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Published quarterly by Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging

MichiganGenerationsTMWinter 2011

Also in This Issue: n Ask the Expertn Caregiving News & Notesn People Making a Difference

Adult Day Care Fills Important Need for Caregivers

WINTER 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 [email protected]

Editorial Project Development:JAM Communications, Atlanta, GA

Design and Production:Wells-Smith Partners, Lilburn, GA

On the Cover: Adult day care provides family members with a much-needed break in caregiving, as well as offering important services such as medical monitoring and a variety of well-planned activities. Here’s what you need to know about this important resource for caregivers. See story, page 4.

GenerationsMichigan

Winter 2011 Volume 8, #3 © 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.

Whether you are an older adult your-self, 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 com-munity. 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.

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

Welcome toMichigan Generations

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2Region2AreaAgencyonAging

3AKalamazooCo.Health&CommunityServicesDept.Region3A

3B RegionIIIBAreaAgencyonAging

3C Branch-St.JosephAreaAgencyonAgingIIIC

4RegionIVAreaAgencyonAging

5ValleyAreaAgencyonAging

6Tri-CountyOfficeonAging

7RegionVIIAreaAgencyonAging

8AreaAgencyonAgingofWesternMichigan

9NEMCSARegion9AreaAgencyonAging

10 AreaAgencyonAgingofNorthwestMichigan

11 UpperPeninsulaAreaAgencyonAging

14 SeniorResourcesofWestMichigan

VisittheAAA’sstatewebsiteatwww.mi-seniors.net

AAAs —‑Gateways to Community Resources

2009

Stroke:

Winter 2011 3

Surfing the NetEach issue of Michigan Generations offers several

websites devoted to caregiving information and resources:www.disability.gov/housing tells about

housing rights, tax credits, making a home accessible and supportive housing services

that can help people with disabilities. www.grandparents.com offers articles for today’s active seniors who wish to be involved grandparents — activities, kid-friendly recipes and expert advice on family, education, health and fitness and more.

CAREGIVINGNews&Notes

MMAP MONITORIf you are new to Medicare, you will need to

understand the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit. Medicare coverage includes a prescription drug benefit, which helps people to pay for their prescription drugs. Medicare works with insurance and other private companies to offer these plans. If you enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, portions of your costs are paid by the plan.

If you are worried that your prescriptions aren’t covered under your new prescription drug benefit, keep in mind that the plans normally cover all the types of drugs commonly needed. Each drug plan has a set of “transition” rules that apply to a per-son who is new to a plan and is already receiving a course of drug treatment. If a particular drug is not covered, Medicare has a procedure for requesting a “non-formulary” drug or appealing any decision by a plan not to cover a prescribed drug.

To access MMAP’s free health-benefit counsel-ing service, call 1-800-803-7174 or visit the MMAP website at www.mmapinc.org.

Read MMAP MONITOR in future issues of Generations for more information on MMAP services.

Despite progress in prevention and treatment of stroke in the past decade, stroke remains the

U.S.’s third-leading cause of death and number one cause of disability.

A recent survey found that only 28% of adults rec-ognized the warning signs for stroke — and just 18% knew what to do in the event of a possible stroke. The

right answer: Call 9-1-1. The fastest way to get stroke treatment started is to get paramedics to the patient immediately, rather than trying to get the patient to an emergency room yourself.

Keep these warning signs of stroke in mind:• Sudden numbness or weakness in face, arm or leg,• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding,• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes,• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance,• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Eating protein daily is important to provide the build-ing blocks for your muscles, organs, hormones and

immune system. Inadequate protein can lead to decreased strength and stamina from muscle loss, less immune

power and more dif-ficult recovery from injury or illness.

How much protein do you need? How much is too much? Check with your doctor about your individual

needs. For adults who are in good health, 58 grams per day for a 160-pound adult is average. Distributing your protein consumption throughout the day is more effective than eating it all in one or two meals.

Lean meat, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy products are your best sources, as well as plant foods such as beans and nuts.

Here are some excellent plant sources of protein:• Beans 14-16 grams per cup• Grains 6-8 grams per cup• Brown rice 5 grams per cup• Whole wheat bread 4 grams per slice• Peanut Butter 8 grams per 2 Tbsp.• Almonds 6 grams per oz. (23 almonds)• Walnuts 4 grams per oz. (14 halves)

Protein eater

Be aSmart When the “Weather Outside

is Frightful”

Stroke: It’s a killer

I t’s common to reduce your physical activ-ity during the cold winter months. But

fitness experts say that there’s no reason to stop exercising. Without leaving home, you can do flexibility, balancing and strength exercises in your kitchen or bedroom. These include circling your arms slowly to stretch the upper body, toe raises standing at the kitchen counter, and balancing on one leg at a time. In addition, you can join mall walking groups or, if you live in an apartment building, walk the hallways and staircases. Just by doing these exercises 30 minutes a day, you can help to maintain your strength and balance until the warm months return.

Two or three days a week, Christine Mlecki drops her 85-year-old mother off at Pleasant Days Adult Day Care in Omer. For Christine, it’s an opportunity to get some things done around her home or work as

a part-time home cleaner. For Matilda “Tilly” Wloch, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, it’s an opportunity to spend some time in a different setting with other seniors who have similar memory issues.

“We live out in the middle of nowhere, and it can be pretty isolated here,” says Mlecki. “She enjoys the activities and the people at the center, and they take such wonderful care of her there. And I get a break, which I really need now and then. It’s really been a blessing for both of us.”

It’s a blessing more and more of us are going to need. By 2030, the number of Americans age 65 and older will double — to 70 million. Anywhere from 50% to 80% of this group will need some type of long-term care due to physical or mental limitations. Many of these seniors will be cared for by a spouse, adult child or other family member. To keep from burning out while juggling jobs, children and community obligations with their caregiving duties, these caregivers will need a break — the kind of break adult day care is designed to give. In other words, what child care centers were to

working parents in the ’80s and ’90s, adult day care centers are to caregivers now and in the coming decades.

