Sixty Seconds Newsletter
A Monthly Update from
Senior Resources of West Michigan
An Area Agency on Aging Serving Muskegon, Oceana & Ottawa counties
|
|
Learn more about GetSetUp in this video from AASA's Dr. Alexis Travis.
|
Popular classes include:
- Get Started with Zoom for Beginners
- Make Great Meals in 30 Minutes or Less
- How Your Smartphone Can Help Simplify Your Life
- How to Organize and Manage Digital Photos
- Stress Management Techniques
- Virtual Visits - Museums & Tours You Can Enjoy Online
- and many more!
|
|
Digital education platform offers tech, enrichment classes |
Aging and Adult Services Agency (AASA) at Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has launched a new partnership, supported in part by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. 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. It is a safe place to learn, teach and engage with peers over videos to live healthier, happier, and more connected lives from the comfort of home. For the next six months, GetSetUp courses are available to Michiganders age 60 and over at no cost. We realize that now more than ever, our older adults are at home and may need assistance learning how to use things like video services to communicate with loved ones; how to use a smartphone, tablet or computer; how to do things like ordering groceries or household items; how to access services like telehealth; or just simply want to take a fun class to socialize and make new friends.
As part of the program, GetSetUp will run classes 10 hours a day to make it easy to take a class from the comfort and safety of their home. Classes are available to no cost to Michiganders age 60 and over for the next six months.
|
|
Senior Advocates Coalition canceled for November |
The November 9, 2020 meeting of the Senior Advocates Coalition is canceled.
The Senior Advocates Coalition (SAC) is a group of diverse individuals and organizations who are willing to learn and share information about current aging and disability issues and programs, and communicate with government officials and concerned citizens.
The purpose of the SAC is to work as a non-partisan group for the improvement of conditions and legislation affecting the lives of older persons, people with disabilities, and future generations. Meetings are held during the months Congress and state legislatures are in session, six times a year.
Anyone with a commitment to the interests and welfare of older citizens and people with disabilities in Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties is welcome to attend.
We are planning virtual SAC meetings in 2021. If you are interested in participating in virtual meetings in 2021, please contact Lisa Tyler at ltyler@seniorresourceswmi.org, so we can provide you with a link to the virtual meetings.
|
|
State Legislative Update
FY2020-2021 State Budget
The overall state budget totaled $62.7 billion ($10.6 billion General Fund) in level funding, including $28 billion for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Due to the economic uncertainty, it is worth bearing in mind that there are likely to be adjustments made to this budget throughout the fiscal year. Below is a partial list of the items to note in the General Omnibus Budget:
*Direct Care Worker Wage Increase - One-Time Funding Adds $150 million Gross ($40 million GF/GP) to provide a temporary $2 per hour wage increase for direct care workers for until December 31, 2020. Funding would be available for the same direct care workers who were eligible for COVID-19 direct care worker hazard pay under 2020 PA 123, including Medicaid-eligible behavioral health direct care workers, skilled nursing facility employees, and area agency on aging direct care employees.
*Private Duty Nursing Services - a 10% increase in Medicaid reimbursement for private duty nursing services.
*Elder Abuse Task Force - $387,500 to support three investigators to serve the Elder Abuse Task Force, a joint initiative between the department, the Michigan Supreme Court, legislature and other organizations, to implement changes recommended by previous elder abuse task forces to prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation and to support abuse victims.
*Senior programs - Recognizes $2 million increase of federal and private funds for senior programs including $700k for community supportive services, $800,000 for congregate and home-delivered meals and $500,000 to improve health of individuals receiving public LTC support services.
*Senior Call Check Pilot Program - Includes $40,000 GF/GP for a senior call check pilot program for voluntary regular contact with participating seniors (HB 6236)
*Health-Related Senior Programs - Continues one-time funding for a small grants program for health-related senior programs at multipurpose senior citizens centers at a reduced appropriation of $150,000 GF/GP.
|
|
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.
November 10, 3 p.m.
December 9, 11 a.m.
For more information, contact Lisa Tyler, ltyler@seniorresourceswmi.org, or 231-733-3509.
|
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:
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Free resources for seniors, caregivers |
"To keep jars steady when opening them, use non-slip shelf liner. Cut out a 6 inch square. Place the jar on this piece of non-slip shelf liner to keep the jar from sliding as you open it. When opening a jar lid, the non-slip square piece can also be placed over the lid to create a non-slip grip."
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.
|
|
|
Senior Resources of West Michigan Inc
560 Seminole Road
Muskegon, MI 49444
231.733.3585
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
