Generations Michigan
Spring 2011
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Advocacy Gives Seniors a
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Published quarterly by Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging
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Also in This Issue: n Ask the Expert n Caregiving News & Notes
Welcome to Michigan Generations Michigan is divided into 16 AAAs, each serving a different part of the state.
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They are:
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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.
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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
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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
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Generations Michigan
SPRING 2011 Published quarterly through a cooperative effort of Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging.
For information contact: Mary Ablan Executive Director Michigan Area Agencies on Aging Association ablan@iserv.net
Editorial Project Development: JAM Communications, Atlanta, GA Design and Production: Wells-Smith Partners, Lilburn, GA
On the Cover: From statewide events to town hall forums, from phone calls to petitions, advocacy initiatives aim to educate legislators about the issues facing seniors. Here’s a look at what senior advocates are doing all around Michigan — and why. Story, page 4. Photo by Peter Cox, mira.com
Spring 2011 Volume 8, #4 © 2011 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 You’re Only as Old as You Feel
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ow you think about your age may affect how you age, according to recent research conducted at Purdue University. A study of 500 older adults showed that how old you are does matter, but beyond that, your own interpretation has far-reaching implications. If you feel old beyond your own chronological years, you are probably going to experience a lot of downsides that are associated with aging. Conversely, if you are older and maintain a sense of being younger, that gives you an edge in maintaining many cognitive abilities. People who feel young for their age are more likely to have greater confidence in those cognitive abilities a decade later. How do you maintain a sense of youthfulness? Try keeping up with new trends and activities. Get into volunteer situations younger adults. And don’t shy away from computers, iPads or smartphones; learning new technologies is one way seniors can continue to improve their cognitive abilities.
MMAP MONITOR
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f your income and resources are low, you may be eligible for extra help with Medicare prescription drug coverage. To determine if you are eligible, Social Security will need to know your income and the value of your savings, investments and real estate (other than your home.). Filing an application for this extra assistance will help Social Security determine if you are eligible. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit www.ssa.gov for more information. If you live in Michigan, you can also receive help with an application by calling the MMAP helpline at 1-800-803-7174. If you think you may qualify and are not sure, Social Security encourages individuals to apply and let them determine your eligibility. Social Security says...”When in doubt, fill it out.” Note: For people with both Medicare and Medicaid, you automatically qualify for extra help. If you do not enroll in a plan, Medicare will automatically enroll you in a plan so you do not lose any prescription drug coverage. A reminder: The Part D enrollment season in 2011 is October 15–December 7, a change from the previous dates of November 15-December 31. You will be hearing more about this later.
Spring 2011
Older Michiganians Day 2011
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ome 750 senior advocates are expected to attend the Older Michiganians Day event on Wednesday, June 15, on the steps of the State Capitol in Lansing. The rally gives attendees from around Michigan an opportunity to discuss a platform of important recommendations for the governor and state legislature to follow. The platform urges decision-makers to: Assure access to a full range of high quality long-term care options Create more livable communities so older adults will stay in Michigan and contribute to our economic recovery Provide greater protections for vulnerable older adults from abuse and financial exploitation Dozens of meetings throughout the Capitol complex between senior advocates and their Legislators will be scheduled to discuss these issues. For more information or to be part of Older Michiganians Day, contact Mary Ablan at (517) 886-1029 or email ablan@iserv.net. [To read more about advocacy in Michigan, turn to page 4.]
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R e n o vat i n g t h e
Pyr a mid?
Watch for some tweaking on the “Food Pyramid” — an all-around favorite tool of dieticians and nutrition experts. New Dietary Guidelines for Americans have just been released and will be followed soon by a revised food pyramid, which will help put the recommendations into action. The guidelines take special aim at obesity, for the first time giving separate emphasis on cutting calories from added sugars. A key overall message is simply, “Enjoy your food, but eat less.” Recommendations also focus on balancing calories with physical activity and encourage more healthy foods, plus less sodium, saturated and trans fats and refined grains. Good advice heading into Spring!
Surfing the Net Each issue of Michigan Generations offers several websites devoted to caregiving information and resources: www.disabilityisnatural.com takes a strong stand that people with disabilities are not their diagnoses; they are people, first. Look for resources, in-depth content and an exchange of ideas. www.seniorresource.com reviews housing options and offers information on retirement, finance, insurance and health care. 3
Advocacy
Gives Seniors a
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By Martha Nolan McKenzie
“ Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
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n a brisk, windy day in early February, a group of seniors, state legislators and aging network staffers gathered to share lunch at long tables set up in a hallway in the Capitol’s east wing. As the representatives, senators and aides munched on roast beef sandwiches, coleslaw and chips, the staffers and seniors talked spiritedly about funding for the aging services, elder abuse legislation and initiatives to make communities more livable for the elderly. This event, the AAA Association of Michigan’s Annual Legislative Luncheon, is just one of the many advocacy efforts underway in the state to benefit seniors and their caregivers. From statewide events in Lansing, such as the luncheon, to local town hall forums, and from phone calls to petitions, advocacy initiatives aim to educate and inform legislators about the issues facing seniors and to encourage action on their behalf. “Advocacy gives seniors the ability to have their voice heard,” says Christine Vanlandingham, fund and product development officer for Region IV AAA. “This is huge. Some of these seniors might be homebound and not heard
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otherwise. And the legislators do value hearing from the people they are serving.” In Michigan, making sure seniors’ and caregivers’ voices are heard is a primary goal of the Michigan Senior Advocates Council and the 16 AAAs. MSAC was created in 1977 by the AAA Association to advocate for seniors. About 35 representatives from all over the state sit on the council. Each of the state’s 16 AAAs has an advisory board, which both reaches out to seniors to discover what issues are concerning them and informs MSAC of their findings. MSAC’s and the AAAs’ advocacy efforts have paid off richly for seniors. They have been responsible for the passage of legislation creating the first prescription drug program in Michigan, and one of the first in the U.S. The council also spurred the Legislature to increase funding for Meals On Wheels and other in-home services, create a home heating tax credit and reform long-term care. Senior advocates cannot afford to rest on their laurels. Indeed, seniors’ voices need to be heard more loudly than ever in the din of one of the most hostile economic environments to date. The state is facing a deficit of over $1 billion — with a “b” — and newly-elected Governor Rick Snyder has proposed spending cuts in programs for seniors and people with disabilities. And this is following three already difficult years. State funding for the Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) has decreased 25 percent — or $10 million — over the past three years while Michigan’s senior population has grown 7 percent. While federal stimulus dollars were able to offset some of the cuts, critical programs felt the sting. Michigan Generations
Region IV seniors and staffers express their concerns at last year’s Older Michiganians Day, held at the Capitol in Lansing.