“The need for adult day care is huge and it’s only going to get bigger,” says Jennifer Burley, community outreach specialist with the Tri-County Office on Aging in Lansing. “People are living longer and want to stay in their own homes. Adult children are balancing their jobs, children and other responsibilities with taking care of an elder parent. Adult day care provides a critical resource for these families.”

Despite the need, many who could benefit from adult day care don’t take advantage of it. “We’ve been around for 15 years now and people still come in here and say, ‘Oh my gosh! You are the best-kept secret in town! I never knew you were here,’ ” says Karol Cain, program director for the Caring Place Adult Day Center in Alpena. “I think it’s because people don’t look for these types of services until they really need them.”

Others confuse adult day care centers with senior cen-ters. The latter caters to seniors who are physically and mentally active and seek interaction with peers. The ratio of staff to clients is about one to 50 or 60. Adult day care cen-ters, by contrast, provide a more sheltered environment for people who have memory loss or physical impairment and need more care than someone going to a senior center. The ratio of staff to clients is closer to one to five.

Some caregivers see adult day centers as a last-resort option. “There is still a stigma out there that people associ-ate with going to an adult day care center,” says Florence T.

4 Michigan Generations

By Martha Nolan McKenzie

Fills Important Need for Caregivers

ADult DAy CAre

Parker, executive director of SAC Adult Day Care, Inc., in Detroit. “Caregivers may find it hard to accept a day care concept for their husband or father. Seniors may feel like they are being taken to something like a nursing home. But really what adult day care offers is balance and enhanced quality of life to seniors and their caregivers.”

Once they clear these hurdles and give adult day care a try, caregivers and seniors alike are often very pleasantly surprised. “We always feel most comfortable when we are with people like ourselves,” says Kara LaMarre, develop-mental projects coordinator for Region 9 AAA. “At adult day care, seniors can have social interaction with others who are in similar situations with similar memory or health issues. Everyone is understanding of everyone else because they have the same issues. And caregivers can have the freedom to do the things they need to do and recharge themselves physically and mentally while knowing their loved one is being cared for in a safe place.”

There are three models of adult day care centers:The Social Model: This type of center provides assistance

with some activities of daily living (ADLs) and recreational activ-ities designed to stimulate physical and mental functioning.

The Health/Medical Model: This model provides — in addition to the above — skilled nursing and rehabilitation services, including occupational and physical therapies, speech and language therapy, and other health and medica-tion services. This model is partially funded by Medicaid because it provides these health services.

The Specialized Model: This type of center provides services targeting specific populations, such as individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Virtually all adult day care centers provide a midday meal, and some serve breakfast as well. Some offer transpor-tation to and from the center, while others require clients to get there on their own. Medical models can accept cli-ents with a wide range of impairments, but if you have any

questions, you should check with the center to make sure it can accommodate your loved one’s particular condition.

Michigan has no licensing requirements to open a center. That means you should get your information from a reliable source and ask plenty of questions:

• Who owns or sponsors the adult day care center? • How long has it been operating? • What are the days and hours of operation? • Is transportation provided? • Which conditions are accepted (e.g., memory loss, lim-

ited mobility, incontinence)? • What are the staff ’s credentials, and what is the ratio

of staff to participants? • What activities are offered? Are there a variety of indi-

vidual and group programs? • Are meals and snacks included? Are special diets

accommodated?

Providing respite for the caregiverThe overriding benefit of adult day care is to provide

respite for the caregiver. The ability to entrust a loved one in a safe, caring environment, with competent staff and peer interaction, may be the extra buoy that keeps the caregiver’s head above water.

“The job of caregiving is often 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and it’s extremely stressful,” says Cain. “And many people land in the role unexpectedly, so they are unprepared for it. Plus, they might have other obligations — a job, rais-ing children, etc. Or they might be fairly frail themselves. Getting a little time away from the stresses and responsibili-ties of caregiving is absolutely critical.”

So critical that failing to take needed breaks can com-promise the caregiver’s ability to provide care. “I’ve seen it so many times,” says Burley. “The caregiver puts her loved one’s needs first and neglects her own. She may feel like a

Winter 2011 5

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failure if she asks for any kind of help. But if you let yourself become too depleted, you wind up in a situation where you and your spouse both need care.”

Virginia Thornley doesn’t plan to let that happen. The 78-year-old Lincoln woman uses the two days her husband attends the Caring Place Adult Day Care to play tennis. “When Donald developed Alzheimer’s, I had to drop out of a lot of my activities,” she says. “But I wouldn’t give up my tennis. It’s good exercise and I get to let out some of my aggression and frustration on the ball. It helps keep me in condition for what is ahead. I have to take care of myself or I won’t be able to take care of him.”

Respite can also mean the difference between being able to keep a loved one at home and being forced to put him or her in a nursing home. “The use of adult day care centers can help caregivers delay nursing home placement for their loved one, sometimes by several years,” says Deb Conarty, director of dementia services with Seasons Adult Day Services in Midland and immediate past president of Michigan Adult Day Services Association. “Sometimes it can prevent a placement entirely.”

That’s what Debbie Owens hopes to achieve. Owens, 45, has lived in her mother’s Detroit home and cared for her since the now-85-year-old woman was diagnosed with dementia. At first, she was able to leave her mother alone during the day while she went to work, calling each day at lunch to check on her. “One day I called and didn’t get an

answer,” says Owens. “I went home and she wasn’t in the house. I found her wandering several streets away.”

Faced with the knowledge she could no longer leave her mother home alone, Owens saw two options ahead — a nurs-ing home or adult day care. She chose the latter. “My whole purpose has been to keep her in her own home, in her famil-iar surroundings,” says Owens.

So while she goes to work each day, her mother, Cath-erine, attends SAC Adult Day Care. “I needed to know that when I was at work, she was being properly taken care of in a clean and safe environment,” says Owens. “It’s given me tremendous peace of mind.”

