MIG10Wi PPrf ALL r4 by Wells-Smith Partners

Generations Michigan

Winter 2010

How to Meet the

Challenge of Long-Distance Caregiving

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

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

WINTER 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: The stress of trying to manage a loved one’s care from a distance is hard to overstate. Long-distance caregivers grapple with many questions that are hard to answer from afar. Here are important steps to take that will ease the process. See story, page 4.

Winter 2010 Volume 7, #3 © 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 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

CAREGIVINGNews&Notes Doing Battle with

Cholesterol

hat can you do to improve your cholesterol level besides taking drugs? Here are some proven options: Eat less saturated fat, found predominantly in red meat, butter and cream. Cut back on trans-fatty acids found in fried food and processed foods, such as cakes and cookies. Avoid labels that say “hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated.” Limit your intake of sugar, white flour and white rice. Eat more unrefined, complex carbohydrates such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and soy products. Exercise to lower your “bad” LDL as well as raise your “good” HDL cholesterol. Try to take off those extra holiday pounds. Add soluble fiber (found in foods such as oat bran) to your diet. This binds cholesterol in the intestinal tract and increases its elimination from the body.

Pl a n Ah ea d fo r St re s s- free Vi s i t s

aking young children to visit their elderly relatives is an important part of family bonding. But it can present a challenge, especially if grandma or grandpa lives in a retirement home. Here are tips for ensuring a successful, stress-free visit: • Bring along a game that both youngsters and seniors can play. Bingo or checkers are good choices. Bring prizes (appropriates snacks) for them to share. • Bring a book for the grandparent to read, or for the child to read to the grandparent. • Bring supplies to work on a scrapbook together, or bring an easy-to-do craft project. Other ideas: Check with the staff to make sure your relative is having a “good” day. Encourage lots of hugs — both young children and seniors will respond to a loving touch.

Seniors and the Economic Recovery

he needs of America’s seniors could be a significant part of the economic turn-around in 2010. Scores of small to mid-sized health-care firms should see an uptick in their business in the coming year, based on the following healthcare trends: • Aging baby boomers are demanding anything that helps them stay active longer. This includes orthopedic equipment and procedures, physical therapy and personal trainers who target seniors, as well as drugs that allow them to stay on the go. • In-home care is on the rise, and nursing and

Surfing the Net Each issue of Michigan Generations offers several websites devoted to caregiving information and resources: www.naipc.org offers education and guidance to keep your loved ones safe and in their homes.

www.reversehelpline.us

gives facts about reverse mortgages and helps you connect to a HUD-approved mortgage lender in your area. Look for more helpful websites in the next issue of Michigan Generations. Winter 2010

transportation services that cater to the elderly will be in demand. • Interest in continuing care communities will continue to grow in the coming year. • Digital home-health services, such as wellness monitoring, communication devices and e-health services are predicted to grow more than 50% in 2010. On the downside, the shortage of health-care workers in the U.S. continues to deepen, including a nationwide shortage of primary-care physicians. Both will be needed to provide the specialized care that our aging population will require in the years ahead.

Alzheimer’s… or Aging?

With age, most people experience

some degree of cognitive decline. “Cognition” simply refers to mental functioning, such as memory and other intellectual abilities that are necessary for daily life. Many older adults develop a mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition in which the person shows some problems with memory or other mental functions. This might be noticeable to other people and might even show up on tests, but it is not serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 50% to 70% of dementia cases. Unlike MCI, Alzheimer’s commonly results in the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Not everyone with MCI goes on to develop Alzheimer’s.

How to Meet the

Challen of L

By Martha Nolan McKenzie

t can begin with a phone call. A worried neighbor has noticed that your mother’s mail has been piling up in the mailbox and when she rings the doorbell, she finds your mother disoriented. You hurriedly book the next flight out to check on her. Or you’re visiting over a holiday and notice that there is very little food in the house and the bathrooms are dirty. You pay closer attention and notice your father is having difficulty navigating the stairs and appears unsteady on his feet. Or perhaps your father has passed away. He had always handled the finances, so you take that task over for your mother, even though you live three states away.

However you enter, you are now in the world of longdistance caregiving. And if it’s any consolation, you are not alone. According to a study commissioned by MetLife Mature Market Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving, 34 million Americans are providing care to older family members. Fifteen percent of these caregivers live an hour or more away from their relative. Nearly one-fourth of these long-distance caregivers are the only or primary care provider. Many have full-time jobs, children and other obligations. The stress of trying to manage a loved one’s care from a distance is hard to overstate. Lisa Pyle hears it in their voices when they call. “They usually say something like, ‘I just got back from visiting Mom and she doesn’t seem right,’” says Pyle, a resource specialist for the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) in Southfield. “They are overwhelmed and don’t know what to do or where to turn.” Can your parent stay in his home, and if so, what kind of services does he need? Where can you find them? If he needs to move into an assisted-living or nursing facility, how do you find the right one? How are you going to find the time to make the needed arrangements? These are just a few of the questions with which you must grapple as a long-distance caregiver. Trying to answer them from afar adds to the burden. “The biggest challenge of long-distance caregiving is the long distance,” says Vicki L. Schmall, author of The Caregiver Helpbook: Powerful Tools for Caregiving and executive director of Aging Concerns in West Linn, Oregon. “When you live in another state, you can’t always know for sure what’s happening and you have to rely on what your parents tell you. That may or may not be accurate information.” Michigan Generations

