Volume 3 Issue 1 October 2018
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A Final View from the Bridge
I’m convinced that most of us work and grow older talking about other people’s retirements. Sure, we may have taken steps to save for this
chapter of life
.
At the same time, we may have neglected conversations about living in our retirement years.
Friday, October 19, 2018, I will officially retire. Throughout my 39 years heading DAAA, I have been inspired by the strength, persistence, and resilience of the older adults I’ve met. Among them are many elders who, even when frail, are able to adjust to their changing physical and mental abilities. These individuals continue to inspire me.
I am also inspired by some of the most physically active seniors I've met – especially John Barber, one of the instructors for our
EnhanceFitness
®
classes. He is a slim, fit, handsome man whose calm demeanor may belie his age – 85. Most people who see John in action find it hard to believe his age. And, admittedly, Black men have not had a track record of long lives in this country. But why shouldn’t we all strive to be our best at every age?
So, I am finally embracing who I am right now. For starters, I will welcome the rest and relaxation that every new retiree deserves – at least for a little while. I will also look forward to planning days where regular physical activity will replace standing meetings, and where social engagement will replace the juggling of budgets.
I do intend to budget my time, focusing on physical exercise at EnhanceFitness
®
classes with John Barber and exercising my voice as an advocate.
Specifically, as long as social, economic and health disparities exist, I will remain on the front lines to improve the quality of life for older adults.
Paul Bridgewater
President & CEO
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DAAA Appoints New CEO
For his 25 years of experience in the aging network in local, state and federal positions, DAAA board members elected Ronald Taylor, 54, of Atlanta, GA as CEO of DAAA serving older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers in Detroit, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park and the five Grosse Pointes.
Taylor officially steps into his new role at DAAA Monday, October 22, 2018.
According to DAAA Board Chair Wayne W. Bradley Sr., “His experience is rare, and older adults in this region will benefit from his background. He has demonstrated his vast range of management experience that could not be more relevant or necessary to DAAA's success in the years ahead.”
Taylor will join us from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Administration on Community Living (ACL) where he has been the Aging Services Program Specialist for Region III & IV located in Atlanta, GA. He has an extensive background in social services, governmental/non-profit and faith-based sectors. With more than two decades of experience working with older adults, he holds a Master of Business Administration – Management; Master of Arts
–
Urban Studies; and a Bachelor of Arts
–
Social Work.
Taylor's background includes working 12 years with the Area Offices on Aging (AOoA) of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. in Toledo, serving as Vice President for Program Development and Quality Assurance. He was also an instructor at the University of Toledo where he delivered curriculum on
Death & Dying
and
Development Patterns of Adulthood and Aging
.
He has worked four years with the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs as the Division Director, Statewide Community-Based Services in Tallahassee, FL. His track record proves that he has been successful in managing annual budgets up to $300M and supervising up to 240 employees.
“I met Ronald Taylor when he was working in the aging network in Ohio 25 years ago. At that time he was named one of Ebony Magazine’s 30 Leaders of the Future,” said retiring CEO Paul Bridgewater. “It’s exciting to hand the reins over to such an accomplished professional. I’m proud that he now considers me one of his earliest role models."
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Congress Finalizes FY 2019 Funding for Older Americans Act (OAA) and Other Aging Programs
On Wednesday, September 26, 2018 the House of Representatives voted 361-61 to send to the President's desk a bill that preserves many of the increases for OAA and other aging programs that were secured in FY 2018. It also provides modest increases for nutrition programs and Native American aging programs. The bill provides new funding for several caregiver-focused proposals and demonstration programs.
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2018 Holiday Telethon Scheduled for Meals on Wheels
Television viewers have a chance to learn more about DAAA every Friday morning on 7 Action News This Morning on TV20 leading up to the Meals on Wheels Telethon in December.
In case you’ve missed previously aired segments, check them out
here
!
If you’re interested in supporting the telethon, contact Rhonda Parker at (313) 446-4444 ext. 5819.
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Supercharge Your Caregiving!
The Caregiver Action Network says it best: Caregivers are superheroes!
If you help someone manage medications and get to medical appointments while balancing your own work and home, you are a family caregiver. And if you’ve wondered how you can handle it all, new caregiving tools can help lighten the load.
Review this list of upcoming events and workshops – whether for yourself or someone you know:
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Your Health Matters
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Triumph Church (East Campus)
2760 E. Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48211
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Topics include: Long Distance Caring: 7 Caregivng Strategies for Managing Behaviors and Understanding Dementia.
RSVP Today! Call(248) 509-4357.
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Family Caregivers Expo
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Suburban Collection Showplace
46100 Grand River Ave.
Novi, MI 48374
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Gather information, community resources and services under one roof, in this annual event.
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Caregiver Bootcamp
Saturday, October 20, 2018
DSTDFI Headquarters
24760 W. 7 Mile Rd.
Detroit, MI 48219
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
A person centered approach to Caregiving; Dementia; Dealing with Difficult Behaviors; 7 Care Strategies; Managing Stress and more.