But much more than peace of mind is at stake. Adult day care offers a huge financial savings in avoided nursing home stays. According to the National Organization of Adult Day Centers, the average annual cost for a five-day-a-week adult day care program is $25,000, while the average annual cost for nursing homes is $75,000. Five-day-a-week in-home care runs an average of $40,000 a year. “We are talking about incredible health care cost savings,” says Gloria VanHaitsma, current president of the Michigan Adult Day Services Asso-ciation and caregiver support coordinator of Evergreen Com-mons Adult Day Care. “Adult day care can help keep people in their home, where they want to be anyway, and save soci-ety a staggering amount of money.”

Social stimulation for seniorsWhile caregivers reap incalculable benefits from adult

day care, the seniors who attend gain something as well — primarily socialization. At the centers, the seniors interact with each other in activities designed to stimulate body and mind. They may discuss current events, do chair exercises, work in a garden, play bingo or do a craft.

“You often think about the caregiver needing a break, but the loved one being cared for at home needs a break, too,” says Burley. “It’s an opportunity for them to be with other people who are functioning in their same situation. It stimulates them mentally, socially and emotionally. And it can give them a sense of autonomy. They are going out and doing something that is theirs — their center, their friends, their activities.”

Indeed, a recent study by San Francisco’s Institute on Aging found that adult day centers help maintain their cli-ents’ health and independence. The study followed 16 seniors at adult day centers and compared them to a group who did not attend a center. It found that after one year, the seniors who went to a center had fewer problems with daily activi-ties and perceived an increase in their quality of life.

“It’s quite overwhelming when you see the difference from when they first come in to when they’ve been here a while,” says Karen Pitylak, director of the Sunrise Side Senior Services, which operates Pleasant Days Adult Day Care in Omer. “At home they are just staring out the win-dow. But here they do so many different things and talk to so many different people. It just adds so much to their life, and you can see the difference.”

Attending a day care center has made a difference in Fred Kausch’s life. Kausch, 73, suffers from a rare neuro-degenerative disease that is often misdiagnosed as Parkin-son’s disease because it carries similar symptoms. When he was diagnosed four years ago, his prognosis was not promis-ing. But Kausch, according to his wife, Diana, “…is doing great. He is physically and mentally active. His disease has not progressed as rapidly as the doctors thought it would. And I attribute a lot of it to the adult day care.

“He loves every minute of it,” continues the Owendale woman. “He can’t speak but there is nothing wrong with him mentally, and he is somehow able to communicate with every-one there. They play cards, do exercises and once a week a lady comes in with a therapy dog — they go wild for that. If he sat here with me in the house all day, you can imagine how fast he’d go downhill. He comes home (from HDC Adult Day Care in Bad Axe) every day tired in a good way.”

Promoting physical and mental healthAdult day health services can play a vital role in keep-

ing seniors healthy and independent. These medical model day cares employ registered nurses and nursing assistants to monitor and care for their charges.

At Evergreen Commons in Holland, two certified nurses provide a monthly assessment of each participant, checking weight, blood pressure, glucose levels and other vital signs. They can dispense medications, empty catheters and change ban-dages. If the nurses notice any physical change, they notify the


Adult day care offers a huge financial savings in avoided nursing home stays.

Winter 2011 7

family immediately. “We’ll suggest that the client needs to see a doctor,” says VanHaitsma. “The medical monitoring we provide can be a real benefit for our clients and their caregivers.”

Many adult day centers specialize in serving clients with dementia. That’s because caregiving to this set of seniors is particularly taxing. Centers that cater to clients with demen-tia focus on activities that enhance physical, cognitive and memory skills and are staffed with people who are specially trained to deal with the disease.

These centers offer a host of benefits for caregivers and their elderly parents. First and foremost they provide a safe environment for the participants, with safety features in place to handle wandering and other behaviors that are com-mon among Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. The staff is trained to pay attention and look for signs of trouble or dan-gerous behaviors in elders.

Daily activities, exercise and socialization are tailored to individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia. In addition, the staff provides assistance with personal care and toileting, as well as coordinated care between physicians, families and other care providers. Programs run from several hours to a full day. Participants may attend daily, a few times a week, weekly, or just for special activities.

“We incorporate several cognitive activities throughout the day,” says Conarty. “We do memory-enhancing games, reminiscing and meaningful life skills, such as cooking, gar-dening and personal care. When I talk to caregivers, I find this setting helped their loved ones by improving their lan-guage skills, cognitive skills and sleep quality.”

Unique day care modelsSome adult day centers are going intergenerational,

combining child care with adult care. While the two groups congregate in separate areas, they come together for com-bined activities, to the benefit of all participants. Golden Horizons Adult Care Center in Bay City started life as a child care center housed in an old elementary school. In 1988, adult care was added, and no one has looked back.

“Our senior clients read to the children, do arts and crafts projects with them and musical activities,” says Stacy McIntyre, the center’s program coordinator. “We’ve done an ice cream social for the seniors and the kids, and we’ve had a bingo day.” The seniors look forward to the times they have with the children. “It gives the seniors an opportunity for some unconditional attention,” says McIntyre. “Our senior clients have dementia and the language problems that can come with it, and having a conversation with a child can be less frustrating.”

In Caro, the Generations Center was built as an inter-generational center from the get-go. “We set out to create an intergenerational center so we could have programming that involved both groups,” says Sean Smith, intergenerational services manager of the center. “We have a before- and after-school program for kids and an adult day program for seniors.”

The seniors get a chance to bring out their child-at-heart, and the children develop an understanding of people with differing abilities. “We do sensitivity training with the kids,” says Smith. “They wear glasses smeared with Vaseline

to simulate cataracts, ear plugs to simulate hearing loss, things like that. We hope it makes them more empathetic.”

In Benton Harbor and Paw Paw, the Day Services for Seniors programs of Child & Family Services of Southwest-ern Michigan, Inc. boast the state’s only Eden Alternative Centers registration. Eden Alternative’s philosophy strives to eliminate loneliness, helplessness and boredom by empower-ing seniors to give as well as receive care. “Some people with more physical ability push those in wheelchairs,” says Susan Struwin, director of adult services. “We have one man who loves to fold laundry and wipe tables down. Others help care for plants and animals.”