“The AAAs do everything humanly possible to avoid cutting people off, but they have had to find ways to squeeze,” says Mary Ablan, executive director of the AAA Association of Michigan. “Look at the Meals On Wheels program, for example. In some areas where seniors were getting five hot meals delivered each week, plus frozen meals for the weekend, they have cut down the number of hot meals or cut out the frozen meals. And the waiting lists for services have mushroomed — we currently have a waiting list of 1,400 for Meals On Wheels. The waiting list for other in-home services numbers 4,600. The Federal stimulus money masked the cuts from the state Legislature, but that stimulus money has gone away. So these cuts will be hitting home this year, and we could be facing more.” The November election, which brought an entirely new group of legislators to the Capitol, has made advocates’ jobs that much more challenging. “We have a lot of new elected officials who have no background at all in senior citizen issues,” says Ray Byers, an MSAC representative for AAA 1-B and a member of the advisory council for Senior Alliance, the AAA 1-C. “These issues are all new to them. We have to help them better understand what it’s like to walk in the shoes of a senior citizen who needs help.” In the face of these harsh budgetary and political realities, senior advocates have identified three major issues around which to focus their efforts: Ensuring access for seniors and adults with disabilities to a full range of
high-quality long-term care options, including home and community-based options; capitalizing on the economic force of seniors by making Michigan a senior-friendly state through affordable housing, transportation and aging-inplace communities, and protecting seniors from elder abuse and financial exploitation. Here’s a closer look at these three issues:
Long-term care options Programs such as MI Choice Waiver (a Medicaid program that provides a variety of services in a person’s home), Meals On Wheels and caregiver respite can allow a senior or adult with disabilities to remain in their home rather than
The November election has made advocates’ jobs much more challenging.
Spring 2011
go to a nursing home. That’s not just good for the senior, it’s good for the budget. “It costs us $48 a day to keep someone in their home with the MI Choice Waiver program,” says Jordon Lockmiller, MSAC chair. “In comparison, the state is required to pay nursing homes $185 a day. Even a small amount of in-home care can prevent institutional placement. In 2009, if the aging network’s 2,400 most at-risk clients had not gotten 5
help and had been forced into nursing homes, Medicaid would have spent $140 million more on nursing home care. By contrast, those clients were served by the aging network at a cost of $4 million.” Lockmiller and other senior advocates want to make sure legislators understand how economically beneficial the waiver program is to the state, and what a difference it makes in the lives of seniors. “The biggest job we have right now is educating the new legislators,” says Lockmiller. “We have many who have never held office before, and many who are new in the Legislature. They don’t know about these programs, and they may focus on what they can save right now by cutting a program. They have to realize that cutting MI Choice and other senior programs may save money today, but down the road many of the people who depend on those services will be forced into nursing homes at much greater cost. And it won’t take too long — we’re talking six months to a year.” Meals On Wheels is another program advocates want to protect. The program has already faced cuts in some regions. A reduction in deliveries can have implications far beyond the loss of meals for seniors. ”It’s actually significant because sometimes the driver is the only person that a senior sees,” says Byers. “The driver can see what is going on — if the senior looks more frail or worse off than yesterday, or what the condition of the house is. The driver can spot issues and problems that no one else may see.” Accordingly, senior advocates will be flooding legislators with information about the various programs that allow seniors to remain in their homes and encouraging continued funding for these areas.
Senior-friendly infrastructure Seniors are a $32-billion economic force in Michigan. Their income and assets are critical for the state’s economy. Older adults purchase $3.15 million in goods and services each year, and spend an additional $1.4 million on healthcare. Senior advocates use statistics such as these to push for initiatives to make Michigan a senior-friendly state. Specifically, advocates are urging legislators to pass legislation that promotes affordable and accessible housing options, reliable transportation options and access to affordable health insurance.
Elder abuse and
financial exploitation More than 20 elder abuse bills were introduced in the Legislature last year, but none made it into law. “This is at a time when Michigan adult protective services investigations have risen 31 percent since 2009, yet the Legislature has not taken action on any of these bills,” says Vanlandingham. “Eight passed the House but were allowed to die in the Senate due to inaction. They just never came up for a vote.” Senior advocates want to make sure the bills are not only voted 6
on this session, but that they pass into law. “Elder abuse is a growing problem, in part because of the economy,” says Ablan. “We have so many younger people unemployed, moving back into their older parents’ or grandparents’ home. The vast majority are not abusing, but you do have the bad apples who take advantage of their parents and grandparents.” Specific bills that are backed by advocates include one that would prevent a family member who has been convicted of abusing an elder from inheriting the victim’s assets. Another bill would require bank employees to report suspected instances of financial abuse. And another would require people who work in nursing homes to report observed abuse directly to the state.