enge

ong-Distance Caregiving Assessing the need Living some distance away from your loved ones makes the first step of long-distance caregiving — assessing their current condition and needs — particularly difficult. “Parents usually tell their children everything is just fine,” says Kate Mood, director of Avalon Senior Care Management, Inc., a St. Joseph geriatric care management firm. “They don’t want to be a burden and they don’t want their kids to worry. And more important, they don’t want to risk being removed from their home. So they will tell little white lies about how things are going for them at home.” Unfortunately — particularly if you live very far away — the best way to get an accurate picture is a visit, and a nice long one at that. “If at all possible, plan an extended visit,” says Schmall. “If you just fly in and fly out, you’re not there long enough to see what’s really happening. You want to evaluate how well your loved ones are functioning in their environment.” That means keeping an eye out for potential red flags, such as: • Are the stairs manageable or is a ramp needed? • Are there any tripping hazards at exterior entrances or inside the house (throw rugs, for instance)? • If a walker or wheelchair is needed, can the house be modified? • Is there food in the fridge? Are there staple foods in the pantry? • Are bills being paid? Is mail piling up? • Is the house clean? • If your parents are still driving, can you assess their road skills? (“We have a tendency to drive our parents Winter 2010

around when we visit them,” says Schmall. “But you can pick up important issues if you let them drive you.”) • How is their health? Are they taking several medications? If so, are they able to manage their medications? If you aren’t sure what is going on with your loved one, try to get him in for a good medical exam. • What about mood: Does either parent seem depressed or anxious? To make the most of your visit, plan as much of it in advance as possible. “If your loved one doesn’t have dementia, you want to talk to them about what their needs are and options before you get there,” says Donna Schempp, program director for the Family Caregiver Alliance in San Francisco. “For example, if you are going to have to look at legal issues — wills, advanced directives, powers of attorney, etc. — the more appointments you can get set up in advance, the better it’s going to be. But remember, you may be able to do 10 things a day, but your elderly parent can’t. You may have to look at what two activities your parent can do each day and then do other things on your own.” If your parent has dementia, however, the rules change dramatically. It is harder to involve the person with dementia as he might have trouble making decisions or being able

Living some distance away from your loved ones makes assessing their current condition and needs particularly difficult.

to understand the pros and cons of different choices. Further, if he is unsafe alone, you will probably have to make a decision about hiring in-home help or looking at dementia facilities to provide care. “Oftentimes people with dementia also suffer from paranoia,” says Schempp. “If you swoop in and try to change a lot of things very quickly, you will probably have a problem. Sometimes the best thing to do is to hire a geriatric care manager who can help things happen slowly, rather than you trying to do everything over a fourday weekend.” During your stay, try to assemble the documents and information you’ll need to care for your parent. Help them prepare a list of where to find all of their important papers — wills, advanced directives, bank statements, Social Security information, etc. If they lack some needed documents, such as durable powers of attorney for finances and health care, make an appointment with an attorney to have them drawn up. Also assemble a list of the physicians as well as all the medications they take, including doses.

Typically one child assumes the lion’s share of caregiving responsibilities, but hopefully you won’t have to shoulder everything. “Keep a release, something that states that you can access your parent’s medical information,” says Angela Lippard, a resource specialist with AAA 1-B. “It’s also a good idea to make a list of neighbors, friends and clergy with contact numbers.” And keep checking in. Assessing your parent’s situation and lining up needed services is but one step. You need to stay on top of their situation and make sure their needs keep being met. “One of the biggest challenges of providing longdistance care is making sure the follow-through is occurring,” says Anita Lindhard, information and referral specialist, Region 2 AAA in Brooklyn. “Are your parents getting the services you arranged during your visit? Are the meals being delivered? Are the aides showing up? It can be hard to check on those things when you live in another state.”

Assembling your team Typically one child assumes the lion’s share of caregiving responsibilities, but hopefully you won’t have to shoulder everything. If you have siblings, try to get them to assume some of the responsibilities. In whatever capacity you can enlist their aid, do it. “More often than not, one person takes on the major responsibility for caregiving,” says Schmall. “But it makes a big difference if you have the support of other siblings — emotional, financial or hands-on. One of the things I would really try to do is to get each sibling to come and stay with Mom or Dad on their own. It won’t take them long to realize what the situation is and what you’re dealing with.”