The seniors’ services reach beyond the walls of the cen-ter. They make dog biscuits to give to the local animal shelter. They make gifts to send to servicemen and women overseas. “To be able to make a contribution means so much to anyone, but especially to seniors who have experienced many losses,” says Struwin. “It can add dignity and meaning to a life.”

The average cost for an adult day care center is about $64 per day, depending on where you live and the services pro-vided. Professional health care services will mean higher fees. Many facilities offer services on a sliding fee scale, meaning that what you pay is based on your income and ability to pay.

Medicare and traditional Medicaid do not cover adult day care centers. The MI Choice program (Medicaid Waiver) can pay in some cases, if certain medical and financial qualifica-tions are met. MI Choice is a community-based program that provides care to people still living at home, but are nursing home–eligible. Other state funding for adult day centers comes from OSA (Office of Services to the Aging) through the Area Agencies on Aging. Each region has their own rules for assessment and financial support for individuals.

Private medical insurance policies sometimes cover a portion of adult day care center costs when licensed medical professionals are involved in the care. Long-term care insur-ance may also pay for adult day services, depending on the policy. Additionally, dependent-care tax credits may be avail-able to you as a caregiver.

To find an adult day care in your area, call your local AAA. You can also ask your physician’s office or an associa-tion such as the Alzheimer’s Association. MI

How to Evaluate Your Visit to a Day Care Center • Didyoufeelwelcome?• Werethecenterservicesandactivitiesproperly

explained?• Wereyougiveninformationregardingstaffing,

programmingandcosts?• Isthefacilityclean,pleasantandfreeofodor?• Isthebuildingandsitewheelchair-accessible?• Isthefurnituresturdyandcomfortable?• Arethereloungersandchairswitharmsfor

relaxation?• Isthereaquietplaceinthecenter?• Didthestaffandparticipantsseemcheerfuland

comfortable?

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.


Spotlight on…

REgioNAl News

Offering Choices for Independent Lives is the mission of the Region

IV Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in St. Joseph, Michigan. Since 1974, the AAA has been serving seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers in the South-west Michigan counties of Berrien, Cass and Van Buren.

The AAA, a not-for-profit corpo-ration, is designated by the state of Michigan to receive federal and state funds that support elders. Additional local, state and federal resources are used to meet local needs for people regardless of their income, while tar-geting those most in need.

Part of a network of more than 650 AAAs nationwide and 16 in Mich-igan, the AAA identifies community needs, plans services, finds local agen-cies to fill gaps and uses resources to pay for services.

The AAA’s programs and services impact one person and one family at a time. A recent visit to the home of a local family demonstrates this firsthand.

As “Sadie” became more and more confused, her daughter and son-in-law were concerned for her safety while they were at work. They learned about the AAA and called the Info-Line

for Aging and Disability and received information about services that could support Sadie and her family.

The AAA’s Care Management staff visited the family and told them more about programs and costs. Together they put a plan in place according to Sadie’s wishes and preferences. Now Sadie enjoys attending Adult Day Services once a week, and her fam-ily purchases additional home care. Through the AAA-funded volunteer senior companions, Sadie and her com-panion are together at home twice a week — they’ve formed a close bond. A hospice nurse also comes in a few

times a week, and the church family pitches in, too.

Should more help be needed in the future — like home-delivered meals or MI Choice waiver services — the AAA is available to explain these to Sadie and her family. MI Choice is one of several care management services offered and is designed for low-income people who need nursing home care. It provides options for those who wish to remain living independently in

the community with services, instead of going to a nursing home.

Sadie’s daughter attended “Creat-ing Confident Caregivers” classes, an AAA evening class series for caregiv-ers of persons with dementia.

This story illustrates how one call to the AAA can positively affect the lives of one family. These services and many others are available in South-west Michigan, thanks to the AAA and its partner agencies.

To learn more about the AAA or services, call the Info-Line for Aging and Disability at 1-800-654-2810, or log on to www.AreaAgencyOnAging.org.

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

Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc. Reg 2 / Reg 2 AAA

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

Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA (IIIC)

Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA

Reg 5 / Valley AAA Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA Reg 8 / AAA of Western Michigan

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI Reg 11 / Upper Peninsula AAA Reg 14 / Senior Resources ofWest Michigan

One Call Can Change Lives!

Sadie and her senior companion take a stroll.

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

Winter 2011 9




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



No Wrong Door to Long‑Term Care

A team of Long-Term Care Navigators is now in place at

the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) to provide information and to advocate for those who need access to the long-term care system. After 60 hours of classroom training and several days of on-the-job expe-rience, the navigators assist DAAA’s information specialists, economic security coordinator and options counselors in their work with older adults in Detroit, Highland Park, Harper Woods, Hamtramck and the five Grosse Pointes.

The navigators are all para-professionals who have had commu-nity college or vocational training, and collectively they have several years of experience in human services, cus-tomer service or business. They, too, are older adults with a vested interest in quality long-term care.

Navigators share information about the multiple pathways to long-term care, including help find-ing existing resources, exploring options and follow-up services. They will urge the consumer to

plan for legal and financial issues with long-term care, and they will explain how long-term care can be paid for with Medicare, Medicaid, pensions, insurance and/or annuity funds. In the process, navigators will assess consumer needs for long-term care using centralized screening and assessment tools.

Person-centered planning drives the work of navigators. This approach to counseling delivers individualized, creative options that aim to achieve meaningful goals based on the individual’s strengths and preferences. The person-centered approach creates a team of people who know and care about an individual and who work together to organize and provide the supports necessary to make the goals a reality. Through person-centered planning, navigators will help consumers see their personal options and possibilities, now and into the future.

For any assistance related to long-term care, contact the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, 313-446-4444.