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ith the issues thoughtfully defined, the question becomes: How do you get these messages across to lawmakers? In Michigan, the two most visible advocacy events occur in Lansing annually — the AAA Association’s Legislative Luncheon and the Older Michiganians Day (OMD). Every February, AAA staffers treat legislators and their staff to a luncheon at the Capitol to advance the senior agenda. This year’s event was considered very successful, with a nearly 100 percent attendance rate by either the legislators or members of their staff. AAA staffers and some senior advocates came armed with handouts that concisely summarized the issues being championed. This year, large poster storyboards lined the hallways, each featuring a senior or disabled adult whose life was improved by the services he or she received. “I think the boards made an impression,” says Vanlandingham. “They allowed legislators to look into the eyes of constituents who rely on these services and read their stories. It was also a chance for seniors and adults with disabilities who are unable to travel to be seen and heard in the state Capitol.” In June, a much larger crowd descends upon the Capitol for Older Michiganians Day, most of them older adults. On June 15, 2011, 750 senior delegates are expected to travel to Lansing to meet with the legislators and discuss the issues that are most important to them. “This is a grassroots event,” says Vanlandingham. “For Older Michiganians Day, your average, everyday senior citizens arrive by cars and busloads
How to Advocate for Older Adults What You Can Do: • Understand the issues facing older adults and adults with disabilities • Study senators’ and representatives’ stands on related issues • Call, email or request a personal meeting with your legislator What Your Legislator Can Do: • Sponsor and support legislation to support the Older Michiganians Day platform • Attend Older Michiganians Day and meet with constituents
Michigan Generations
to have their voices heard. In addition, seniors who cannot make the trip call in to their legislators — last year 3,200 people called the Capitol that day.” Even though these delegates are “average, everyday” seniors, they come prepared. The AAAs mail out the OMD platform to seniors ahead of time, so they can read it and familiarize themselves with the issues. “They don’t come here cold,” says Ablan. “They come ready to talk intelligently about the issues.” Meeting face-to-face with passionate, informed constituents can make a big difference for legislators. Ablan points to the success of OMD’s predecessor, Senior Power Day. “From the ’70s through the ’90s, Senior Power Day brought thousands of seniors to Lansing,” says Ablan. “It achieved some very notable successes. For example, Senior Power Day propelled the passage of home-based services funding, nursing home reform, patient rights and public transportation funding, to name a few. That’s advocacy at work.” In addition to the luncheon and Older Michiganians Day, there are many ongoing advocacy efforts throughout the state. On the fourth Wednesday of every month that legislators are in session, MSAC members meet in Lansing. “About 35 advocates from all over the state meet each month,” says Dorothy Cudney, an MSAC representative on the Region 9 AAA’s advisory board. “From 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., Mary Ablan briefs us on the issues, and then after lunch we meet with our legislators. We leave pamphlets with them and just keep stressing how important it is to keep funding MI Choice and other services to seniors. We often go in a group, and that helps. That lets them know it’s not just me. We’re here, we’re in Lansing and we’re a force.” The MSAC representatives make sure they meet with the legislators who are on committees involved in the programs for which it is advocating. “We make sure someone meets with these representatives and senators every month,” says Paul Bridgewater, president and CEO of the Detroit AAA. “We want to keep our issues top-of-mind.”
higher rate than their counterparts who live in other parts of the state, largely as a result of poor access to health care. We need to make legislators aware of these disparities and get them to act on them.” While senior advocates spend much of their time “reaching up,” trying to get the ear of the legislators, they also spend some time “reaching down,” educating seniors about the issues and teaching them how to be effective advocates themselves. “I think one of the key things we do is help seniors, caregivers and community leaders understand the potential impact of budget cuts and services to an already needy population,” says Bridgewater. “We are currently recruiting members for a consumer advocacy council that will be charged with educating this community about long-term care issues. If we reach down to grassroots community people, they are the ones who can best reach up to the legislators. The legislators are accustomed
Meeting face-to-face with passionate, informed constituents can make a big difference for legislators.
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ocally, the 16 AAA advisory boards meet regularly, call and write to their legislators and visit them when they are back in their districts. Many also organize local versions of Older Michiganians Day. In Southwest Michigan, for example, Region IV AAA organizes a local legislative forum on the Monday prior to Older Michiganians Day. “The representatives and senators from our district come, and seniors have an opportunity to voice their opinion and ask their questions,” says Vanlandingham. “It’s a very well-attended event and a great opportunity for grassroots advocacy on the local level.” The Detroit AAA organizes a Senior Citizen Summit during which older adults and persons with disabilities can communicate their concerns to Detroit’s mayor and city officials. “As an urban community, our issues may be a bit different from other regions,” says Bridgewater. “For example, we have 33 nursing homes in the city, and the last one was built in 1968. These are older facilities that lack the modern technology and conveniences that might be found in other parts of the state. “Also, older adults in Detroit are dying at a dramatically
Spring 2011
to seeing me in Lansing, but if a ‘regular’ senior constituent calls them or meets with them and articulates their needs, it’s a much more powerful message.” Annette Jeske agrees. The program and grant manager for Region VII AAA, Jeske is developing an advisory group to focus on advocacy. As part of this effort, she puts out a newsletter and is planning a workshop to teach seniors how to be advocates for themselves. “Through the news letter and the workshop, we’ll teach them how to go out and talk to lawmakers or constituents,” says Jeske. “We’ll teach them how to write letters to legislators, how to mount a petition and how to make calls. Seniors are passionate about these issues, and it’s really wonderful to see people who are this passionate and willing to go out and talk to their legislators.” The AAA Association of Michigan also publishes news letters that outline the relevant issues and legislative action that has been taken on them, and identifies an action that still needs to be taken. “I will give a subscription to any senior for a donation of any amount,” says Ablan. “You can call our office at 517-886-1029. You can also visit our website at www.mi-seniors.net, then click on ‘Publications’ and then click on the link under ‘Aging Alert.’ ” The population that stands to benefit the most from the senior advocates’ efforts is the poorest. “Many of the seniors we serve through our advocacy efforts are homebound and not seen by the general population,” says Bridgewater. “So those advocates who are showing up at meetings and knocking on doors are speaking for those seniors who are hidden within our communities, helping to make sure their needs are known.” Byers agrees, adding, “It is the seniors on the lower socioeconomic strata who need the most help and who have the least voice. Advocacy gives them that voice.” MI 7
Regional News
Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA
Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B
Reg 1-C / The
In communities across the U.S., Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) serve as gateways to local resources, planning efforts and services that help caregivers and older adults. In this section, you will find timely information on the services offered by the Michigan AAAs that co-sponsor this magazine: Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Region IV Area Agency on Aging, Tri-County Office on Aging, Region VII Area Agency on Aging, NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging and Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging. Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept. (Region 3)
Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB
Reg 3-C / Bran (IIIC)
Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging
Reg 7 / Reg VI
S potlight O n …
Tri-County Office on Aging A consortium of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties and the cities of Lansing and East Lansing
Advocacy Committee Kicks into High Gear
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the Advocacy Committee have laid egislators. Advocacy. State budout four areas of focus: gets. These are words that strike Serve as a liaison to commufear in the hearts of many, but not nity groups. By attending local meetfor the members of the Tri-County ings and participating in community Office on Aging Advocacy Commitservice groups, such as retiree groups, tee. This group is passionate and ready to do what it takes to make their voices heard. Gloria Kovnot, chair of the Advocacy Committee, is leading the charge in Region 6. “We need to reach our new legislators and local government officials to let them know just how important our services are. There’s absolutely Committee members with Rep. Joan Bauer are (left to right): Mary no return on investment Clark (Bauer staff person), Chad Johnson, Regina Allen, Gloria Kovnot, by cutting services to the Rep. Joan Bauer (D–Lansing), Marion Owen, Jennifer Burley, Ann aging!” Kovnot exclaims, Bridgeland and Gloria Thomas. explaining, “It costs TCOA can collaborate with those $67,000 a year for nursing home groups to present a unified message care, as compared to $1,700 annually to our lawmakers. to provide services in that person’s Speakers. Kovnot plans to train home. Everyone wins with these sernew speakers to go into our comvices — we save public dollars, and munity to educate the public on the our older adults have greater choice and improved quality of life.” benefits of TCOA services. Program development. New “This year, our main goal is to be programs don’t always equate to more connected to the community,” more money. MI Choice is a perfect says Kovnot. To do this, Kovnot and 8
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
example of how programs can both save public dollars and improve lives. The committee is open to exploring new service options to better assist our older adult population without necessarily increasing costs. Fundraising. “We hope to help Reg 9 / NEMSCA new Reg 9 AAA Reg 10fundraising. / AAA of Northwest MI develop ideas for It’s important to show our legislators that we’re doing our part to contribute, too,” states Kovnot. The Advocacy Committee intends to work with the agency’s fundraising arm, Friends for Independence Coordinating Council (FFI), to develop new fundraising ideas. FFI consists of prominent members of the business community who work together to increase awareness, volunteer support and secure funding for TCOA’s critical services. “It just makes sense,” says Kovnot. “They are working to raise awareness, recruit volunteers and find funding sources. So are we.” The group is preparing for Older Michiganians Day in June, with plans to recruit new advocates and offer training on how to talk to lawmakers. For more information, please call 517-887-1440 or 1-800-405-9141, or visit our website at www.tcoa.org. Michigan Generations
Reg 11 / Uppe
Detroit Area Agency on Aging Serving Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and the five Grosse Pointes in Wayne County
“ We have an opportunity to reinvent Detroit like never before. Every Detroiter has a voice and a role in this process.”
Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA
Reg 1-B / AAA
Photos courtesy Simmons by Design
— Detroit Mayor Dave Bing
Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept. (Region 3)
Reg 3-B / Burn
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
Reg 6 / Tri-Cou
Making Detroit Work for Seniors R
einventing Detroit is a mission of the Detroit Works Project — a collaborative planning process spearheaded by Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. Making sure the needs of older adults are addressed in future planning is a goal of the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. In recent months, older adults in Detroit were invited to targeted forums to voice their opinions about future city planning. To guarantee the most diversity and inclusion, smallgroup meetings were convened by service providers, labor unions, the faith community and organizations within the aging network to make sure all constituents were counted. For continuity, each session evaluated Detroit based on characteristics of “senior livability” (see box). With each of the 11 elements, participants examined Detroit’s current assets and conditions; recommendations for immediate Spring 2011
improvement; and vision for the future. Feedback and recommendations from these meetings then framed the agenda for the Detroit Works Project — Senior Summit, held on March 18, at Fellowship Chapel in Detroit.
Senior Livability Factors* • Housing • Home Modifications • Public Safety & Security • Transportation • Walkability • Access to Healthcare • Civic Engagement • Long-Term Care Supports & Services • Municipal Services • Commerce/Business Services • Technological Infrastructure * Developed by AARP and Bankers Life and Casualty
“I’m an old-school community organizer, and we needed a process that would get older adults Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA truly engaged in conversations to shape Detroit’s future,” said Paul Bridgewater, President and CEO, Detroit Area Agency on Aging, also a member of the Detroit Works Project Advisory Council. “We convened small-group sessions to explore elder-friendly solutions, while others in the community focused on their unique concerns. It is a tall order to get an entire community focused on the same priorities, but it is the only way to create a path ‘from now to how.’ I’m convinced our seniors have the wisdom to show us the way.” For information on future planning in Detroit, visit www.DetroitWorksProject. com. To get involved in advocacy efforts to make Detroit elder-friendly, contact the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, 313-446-4444. 9
Reg 10 / AAA
Region IV Area Agency on Aging Covering Michigan’s Great Southwest including Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties
ADRC Offers Information and Assistance Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept. (Region 3)
Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB
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hen people find themselves looking for information about long-term care options, community resources, and programs, where do they start? Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) serve as an entry point into long-term care supports and services for older adults and people with disabilities. Combining the expertise of both the aging and disability networks, ADRCs offer information and assistance for consumers and their families. “No wrong door” is the concept embraced by the emerging Aging and Disability Consortium of Southwest Michigan, working to assure seamless access to information and maximizing
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA
independence for Southwest Michigan residents. The Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Disability Network Southwest Michigan (DNSWM) and 26 community organizations are working with the Office of Services toReg the and MI Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA 10 / Aging AAA of Northwest ADRCs throughout Michigan in Cty. Human Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Dept. (Region 3) developing standards, Services technology and
Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA (IIIC)
Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA
options counseling policies and procedures. Using this experience, the goal is for all areas of the state to have access to an ADRC by the year 2014. The ADRC of Southwest Michigan is collaborating, training resources, comReg 7 / Regand VII AAAdevelopingReg 8 / AAA of Western Michigan Reg 1-B / puter AAA 1-B applications Reg 1-C / The standards. Senior Alliance, Inc. and Through these efforts, people calling community providers will be assured that the information they’re looking for is available regardless of where they start. A web-based public resource directory is also in the plans. call Resources of Reg 11 /For Upper more Peninsula information, AAA Reg 14 / Senior West Michigan 1-800-654-2810 log3-Con to Joseph AAA Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIBor Reg / Branch-St. (IIIC) www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org.