Your team may extend beyond immediate family, particularly if no one lives locally. Then it’s critical to find a second pair of eyes to look in on your parents. “It could be just a neighbor or a friend who checks in regularly and will let you know how things are going,” says Schmall. “It’s so important to have someone local to become your eyes when you can’t be there.” Karen Slade agrees. That’s why the home service coordinator for the Roscommon County Commission on Aging in Houghton Lake is happy when a client receives Meals on Wheels. “It’s a two-fold benefit program,” says Slade. “Number one, it helps keep their nutrition level higher. Number two, it’s an in-person check by a human being to see if they are OK or not OK. The meal deliverer will report back if something doesn’t seem right. It’s a program that goes beyond just the nutrition.” And, of course, there is a wealth of professional paid and unpaid help available — if you know where to look. The best place to start is your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). AAAs serve as gateways to local resources for caregivers. To find the AAA nearest you, call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. “We screen for program eligibility and connect them to community services, including respite services, long-term care, transportation services, housing options — anything that is available locally,” says Pyle. “We basically help them navigate the system, since it can be quite overwhelming to try to do it on your own.” These agencies can also provide assessments for eligible older adults. “We’ll go to the senior’s home and get to know them better,” says Slade. “We will identify the things they can still do for themselves and the things they need help with. We’ll look for things that may be hazardous — environmentally, physically and nutritionally. And ideally we’ll arrange a family pow-wow and together design a care plan to help them remain safely in their home.” You can also use the AAAs’ services to overcome any reluctance your parents may have in dealing with their grown children about sensitive issues. “I work with a client who lives in California and her parents, who are suffering from some memory loss, live here in Michigan,” says Lippard. “She wanted to find out what resources were available, but as their child, she felt they weren’t necessarily willing to listen to her. So she set up an appointment for me to meet with her parents and I was able to relay all the information about available resources.” If you or your parent has sufficient resources, you can hire a professional geriatric care manager to navigate the health care labyrinth for you. The manager can meet with your parents and conduct the initial assessment (which can be especially helpful if you are unable to plan an extended visit), recommend services and equipment and arrange for their delivery. “Most of the calls I get are from children who live far away from their parents,” says Mood. “Generally something has happened to precipitate the call — their parent fell and has ended up in the ER or a neighbor has called because they haven’t seen the parent outside in quite a while. Once we get the referral, we contact the parent, introduce ourselves and try to get permission to come out and meet with Michigan Generations

them. Then we assess their needs and let them know the resources that are available for them, hopefully to allow them to remain in their home.” To locate a geriatric care manager, visit the website of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers at www.caremanager.org or call them at 520-881-8008. A note of caution: No license is required to become a geriatric care manager, so anyone can hang out a shingle. Ask questions about the manager’s background and check references to be safe. If you are working, which many long-distance caregivers are, check with your employer. More and more U.S. companies are recognizing the importance of supporting their caregiving employees. This has led to a growing trend in providing eldercare benefits for workers. Companyprovided eldercare assistance can range from resource and referral services to on-site geriatric care management, from company-sponsored eldercare support groups to lunchtime “brown-bag” seminars. If your parents were active in a local church, that may be a helpful resource. Their church may be able to organize the delivery of occasional meals, or they may have a friendly visitor program to provide companionship. And if your parent is a veteran, check into the VA Aid and Attendance Special Pension. This is a benefit paid in addition to monthly pension to eligible veterans and surviving spouses who require help with activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing and dressing. To be eligible, the veteran must have 90 days of active duty, at least one day during a period of war, and must qualify both medically and financially. Any veteran who has A&A can also mail prescriptions written by other doctors to the VA and the VA will fill them for an $8 co-pay. The VA will also provide aids such as glasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs and prosthetics, free of charge to A&A veterans. To apply, a veteran needs to fill out VA Form 21-526, provide certified proof of service, and provide either a valid medical statement stating health conditions and limitations or a statement from a nursing home. Every state has offices that assist veterans in filling out the application. Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 to find state agencies in your area that can help.