The Senior SolutionAweeklyproductionofDetroitAreaAgencyonAging10–11a.m.,SaturdaysWGPR,107.5FMA magazine-style radio show with news and features covering healthy aging, caregiving, long-term care planning and more — all for an audience of older adults, individuals with disabilities, caregivers, health and long-term care professionals, and the grown children of aging parents. Hosted by Paul Bridgewater, President & CEO, Detroit Area Agency on Aging.

New Help for CaregiversThe six-week series, Creating Confident Caregivers, is now available in Southeast Michigan to provide participants with information and skills to manage stress and improve caregiving skills. Sessions are based on the Savvy Caregiver Program, a university-tested program for family mem-bers caring for a loved one with dementia at home. Call 248-996-1052 for more information on a class in your area.

DAAA’s Long-Term Care Navigators proudly display their certif icates after completing classroom training and on-the-job experience to assist consumers with long-term care planning.


The Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA) has a new Housing Spe-

cialist who helps seniors and persons with disabilities to secure independent living options in the community. The Housing Specialist, in conjunction with NFT staff members, offers support and assistance to area seniors who are transitioning from nursing facilities to independent housing. When neces-sary, the transition team assists with locating supplemental supports, such as homemaker or chore services, to ensure a safe and successful transition.

The Housing Specialist also pro-vides information regarding subsidized housing and other rental oppor-tunities to interested seniors, and

advocates on behalf of older adults to ensure adherence to fair housing laws by property owners.

The Tri-County Office on Aging serves as the lead agency in the area for senior housing vouchers in Ingham County. Community members can schedule an appointment with the Housing Specialist to review eligibility requirements and complete applica-tion materials. Using the voucher program, seniors can qualify for dis-counted rent that is tailored to their needs based on income. This option gives participants a sense of security because they have affordable rent with a reliable financial source that pays the remaining portion. To be

eligible for a housing voucher, persons must be 55 or older, live in Ingham County, be homeless or chronically homeless, have special needs or be a domestic violence survivor.

For more information on hous-ing options in Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties, contact Elena Shaw at the Tri-County Office on Aging at 517-887-1448 or [email protected].

For more information about other TCOA programs, please call 517-887-1440 or 1-800-405-9141, or visit our website at www.tcoa.org.

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




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



New Housing Specialist Serves Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

Seniors can apply for a discounted rent voucher.

Golden Horizons Adult Day Care Center, located at 1001 Marsac

Street in Bay City, is dedicated to providing and coordinating support services for individuals and their fami-lies affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementia disorders.

The adult day care center has an innovative program for older adults with memory loss, who participate in activities in a supportive, super-vised setting by day, and return to the comfort of their home at night. The benefits of participation can include socialization, mental stimula-tion, physical activity, maintenance of daily living skills and enhanced self-esteem. Another huge benefit, which also makes the adult day care center

unique, is that it offers child care in a separate section of the build-ing. A couple times a week, the two

generations interact through activities such as playing bingo, having an ice cream social, singing karaoke or doing arts and crafts.

Adult day care may be just what you need if you are caring for some-one with memory loss and:• you are having difficulty finding meaningful, stimulating activities for them, and free time for yourself.• your family member requires supervision while you are at work.• your family member has become socially isolated.

For more information about Golden Horizons Adult Day Care Center, call 989-892-6644. You can also contact the Region VII Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-858-1637 or www.region7aaa.org.

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




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



Intergenerational Program Provides a Unique Experience

Seniors enjoy activities with children.

Winter 2011 11

According to a recent study led by the National Association of

Area Agencies on Aging, by 2030 one of every five people will be age 65 or older. Also according to this study, the top growing concerns among older adults are access to affordable health care and preventive services; the abil-ity to afford, prepare or gain access to food; concern about safety and secu-rity; and remaining in their own homes as long as possible with access to services and assistance. (Source: The Maturing of America, 2007)

We have all heard the old adage that “prevention is the best medi-cine.” Many programs and services have recently been created to ensure that our growing senior population

remains healthy, active and able to live in their own communities throughout their lifetime. Several of these ser-vices are provided locally by the U.P. Area Agency on Aging.

Here are some things you can do to guarantee that you stay as healthy as possible and enjoy your best years:• Starting in January 2011, take advan-tage of the new Annual Wellness Exam and screenings available to everyone on Medicare. These benefits are now free!• Find out if you are eligible for “extra help” programs that help seniors pay their out-of-pocket health care costs, or help pay for food. These programs ensure that folks are getting the health care, medications and food they need to stay as healthy as possible.

• If you have been diagnosed with a chronic disease (for example, diabetes or heart disease), take advantage of a PATH program offered in your area to learn how to manage your condi-tion in the healthiest way possible.• If you are caring for a loved one with memory loss, take the Creating Confident Caregivers class to help you manage the stress of caregiving, and keep yourself healthy.• Join classes at your local hospital or senior center on healthy eating or diabetes education.• Take advantage of the local senior nutrition program and other available services that help you stay in your own home for as long as possible.

For more information about these and other programs in your community, call UPCAP’s 2-1-1 call center.

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




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



Prevention Is the Best Medicine

In an effort to expand bus services to individuals with special needs,

the Thunder Bay Transportation Authority is promoting an important cost-savings feature: a reduced fare of 50% off their regular prices for seniors and persons with disabilities.

The Authority has a new certifica-tion process for seniors or disabled individuals who want to apply for the reduced fare. To use this service, the person should fill out a one-page application, which will qualify him or her for reduced-fare certification. For disabled individuals, the form needs to be filed by a medically trained per-son. Qualifying individuals will then be issued a card, which they will need to show each time they board the bus.

To qualify for the reduced-fare pass, seniors must be age 65 or older. The pass can be used at all times; there are no date or time restric-tions. Forms are available by mail or can be picked up on buses.

To further its reach into the com-munity, the Authority has hired a mobility manager to help seniors and other individuals who have trans-

portation problems. A person need-ing help can call the Region 9 office or the Authority, and the mobility manager will coordinate services, so transportation can be provided. “This will be important for people who have no way to get to doctors’ offices or other important appoint-ments,” says Billi Edmunds, general manager and CFO of Prell Services, the management company for the Authority. “We want to reach people who haven’t been able to use our service in the past.”

