers another outlet for seniors who would like to connect with like-minded peers. Jim and Carey Rapin joined Alpena Community College’s Adult Lifelong Learners program when they retired. Now Carey not only takes several classes, but she also teaches a book lover’s class once a quarter, and Jim serves on the program’s board of directors. “I’ve taken classes ranging from philosophy to how to grow roses,” says Carey. “We think taking these classes inspires new interests and challenges the brain. We’ve also made new friends and gotten reacquainted with old ones.” The Rapins are also involved in other community activities and organizations, including the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which helps those in need, and an organization that puts on concerts in the community. They also exercise regularly. “I used to work for hospice, and one of the things I learned is that you need to live a balanced life,” says Carey.

Volunteering For seniors who want to give back, the benefits are multiplied. Not only do they get the chance to meet and connect with others, but they also gain feelings of value and contribution. Numerous studies have shown that spending time helping others increases the levels of endorphins in the body, which in turn results in stress and pain relief, lowered blood pressure and increased immunity from colds and stomach ailments. There are probably as many different volunteer opportunities as there are seniors. Schools, hospital, libraries, social services and charities are all looking for volunteers, especially in these tough economic times. In Michigan, several programs are aimed specifically at senior volunteers. Two of the programs, Senior Companion Program and Foster Grandparent Program, are aimed at low-income seniors and pay a non-taxable stipend. In the Senior Companion Program, volunteers provide individualized care and assistance to other seniors and adults with developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, mental illness and/or conditions that make them frail and at-risk. Foster grandparent volunteers mentor and tutor at-risk children, offer emotional support to child victims of abuse and neglect, and care for premature infants and children with physical disabilities and severe illness. The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) has no income requirement and is run by local communities. Through RSVP, volunteers provide service in a variety of areas such as mentoring, tutoring, literacy, public safety, homeland security, health care and economic development. Michigan Generations

“I think volunteering benefits the volunteer as much as it does the recipient,” says Camellia Pisegna, director of the Senior Volunteer and Intergenerational Programs for Region IV AAA. “For example, the seniors who become foster grandparents encounter issues that they never thought would come up when they started volunteering, like cyber-bullying. This is all brand-new information for them, and they are really stretching their minds. Sometimes they are rethinking their opinions about things. I can see them gaining a different understanding of themselves and their world and realizing the tremendous skills they have to offer.” Carla Jean began volunteering through RSVP in Bay City shortly after her husband passed away. “My husband was sick for a lot of years and I took care of him,” says Jean, 70. “After he died, I was very isolated. I had gained a lot of weight and had lost touch with friends.” A woman she met in an exercise class convinced her to give volunteering a try. That was seven years ago, and today Jean regularly volunteers at a state park. “I do pretty much anything they need me to,” says Jean. “I love working with the children making crafts — we made three different kinds of bird feeders recently. With RSVP, I feel like I’m useful and I can be with people. It has given me a life.”

Religious Organizations For many seniors, churches and other religious organizations are a natural place to meet others. Worship services, Sunday school classes, Bible studies and church dinners provide wonderful opportunities to connect with people. And some churches are going above and beyond to reach out to seniors. St. Aloysius Church in Detroit began Seniors for Healthier and Enriched Lives (SHEL) two years ago. The program features weekly meetings, monthly whole health education seminars, quarterly potluck dinners, and spiritual and educational retreats. “We get them out of the city on these retreats,” says Kathleen Ruth, parish nurse for St. Aloysius. “Many of our seniors are locked in their apartments, literally, and this is their only opportunity to get out into another environment.” The meetings are not only a great way to socialize, but they can also help seniors solve some of the urban problems they confront on a daily basis. “Our seniors are primarily in Section 8 housing, and through SHEL they get to know seniors in other apartment buildings,” says Ruth. “They might ask residents of another building, ‘How did you fix that problem? Maybe we can get our managers to try that.’” Summer 2010

Support Groups Caregivers can frequently find solace in talking with others who share the same situation. “A caregiver can often feel ‘I am the only one who is dealing with the fact that my husband is wetting the bed or wandering off during the night,’” says Ogland-Hand. “In fact, thousands of other people are dealing with the same thing, and talking to some of them can be extremely reassuring and helpful.”

