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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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:
Oceana County:
Ottawa County:
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Food box delivery supplies hope and help during COVID-19 pandemic
Senior Resources staff has been delivering food boxes to older adults who cannot get out to shop, or are in financial need, during the pandemic. Deb Bringedahl, who coordinates the Senior Resources program, shared a heart-warming story:
“This week, one of Brian’s food box deliveries took him to the “home” of a 68 year old woman who had recently lost her house,” Deb said. She is now living in a hotel. “When Brian arrived with the food, she was inside eating all that she had - vanilla wafers - and drinking pickle juice. Brian relays that she was very thankful for the delivery. Brian was so touched by her plight that he also offered her the wings that he had just picked up for his dinner. Thank you Brian for being the generous soul that you are.”
Brian Bailey shared a bit more about the encounter. While waiting to work through some financial issues with the help of her supports coordinator, Nikki Brown, she was referred to Deb, who coordinates the delivery of food boxes, some of which have items donated by Senior Resources staff members. Brian delivered two boxes of food and some frozen meals.
“When I arrived, the participant was sitting on the edge of her bed holding a box of vanilla wafers with a jar of pickle juice sitting on the nightstand,” Brian said. She told him she had not eaten a nutritious meal in a couple of days. “I informed her that Senior Resources had a food delivery for her that she could eat now and when she got her own place. Prior to the food delivery I had stopped at KFC and ordered 24 wings for lunch that I was going to take home; however, I purposely ordered extra for my wife and I so we would have leftovers. When I saw this lady’s situation, a little voice inside my heart told me to give this lady my lunch. However, this took place after I delivered the food boxes and was on my way back to my car to leave; so I got the 24 piece box of wings out of my car and headed back to participant’s room and gave her my 24 piece wing box.
“This lady jumped off the bed and just started praising God and with a loud voice just started yelling ‘Thank you Jesus,’ ‘I love you,’ ‘I love Senior Resources,’ and ‘tell Nikki I love her too’. I didn’t do this for any accolades or any kudos; however, I did it because if I were in the same situation, I would want someone to do it for me.
“When I look in retrospect, this participant gave me just as much as I gave her, just in a different package,” Brian continued. “The older I get, the more I realize I’m happier when I am giving more than when I’m getting; however, the moral of the story is ‘in order to receive a blessing you have to be a blessing’.”
Nikki, the supports coordinator working with the woman, said the participant is still dealing with many concerns. “The thing that led me to contact Deb and Brian is that she told me she was without food, that she had lost a significant amount of weight within the last two weeks, and that all of this was affecting her glucose levels,” Nikki added. “She was VERY appreciative of the food and Brian’s offering.”
Deb said of the Senior Resources team, “It seems that our Senior Resources team is comprised of many generous souls. The road has not been easy, it has been quite long, and there is no end in sight. You make the difference in our seniors’ lives.”
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Now is the time to consider updating your vaccines
You have the power to protect yourself against serious diseases like shingles, pneumonia, and flu. Vaccines aren’t just for kids. Adults may need vaccines to protect against whooping cough, flu, pneumonia, and shingles. Ask your doctor about vaccines you may need for your age, health conditions, job, or lifestyle.
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. Learn more about preventing seasonal flu.
This year's flu season may be complicated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, and testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. To learn more about COVID-19, visit Coronavirus (COVID-19).
While there is currently no vaccine for COVID-19, 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.
To protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), people over 50 years old should get the Tdap vaccine, if you did not receive it as an adolescent. Then you should get a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years.
If you have a condition that weakens the immune system, a cerebrospinal fluid leak, or cochlear implant should ask your doctor about other important vaccines.
As we get older, our immune systems tend to weaken, putting us at higher risk for certain diseases. In addition to flu vaccine and Td or Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), older adults should also talk with their doctor or other healthcare professional to find out which vaccines are recommended.
Ask about vaccines that protect against:
- Shingles (recommended for healthy adults 50 years and older). Almost 1 out of every 3 people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime and your risk of shingles increases as you grow older.
- Meningitis, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections. This is recommended for all adults 65 years or older, and for adults younger than 65 years who have certain health conditions.
Every year thousands of adults in the U.S. become seriously ill and are hospitalized because of diseases that vaccines can help prevent. By getting vaccinated, you can help protect yourself and your family from serious, sometimes deadly, diseases.
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Individuals with memory loss are invited to engage in the arts through a new program in the White Lake area, SPARK!
For more info, call the Nuveen Center at 231-893-2524, or visit www.artswhitelake.org/spark-white-lake. The program will be offered through virtual Zoom sessions. The White Lake Community Library will offer training for anyone needing help learning to use Zoom. https://www.wlclib.org/site-assets/images/zoom-tutorial/view
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September is National Preparedness Month
While Michigan is fortunate to not get seasonal hurricanes, we are still at risk of natural disasters. September is National Preparedness Month, and if 2020 has taught us anything, it's the need to be prepared!
Natural disasters can have long-lasting and sometimes permanent effects on communities and the older adults who live in them. Disasters can strike without warning, but there are steps older adults and their caregivers can take to prepare themselves. However, it is important to remember that quickly changing circumstances often necessitate that people deviate from their plans and improvise when necessary—no matter how prepared they may be.
The Eldercare Locator, administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and funded by ACL, offers fact sheets, links and other useful information to help older adults, caregivers and professionals navigate emergency situations.
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Free Fair Housing training offered in Muskegon County
The Fair Housing Center of West Michigan is offering a FREE training on fair housing rights for older adults and those serving older adults in Muskegon County. The training is on Thursday, September 17, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and will be online via Zoom.
Participants must be advocates for seniors in Muskegon County. Please register here.
Topics include:
- overview and updates regarding the protections for senior citizens under federal, state and local fair housing laws;
- data on the current state of fair housing for seniors;
- definitions and examples of reasonable accommodations and modifications for seniors with disabilities;
- best practices for making or providing support requests for accommodations and modifications in senior housing.
Attendees will also learn more about the broad implications of housing discrimination for Muskegon County as well as what services the FHCWM offers. The training is offered free of charge through the Muskegon County Senior Millage.
Advanced registration is required. Registrants will receive a Zoom link and instructions to join closer to the date.
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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.
We will use screen-sharing to go through the workbook, and will send the workbook and Dementia Friend pin out immediately after the session.
September 22, 9 a.m.
October 14, 11 a.m.
November 10, 3 p.m.
December 9, 11 a.m.
For more information, contact Lisa Tyler, ltyler@seniorresourceswmi.org, or 231-733-3509.
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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 |
While it is best to remove uneven thresholds, sometimes this is not possible. Instead, paint thresholds that are higher than a half of inch. This will make the threshold stand out visually so that you do not trip over it.
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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