To receive a reduced-fare application form, call 989-356-4596 in Alpena; in other areas, call 989-354-2487. For information about the Region 9 AAA, call 1-800-219-2273.

NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on AgingCovering 12 counties of Northeast Michigan




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



Transportation Help for Seniors

Seniors or disabled individuals can apply for a reduced fare of 50% off the regular price for riding the bus.


Victor Getter

Victor Getter is 95 years old and has suffered a stroke, yet he still volunteers regularly for the

Detroit AAA’s Holiday Meals on Wheels program. “I’m the oldest volunteer they have,” says Getter.

Getter has not missed a single holiday since he started volunteering with the program more than 20 years ago, according to Paul Bridgewater, president and CEO of the Detroit AAA. “We deliver meals at Thanks-giving, Christmas, Easter and Labor Day, and Victor has not missed one holiday,” says Bridgewater.

A retired truck driver, Getter began volunteer-ing with the Michigan Commission for the Blind as a driver. In a sort of “Driving Miss Daisy” scenario,

Getter drove Betty Russ wherever she needed to go for some 20 years. “Her son would tell people I was the grandfather he never had,” says Getter.

When Getter heard the Holiday Meals on Wheels program was looking for dependable drivers to deliver meals to area churches, he signed up. “My grandmother always told me, ‘If you can help someone, help them,’” says Getter.

And help he does. “Victor is the most generous person I’ve met,” says Bridge- water. “He is an inspiration to my staff and to the community he serves.” MI

Bev Reitz-Rittmeyer

“I am truly interested in good health, achieved by exercise, healthy eating and positive mind control.”

This, according to Bev Reitz-Rittmeyer, was the reason she became an instructor for the Area Agency on Aging’s (AAA) Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) program, an initiative aimed to help people with chronic health conditions live life to the fullest.

Bev has always been busy. She raised 8 children, and 15 kids know her as Grandma. Following a distinguished career for more than 30 years in research and engineer-ing with Whirlpool Corporation, she continues to keep a full calendar with volunteer work through the YMCA, her church and her neighborhood association. She’s served on the AAA Advisory Council since 1999, and chaired the group for two years.

Even with her busy schedule, it didn’t take much persuasion for Bev to agree to teach PATH classes. She says that having a new direction and focus in her life has helped her to work through some of the trials and tribulations that she experienced being a caregiver and losing her husband in 2009 after an extended illness.

When asked what she likes best about being a PATH instructor, Bev says she likes meeting and working with people who are interested in making changes in their lifestyle, and as a result feel healthier and better about themselves. She says this is her greatest satisfaction. MI

Marilyn Noeker

Marilyn Noeker laughs and jokes as she works with other volun-

teers to prepare for the Tri-County Office on Aging Annual Dinner and Auction. She’s been a critical force in making this event happen for about 10 years.

Marilyn worked as an occupational therapist for several years. Many of the people she served received critical services from Meals on Wheels. “When I retired early, I knew this was one place I could help,” Marilyn says. She started delivering meals 12 years ago. “At the time I was over-committed,” she says. “I had to drop some things, but I stayed at Tri-County because I knew I was appreciated and making a difference.”

In addition to her work with Meals on Wheels and the Annual Dinner and Auction, Marilyn recently helped coor-dinate a Soup Bowl Dinner fundraiser for Meals on Wheels. She is a shining example of how one person can make a difference in her community. MI

Detroit Area Agency on Aging Tri-County office on Aging

Region iV Area Agency on Aging

PEoPlE Making a Difference

Winter 2011 13

Denise Parrott

A s a business owner, Denise Parrott knows the importance of supporting

your community. It’s one of the things she does best. Parrott is the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) site coordinator for Presque Isle County.

“Some years ago, I would have argued that I was too busy with a full-time job, a household and active life with family and friends to find time to volunteer,” Parrott says. “But, since I began volunteering, I’ve learned that time is relative and, to my surprise, the hours of the day expand just enough to help other people.”

Although she is busy, Parrott finds the experience of helping seniors navigate the world of Medicare to be rewarding. Recently she was recognized in Region 9 for providing the most MMAP “true” volunteer hours during the last fiscal year.

“My life is, without question, a better and sweeter life because I volunteer,” she says. The residents of Presque Isle County are lucky to have her. MI

Ken Myllyla

“I guess I don’t know how to say ‘no,’” says Ken Myllyla. “And I like to help the community.”

That might explain why Myllyla, 78, volun-teers some 10 to 20 hours per week on various boards, including several affiliated with the Upper Peninsula AAA, UPCAP. One board puts on an informational program each year addressing spe-cific interests/concerns of aging. “One year, for example, we brought in pharmacists to talk about the new Medicare drug coverage,” says Myllyla. “It’s always very well received. People fill in evalu-ations afterwards and say things like ‘Keep doing what you’re doing!’”

Another board on which Myllyla serves works to secure state and federal grants to provide aging and disability resources. Yet another board oversees the UPCAP budget and proposed initiatives.

Until recently, Myllyla and his wife, Rose, also volunteered as ombudsmen for area nursing homes. “We would go visit nursing homes, and if a resident had a complaint, we’d be the mediator between the administration and the patient,” says Myllyla. “We were able to resolve a lot of disputes. As a retired elementary school principal, and Rose is a retired teacher, you learn how to politely solve all kinds of issues without causing a lot of arguments.” MI

Lois Landrie

Lois can still remember her first volunteering experience with her

grandmother when she was about 10 years old, and today she continues to dedicate her time to volunteering. As a retired social worker, Lois loves to be around people, and that is why once a month she enjoys volunteering her time to Golden Horizons Adult Day Care Center. She is also giving back to Golden Horizons for the care they provided to her husband while he attended the center.