Adult Day Care Centers Not to be confused with senior centers, adult day care centers provide care for people who have memory loss or physical impairment and need more care than someone going to a senior center. They offer respite for the caregiver as well as the opportunity for the senior to socialize in a safe, secure setting. This can be particularly crucial to seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. “People with Alzheimer’s still have a need to communicate with others,” says UPCAP Services’ Rosa. “Adult day care centers help these seniors stay involved in day-to-day activities and interact with others.” Randy Daigneault sees the difference social interaction and purpose can make every day. Supervisor of the Perspectives Adult Day Care Center in Escanaba, Daigneault oversees seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. “We provide activities to keep hands and mind stimulated as much as possible,” he says. He focuses on projects that help others — making tabletop decorations for the local senior center, putting inserts into the bulletins of a local church, recycling greeting cards by making them into placemats. “I want them to do things that can make them feel useful and needed,” says Daigneault. “We have a few women who can still crochet, and they are making hats and baby blankets and giving them to the Salvation Army. That sense of making a contribution is so important.”

Technology Though admittedly not for everyone, technology offers seniors — even homebound ones — a way to connect with others, no matter where they live. “If seniors are willing to be open to new experiences and learning new ways of doing things, they can still be very connected through technology,” says Reimann. “There’s the Internet, Skype, web cams, email. More and more seniors are very savvy with using these technologies to stay connected to friends and family. It’s a great way to stay engaged.” Region IV AAA’s Pisegna agrees. “My mom lives in a nursing home, and I take my computer over and we webcam with her great-granddaughter in Oregon,” says Pisegna. “My mom just talks to Lucy like she’s right there. It’s really not hard if people can find someone to teach them how to do it, and learning that skill can open up a huge world.” MI

regionalNews In communities across the U.S.,

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

S potlight O n …

6 Tri-County Office on Aging 1-A / Detroit AAA 7 Reg 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 Reg 3-A Agency / Kalamazoo Human Area onCty.Aging Services Dept. (Region 3) 14 Senior Resources of West Michigan

Reg 1-B / AAA

Reg 3-B / Bur

14 6 4

3A 3B 3C

1A Reg 5 / Valley AAA

Reg 6 / Tri-Co

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA

Reg 10 / AAA

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

Grant Promotes Alpena’s Cultural Arts

he Michigan Municipal League’s Center for the 21st Century Communities has chosen Alpena as one of five cities to receive grant funding. The goal of the Michigan Municipal League (MML) is to help communities achieve sustainability and improve quality of life by helping its members create places that are attractive to live, work, learn and play. Alpena will focus on the cultural economic development segment of the initiative with its “Passport to the Arts: Your Town is ARTown.” Four organizations, Art in the Loft, Besser Museum for Northeast

Michigan, Thunder Bay Arts Council and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, joined forces with the City of Alpena to expand the Passport project. A summer-long calendar of more than 130 cultural activities and events is published in a handy “passport” form distributed to residents and visitors. The passport is stamped each time a passport holder attends a published event. Each person with

10 stamps is eligible for a prize drawing including a trip to New York City. “The City of Alpena recognizes the power of collaboration between city officials and other community leaders in building cultural tourism,” states Alpena Mayor Carol Shaft. “We applaud this group for its effective teamwork and leadership.” MML also is interested in supporting projects that can be replicated in other communities. Visit ARTown Alpena with family or friends. Young or young at heart will enjoy the adventure of learning about the cultural arts. For information about the Region 9 AAA, call 1-800-219-2273. Michigan Generations

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

In It for the Long Term

Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA

Reg 1-B / AAA

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

Reg 3-B / Burn

Reg 5 / Valley AAA

Reg 6 / Tri-Cou

“I’m driven by the strength, wisdom and spirit of older adults, and this agency exists to serve and advocate on their behalf. Going forward, I can only hope we’ll be here for their children and grandchildren.” —Paul Bridgewater, President & CEO “When I look back at all our employees over 30 years, I see nurses, social workers, nutrition assessors and other motivated staff, all genuinely committed to the care of our less fortunate elders.” —Gloria Hicks Long, Senior Vice President & COO “Whether the need is for meals, medical equipment, home repairs, home health care or anything else, people need to know they have options for long-term care.” —Representative from Community Access

