Sixty Seconds Newsletter
A Monthly Update from
Senior Resources of West Michigan
An Area Agency on Aging Serving Muskegon, Oceana & Ottawa counties
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Resources for reducing social isolation in older adults |
Social isolation is a growing health concern as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, and we try to protect older adults. Social isolation is shown to have serious physical health impacts, and experts are understandably concerned. There are several ways to address social isolation, including animatronic pets, telephone reassurance, and GetSetUp.
Animatronic pets: These are lifelike robotic pets that are designed for companionship and comfort. These stuffed cats and dogs require no food or cleaning, and respond with purring or gentle barking. Find out more: https://joyforall.com/.
Telephone Reassurance: CALL 2-1-1 and Four Pointes Center for Successful Aging both provide telephone reassurance programs in our region. Four Pointes' program covers northeast Ottawa county and can make daily phone calls to check on homebound older adults. https://fourpointes.org/community-living/. CALL 2-1-1's telephone reassurance program serves Muskegon and Oceana counties, and the southwest and southeast areas of Ottawa County. Find out more by calling 231-733-7003, or email telereassurance@call-211.org.
GetSetUp: This new program, offered by the state's Aging and Adult Services Agency, is free for the next several months. GetSetUp is a digital education platform for older adults, offering 150+ technology and enrichment classes, all taught by retired educators. GetSetUp is a live interactive platform and community where older adults teach their peers new skills. To learn more and sign up, visit https://www.getsetup.io/partner/michigan.
As always, if you are able to check in on a senior family member or neighbor, please do so. Offer to get groceries, check in via phone or electronic means such as Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. And if you are concerned about them, contact their family members, or our Options Counselors at 231-733-3585.
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Senior Resources Holidays |
Senior Resources' staff will not be working on Thursday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 25, as well as Thursday, Dec. 31, and Friday, Jan. 1, 2021.
If you are in need of services on those dates, please call 2-1-1. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Remember to get a flu shot
It's winter in Michigan, which means it's fly season. Add that on top of Covid-19, and our healthcare systems could be overwhelmed; the flu vaccine can help prevent that. You have the power to protect yourself against serious diseases like shingles, pneumonia, and flu.
The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated every year. Everyone six months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season, especially people at high risk. Over 60 percent of flu-related hospitalizations occur in people 65 years and older.
You can safely get a flu vaccine at multiple locations including your doctor’s office, health departments, and pharmacies. Use VaccineFinder.org to find flu vaccines available near you.
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Senior Resources still at work for our older adults
Senior Resources of West Michigan, the area agency on aging serving older adults in Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties, remains open for business, even though the Tanglewood Park location is closed.
While our physical offices are closed, our staff is working remotely, and still contacting our participants by phone. We are still enrolling in the MI Choice Waiver program, and our Options Counselors remain available to help, via telephone and email.
You can call our Options Counselors at 231-733-3585 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help with resources needed for older adults. Supports coordinators are still doing assessments and checking on their participants regularly. Participants can contact their supports coordinators by calling 231-739-5858.
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Dementia Friends sessions offered monthly, remotely
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.
Due to the pandemic, we are currently offering Dementia Friends via Zoom video-conferencing. All sessions are one hour.
To register for future sessions, email DementiaFriends@seniorresourceswmi.org with the date you would like to attend. A Zoom link and materials will be sent to you via email ahead of the session.
January 26, 2021, 10 a.m.
February 17, 2021, 2:30 p.m.
March 10, 2021, 10:30 a.m.
April 13, 2021, 1:30 p.m.
May 6, 2021, 9 a.m.
June 9, 2021, 11 a.m.
For more information, contact Lisa Tyler, ltyler@seniorresourceswmi.org, or 231-733-3509.
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Community Resources for COVID-19
CALL 2-1-1 - dial 2-1-1 for health and human services help, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Senior Resources - Call our Long-Term Care Options Counselors at 231-733-3585
Muskegon County:
- https://www.maskupmuskegon.org/
Oceana County:
Ottawa County:
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If you suspect someone you know is being abused, call 1-855-444-3911 to report your suspicions, 24-hours per day. Please note that this centralized intake line is for the entire state of Michigan and you may be on hold for some time. In case of emergency, call 9-1-1 to report to your local police department.
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Free resources for seniors, caregivers |
"If you have arm or hand weakness, or you tire easily, lifting a large detergent bottle can be hard. Pour your detergent into smaller, lightweight bottles. These will be easier to hold. This is very helpful if you buy the economy size."
The above information is just one example of helpful hints you can get from Active Daily Living, a free resource for older adults and caregivers, available through the Senior Resources website. It is designed for seniors and/or family members concerned about the physical safety of a loved one. Interactive modules, videos, and weekly newsletters offer no-cost or low-cost tips developed by aging experts to help with activities of daily living.
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Senior Resources of West Michigan Inc
560 Seminole Road
Muskegon, MI 49444
231.733.3585
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