The hard decisions Ideally, you want to find services and equipment that will allow your parent to remain in his home. And indeed there are a plethora of options to help you accomplish that goal — home-delivered meals, home health aides, transportation services, respite care, chore services, personal emergency response systems and more. Unfortunately, sometimes it’s just not safe for a parent to stay at home. “It is a big move, and no one does it lightly,” says Slade. “But when they are having difficulty getting out of bed, having trouble getting up and down the stairs or are falling frequently, those are red flags. Particularly if their children live out of town and no one is checking on them regularly, they could find themselves in a compromising situation.” This is particularly true if the senior is having cognitive problems.“If a parent has dementia or has higher-level Winter 2010

needs, he may not be able to live in his home anymore,” says Schempp. “In that case, some very complex decisions have to be made.” If you need to move your parent into an assisted-living or skilled nursing facility, you can get referrals from your local AAA, hospital social workers or a geriatric care manager. “Avalon Senior Care Management can provide a list of facilities that we know are decent, but we encourage the caregivers and, if possible, the seniors, to make their own evaluations,” says Mood. “We’ll let them know if a facility has a bad reputation, but they should really tour the ones that are on our list and see which is the best fit for their family.” If a move is required, you may be tempted to use this as an opportunity to move your parent closer to you. That may, in fact, be the best solution, but consider all options carefully. “I really caution you to carefully consider before moving a parent across the country to be near you,” says Schmall. “If Mom has spent her entire life in that small community in Michigan, she may be better off staying there and moving into a senior facility rather than moving to Colorado. I see people moving that great distance and often becoming isolated, especially if their children are working. There is no one right answer, obviously, but I would advise people to weigh all the options carefully.” Continued on page 16

Resources There are numerous resources available for longdistance caregivers. Here are a few:

AgeNet—Solutions for Better Aging This site provides searchable databases for organizations, services and eldercare assistance, eldercare checklists, medication and geriatric assessments and more. www.agenet.com or 1-888-405-4242.

BenefitsCheckUp This site was developed by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and can assist aging adults and their families in determining benefits eligibility and services in their area. www.benefitscheckup.org.

Children of Aging Parents (CAPS) This site provides information, referrals and support, including help in locating caregiver support groups. www.caps4caregivers.org or 1-800-227-7294.

Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) This site provides information, education and services, including a “Handbook for Long-Distance Caregivers.” www.caregiver.org or 1-800-445-8106.

National Alliance for Caregiving This site includes research on caregiving as well as practical assistance for caregivers, including tip sheets. www.caregiving.org.

regionalNews In communities

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

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 …

8 5

14 6 4

3A 3B 3C

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

Caregivers Benefit from Roundtable Discussions Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA

Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B

t is essential for everyone, especially those working with older adults, to provide support to full-time caregivers in every way possible. That is why the Lenawee Department on Aging organizes the Selma Larson Caregiver Conference each September. The conference has a multiple purpose of educating caregivers about help in the community, giving them a chance to talk with others about their situations through facilitated roundtable discussions, and at the end of the conference, pampering the caregivers with massages. This year’s conference started with an overview of Lenawee County services that can help reduce the strain of all that the caregiver is expected to

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

Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB

provide. Then caregivers were asked Reg 5 / Valley AAA Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging to sit in small groups with social workers, who facilitated roundtable

Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc.

Reg 2 / Reg 2 AAA

discussions. Participants spent most of the morning in these discussions, and the post-conference evaluations indicated that this was the most meaningful part of the conference. After lunch, Beth Spencer, co-author of Understanding Difficult Behaviors, spoke from a lifetime of experience about Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA (IIIC) ways for caregivers to handle common situations they may encounter with someone who has dementia. Virtually all of the 50 caregivers who attended the conference expressed sincere appreciation for this event, saying that it really made a difference! For more information, contact Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA Reg 8 / AAA of Western Michigan Barbara Stoy at the Region 2 AAA at 1-800-335-7881. Michigan Generations

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

Real Solutions for Seniors are Ahead

Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA

Reg 1-B / AAA

lready, 10,000 baby boomers are reaching retirement age every day — an “age wave” that will continue for the next 20 years. Today’s baby boomers — tomorrow’s seniors — can toss out old perceptions about growing older. They’re assured of being healthier and living longer because of disease management programs and neighborhood wellness centers — each of which is being piloted by the Detroit Area Agency on Aging.

St. Patrick Senior Center

Wellness Centers Promote Healthy Aging Look for wellness centers to promote healthy aging at three Detroit sites — convenient settings for fitness programs, health education and monitoring, and much more. St. Patrick Senior Center “For the last 30 years, Matrix Human Services we’ve been known for St. John Community Health Meals on Wheels. Over Here’s what you’ll soon find: the next 30 years, we’ll • a holistic approach to health and wellness be known for changing • health, fitness, medication and diseasethe long-term care land‑ management programs scape for older adults, • more weight management and disabled individuals and nutrition assistance their caregivers.” • information and guidance for longterm care planning —Paul Bridgewater, • partnerships with health-care President & CEO, providers, local schools and colleges Detroit Area and other non-profits Agency on Aging • new services and products not found in senior centers or clinics alone

Disease Management and Prevention The Detroit Area Agency on Aging is one of 12 agencies in the U.S. selected by the Administration on Aging for its new Diabetes Self-Management Training Initiative. This effort will improve quality of care and life for elders with or at risk of diabetes by increasing access to proven programs. Over time, the initiative should reduce health disparities among minority elders with diabetes. Best of all, it will demonstrate how individuals can successfully self-manage their disease. Participating in this groundbreaking initiative will position DAAA and its provider network to receive, for the first time, reimbursement from Medicare for diabetes self-management training provided to Medicare beneficiaries.