3rd Annual

NUTRITION & FITNESS FAIR

2009 NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH® EVENT Sponsored by: Detroit Area Agency on Aging City of Detroit Senior Citizens Department

“Our real work happens when we meet with consumers to develop personalized care plans. They deserve to stay in their homes as long as possible. Finding solutions is the legacy of DAAA.” —Jerome Dandridge, Social Worker, Nursing Facility Transition Services “At DAAA, older adults can find employment training opportunities; grandparents raising grandchildren can join a support group; and you name it, services start at this one door.” —Terra DeFoe, Director, Detroit Senior Citizens Department “At age 71, I know we can get older and better at the same time. Our latest program helps diabetics self-manage their condition — a way to strengthen and lengthen the lives of so many people.” —Veronica Padmos, Healthy Aging Coordinator “There’s a future for all Area Agencies on Aging, and we intend to change the long-term care landscape for the better.” —Wayne W. Bradley, Sr., Chair, DAAA Board of Directors

Summer 2010

City of Detroit Recreation Department

Thursday, March 19, 2009 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Heilmann Recreation Center 19601 Crusade Detroit, Michigan 48205 Enter off Brock Street Healthy Food, Health and Nutrition Education and Fun! (8:00 am) “Early Bird” One Mile Walk Exhibitors and Health Screenings Health Expert Speakers Keynote Address:

Secrets to Aging Fabulously

Sherry McGee, Certified Lifestyle Counselor® and DAAA Director of Provider Development Demonstrations Cooking Nutritious Meals Interactive Activities EnhanceFitness® Powersit ® Tai Chi Hustle Dance Zumba Gold Dance Healthy Bingo Chair Massage Prizes Lunch Provided To RSVP Call (313) 446-4444, ext. 5817 by March 18

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA

Reg 10 / AAA

Save the Date!

DETROIT AREA AGENCY

ON AGING

Third Annual

Michigan Kinship Care Conference Grandfamily Reunion AND

September 8 & 9, 2010

Greater Grace Temple, 23500 W. Seven Detroit, Michigan 48219 Mile Road

A conference designed for kinship caregivers and profes sionals working with kinship care families NEW ADDITION THIS YEAR Just for professionals, a one-d ay interactive training related to the Second Time Around Project offered by Western Michigan University through a grant from the Kellogg Foundation

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

Transitioning from a Nursing Home Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA

n the summer of 1984, Robert (Bob) Pentrack was 25 years old, living and working near Orlando, Florida, when his world turned upside down. Driving home from work on a Sunday afternoon, he hit a pothole and his car spun out of control when it caught the soft sand on the side of the road. The gas tank ruptured, and fortunately, Bobâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend who was driving ahead stopped and pulled him out of the car. Bob survived the accident but broke his neck and has spent the last 26 years in a wheelchair, with 20 of those years in a nursing home. After the accident, he returned to Michigan to live with his parents, and eventually moved into a nursing home in Farmington Hills. Then Bob heard about the Nursing

Facility Transition Program offered through the Area Agency on Aging 1-B. The program helps nursing home residents, either those on Medicaid or qualifying for Medicaid, tranRobert Pentrack. sition from the nursing home to a more independent living situation such as their home or apartment. Through this program, Bob moved out of the nursing home and into his own apartment on Labor Day weekend 2009. Transition coordinators will work

Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B

one-on-one with interested individuals to determine eligibility; locate housing and create a transition plan to ensure a safe, secure living situation outside the nursing home; Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB Services Dept. (Region 3) determine eligibility for supportive services and set those services in motion; and finally, assist residents through the transition process, including the move. If you would like more information on the Nursing Facility Transition Reg 5 / Valley AAA Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging Program, call the Area Agency on Aging 1-B at 1-800-852-7795, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Reg 1-C / The

