Sixty Seconds Newsletter 
A Monthly Update from Senior Resources of West Michigan  
An Area Agency on Aging Serving Muskegon, Oceana & Ottawa counties
In This Issue
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National Area Agencies on Aging

 
 
Dementia Friends sessions

People with dementia sometimes need help going about their daily lives and to feel included in their communities. Dementia Friends works to give people an understanding of dementia, and the small things they can do to make a difference. 

There are monthly Dementia Friends sessions offered in Muskegon, at Tanglewood Park, 560 Seminole Road, Norton Shores:
  • August 13, 3-4 p.m.
  • September 24, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
  • October 17, 9-10 a.m.
  • November 18, 1-2 p.m.
  • December 10, 3-4 p.m.
You can register for these, or future sessions:  https://www.eventbrite.com/d/mi--muskegon/dementia-friends/. 

Speak up! Anytime day or night. Report abuse and neglect.
855-444-3911

Senior Resources' Elder Care Specialists are available to assist with Options for Long Term Care
Call: 231-733-3585
or Toll Free:  1-800-442-0054. In Oceana: 231-559-0331.
August 2019
Engaging older adults key to reducing social isolation

The number of adults in the U.S. age 65 and older will increase from 46 million today to more than 70 million in 2030. This 52 percent increase in the number of older adults in a relatively short period of time provides an opportunity for society to transform how we think about the value of an aging population and how communities position themselves to harness the tremendous resource older adults represent to make positive change.

 
In recent years, much has been learned about the  impact of social isolation and loneliness. Social isolation is commonly described as a lack of relationships or infrequent social contact while loneliness is defined as the subjective perception of being alone. Research suggests that remaining socially engaged improves the quality of life for older adults and is associated with better health. In addition, older adults who are socially engaged in their communities can share their knowledge, talent, skills, experience and wisdom, allowing them to contribute with a positive and powerful impact. Social engagement contributes to greater physical, mental and emotional health and well-being in older adults avoiding the negative impacts of isolation.

Senior Resources funds a variety of programs in our 3-county area that address social isolation in places like the Georgetown Senior Center, Evergreen in Holland, Oceana County Council on Aging, congregate meal sites, and more. We also encourage people to reach out to older neighbors and families to check on their well-being often - sometimes a simple invitation to coffee can make all the difference!
 
engAGED, the national resource center for engaging older adults, is committed to developing and promoting engagement opportunities through a wide variety of channels that overcome barriers to participation. engAGED also seeks to recognize and empower older adults as valuable contributors to their communities and to the services they help to provide through volunteerism.
 
This national effort, administered by n4a and supported by n4a's partners, is funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, which is part of the U.S. Administration for Community Living. 
 
To learn more about emerging trends, access resources, and replication strategies that the Aging Network can use and tailor in their communities; and the programmatic efforts of our partners, visit engagingolderadults.org.

*shared from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)
Muskegon County Senior Millage open house set for September 13

Eldercare Locator helps connect older adults & caregivers

Senior Resources is often the first call for local information for Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties (231-733-3585). But if you have a loved one living in a different part of the country, you may not know where to turn for help. That's where the Eldercare Locator comes in.

The Eldercare Locator is a nationwide service that connects older Americans and their caregivers with trustworthy local support resources. Since 1991, the Eldercare Locator has been linking those who need assistance with state and local agencies on aging, as well as community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers. Whether help is needed with services such as meals, home care or transportation, or a caregiver needs training and education or a well-deserved break from caregiving responsibilities, the Eldercare Locator is there to point that person in the right direction.

The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Administration for Community Living.

Find out more here:   https://eldercare.acl.gov/
 or  call  1-800-677-1116 ..

Senior Resources of West Michigan Inc