Community Connection Newsletter | September 2020 | News & Announcements
Upcoming September Academy Events
We are excited to announce our September Academy Classes! We are offering two and would love for you to sign up and join us via Zoom. Here is the link to sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/samaritas-17632344432. We look forward to you joining us! “See” you soon!
"Put Your Petal to the Metal" – Floral Design
Saturday September 26 at 2 p.m. via Zoom
Sign Up through Event Brite:
"Open Air Brunch"                            
Thursday September 24 at 10 a.m.
At the Cottages
RSVP to Diann at (616) 284-5716

Friendship is in the Mail
Use this time during quarantine to meet new friends and exchange encouraging messages with others who can use a little "pick-me-up".

Contact Anna, Cassie or Julie to find out how you can be part of the Samaritas Letter Writing program. Watch the video below to learn more.

Samaritas Backpacks For Kids
It all began with Samaritas Senior Living residents
The Samaritas Annual Backpack Drive for Kids has come to an end and now we’re distributing hundreds of backpacks to needy students in our care. The school supplies are a godsend to some of the families we support who are struggling to make ends meet during the Coronavirus pandemic.
 
This successful drive began years ago by a group of Samaritas Senior Living residents like you, who wanted to make sure foster kids and refugee students start the school year with confidence. As the largest private foster care organization in Michigan, Samaritas understands that children can feel embarrassed when they don’t have the necessary supplies to start the year off right. The Backpack Drive helps alleviate any stress that a foster family or other needy parent may have.
Emmanuel Lutheran in Livonia dropped off 44 backpacks for kids and teens stuffed full of school supplies and a $150 check of additional donations for supplies.
Emmanuel Lutheran of Livonia delivered 44 backpacks stuffed full with school supplies and a $150 check for more supplies.
In 2020, supplies were donated from corporate donors like Famous Footwear and Chemical Bank. Other donations came from individuals and churches like First Presbyterian Church of Warren, Emmanuel Lutheran of Southfield and Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Livonia.
 
These donations are being distributed to Samaritas foster care, affordable living and other community offices near Grand Rapids, Saginaw, Flint, Kalamazoo, Monroe and Detroit. 
See what else is going on at Samaritas this month!
Type-2 Diabetes
What is insulin?

Your body turns the food you eat into blood glucose (blood sugar). Insulin tells your cells to absorb this blood glucose to use for energy. 

What is Type-2 Diabetes? 
Type-2 Diabetes occurs when your body either resists the effects of insulin or does not make enough insulin to maintain a normal blood glucose level. 

How do you know if you have Type-2 diabetes? 
Not everyone has symptoms. Your provider can give you a simple blood test to see if you have Type-2 Diabetes. Visit your provider if you have any of these symptoms: 

  • Increased sugar cravings 
  • Increased belly weight 
  • Blurry vision 
  • Increased thirst or need to pee 
  • Feeling tired or ill 
  • Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal 
  • Loss of feeling or tingling feet 

What are the effects of Type-2 Diabetes?  
  • Damage to nerves and blood vessels can cause heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and blindness.  
  • Sores on the skin can become easily infected.  
  • Poor circulation in arms and legs can lead to loss of limbs.  
  • Problems during pregnancy and birth defects can occur.  

Type-2 Diabetes is a very serious health condition. Your provider can help you manage your Type-2 Diabetes. 
How can Molina Healthcare support your healthcare needs?
Molina Healthcare offers more benefits for people with Medicaid and Medicare.

Molina Medicare Complete Care HMO SNP offers comprehensive healthcare services to people who qualify for both Medicaid and Medicare. People with both Medicaid and Medicare are eligible to join a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). D-SNP offers a wide range of coverage including hospital (hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice care, and some home health care), medical (doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services), and prescription drug coverage.

Questions? Go to MolinaHealthcare.com/Medicare or call (866) 403-8293 (TTY: 711) to learn more.
 
Molina Medicare Complete Care HMO SNP is a Health Plan with a Medicare Contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in Molina Medicare Complete Care depends on contract renewal.

This information is available in other formats, such as Braille, large print, and audio. Product offered by Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Molina Healthcare, Inc.

Samaritas offers retirement living for seniors with five communities throughout Michigan. Whether you want independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support or rehabilitation therapy, you’ll find a home that feels right.

Contact us at seniors@samaritas.org to schedule a tour, learn about promotions and more.