Reg 3-C / Bra (IIIC)

Reg 7 / Reg V

Caregiver Expos Coming This Fall Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA

The highly recognized 11th annual Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo will be held on Saturday, October 16, at the Best Western Sterling Inn Banquet and Conference Center, located at 34911 Van Dyke Avenue in Sterling Heights, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit with over 100 exhibitors and attend expert presentations on a variety of caregiver topics, including legal tips, Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease and understanding community resources, and have the opportunity to speak with Medicare/ Medicaid Assistance Program counselors. 10

Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI

The 7th annual Monroe County Caregiver Fair will be held on Saturday, October 2, in the Health Building at Monroe County Community College, located at 1555 South Raisinville Road in Monroe, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit with over 45 local exhibitors, attend expert presentations and listen to a special keynote presentation on holistic medicine by Dr. Sears, a specialist from Grand Rapids.

Plan to attend these important caregiving events Michigan Generations

Reg 11 / Uppe

Help Is a Phone Call Away

ecent changes have made it easier to qualify for help with Medicare. Call the Area Agency on Aging 1-B’s Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program to see if you may qualify for help with paying for your prescription drugs or your Part B premium and costs. Recent changes have made it easier A trusted nonprofit organization, we with have been assisting seniors and adults to qualify for help Medicare. with disabilities for over 35 years. Call us at 1-800-852-7795 more informaCall your local Area Agency on Aging office to speak withfor a Medicare tion and to find Medicaid out if you may qualify help counselor. with your Assistance Programfor (MMAP) YouMedicare may qualifycosts. for:

The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is the first resource for older adults, care givers and persons with disabilities to call when looking to resolve problems or locate the resources they need to improve the quality of their life. When individuals call the tollfree Information and Assistance (I&A) service at 1-800-852-7795, they speak with a certified Infor mation and Referral Specialist to determine what their needs are and the services and assistance available to address those needs. Once the needs are determined, the specialist accesses the I&A database of over 5,000 local services and mails the individual a complete listing of relevant services and providers in their local community. Call us. We can help.

1-800-852-7795

EXTRA HELP - a program that helps cover the cost of prescription drugs MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM - a program that helps cover your Part B costs

Region1-800-803-7174 2 Area Agency on Aging Serving Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee counties The Area Agency on Aging 1-B manages the MMAP program for Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties.

Profile of an SCSEP Participant Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA

Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B

Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc.

Reg 2 / Reg 2 AAA

MMAP is funded by a grant from the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging through Community funding received from the Centershost for Medicare and Medicaid Services. he Senior Service site supervisor, Christal

Employment Program (SCSEP), which is funded under Title V of the Older Americans Act, helps older adults get back out into the community work arena. Many program participants have been displaced by economic factors or have health barriers that limit the type of employment they can obtain. They overcome their obstacles with determination and diligence, putting forth great effort to serve the host agency where they have been assigned. One such participant is Darold Kidd from Adrian in Lenawee County. Darold enrolled in the program in July 2009 and was placed with Goodwill Industries in Adrian. His Summer 2010

Albig, had referred him to our agency after she was contacted by Michigan Rehabilitation Services. They had been giving Darold rehab help for his muscular dystrophy, and had encouraged him to get back Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA Services Dept. (Region 3) (IIIC) out into the work force. With ongoing assistance from Christal Albig and Darold Kidd. Christal, a training coordinator with Goodwill, Darold has Darold says that he likes being there, thrived in his work setting, boosting helping out, meeting new people, and his confidence and self-esteem. He not just sitting at home. He works has learned new skills, including how well with others and likes being part to prioritize assignments, schedule of a team. projects and multi-task. According to For more information, contact Reg 5 / Valley AAA Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA Reg 8 / AAA of Western Michigan Christal, Darold never misses work Barbara Stoy at the Region 2 AAA at and comes in on time every day. 1-800-335-7881. 11