Since Golden Horizons is an inter-generational center, Lois interacts with

both the older adults and children. She discusses a topic first with the older adults, and then discusses a similar topic with the children while the older adults sit and listen to the children’s responses.

In addition to volunteering once a month at Golden Horizons, Lois also volunteers for her local church and sits on the Senior Advisory Council of Bay County, where senior issues are discussed and advocated for. For Lois, volunteering “makes her feel good,” she says. MI

Region 9 Area Agency on AgingRegion Vii Area Agency on Aging

Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging

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

Why do we keep hearing about Vitamin D in the news?we’ve known about vitamin d since 1919, when the Industrial Revolu-tion was in full swing and children were developing a bone issue that made their lower leg bones bend and deform. It was found that these children were work-ing in industrial conditions all day and not receiving any sunlight. This resulted in such weak bone structures that their legs couldn’t hold up the weight of their bodies without bending — a condi-tion called rickets. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, German physi-cians noted that consuming cod liver oil could reverse rickets. Many of my patients remember holding their nose and taking their dose from Mom when they were small.

What benefits are the latest studies showing?since that time, the “sunshine Vitamin” has been definitely linked to calcium absorption and bone health. But recently there has been a flurry of stud-ies that are showing an amazing number of other health functions for Vitamin D. Here is a brief list:

• Regulates cell growth• Decreases malignancies, espe-

cially of the colon, breast and prostate• Modulates cell-mediated immu-

nity (increasing immune status)• Promotes T-cells that do not

react to “self” tissue (reducing risk for auto-immune disorders)

• Stimulates insulin production

How much Vitamin D should we be taking if it helps reduce the risk for so many diseases?a growing body of research suggests that Vitamin D might play some role in the prevention and treatment of cancer,

diabetes, high blood pressure, glucose intolerance, multiple sclerosis and car-diovascular disease.

So how much Vitamin D do we need? The current Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for Vitamin D is 400 I.U. per day for most adults, and then it increases to 600 I.U. per day for the age group over 70 years old. We are expecting to see an increase in that amount, but presently there is no official amount yet cited from the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (formerly National Academy of Sciences). Most physicians are recom-mending a dose of 2000 I.U. per day for those who have a low current blood level of Vitamin D. This is the current tolerable Upper Intake level (UL).

If you are concerned about how much circulating Vitamin D you have, ask to have your level checked at your next annual physical. The desirable level for overall health and disease prevention appears to be >37.5 nmol/L.

What are the sources for Vitamin D?there are very few food sources of Vitamin D, which is why cod liver oil was used years ago. The problem with cod liver oil is that it also contains a large amount of Vitamin A, which you can end up getting too much of while attempting to increase your Vitamin D level. Salmon, mackerel and tuna, along with fortified foods such as fluid milk, are also fairly significant sources of Vitamin D.

If your current blood level is low, chances are you won’t be able to significantly raise your level without supplementation.

This may be a good topic of conversa-tion to have with your doctor the next time you have your check-up.

Once you get past a certain age, does your diet still matter? yes! as long as you are alive, your diet matters! Adequate amounts of protein, whole grains for their fiber, and fresh produce for their vitamin/mineral content all make a huge difference in your health. Just deciding to eat at least three to five servings of fruits and veg-etables per day can impact your stores of various vitamins and minerals, along with improving bowel regularity.

Many elderly individuals have an insufficient intake of protein. Women often stop drinking milk because of a lactose intolerance, they reduce their meat intake striving to cut back on fat, or they don’t eat cheese or peanut butter, also because of a concern for fat content. This leads to meals that are full of carbo-hydrate but not enough protein.

The bottom line for your body is that it needs at least 50 to 65 grams of protein per day. This can be achieved by eating at least two to three ounces of meat, fish or poultry two times per day. If you are a vegetarian, you would meet your protein needs with dried beans, peas, lentils and potentially dairy and eggs.

Overall, a healthy diet is not com-plicated. Three balanced meals per day with the occasional healthy snack is all it takes. What makes a balanced meal? A serving of at least three food groups: for example, three ounces of chicken with a whole grain such as brown rice, and a healthy serving of a vegetable, like steamed broccoli.

Laura McCaiN, rD, CDE, has worked at Munson Medical Center for 15 years. She received her BS in Medical Dietetics from the university of illinois in 1980. She has worked in hospitals in ann arbor, St. Louis and Shreveport, Louisiana.

ASK the Expert Laura McCain

Vitamin D in the News


Winter 2011 15

STATEWIDE/NATIONALRESOURCES

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

REGIONALRESOURCES

detroit area agency on aging (1a):Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-446-4444

Outreach & AssistanceBridging Communities — Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-361-6377Detroit Senior Citizens Department — Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . 313-224-1000Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan — Redford . . . . . . . 313-937-8291Services for Older Citizens — Grosse Pointe . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-882-9600

Senior CentersAssociation of Chinese Americans, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-831-1790Delray United Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-297-7921Latino Family Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-841-7380North American Indian Assn . of Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-535-2966St . Patrick Senior Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-833-7080St . Rose Senior Citizen Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-921-9277Virginia Park Citizens Service Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-894-2830Reuther Older Adult & Wellness Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313-831-8650

region iv area agency on aging:AAA Info-Line . . . . . . . . 1-800-654-2810; www .AreaAgencyOnAging .orgCustom Care — Care Connections of Southwest Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-442-2803; www .AreaAgencyOnAging .orgElder Care Locator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 -800-677-1666; www .eldercare .govSenior Nutrition Services . . 1-800-722-5392; www .seniornutritionregiv .orgSenior 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)

Meals-On-WheelsGreater 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-676-2775Senior 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-858-1637Alzheimer’s Association of Mid-Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-337-3827Lakeshore Legal Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-552-2889MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-858-1637 Bay Co . Division on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .989-895-4100Clare County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-952-3160Gladwin County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-952-0056Gratiot County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-875-5246

Human Development Commission (Huron, Tuscola and Sanilac counties) . . . . . . . . . . . 989-673-4121 or 1-800-843-6394Isabella County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-878-0726Midland County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-638-2058Saginaw County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-763-6336

nemcsa region 9 area agency on aging:Information and Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-356-3474Long-Term Care Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-485-9393