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

New wellness centers will not only serve more seniors, they will also provide certified training of staff members in numerous health and wellness programs. St. Patrick Senior Center in Detroit looks forward to expanding 5 / Valley AAA its computer training asReg well.

Reg 6 / Tri-Cou

Matrix Human Services

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA

Reg 10 / AAA

Well-tested health, wellness and fitness programs will be in place to produce the most meaningful and measurable outcomes for Detroit seniors. Matrix Human Services will increase its programming and hours at the John J. Villa Wellness Center. St. John Community Health

St. John Community Health is one of Detroit’s largest health-care systems, and its wellness center will connect consumers and health practitioners more informally to make healthy aging a community priority. Winter 2010

Reg 3-B / Burn

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

Accurate Snowbird Count Could Mean More Money

he Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) is concerned that many of Michigan’s estimated 130,000 snowbirds may get missed in the upcoming 2010 census — costing the state millions in federal dollars that are allocated based on census numbers. The problem lies in the timing of the census. A recent AAA 1-B study found that Michigan snowbirds begin moving south for the winter around Halloween and typically return to Michigan in April, May or June. With 2010 census forms being distributed in February and March of 2010, many Michigan snowbirds will mistakenly complete and return their census form at their southern residence, and not be counted as a Michigan resident. If retirees reside in Michigan for more than six months out of the year, they should be counted as a Michigan resident, so that Michigan receives the federal benefits for them. “Each person who identifies Michigan as their permanent residence brings more than $1,000 to Michigan each year in federal funding,” says Jim McGuire, director of research, policy development and advocacy at the AAA 1-B. “The 2010 census will determine funding to state and local governments, money for roads, schools, businesses and services for the elderly, and will impact decisions made by thousands of businesses, nonprofits, governments and others.” The census form may confuse snowbirds. It is supposed to secure information about people who live in the state most of the year (six months or more). However, the form 10

only asks residents to list who is living at the address on April 1, 2010. Since most snowbirds are residing in their southern residence on April 1, they may complete the census form in their southern residence, rather than in Michigan. This would result in them being improperly counted as a southern state resident, even though they reside in Michigan for six months or more each year. Snowbirds who are Michigan residents and receive the census form at their southern residence should not fill out the census form. When snowbirds return to Michigan, they

Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA

Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B

Reg 1-C / The

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

Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB

Reg 3-C / Bra (IIIC)

Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging can complete the census form that was mailed to their Michigan address, or wait for a census taker to come to their door. The census will send a worker to each residence that does not return a completed form, to ensure an accurate count.

Reg 7 / Reg V

Reg 5 / Valley AAA

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA

Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI

Local Resident Receives Senior of the Year Award

ennis “Kirby” Griffin, age 79, of Waterford received the Michigan Senior of the Year Leadership Award on August 31 during Senior Day festivities at the Michigan State Fair. The Michigan Senior of the Year Award is given annually to two outstanding seniors in a Service and Leadership category by the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging in partnership with the Michigan State Fair. Griffin is a strong advocate for seniors and supports many Waterford-area programs that benefit all ages, from children to older adults. He is a member of the Board of

Directors for the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency (OLHSA), chair of the OLHSA Senior Advisory Council, chair of the Waterford Senior Center Advisory Council, financial secretary for the Industrial Office Workers UAW Local 889 Retiree Chapter, member of the Waterford Planning Commission, member of the Hess-Hathaway Park Committee, supporter of the Historical Society of Waterford, active with the Waterford Cultural Council and a member of the Area Agency on Aging 1-B Advisory Council. Griffin was also a dedicated Michigan Generations

Reg 11 / Uppe

volunteer for Meals on Wheels, delivering meals to homebound older adults across Waterford and Auburn Hills for over 17 years — until last year, when his medical condition made it physically impossible for him to carry the meals to the front door. Griffin goes above and beyond to ensure that no senior is left behind. Each year he pays for a Local 889 Chapter float in the Labor Day parade so that disabled retirees are able to participate. Griffin is a passionate advocate for older adults, adults with disabilities and disabled children. Born with cerebral palsy, he made a commitment at a young age to help others live their lives with independence and dignity. He is dedicated to helping seniors and disabled individuals speak out for themselves and learn to become their own advocates when needed. “People helped me when I was in a wheelchair and on crutches, and now I am in a position where I can help others,” Griffin noted during the interview for

Help Is a Phone Call Away

Dennis Griffin (right), recipient of the Michigan Senior of the Year Leadership Award, is congratulated by Jerutha Kennedy, chair, Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging.

this nomination. “I would love to win the lottery and give the money to those who need it.” The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is proud to have Dennis “Kirby” Griffin as a member of our Advisory Council and congratulate him for being named Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B Michigan Senior of the Year.