RSVP Today! Call (248) 509-4357.
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Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
1333 Brewery Park Blvd. Ste 160
Detroit, MI 48207
2:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Six weekly classes help family caregivers take better care of themselves while caring for a family member or friend.
For more info, call (313) 446-4444.
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Aging Matters Expo
Thursday, November 1, 2018
Second Ebenezer Church
14601 Dequindre St.
Detroit, MI 48212
8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Get up-to-date information on programs and services that help families when they are overwhelmed by the physical or mental decline of an older loved one.
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Are You 65+? Be Savvy, Start a New Fall Habit!
Thousands of Medicare beneficiaries are spending too much for their prescription drugs because they never review the changes in their insurance coverage. Don’t be one of them. And don’t ignore any mail that says: Annual Notice of Change or Evidence of Coverage.
These notices of change will let you know whether your current prescriptions will continue to be covered – and whether they will be covered at the same cost.
During the Open Enrollment Period between October 15 and December 7, m
ake sure your plan meets your needs for the next year. If not, a new plan may be more comprehensive and less costly!
Medicare-Medicaid assistance.
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DAAA Employees Help Family Caregivers
Professional training is required at our agency to both update and educate staff members on matters that relate to those we serve.
Recently, after an online training session on dementia, Lorene Sibel, a DAAA Support Coordinator, was able to help Mrs. Smith – the wife and caregiver of Mr. Smith, who is living with vascular dementia. Mr. Smith had been avoiding his routine bathing habits with complaints that “the hot water is not working….I won’t take a cold bath or shower.”
During a routine assessment, Lorene shared the stages of dementia with Mrs. Smith, and together they realized that Mr. Smith could no longer remember the process for adjusting the temperature of his bath water. With that knowledge, Mrs. Smith established a new routine to start the bath/shower water for Mr. Smith and adjust the temperature for him -- then calling him into bathroom.
Mr. Smith now showers daily without a fuss. And together, the couple has one less daily struggle in improving their quality of life.
For information on care management services from DAAA, call (313) 446-4444.
For information on workshops available for family caregivers, call (313) 446-4444.
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New Diabetes Prevention Program at DAAA
Have you ever been told by a health care professional that you:
- Are at risk of getting diabetes?
- Have pre-diabetes?
- Have borderline diabetes?
- Have high blood sugar or glucose?
- Had gestational diabetes?
If so, you may be at high risk for type 2 diabetes, and there is something you can do about it. Learn how to change your lifestyle to prevent type 2 diabetes in the National Diabetes Prevention Program.
For more information, contact Allison Brandt, R.D., at (313) 446-4444 ext. 5217.
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Volunteer - Make a Difference!
Many older adults are struggling with balance, falls and chronic health conditions. Volunteer to help them take charge of their health and live longer.
Are you comfortable speaking in group settings? Do you have the interest, time and commitment to help others? Are you willing to be trained? If yes, then you are a good candidate for facilitating workshops.
For more information, contact Crisshara Allen at (313) 446-4444 ext. 5325
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Detroit Senior Expo
Charles H. Wright Museum
315 E. Warren Ave.
Detroit, MI 48201
Monday, October 15, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Free Donuts, Bagels & Coffee
Connect with more than 50 organizations dedicated to helping seniors and families.
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Open House
3:30 p.m., Special Announcement
Services for Older Citizens (SOC)
158 Ridge Rd.
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Exciting new things are about to be revealed at SOC.
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Motown Casino Royale
St. Patrick Senior Center
58 Parsons St.
Detroit, MI 48201
Friday, October 19, 2018
6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
An evening of dinner, dance and
gaming in Midtown.
RSVP Today
! Call (313) 833-7080.
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2nd Annual Veterans Resource Fair
Presented by
Wayne County Treasurer's Office
Northwest Activities Center
18100 Meyers Rd.
Detroit, MI 48235
Thursday, November 8, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
For more information, call (313) 224-6035.
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HOLIDAY MEALS ON WHEELS SALUTES:
UAW-Ford
Ford Motor Company Fund
DTE Energy Foundation
Thousands of home-bound seniors and adults with disabilities receive meals on Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas because of the generous contributions from these major sponsors!
We appreciate their financial support and the dedicated volunteers who pack and deliver the meals.
Remember, Hunger Takes No Holiday
!
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Please join us in welcoming new DAAA staff!
Jonita Bunch - Human Resources
Lynda Nunez - Long-Term Care Services
Telisha Beauford - Nutrition
Yvonne Merchant - Long-Term Care Services
We're happy to have you on our team!
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Join Our Team!
Our goal is to create aging friendly neighborhoods and ensure that no senior is left alone or hungry. Simply put, our mission is to promote healthy aging and enhance the quality of life for older adults. We are looking for champions who are passionate about advancing our mission.
Please forward your resume to
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We'd love to hear from you!
Contact us with comments, suggestions or announcements for future e-newsletters.
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Phone: (313) 446-4444 Fax: (313) 446-4445
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