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Published quarterly by Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging

MichiganGenerationsTMFall 2007

Hospice helps patientslive their remaining days with comfort and dignity.

Also in This Issue: n Ask the Expertn Caregiving News & Notes

Health ScreeningsHealth ScreeningsHealth ScreeningsA Lifesaver for Seniors

MIG07Fa Editorial.indd 1 9/20/07 1:27:01 AM

FALL 2007 Published quarterly through a cooperative effort of Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging.

For information contact:Jenny [email protected]

Editorial Project Development:JAM Communications, Atlanta, GA

Design and Production:Wells-Smith Partners, Lilburn, GA

Michigan Generations is a

On the Cover: Health screenings and vaccinations are highly effective in disease pre-vention or early detection. Yet many seniors fail to take advantage of tests that are free or covered by insurance. For a handy pull-out guide to impor-tant screenings, turn to page 4. Photo bottom-right by Keith Emmerich.

GenerationsMichigan

Fall 2007, Volume 5, #2 © 2007 by the Michigan Area Agencies on Aging. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. However, the Michigan Area Agencies on Aging and JAM Communications make no warranty to the accuracy or reliability of this information. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission. All rights reserved.

Whether you are an older adult your-self, a caregiver or a friend concerned about the well-being of an older adult, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are ready to help. AAAs in communities across the country serve as gateways to local resources, planning efforts, and services that help older adults remain independent.

AAAs were established under the Older Americans Act in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans aged 60 and over in every com-munity. The services available through AAA agencies fall into five general categories: information and consultation, services available in the community, services in the home, housing, and elder rights. A wide range of programs is available within each category.

The services offered by

Michigan’s 16 AAAs cover a broad spectrum of needs, such

as information and referral, case management, in-home services,

home-delivered meals, senior centers, transportation, and special outreach.

To read more about each of Michigan’s AAAs and the services available, turn to page 8 of this issue. MI

Welcome toMichigan Generations

Michigan is

divided into

16 AAAs,

each serving

a different

part of the

state.

They are:1 1

10 9

7

5

1A

1C2

8

14

6

3B3A

3C4

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1ADetroitAreaAgencyonAging

1BAreaAgencyonAging1-B

1CTheSeniorAlliance

2Region2AreaAgencyonAging

3AKalamazooCo.Health&CommunityServicesDept.Region3A

3BBurnham-BrookRegionIIIBAreaAgencyonAging

3CBranch-St.JosephAreaAgencyonAgingIIIC

4RegionIVAreaAgencyonAging

5ValleyAreaAgencyonAging

6Tri-CountyOfficeonAging

7RegionVIIAreaAgencyonAging

8AreaAgencyonAgingofWesternMichigan

9NEMCSARegion9AreaAgencyonAging

10AreaAgencyonAgingofNorthwestMichigan

1 1UpperPeninsulaAreaAgencyonAging

14SeniorResourcesofWestMichigan

VisittheAAA’sstatewebsiteatwww.mi-seniors.net

AAAs —‑Gateways to Community Resources

SharingYour

Home


CAReGiVinGnews&notes

Surfing the netEach issue of Michigan Generations offers sev-

eral websites of interest to older adults and their caregivers … right at your fingertips.

www.safemedication.com enables you to search for information by drug name. It explains why a drug is prescribed and how it’s used. Also includes a pharmacist Q&A, plus

drug tips and tools.www.healthywomen.org provides in-depth information on more than 100 conditions, diseases and health issues just for women.

Look for more helpful websites in the next issue of Michigan Generations.

Fall 2007 3

Michigan Generations magazine has won Silver and Merit Awards in the prestigious 2007 National

Mature Media Awards Program. The program recognizes the nation’s finest educational, marketing and advertising materials designed and produced for older adults.

The magazine was honored for two entries:• Silver Award for “Understanding Medicare’s Drug Coverage” (Win-ter 2006)• Merit Award for “Caregiving — It Takes a Village” (Fall 2006)

Nearly 1,000 entries were judged by a panel of mature market experts from across the United States for overall excellence of design, content, creativity and relevance to the senior market.

Michigan Generations, now in its fifth year, is available to older adults and caregivers through the state’s Area Agencies on Aging.

I f living on their own is not an option for your elderly parents, you may consider following a path that many caregivers have

taken – have Mom and Dad move into your home.This arrangement is much less expensive and eliminates many of the complications surrounding caregiving. But be prepared for a trade-off; such an arrangement takes careful planning. Here are important steps to follow:

✔ COMPARE the cost of your parents moving to an assisted living facility with the cost of moving into your home, includ-ing renovations to your house, as well as furnishings or medical equipment.

✔ CHECK the county and local rules on mother-in-law apart-ments, granny flats, etc.

✔ TALK through expectations about privacy, caretaking, meals, grocery shopping, transportation and other potential issues.