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
Senior Advocacy Group Takes Shape
Reg 5 / Valley AAA
T
he Region VII AAA initiated the Senior Advisory Group of Central Michigan to unite people in the region interested in advocating on behalf of older adults. With minimal promotion, the idea of a Senior Advisory Group attracted the attention of retired social workers, nurses, professional businessmen, college students, caregivers and others. As Region VII’s service area covers 11% of the state, the agency offered several methods for communicating advocacy issues, including an initial hosting of three small group meetings to discuss the potential for a Senior Advisory Group. Many people talked of the need for better long-term care solutions,
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Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging
Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA
in the development of the advocacy process include prioritizing issues and developing some “how to” advocate materials. Region VII’s board members, Advisory Council, staff andPeninsula service Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI Reg 11 / Upper AAA providers are also active in a number of other advocacy events, including Older Michiganians Day, the Legislative Luncheon Region 7 was well represented at last year’s Older Michiganians Day. and the Michigan Senior Advocates Council. quality of life, and education for For further information, please contact those newly involved in the home Region VII at 1615 S. Euclid Ave., Bay and community-based care of an City, MI 48706, 1-800-858-1637, or visit elderly spouse or parent. First steps www.region7aaa.org. Michigan Generations
Reg 8 / AAA
Reg 14 / Seni West Michiga
NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging Covering 12 counties of Northeast Michigan
MMAP Provides Important Support
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ew things can confuse a person as much as navigating the complexities of Medicare, but thanks to the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), beneficiaries can limit the roadblocks ahead. The Region 9 Area Agency on Aging works with each of the counties in its service area to provide free assistance to people with Medicare. These services include counseling and assistance to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and their families or caregivers, and outreach activities to increase understanding of Medicare programs and raise awareness of the support available through MMAP. The program utilizes a welltrained group of MMAP counselors
Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA
Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B
Reg 10 / AAA
Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc.
to successfully impact of the deliver serdonut hole on their vices to finances and coverthousands of age,” she says. beneficiaries The Alpena each year. Senior Center utiThere are 32 lizes millage money team members to support the in Region 9, with paid Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. Human Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB program Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA Services Dept. (Region 3) (IIIC) providing serstaff. Last year, Christine Losinski is a new MMAP counselor working at vices in each the MMAP and the Alpena Area Senior Citizens Center. of the 12 Prescription Assiscounties. tance Program Grace Marshall, executive director saved beneficiaries in Alpena County of the Alpena Area Senior Citizens more than $2.8 million. Center, believes the service is invaluFor more information about the able. “We work with many individuals Region 9 Area Agency on Aging, call who hardly know whatRegmedications 1-800-219-2273. 5 / Valley AAA Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA they take, let alone understand the
Reg 2 / Reg
Reg 4 / Reg
Reg 8 / AAA
Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging Serving all 15 counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Advisory Council Is Key to Successful Resource Collaborative
Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA
R
ecently an application to be designated as an emerging Aging and Disability Resource Collaborative (ADRC) was submitted to the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging by UPCAP (Upper Peninsula AAA) and SAIL (Superior Alliance for Independent Living). The application was approved in November 2010. Prior to development of the Upper Peninsula’s ADRC, UPCAP had served as one of the four long-term care single points of entry pilots in Michigan. During this two-year project, UPCAP established many important partnerships with other organizations in the long-term care arena. Although these partnerships served as a critical
Spring 2011
foundation for the development of the ADRC, the formation of an ADRC Advisory Council has been one of the most significant building blocks toward developing a fully functional ADRC in the Upper Peninsula. The ADRC Advisory Council consists of a group of diverse individuals from all walks of life. These individuals represent all populations, including those who have a disability or a chronic condition requiring longterm support. The Council is also represented by both public and private organizations providing services to these individuals, such as UPCAP, SAIL, nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospitals and others.
Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI
Reg 11 / Upper Peninsula AAA
The role of the Advisory Council is to assess the needs of folks facing long-term care. They will identify goals and provide advice and assistance to help the ADRC fulfill its mission to “empower individuals to make informed choices by expanding access to long-term care services utilizing a holistic, person-centered approach.” This means they are working hard to ensure that the ADRC is ready and able to help anyone requiring long-term care easily access the information and services they need to make the choices that are right for them. For more information about the ADRC in the Upper Peninsula, call UPCAP at 1-800-338-7227 or SAIL at 1-800-379-7245, or dial 2-1-1. 11
Reg 14 / Sen West Michig
People Making a Difference Detroit Area Agency on Aging
Mildred Madison
T
he legislative chair of the Detroit AAA is not new to volunteering or to advocacy. It’s been Mildred Madison’s life calling for six decades. As a parent in Cleveland, Ohio, she focused on her children’s education. From room parent to PTA officer to president of the Cleveland Board of Education, Madison delved ever deeper into her passion. “If I do anything, I usually give too much time to it,” she says. As her children grew, Madison branched out and was elected to the Ohio State Board of Education and the Cleveland City Council. She served as education chair for the NAACP in Cleveland, and was elected president of the Cleveland League of Women Voters. After her husband’s death, Madison moved to Michigan. She immediately joined the Detroit League of Women Voters, which she now heads. Perhaps her most significant accomplishment in that role was to initiate and lead a consortium of groups to put the Council by Districts proposal on the ballot in Detroit. It passed and will now be part of the City Charter. Madison was asked to join the board of the Detroit AAA as its legislative chair representing it locally, in Lansing and nationally. “Seniors account for almost 50% of the vote in Detroit, and we have to use our clout to let lawmakers know we vote according to our pocketbooks and our health care.” MI
Region IV Area Agency on Aging
Dennis Bowen
W
ant to surf the net? Send email to grandkids? Meet Dennis Bowen, coordinator of the Area Agency on Aging’s (AAA) Southwest Michigan SeniorNet Computer Learning Centers. Dennis started volunteering with SeniorNet first as a coach, then an instructor, and now as coordinator. He continues to teach classes, too, which is second nature to him after an illustrious 27-year career as director of choral activities at St. Joseph High School. Dennis is a Hoosier by birth, and his grandmother recognized his early talent at the piano. He was recruited to St. Joseph from Northwestern University, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education. Dennis’ second career was as director of volunteers and chaplaincy services for Lakeland Hospital. He now uses that experience at SeniorNet to manage more than 30 peer volunteer coaches and instructors. SeniorNet is not Dennis’ only volunteer activity. He also serves as a member of the AAA’s Advisory Council; chairperson of the Advisory Board of Lory’s Place, a bereavement center for kids; secretary of St. Joseph Public School’s Foundation board; and volunteer at the Whitcomb Towers Retirement Center, where he plays piano and publishes a monthly newsletter. MI 12
Tri-County Office on Aging
Linda Davis
L
inda Davis became a MMAP volunteer by accident — and we’re glad she did. As a student intern, she began her MMAP training elsewhere. “I came here to finish my training and planned to go do MMAP counseling at another agency, but I like it here, and they like me, so I never left,” she says with a smile. Three afternoons a week, Linda meets with community members, helping them navigate the confusing maze of Medicare. Why? Linda says she enjoys working with people, and she wants to serve. “I believe I’m best able to serve others if I use the information and resources I have available to me, and I’m ready and willing to learn,” she says. “I’m impressed with TCOA. They provide a plethora of opportunities. It’s a great place to come to help or be helped.” Linda’s supervisor, Stacey Humphrey, says that Linda’s biggest asset is her attitude. “She’s always smiling and willing to help with whatever needs to be done.” MI Michigan Generations
Caregivers, volunteers, professionals — they are the “unsung heroes” around our state. And they share one common goal: to improve the lives of others.
Dan and Jennifer Digmann
D
an and Jennifer Digmann didn’t look like a likely couple at Older Michiganians Day. With wrinkle-free faces, the 30-something Mt. Pleasant couple didn’t exactly blend in. Nevertheless, Dan and Jennifer were working the crowd, talking about the importance of the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver program.
Region 9 Area Agency on Aging
Ray Foerster
R
ay Foerster is not your average nonagenarian. He isn’t letting any grass grow under his feet. The 91-year-old Onaway resident is active in his community, especially when it comes to senior citizen issues. “As long as I have been blessed with a sound body and sound mind, I have no intention to retire anytime soon,” he says. Ray has been board chair of the Presque Isle County Council on Aging for 27 years and was instrumental in establishing a permanent center in Onaway. His guidance and expertise didn’t stay in his county, though, as he served as a member of the Regional Advisory Council for 22 years, until his recent resignation. “Ray was a valuable addition to our board,” says Laurie Sauer, Region 9 AAA director. “We could always count on his support and firsthand knowledge of issues facing our seniors. We appreciate him for the years of service to area seniors.” Convinced that the services available to seniors through the Council on Aging keep elders in their own homes rather than nursing homes, Ray says his goal is to make seniors feel warm, appreciated and cared about in the community. MI Photo by Patty Remus/The Alpena News
Region VII Area Agency on Aging
Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging Dan and Jennifer both have multiple sclerosis. While Dan functions independently and works at Central Michigan University, Jennifer uses a wheelchair and needs assistance with her activities of daily living. The MI Choice Medicaid Waiver program has been a godsend, providing her with the assistance she needs to allow her to live in her home with Dan. The couple were both active advocates for people with MS before they met, but Jennifer’s experience with the waiver program further energized their efforts. “We go out and tell our story as often as we can,” says Jennifer. “The whole reason we are able to manage is the Medicaid Waiver program. And it’s up to us to help increase awareness of what this program does.” MI Spring 2011
Connie Fuller
C
onnie Fuller, a wheelchair-bound woman from Rock, was participating in an aquatherapy class at Northwoods Assisted Living in Escanaba when she caught the eye of someone from the UPCAP AAA. “They asked me to serve as a consumer on the Quality Assurance Board,” says Fuller. “The board tries to help seniors and adults with disabilities in the Upper Peninsula get their needs met.” From there, Fuller joined the AAA’s consumer advisory board, which acts as the agency’s eyes and ears in the community. To fulfill this responsibility, Fuller would take the bus into the community and to AAA meetings. She got to know other handicapped passengers and eventually helped some of them get their needs met. The regular bus driver noticed her actions and suggested she run for an office with the Delta Transit Authority. Fuller now heads the authority, in addition to her AAA and Quality Assurance Board duties. “When I was first diagnosed with MS, I lived in Texas,” says Fuller. “We had no public transportation where I lived. I moved here — and there are so many more options for someone in a wheelchair, but many people don’t know about the services that are available. If I can help just one person, I feel like it’s worthwhile.” MI 13
ASK the Expert Problems With
My upper eyelids are drooping down and interfering with reading. What causes this, and are there any treatments? Droopy upper eyelids are a common aging change. Usually, eyelids droop due to a combination of time, gravity and gradual stretching of eyelid muscles. Sometimes drooping of the eyelids does not cause any problems, but other times patients may notice: • Extra eyelid skin blocking their vision — especially up and to the side, • A heavy sensation to the eyelids and difficulty keeping eyelids open — especially in the evening, • Chronic irritation of the eyelid skin folds. Age-related drooping of the upper eyelids is most commonly treated with surgery. Surgery may involve removing extra eyelid skin and fatty tissues (called blepharoplasty), or may involve lifting up a drooping lid (called eyelid ptosis repair). These surgeries are done on an outpatient basis and typically do not require general anesthesia. Rarely, drooping of the upper eyelids may be due to a serious medical condition. Some warning signs of this type of eyelid drooping may include: • Sudden drooping of one or both eyelids,
Do you have a caregiving question? Email your caregiving question to Mary Ablan, Executive Director, Michigan Area Agencies on Aging Association, at ablan@iserv.net.We will make every effort to answer your question in an upcoming issue of Michigan Generations. 14
Craig D. Lewis, M.D.