The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is the first resource for older adults, caregivers and persons with disabilities to call when looking to resolve problems or locate the resources they need to improve the quality of their life. When individuals call the toll-free Information and Assistance (I&A) service at 1-800-852-7795, they speak with a certified Information and Referral Specialist to determine what their needs are and 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 Reg 2 / Reg 2 AAA

Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc.

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

Seniors Explore Benefits Online Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept. (Region 3)

Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB

Reg 5 / Valley AAA

Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging

ccording to researchers at the Pew Internet & American Life Project, senior citizens age 70 and older represent the largest jump in Internet use between 2005 and 2008, a whopping 73% increase. While online, seniors use the Internet to search topics, email and buy products. To capitalize on the increase in seniors’ computer savvy, during the open enrollment period for Medicare Part D, the Area Agency on Aging conducted three outreach events to familiarize seniors with navigating www.medicare.gov, allowing them to review prescription drug plans, select a plan and enroll online. The idea originated during last year’s Medicare Part D open Winter 2010

enrollment appointments, when Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) counselors sat down one-on-one at the computer with consumers to review drug plans. Seniors commented that their own Internet research durReg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA was Regconfirmed 10 / AAA of Northwest MI ing the appointment. It seemed that perhaps with a little more coaching

and encouragement, Regcomputer-literate 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA (IIIC) seniors could gain the confidence and skills needed to manage their own benefits research and enrollment. The classes were conducted not only to empower Medicare beneficiaries accustomed to going online, but also to free up the MMAP counselors to help as many seniors as possible. The interactive group sessions Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA Reg 8 / AAAclass of Western Michigan projected a PowerPoint tutorial on a screen, while attendees followed along with copies of the slides, with plenty of time for questions and discussion. After the group training, participants used computer labs to log on and review their individual drug plan options. theof Reg 11 /For Uppermore Peninsulainformation, AAA Reg 14 /contact Senior Resources West Michigan Region IV AAA at 269-983-0177 or 1-800-442-2803. 11

Services Dept. (Region 3)

(IIIC)

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

Poor at Your Door Conference

ore and more families and individuals need assistance in these tough economic times — and faith communities are seeking information about community resources and human services that can help. The Capital Area United Way, as the lead agency, and the Tri-County Office on Aging, St. Vincent Catholic Charities, Ingham County Department of Human Services and Christian Services have partnered in response to the need for information sharing among faith groups. Further addressing this challenge, 70 leaders and interested persons of different religious faiths attended the sixth “Poor at Your Door” Conference on October 16, 2009. At this

Reg 5 / Valley AAA

year’s conference, the general assembly discussed the federal stimulus money, asking, “Is the cash helping our community? Is it helping human services?” During the rest of the day there were two breakout sessions, each with two topics for participants Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA to choose from. The first sessions covered Food Assistance Resources and Mental Health Services, and the second sessions dealt with Emergency Services and Health Care Assistance. Each of these sessions offered practical ways to help those in need, whether young or old. The Tri-County Office on Aging also Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human provided specific information on CriServices Dept. (Region 3) sis Services for the Elderly and the

Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging

Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP). Al Swain of the Capital Area Center for Independent Living facilitated a conversation among conference attendees regarding transportation assistance for the low-income, the Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9the AAA physically Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI in elderly and challenged Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc. Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties. The conference encouraged continued conversation for greater interfaith networking on transportation assistance and human services. For more information, please contact the Tri-County Office on Aging at 517-887-1440 or 1-800-405-9141, or go www.tcoa.org. Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB

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

Reg 7 / Reg V

Reg 11 / Upp Reg 2 / Reg 2

Reg 4 / Reg I

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

Maintaining Independence in Your Home Reg 5 / Valley AAA

he Region VII Area Agency on Aging is one of 600 Area Agencies on Aging created by the Older Americans Act. In partnership with local organizations, Region VII offers services to older and disabled persons to help them maintain independence in their homes. The nonprofit agency funds services for the 10 counties listed above. Region VII AAA is also a provider for the MI Choice Waiver program, which gives older and disabled adults, 18 and older, an 12

alternative to nursing home placement by arranging care in the client’s own home, the home of another, an Adult Foster Care Home or a Home for the Reg 9 Aged. / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA Other programs available for assistance include: n Access Services — Information and Assistance, Case Coordination and Support, Care Management, Medicare/ Medicaid Assistance Program, Nursing Facility Transition Services, Outreach and Advocacy and Transportation.

Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging

Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA

Reg 8 / AAA

n Community Services —

Congregate Nutrition, Senior Center Staffing, Kinship/Older Relative Program, Caregiver Training and Education, Adult Day Care, Legal Assistance, Elder Abuse Prevention, Long-Term Care Ombudsman/NursReg 10 /Home AAA of Northwest MI RegHome 11 / Upper Peninsula ing Advocacy, RepairAAA and Michigan Older Americans Community Service Employment Program. n In-Home Services — HomeDelivered Meals, Personal Care, Respite Care, Homemaking and Chore services. For further information, please contact the Region VII Area Agency on Aging, 1615 S. Euclid Ave., Bay City, MI 48706, 1-800-858-1637, or visit our website at www.region7aaa.org. Michigan Generations

Reg 14 / Seni West Michiga

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

Senior Housing and Transition Initiative

he Region 9 Area Agency on Aging has new staff to help address the housing needs of seniors and disabled adults. The staff can assist in finding housing options for individuals currently living in the community or nursing home residents looking to return to a community living arrangement. The Nursing Facility Transition Program provides coordination of supports and services such as initial rent and utility costs, household and grocery items, and moving assistance. Once a participant has completed their transition, a registered nurse and social worker may work with them to provide ongoing services through the MI Choice Waiver and

Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA

Care Management Programs. Another new opportunity under the MI Choice Waiver Program is the Licensed Residential Services option for residents, or potential residents, of Adult Foster Care Homes

The program provides Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human coordination ofServices supports Dept. (Region 3) and services. or Homes for the Aged. Qualifying residents can receive MI Choice Waiver services, in an effort to keep the individual in the least restrictive environment possible as well as reduce the imminent need forAAA nursReg 5 / Valley ing home placement. The resident,

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B

Reg 10 / AAA

Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc.

the home and the Community Based Care (CBC) specialist work together to identify the supports and services necessary to assist the person in being able to maintain a community living arrangement. For more information, contact the CBC specialist at 1-800-219-2273 ext. 207. The Area Agency Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB Regon 3-C / Aging’s Branch-St. Joseph AAA housing coordinator(IIIC)manages referrals for individuals in need of low-income, senior or handicapaccessible housing throughout the 12-county service area. Connections are being established with housing management staff, contractors and local county commissions. referrals Reg 6 /For Tri-County Office on and Aging information, Reg 7 / Reg VII AAAcall 1-800-219-2273, ext. 208.

Reg 2 / Reg

Reg 4 / Reg

Reg 8 / AAA

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

Aging and Disability Resource Collaborative Efforts in the U.P.

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA

he U.P. Area Agency on Aging/ UPCAP has been working with the Superior Alliance for Independent Living (SAIL) to develop a regional Aging and Disability Resource Collaborative (ADRC) to help U.P. residents navigate the maze of options in health and long-term care. According to Jonathan Mead, director of the UPAAA, the ADRC will serve as a highly visible and trusted resource that anyone can turn to for the full range of long-term support options. “Since our region was chosen as one of the pilots for the Single Point of Entry Demonstration Project, we had a head start in developing a fully-functioning ADRC,” Winter 2010

he says. “We will utilize the existing resources of the UPAAA and SAIL to develop a ‘no wrong door’ approach in support of ADRC functions, such as providing information and counseling to help people assess their potential need and eligibility for all available long-term support options, both public and private.” The UPAAA and SAIL are currently in the process of developing protocols for the “no wrong door” approach, and are cross-training staff on the many resources that are available to persons who are elderly or disabled. Identified stakeholders in the region will be invited into the development process.

Amy Maes, director of SAIL, welcomes as Reg 11this / Uppereffort Peninsula AAA a brilliant way for two agencies to come together to enhance resources already available in the Upper Peninsula. According to Maes, “Both agencies have a mission to provide individuals with meaningful options when making decisions about longterm care services. The UPAAA works with individuals who are ‘aging’ and SAIL works with individuals with ‘disabilities’; the ADRC provides a chance to discard these labels and create a service delivery approach which ensures that options are available to all residents in the Upper Peninsula.” For more information about ADRC development in the U.P., call UPCAP at 1-800-338-7227 or SAIL at 1-800-379-7245, or dial 2-1-1.

Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI

Reg 14 / Sen West Michig

ASKtheExpert

Vikki Rochester

Options to Explore for

Senior Housing

families, older adults and adults with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) 202 Program offers rental assistance for seniors who meet the requirements of the federal program, in a facility that prothere are a few options for you vides access to supportive services such and your father to consider. Depending as cleaning, transportation and meals. on his income he may be able to priRents are based on a resident’s adjusted vately pay for some of these services. gross income, which is calculated by However, for many seniors the thought subtracting approved medical expenses of someone they don’t know coming from their income. The resident then into the home can be worrisome. One pays 30% of the adjusted gross income suggestion would be to work with your for rent. Individuals or their Residents in assisted living are not spouses must be at least 62 able to live alone but do not require years of age and 24-hour care. have an income consistent with HUD eligibility guidelines. For specific father to hire someone he knows to prorequirements visit the HUD website at vide these services. Also your local Area www.hud.gov. Agency on Aging or senior center can My father finds it difficult to do a lot of chores around the house. He wants to stay in his home, and we live too far away to help out on a regular basis.