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

There’s No Place Like Home

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

Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB

magine watching and happiness was taking a your mother’s toll on the whole family. physical and emoAll of that changed in tional health decline November. Lila’s family conand not being able tacted the Area Agency on to intervene. Lila’s Aging (AAA) for assistance daughters faced just and, through the Nursing that. Because of Facility Transition Initiative Reg 5 / Valley AAA Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging Lila’s poor health (NFTI), AAA staff helped and her need for Lila move to a less restrictive constant superassisted-living facility. A smiling Lila…thanks to vision, she was After six months in her the NFTI. unable to live new home, Lila is thriving alone. She moved and her bright, engaging to a nursing home, and for three smile has returned. She’s enjoying years, her daughters watched her the increased freedom of living at the fade. While the facility was highly assisted-living facility.RegAnd her daughReg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA 10 / AAA of Northwest MI rated, it was not where Lila wanted ters are comforted that she still has to be, and the decline in her health 24-hour supervision and health care

staff on-site. ThankAAA Reging 3-C / the Branch-St. Josephstaff AAA who Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA (IIIC) made the move possible, Lila’s daughter said, “You put the sunshine back in her face.” Hundreds of seniors and persons with disabilities throughout Michigan have been able to leave nursing home care through the Nursing Facility Transition Initiative (NFTI). The Regprogram 7 / Reg VII AAA allows Medicaid Reg 8 / AAArecipients of Western Michigan Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA Reg 1-B /to AAAchoose 1-B living in a nursing home to move home or to a smaller licensed setting such as an adult foster care or assisted-living facility. NFTI services are available locally through the Area Agency on Aging and Disability Network Southwest Michigan. For more information or for a consultation, the Areaof Regconfidential 11 / Upper Peninsula AAA Reg 14call / Senior Resources West Michigan Agency on Aging at 1-800-654-2810 orIIIB Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg Services Dept. (Region 3) 269-983-0177.

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

Long-Term Care Collaborative

n 1999, the Tri-County Long-Term Care Collaborative (LTCC) was formed to improve long-term care services in the region through advocacy, interagency coordination and communication. The collaborative consists of representatives from the local Department of Human Services, Community Mental Health, Capital Area Center for Independent Living, and Health Departments, as well as representatives from local home care agencies, hospitals, Lansing Community College and other area stakeholders in the older adult and disability services arena. In the years since its inception, the group has expanded and evolved to work on many issues, including a 12

2005 direct care worker/employer study, which developed a profile of direct care workers in the Tri-County region. More recently, the group has chosen to focus its vast array of resources, knowledge and experience

LTCC improves long-term care services in the region. on development of the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) within the Tri-County area. Area providers of services for older adults and persons with a disability have historically functioned with a strong collaborative spirit, working together to ensure services to those who need them. The ADRC

Reg 5 / Valley AAA

Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging

initiative has been a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the inter-agency collaboration in Region VI, bringing all stakeholders together to address the service needs of the older adults and disabled persons in our community. By working together, LTCC members Reg Reg 9better AAA Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI are9 / NEMSCA able to serve community members, with each agency taking equal ownership in the success of our local long-term care system. Working as a collaborative unit, we are able to attain a higher level of quality, soaring to heights unimaginable for any single entity alone. For more information about these and 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

What Is an ADRC?

he Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is a collaborative effort of the Administration on Aging and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and is designed to streamline access to long-term care services and supports for people of all ages, income levels and disabilities, and their families. Michigan’s vision is to provide trusted information so that consumers can make informed decisions about their long-term support needs — based on their cultures, values and preferences. In many communities, long-term support services are administered

by multiple agencies and have complex and often duplicated intake, Reg 5 / Valley AAA Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA assessment and eligibility functions. Figuring out how to obtain services can be difficult. A single, no-wrong-door approach to a coordinated system of information

county level. All partners involved Reg 6 / Tri-County Office oncan Aging have Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B Reg 1-Cin / Thethe SeniorstrucAlliance, Inc. an extremely large role turing of the ADRC. In addition, these partners play an instrumental part in helping the ADRC keep aware of local needs.

The ADRC is designed to Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI Reg 11 / Upper Peninsula AAA streamline access to Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA Services Dept. (Region 3) (IIIC) long-term care services and support.