Multi-purpose Senior CentersAlcona County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-736-8879 Alpena Area Senior Citizens Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-356-3585 Arenac County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-653-2692 Cheboygan County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231-627-7234 Crawford County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-348-7123 Iosco County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-728-6484 Montmorency County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-785-2580Ogemaw County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-345-5300 Oscoda County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-826-3025 Otsego County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-732-1122Presque Isle County Council on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-766-8191Roscommon County Commission on Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 989-366-0205

upper peninsula area agency on aging/upcap:Information & Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dial 2-1-1 or 906-786-4701Outside the U .P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-800-338-7227U .P . Long Term Care Ombudsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-485-9393

UPCAP Care Management/Field Offices Escanaba . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-786-4701Houghton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .906-482-0982Iron Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-774-9918Marquette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-228-6169Sault Ste . Marie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .906-632-9835

RESoURCE gUiDEfor Michigan Caregivers and Seniors

Clip and Save this list of important statewide and regional resources and services.

iMPoRTANT Upcoming Dates & EventsDetroit Area Agency on Aging

Winter Wellness ClassesContact the Detroit Wellness Center nearest you for a schedule of upcoming sessions related to your health and fitness needs, including Enhance Fitness, PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) and A Matter of Balance:• St . Patrick Senior Center, 58 Parsons St ., Detroit,

MI 48201, 313-833-7080 .• Matrix Human Services, Reuther Older Adult

and Wellness Services . Located at the Patton Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere St ., Detroit, MI 48209, 313-831-8650 .

• St . John Riverview Senior Wellness Center, 7633 East Jefferson, Suite 170, Detroit, MI 48214, 1-888-751-5465 .

Miracles Happen: Black innovators, Then & NowFriday, February 18, 2011; 6–8 p .m .Detroit Area Agency on Aging, 1333 Brewery Park Blvd ., 1st Level, Detroit, MI 48207, 313-446-4444 .Be sure to attend this Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Black History Month program .

Eat Right with Color — Nutrition and Fitness FairMarch 2011This annual event recognizes National Nutrition Month and includes cooking and fitness demonstrations, edu-cational forums, guest speakers and more . Date and location were not confirmed at press time . For details, call 313-446-4444 or visit www .daaa1a .org .

Easter Sunday — Holiday Meals on WheelsSunday, April 24, 2011Over 5,000 hot meals will be delivered on Easter Sunday to homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities in Detroit, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park and the five Grosse Pointes . VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED . Call 313-446-4444 .

Region Iv Area Agency on Aging

Creating Confident Caregivers People who care for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia are encouraged to attend a 12-hour training course . To register, call Tracy at 1-800-442-2803 . • Thursdays, March 10–April 14, 2011;

12:30–2:30 p .m .Cass County Council on Aging, 60525 Decatur Road, Cassopolis, MI 49031 .

• Tuesdays, July 12–August 16, 2011; 5:30–7:30 p .m .

Lakeland Hospital, Niles, 31 North St . Joseph Avenue, Niles, MI 49120 .

PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) PATH, a six-week workshop series, teaches skills to live a healthy life while challenged with ongoing chronic conditions . Pre-registration is required . • Tuesdays, January 11–February 15, 2011;

1–3:30 p .m . Region IV Area Agency on Aging, 2900 Lakeview Avenue, St . Joseph, MI 49090 .Call Julie, 269-982-7759, or Tracy, 1-800-442-2803 .

• Tuesdays, January 18–February 22, 2011; 1:30–4 p .m .Warren Senior Center, 540 Williams Street, South Haven, MI 49090 . Call Terri at 269-637-3825 or Sandy at 269-637-3607 .

Tri-County Office on Aging

Enhance FitnessEnhance 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 517-669-1864 or jsbraatz@comcast .com .

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

Region vII Area Agency on Aging

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

Disenrollment Period for Medicare Advantage PlansJanuary 1–February 15, 2011 . This is an opportunity to disenroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan and return to original Medicare and to choose a prescription drug plan . Call 1-800-803-7174 for more information or for an appointment .

Senior Advisory group This is a non-partisan voluntary group that identifies issues of importance to older adults in Mid-Michigan . The Central Michigan Senior Advisory Group is now accepting membership applications . For more information, call Region VII Area Agency on Aging, 1-800-858-1637 .

Region 9 Area Agency on Aging

Best Practices of Northern Michigan Quarterly MeetingWednesday, February 1; 10 a .m .–2 p .m .Stone House, Kalkaska Memorial Hospital .This meeting is open to all nursing home staff, direct caregivers, APS workers, CMH workers and anyone else interested in improving the quality of life and quality of care for our elders and disabled adults . Call Sharon Greenhoe, LTC Ombudsman, 989-358-2944, to RSVP and receive a meeting agenda .

Personal Action Toward Health leader Training March 23–24 and 30–31; Tawas, MI .For more information, call Kara at 989-358-4616 or 1-800-219-2273, ext . 216 .

Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging

Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) ClassesMenominee: February 15–March 22, 2011 at Inter-faith Manor .Marquette: January 28–March 4, 2011 at the Penin-sula Medical Center .Iron Mountain: Three workshops planned to begin in February, March and May at Dickinson County Hospital .Watersmeet: January 2011 .Call Tonya LaFave at 1-800-338-7227 to inquire or register for classes .

Creating Confident Caregivers Iron Mountain: February 14–March 21, 2011*Ewen/Trout Creek: March 2–April 6, 2011*Marquette: March 8–April 12, 2011*Ontonagon: March 8–April 12, 2011*Grand Marias: March 8–April 12, 2011*Escanaba: March 10–April 14, 2011; UPCAP, 2501 14th Ave . SouthSault Ste. Marie: March 10–April 14, 2011** Locations to be determined . Call Tammy Rosa at 1-800-338-7227 to inquire or register for CCC classes .

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