provide referrals to local organizations that provide these services. Another option may be the CHORE program, a federally-funded program that provides low-income seniors with services such as lawn cutting, gutter cleaning and snow removal. The availability of this program varies by community and may be waitlisted. To get more information on the CHORE program or private pay options, contact your local Area Agency on Aging. An elderly aunt is relocating to Michigan and is financially limited. She can’t afford to buy a home or rent an apartment. affordable senior housing may

be an option for your aunt to consider. Affordable housing, also called public housing and subsidized housing, was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income 14

My siblings and I are concerned about our mother living alone and would like to consider assistedliving facilities. assisted -living facilities are for people needing assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), but who wish to remain living independently for as long as possible. Residents in assisted living are not able to live alone but do not require 24-hour care. Assisted living facilities provide access to services to help with ADLs such as bathing, dressing, homemaking, meals, transportation and medications. There are many housing options within the spectrum of assisted living. An assisted-living facility may be a large building with individual self-contained apartments where residents can remain very independent — with supportive services as needed and access to meals and social activities.

Or an assisted-living facility may be a housing facility with private or semiprivate bedrooms and bathrooms with common areas. An assisted-living facility may also be a single family dwelling with two, three or four bedrooms with semi-private bathrooms and living, dining and recreational rooms. Your local Area Agency on Aging can provide more information on assisted-living options in the area where your mother wishes to reside. Will Medicare help pay for assisted-living or nursing-home care? there is a general misunderstanding

that Medicare will help cover the costs of on-going long-term care needs such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation and homemaking. Medicare will help cover the costs of skilled care that is required by a Medicare beneficiary and prescribed by the attending physician for up to 100 days after a hospital discharge. Medicare will also help cover the cost of a short-term stay in a nursing home for rehabilitation following a hospital discharge. Medicare beneficiaries would be responsible for any associated co-pays or deductibles depending on their Medicare coverage. However, Medicare does not cover the cost of services needed in the home for on-going support with Activities of Daily Living, and Medicare does not cover the cost of an extended nursing-home placement for long-term care. For more information, individuals in Michigan should contact the Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) at 800-803-7174. Vikki Rochester is an AIRS Certified Resource Specialist with the Area Agency on Aging 1-B. 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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)

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

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 Winter 2010

Meals-On-Wheels

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 Citizens for Better Care (Nursing Home Advocacy Ombudsman) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-284-0046 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

Continued on page 7

Who pays?

Who pays for your parent’s care depends on what kind of care he or she is getting and where they are receiving it. In general, if your parent meets certain conditions, Medicare will pay for skilled nursing care and some therapies on a part-time or intermittent basis. Medicare does not cover 24-hour/day in-home care, prescription medicines, home-delivered meals, homemaker services and personal care given by a home health aide unless skilled care services are also being provided. If your parent has limited income and assets, he or she may be able to receive homemaker, personal care and other services through Medicaid if they meet Medicaid eligibility requirements. In Michigan, Medicaid’s Home Help Services (HHS) assists functionally limited individuals with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Through the Home Help Services Program, individuals have the ability to hire (and fire) their own paid caregivers, which may be family members, friends or neighbors. The caregiver is paid by the Family Independence Agency for providing care to the older adult. Contact Michigan’s Family Independence Agency to learn more about this program and Medicaid eligibility at 517-373-2035. In addition, the MI Choice Home and CommunityBased Service Waiver for the Elderly and Disabled is another resource for services. Through MI Choice, income-

eligible persons with a need for a nursing home level of care may receive services that allow them to remain in their own home. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Michigan Department of Community Health at 517-241-7263 or at www.mdch.michigan.gov for more information.

Caring for the caregiver

In all the commotion of lining up and supervising care for your parent, you may forget to care for yourself. But you need some TLC as well. After all, you’re likely spending a lot of your already overscheduled time on caregiving issues. Half of the MetLife survey respondents reported spending 13.6 hours a month arranging care services, and half said they spend another 16 hours a month checking on their care recipient or monitoring the care being received. And you’re likely dealing with feelings of guilt. “The number one challenge of long-distance caregiving is guilt,” says Schempp. “Caregivers feel guilty that they can’t be there, they can’t do the things they need to do, they have to hire a stranger to care for their loved ones or their sibling is doing the lion’s share of the work. Even though they may be doing all they can realistically do, guilt is fairly universal among long-distance caregivers.” So make sure you take time to recharge your own batteries. Join a caregiver support group. Take advantage of respite services. Ask for help if you need it. After all, if something happens to the caregiver, who will provide the care? MI

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