Aging Eyelids • Drooping eyelids associated with double vision or blurred vision, • Drooping eyelids associated with head or neck pain. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor.
My doctor has recommended eyelid surgery. Does Medicare cover any eyelid surgery? Eyelid surgery may be done for either cosmetic or medical reasons. Eyelid surgery for cosmetic reasons is not covered by Medicare. Medicare and most other health insurance plans will, however, cover eyelid surgery if your condition causes problems with your vision or comfort of the eyes, and meets certain criteria. Although criteria vary by specific insurance carriers, common criteria include: • Vision problems from droopy eyelids — this is most commonly documented by a visual field test, • Clinical evidence that the eyelids are droopy or that extra eyelid skin is hanging over the area — this is documented with photographs, • Clinical documentation that the eyelids have irritation associated with extra eyelid skin, a condition called dermatitis of the eyelids.
My lower eyelid turns inward and bothers my eye. Do I need surgery? As eyelid tissues stretch with time, eyelids can sometimes turn inward, called eyelid entropion. When the eyelid turns inward, the eyelashes can irritate the eye and cause pain and redness. Surgery offers the best chance of long-term improvement in the eyelid position and comfort of the eye, but it is not the only alternative. For patients who wish to avoid surgery, or who are not surgical candidates, a non-surgical alternative may be best.
Temporarily, the eyelid may be gently pulled to the side to reposition the eyelashes away from the eye. This may be accomplished with a bandage or other medical tape. When spasm of the eyelid muscles contributes to the problem, eyelid spasm may be reduced with injections of botulinum toxin (such as Botox). Botulinum toxin weakens muscles temporarily (around three months per treatment). This treatment may offer improvement in symptoms for months at a time, but often does need to be repeated.
I have a bump on my eyelid that is slowly getting bigger. Could this be cancer? Eyelid lumps and bumps are very common due to the complex anatomy of the eyelid region. Most eyelid bumps are benign (non-cancerous) growths that do not cause any problems. Some eyelid bumps, however, are cancerous. Up to 10% of all skin cancers occur on eyelid skin. Some warning signs for eyelid cancer include: • Bumps that bleed spontaneously or are painful, • Bumps that are getting progressively bigger over time, • Bumps that are associated with loss of eyelashes in the area. Because it can be hard to tell one bump from the next, please contact your doctor for any suspicious eyelid bumps. As with any cancer, early detection and treatment is best. Dr. Craig D. Lewis is associated with L ansing Ophthalmology. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan Medical School. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic. Michigan Generations
RESOURCE GUIDE
for Michigan Caregivers and Seniors Clip and Save this list of important statewide and regional resources and services. STATEWIDE / NATIONAL RESOURCES
Meals-On-Wheels
Alzheimer’s Association — Greater Michigan Chapter . . . . 1-800-272-3900 American Cancer Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-227-2345 American Diabetes Association — Michigan Office . . . . . . . 248-433-3830 American Heart Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-242-8721 Arthritis Foundation — Michigan Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248-649-2891 or 1-800-968-3030 Bureau of Health Service (nursing home complaints) . . . . . 1-800-882-6006 Department of Consumer Industries (adult foster care complaints) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-685-0006 Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) . . . . . . . . 1-800-803-7174 Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization . . . . . . . . . . 517-886-6667 Michigan Office of the Attorney General . . . . . . . www.seniorbrigade.com Michigan Office of Services to the Aging . . . . . . . . . . . www.miseniors.net Michigan Parkinson’s Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248-433-1011 National Multiple Sclerosis Society — Michigan Chapter . . 1-800-344-4867
Regional Resources detroit area agency on aging (1a):
Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-446-4444 Outreach & Assistance
Bridging Communities — Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Detroit Senior Citizens Department — Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan — Redford . . . . . . . Services for Older Citizens — Grosse Pointe . . . . . . . . . . . .
313-361-6377 313-224-1000 313-937-8291 313-882-9600
Senior Centers
Association of Chinese Americans, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delray United Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Latino Family Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . North American Indian Assn. of Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Patrick Senior Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Rose Senior Citizen Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia Park Citizens Service Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reuther Older Adult & Wellness Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
313-831-1790 313-297-7921 313-841-7380 313-535-2966 313-833-7080 313-921-9277 313-894-2830 313-831-8650
region iv area agency on aging:
AAA Info-Line . . . . . . . . 1-800-654-2810; www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org Custom Care — Care Connections of Southwest Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-442-2803; www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org Elder Care Locator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 -800-677-1666; www.eldercare.gov Senior Nutrition Services . 1-800-722-5392; www.seniornutritionregiv.org Senior Volunteer and Intergeneration Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-877-660-2725; www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org tri-county office on aging (region 6):
Information and Assistance — Clinton, Eaton and Ingham Counties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-405-9141 or 517-887-1440; www.tcoa.org Project Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-405-9141 or 517-887-1440 For in-home service assistance and the Medicaid home/ community-based services waiver (MI Choice) Spring 2011
Greater Lansing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-1460 or 1-800-405-9141 Clinton County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-224-3600 or 1-888-224-3030 Eaton County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-541-2330 or 1-866-541-5444 Rural Ingham County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-676-2775 Senior Dining Site Information . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-1393 or 1-800-405-9141 AARP Tax Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-887-1440 or 1-800-405-9141 region vii area agency on aging:
Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-858-1637 Alzheimer’s Association of Mid-Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-337-3827 Lakeshore Legal Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-552-2889 MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-858-1637 Bay Co. Division on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-895-4100 Clare County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-952-3160 Gladwin County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-952-0056 Gratiot County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-875-5246 Human Development Commission (Huron, Tuscola and Sanilac counties) . . . . . . . . . . . 989-673-4121 or 1-800-843-6394 Isabella County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-878-0726 Midland County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-638-2058 Saginaw County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-763-6336 nemcsa region 9 area agency on aging:
Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-356-3474 Long-Term Care Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-485-9393 Multi-purpose Senior Centers
Alcona County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alpena Area Senior Citizens Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arenac County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheboygan County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Crawford County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Iosco County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Montmorency County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ogemaw County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Oscoda County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Otsego County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Presque Isle County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roscommon County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
989-736-8879 989-356-3585 989-653-2692 231-627-7234 989-348-7123 989-728-6484 989-785-2580 989-345-5300 989-826-3025 989-732-1122 989-766-8191 989-366-0205
upper peninsula area agency on aging/upcap:
Information & Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dial 2-1-1 or 906-786-4701 Outside the U.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-338-7227 U.P. Long Term Care Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-485-9393 UPCAP Care Management/Field Offices
Escanaba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Houghton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Iron Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sault Ste. Marie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
906-786-4701 906-482-0982 906-774-9918 906-228-6169 906-632-9835 15
Important Upcoming Dates & Events Detroit Area Agency on Aging DMOW Annual Golf Tournament June 13, 2011 Fox Hills Banquet and Golf Course
Roberts Riverwalk Hotel & Residence Grand Opening Gala June 17, 2011 The former Omni RiverPlace Hotel Benefitting DAAA/DMOW
4th Annual Summer Cruise August 16, 2011 Ovation Yacht For more information, call Detroit AAA at 313-446-4444.
