Your monthly news & updates |
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The Muskegon Millage Minute is your source for regular updates on programs and services funded by the Muskegon County Senior Millage, which was approved by county voters in August of 2016.
Members of the Muskegon County Senior Activities Committee (MCSAC) make recommendations for programs and services to the full board of commissioners. MCSAC members are: Commissioners Kim Cyr, Marcia Hovey-Wright, and Rillastine Wilkins; Rachel Cereska, Peggy Foster, Nancy McCarthy, Greg Scott, Robert Sewick, and Pat Shafer.
Senior Resources of West Michigan, the area agency on aging for Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa counties, is the administrator of grants, and produces this monthly newsletter update. If you have questions about the Muskegon County Senior Millage, please contact Karla Betten at Senior Resources, 231-733-3593, or email kbetten@seniorresourceswmi.org. Contact Lisa Tyler, communications director, at ltyler@seniorresourceswmi.org, if there is something specific you'd like to see covered in a future newsletter.
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Low Vision Support Group offers comfort for members
Calling a phone number to “be with” some other individuals can seem daunting, but for a few older adults with vision loss, it has become a lifeline from loneliness and isolation. The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) has a Muskegon Low Vision Call-In Support Group that meets every third Wednesday of the month at 2:15. The call-in format was chosen to increase accessibility and to “leave no friend behind.”
This month an informative group was hosted where people shared their experiences with preregistering for the COVID vaccine and where practical “how to,” information was offered to get more group members preregistered and ultimately vaccinated, against COVID. One of the long-term group members shared his experiences as a pediatrician supporting the Muskegon population in getting polio vaccines, according to social worker Cheri Fox, who facilitates the group. "He shared his long-remembered fears and grief around losing patients. As the group listened closely, minds were changed. Suspicions vanished. The group left that call determined to be part of a community that is protected against COVID and as part of community that cares for themselves and their neighbors. The group members hung up that day with a stronger commitment to each other and to Muskegon."
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OVCE continues virtual offerings |
Orchard View Community Education continues to serve participants in innovative ways.
"We hear every week how appreciative they are of what we have to offer with senior millage funding!" said Jenni Bowen of OVCE.
"I so appreciate the opportunity to serve the seniors of our community. We appreciate and love all the senior activity bags and completing the crafts. It has helped fill in the days of staying home for the virus."
Photos at right show crafts seniors are able to do in their homes.
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AgeWell adapts senior activities centers with virtual programming
We have distributed a multitude of kits with activities/goodies aimed at keeping our participants healthy and entertained, said Kaytie Drake, site activities manager for AgeWell Services. "We gave out 'Sunshine Kits' that included items that were yellow to brighten the days of the participants, along with activities, like a word search, to keep participants brains active. We partnered with United Way of the Lakeshore to provide personal hygiene kits that included basic necessities for keeping clean. My favorite so far is the one that includes items and activities centered around Valentine's Day. I think this one is especially nice because it offers a chance for everyone to feel special, whether they have a 'Valentine' or not.
"Virtual programs are going quite well, and we are expanding our offerings to include yoga, at the request of participants! I wasn't sure that I would get anyone to sign on when I planned these activities, but we have participants coming back each week, asking us for more. I can't wait to get back in-person, but for now, it's an incredible feeling to be able to offer these participants even an hour of interaction online."
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AmeriCorps Seniors support older adults with care packages |
Volunteers created hundreds of care bags for older adults during the AmeriCorps Seniors (formerly known as Retired Senior & Volunteer Program) MLK Day of Service in January 2021.
Volunteers worked in small, distanced groups over multiple shifts to pack the care packages.
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Your Senior Millage dollars at work
In the first quarter of FY20 (Oct. 1, 2020-Dec. 31, 2020), senior millage services were provided to 3,045 people.
Those programs are in categories that include educational activities, health, housing, legal, mobility, nutritional, and social / recreational / emotional.
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