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA

and access for those seeking longterm support minimizes confusion, promotes individual choice and supports informed decision-making. The East Central MIRegADRC is a 5 / Valley AAA decentralized model that starts at the

If you would like more information about the ADRC or other services, please contact Region VII Area Agency on Aging, 1615 S. Euclid Ave., Bay City, MI 48706, 1-800-858-1637. Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA

Reg 8 / AAA Reg 2 / Reg

Reg 14 / Seni West Michiga Reg 4 / Reg

Reg 8 / AAA

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

Community Corrections Program “Makes a Difference”

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA

PCAP Services, Inc. is a multipurpose organization that administers many other programs in addition to serving as the Upper Peninsula’s Area Agency on Aging. Several of these programs have become quite valuable to senior citizens within the region. One rather unlikely program that has proven its worth is the West-Central U.P. Regional Community Corrections Program. This program was created to help reduce prison admissions and jail overcrowding, and provides safe, alternative sentencing options to judges for nonviolent offenders in our communities. Community Work Crew Services is a central compoSummer 2010

nent of UPCAP’s Community Corrections Program. These work crews provide assistance with many different activities to local nonprofit agencies. For example, senior centers may utilize work crews to provide snow removal or lawn-mowing for seniors. Recently, the program was commended by USA Weekend’s “Make A Difference Day for the work done in Dickinson County.” Volunteers and community corrections workers

made gifts and collected donations for over 400 last Reg 11 families / Upper Peninsula AAA fall to help make their holidays a little brighter. Coordinator Denise Formolo created this volunteer program several years ago to give probationers a chance to do something creative while helping others. The bonus is that many of them return year after year to participate on their own. Ten programs were honored for this national award. All recipients received $10,000 from the Newman’s Own Foundation. For more information, contact the UPCAP Community Corrections Manager at 906-789-0511.

Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI

Reg 14 / Sen West Michig

ASKtheExpert

Frances Heimes-Savickis

Learning More About

Social Security Benefits

What information will I need to have if I’d like to complete the online application for Social Security retirement benefits? although not required in all cases, we suggest that you have the following information on hand when you apply online for benefits. It will make completing the application much easier for you. • Your date and place of birth, and your Social Security number; • Your bank account number and your bank’s routing number, for direct deposit; • The amount of money you earned last year and this year. If you are applying for benefits between September and December, you may also need to provide an estimate of what you will earn next year; • The name and address of your employer(s) for this year and last year; • The beginning and ending dates of any active military service you had prior to 1968; • The name, Social Security number and date of birth of your current spouse, and, if applicable, any former spouses from marriages that lasted more than 10 years or ended in death. You should also know the dates of marriage, places of marriage and the dates of divorce or death.

Do you have a caregiving question? Write or email your question to our “Expert” at: Jenny Jarvis, Area Agency on Aging 1-B, 29100 Northwestern Highway, Suite 400, Southfield, MI 48034; jjarvis@aaa1b.com. We will make every effort to answer your question in an upcoming issue of Michigan Generations. 14

• A copy of your Social Security Statement. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if any further information is needed. To get started, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.

I am 65, and my wife is 62 and receiving spouse’s benefits. When will she qualify for Medicare? most people must wait until age

65 to apply for Medicare. Some people can get Medicare at any age. This includes people who: • have been getting Social Security disability benefits for 24 months; • have kidney failure and require dialysis; • have had a kidney transplant; or • receive disability benefits because they suffer from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). As someone who already receives retirement benefits, your wife will be enrolled automatically for Medicare coverage when she becomes eligible at age 65. Those who choose to delay filing for Medicare can now apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov by selecting the “Retirement/Medicare” bar in the center of the page.

I just found out that I qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). How much will I receive in SSI benefits? ssi is a needs-based program. The benefit amount depends, in part, on other income and resources you might have. The maximum federal SSI payment nationwide throughout 2010 for

an eligible individual is $674 a month, and for an eligible couple is $1,011 a month. The amount of your SSI benefit also depends, in part, on where you live. Some states add money to the federal payment. Learn more by visiting our library of SSI publications at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/index. html#SSI.