Region Iv Area Agency on Aging Creating Confident Caregivers For people caring for someone with memory loss. • Bridgman Public Library: Thursdays, April 7–May 12; 3:00–5:00 p.m. • Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles: Tuesdays, July 12–August 16; 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers Learn how to care for yourself while caring for a loved one. • Benton Harbor Senior Center: Mondays & Thursdays, May 2–19; 12:30–3:00 p.m. • Covert Senior Lifeline: Mondays & Thursdays, June 6–23; 12:30–3:00 p.m. • Berrien County Cancer Services, Stevensville: Mondays & Thursdays, Aug. 1–18; 12:30–3:00 p.m.
Entering the Caregiver Zone Equip yourself for hands-on caregiving and community supports. • Buchanan Meadows Living Center: Tuesdays, May 3, 10 & 17, 2011; 6:00–8:00 p.m. • Orchard Grove Extended Care: Thursdays, May 5, 12 & 19, 2011; 6:00–8:00 p.m. • Buchanan Senior Center: Tuesdays, June 7, 14 & 21, 2011; 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Journeying with Your Parents into Their Old Age Lakeland Community Hospital, Niles: Tuesdays, June 7, 14 & 21; 5:30–7:30 p.m.
15th Annual Senior Expo Friday, May 20, 2011; 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Grand Upton Hall, Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor More than 50 vendors plus entertainment, games, food, prizes, contests and health screenings. Presented by the Area Agency on Aging and the Herald-Palladium newspaper. For more information about any events or classes, call the Info-Line for Aging and Disability at 1-800-645-2810.
Tri-County Office on Aging Enhance Fitness Enhance Fitness is an evidence-based exercise class for older adults. Registration is required. Classes are one hour long with three sessions per week. Class content includes aerobic exercise, strength training with ankle weights, balance and flexibility exercises. Call today for a class location in your area! For more information, contact Jane Braatz at 517-6691864 or jsbraatz@comcast.com.
Creating Confident Caregivers Based on the university-tested Savvy Caregiver program, Creating Confident Caregivers is a six- week series that provides participants with knowledge and skills needed to manage stress and improve caregiving skills. FREE RESPITE CARE PROVIDED. Call today for a class in your area. 517-887-1447 or burleyj@tcoa.org.
Region Vii Area Agency on Aging Creating Confident Caregivers Utilizes the Savvy Caregiver Program, a university tested program for family members caring for a loved one with dementia at home. Two hour sessions are held once a week for six weeks and led by dementia care specialists. This program provides participants with information, skills and attitudes to manage stress and increase effective care giving skills. For a schedule of workshops, call 1-800-858-1637.
Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) A university-tested program for individuals who have a chronic condition. Sessions are held once a week for six weeks and lead by PATH Trainers. The program provides participants with information and skills to face the daily challenges of living with an ongoing health condition. For information, call 1-800-858-1637.
Region 9 Area Agency on Aging “ Residents: The Heart of the Matter” Northern Michigan Best Practices Conference Friday, May 6, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Kirtland Community College, Roscommon Beneficial to in-home service providers, adult day care providers, nursing home facility care providers, health care students and anyone who is interested. Call Sharon at 989-657-2944 for more information. Deadline to register is April 30.
Region 9 AAA Pre-bidders’ Conference Wednesday, May 11, 2011, 11 a.m.–12 noon NEMCSA Annex, 2569 US-23-S, Alpena Attendance is recommended for any entities applying for Disease Prevention Health Promotion, National Family Caregiver Support Program, Merit Award and Elder Abuse Prevention funds as the RFP process will be different this year. Required letters of intent are due by the close of business on April 25.
Cheboygan Area Senior Advocates Wednesday, May 11, 11 a.m.–noon Salvation Army, 444 S. Main St., Cheboygan This group of human service professionals provides services and advocacy for seniors and the issues they face.
Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging April/May • 6-week PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) class in Norway • Creating Confident Caregivers (CCC) classes in Sault Ste. Marie, Marquette, and Houghton
May/June • 6-week Creating Confident Caregivers (CCC) classes in Escanaba, Ironwood, Iron Mountain and Menominee. For more information on PATH, call Tonya LaFave at 1-800-338-7227. For more information on CCC, call Tammy Rosa at 1-800-338-7227.
July 1, 2011 Deadline to sign up for the U.P. Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) NEW Counselor Training, to be held August 2–11 (location TBA). If interested in becoming a certified MMAP volunteer counselor, or for more information about MMAP, please call Sherry Whitman at 1-800-803-7174.