Someone told me that my mom might be able to qualify for a “compassionate allowance” because of her Alzheimer’s. Is this true? she might, but the only way to know for sure is for her to submit an application for disability benefits. Compassionate allowances are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that clearly qualify for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. The process allows us to identify and make speedy decisions for the most obviously disabled individuals. Recently, 38 more conditions were added to our original list of 50 conditions — 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers. The expansion of the list means that tens of thousands of Americans with devastating disabilities, such as early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, now can get approved for benefits in a matter of days, rather than months or years. To learn more, and to see a complete list of the compassionate allowance conditions, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ compassionateallowances.

Frances Heimes-Savickis is a public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration. She has been recognized with various awards for her skills in public speaking and in promoting the agency initiatives throughout Southeast Michigan. Michigan Generations

RESOURCE GUIDE

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

tri-county office on aging (region 6):

Bureau of Health Services (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 Office of the Attorney General . . . . . . . www.seniorbrigade.com Michigan Office of Services to the Aging . . . . . . . . . . . www.miseniors.net

Information and Assistance — Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-405-9141 or 517-887-1440; www.tcoa.org

detroit area agency on aging (1a):

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

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

area agency on aging 1-b:

Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-852-7795 Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County . . . . . . . . . . . 734-971-9781 Deaf and Hearing Impaired Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248-473-1888; TTY: 248-473-1875 Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind & Visually Impaired . . 313-272-3900 Livingston County Catholic Social Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-545-5944 Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency (OLHSA) Oakland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248-209-2600 Livingston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-546-8500 The Council on Aging, Inc., serving St. Clair County . . . . . . . 810-987-8811 The Macomb County Dept. of Senior Citizen Services . . . . . 586-469-6313 The Monroe County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 734-240-7363 region 2 area agency on aging:

Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-335-7881 MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-335-7881 Hillsdale County Senior Services Center . . . 517-437-2422 or 1-800-479-3348 Jackson Department on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . 517-788-4364 or 1-800-788-3579 Lenawee Department on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-264-5280 Legal Services of South Central Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-787-6111 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 Spring 2010

For in-home service assistance and the Medicaid home/ community-based services waiver (MI Choice) Meals-On-Wheels

Regional Resources

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

Project Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-405-9141 or 517-887-1440

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

Stay Socially Engaged — Stay Healthy! S cientific research has corroborated the importance of staying socially connected to other people. Consider these findings from some recent studies:

Immune system A 2007 UCLA study showed that loneliness decreases the efficiency of the immune system. The lead researcher on the study reported that the biological impact of social isolation reaches down to gene activity. Study participants who perceived themselves as socially isolated had weak antiviral and antibiotic responses. Other studies have reported that people with strong social connections have a more robust immune response to disease. Blood pressure A University of Chicago 2006 study linked loneliness with high blood pressure, and high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Researchers conjectured that isolated people had fewer resources with which to confront stressful situations. On the other hand, simply talking over one’s problems with a friend can be a huge stress reducer. Brain health A 2009 study from the American Academy of Neurology found that people who are socially active may be less likely to develop cognitive impairment.

And a 2008 Harvard School of Public Health study showed that an active social life slows memory loss. In another University of Chicago study, MRI scans confirmed the negative impact of loneliness on brain health. Physical activity Studies have shown that social connection is linked to maintenance of motor function. That’s likely because, as numerous studies have shown, people are more likely to adopt and stick to an exercise program if they do it with a buddy. Depression Social isolation often leads to loneliness, and loneliness is a big trigger for depression. Depression, in turn, can exacerbate social isolation. “It can be a vicious cycle,” says Susan Maixner, director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic for the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor. “Conversely, I see much less depression and anxiety among seniors who have relationships with others.” Nutrition Socialization can boost nutrition. That’s because eating alone just isn’t much fun, so seniors who have no one with whom to dine may pour yet another bowl of cereal or skip a meal altogether. Indeed, social isolation is a big risk factor for malnutrition.

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