✔ DETERMINE the financial arrangement. Will parents pay rent or part of expenses? How will the living setup affect the parents’ estate plan?

✔ PLAN how you will handle health challenges that will inevi-tably occur, even acknowledging the end-of-life situations that you will face.

Generations WinsNational Award

SharingYour

Home

WithMom & Dad

Did you know that a very small percentage of eligible

patients enroll in clinical trials?According to a survey by

Thomson CenterWatch, which was reported in BusinessWeek magazine, less than 10% of eligible patients take advantage of these trials. Some medical observers believe this slows down the development of new drugs and procedures.

Only 14% of trial participants learned of their study through their own doctors; most, in

fact, found out through the media or the Internet.

You can learn about avail-able clinical trials by visiting www.clinicaltrials.gov. This web-site provides information about federally and privately supported clinical research needing human volunteers. It explains a trial’s purpose, who may participate, locations and phone numbers. This information should be used in conjunction with advice from your own healthcare professionals.

STATS AboutClinical Trials

The Benefits of

Regular snacking may be better for some seniors than eating three big meals a day. The Journal of the Ameri-

can Dietetic Assn. reports that snacking may help seniors fill some of the nutritional gaps that often come with aging.

Although eating between meals can add unwanted pounds, some older adults face loss of appetite or medical conditions that diminish their interest in meals. This can put them at risk for unintended weight loss and malnutrition.

If you’re faced with this problem, try adding small, healthy snacks throughout the day: fruits, yogurt or whole-grain crackers and cheese.


4 Michigan Generations

Marylou Ansari very nearly bypassed the health fair. She had a busy morning, with lots of errands to run. At the last minute, however, she decided to stop by. While

strolling among the exhibitors, she paused to have her blood pressure checked. It’s a good thing she did.

“The nurse who took it told me to call my doctor right away,” says Ansari, 65. “My pressure was 194 over 106.”

The Coldwater woman took the nurse’s advice and got in to see her physician, who put her on medication. “I was having no symptoms that would alert me to a blood pressure problem,” says Ansari. “I’m so grateful that I decided to go and get screened that day.”

Experts wish that more people would follow in Ansari’s footsteps. Routine health screenings and vaccinations can prevent diseases, improve quality of life and save lives. Immunizations for flu and pneumonia, in particular, prevent potentially deadly diseases. Routine screenings for cancers, heart disease and diabetes raise awareness of risks for cer-tain diseases, allowing people to make lifestyle adjustments, such as diet and physical activity, to prevent them. More importantly, screenings help catch diseases at their earliest — and most treatable — stages.

Indeed, the American Cancer Society estimates that at least half of all cancer deaths could be prevented if people

adopted healthier lifestyles and made better use of available screening tests. An annual flu shot is about 50% effective in preventing hospitalization from flu complications and 80% effective in preventing death from the disease in the 65-plus population, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

“There are a handful of routinely recommended services that are highly

effective in disease prevention or early detection,” says Dr. Doug Shenson, president of SPARC (Sickness Prevention Achieved Through Regional Cooperation), a Massachusetts-based organization. “Those are: cancer screening for breast, colorectal and cervical cancers; vaccination against influenza and pneumococcal virus, and screenings for high blood pres-sure and cholesterol. Yet, no more than 25% of adults age 50 to 64 are up-to-date with those services, and fewer than 40% of people age 65 and older are. And that is despite the fact these services are paid for by virtually all insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid.”

Michigan actually exceeds the national average in the percentage of older adults who are up-to-date on preven-tive screenings. In 2004, the last year for which statistics are available, more than 42% of men age 65 and older in the state were up to date on select preventive screens, compared to 38% for the nation, according to the CDC’s State of Aging and Health in America Report. More than 34% of Michigan senior women were up-to-date on screenings, compared to almost 32% nationally.

But even Michigan’s numbers leave quite a bit of room for improvement. And they bring up a question: Given the effec-tiveness of available screenings and vaccinations, why don’t more seniors take advantage of them? One likely reason is some people are not aware that Medicare covers many pre-ventive screenings. Seniors tend to associate Medicare with hospitalization and acute medical care, and indeed, it has only been in the past 15 years or so that Medicare has added prevention services to what it will cover.

“Today, it’s different,” says Jeffrey Deitch, medical direc-tor of MPRO, the state’s Quality Improvement Organization charged with oversight of the Medicare system. “Now Medicare will cover flu and pneumococcal shots, cardiovascular screen-

By Martha nolan McKenzie

4

adopted healthier lifestyles and made better use of available screening tests. An annual flu shot is about 50% effective in preventing hospitalization from flu complications and 80% effective in preventing death from the disease in the 65-plus population, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

recommended services that are highly

arylou Ansari very nearly bypassed the health fair. She effective in disease prevention or early detection,” says Dr.

Health ScreeningsA Lifesaver

for Seniors


Fall 2007 5

ings and many cancer screenings. There is so much that can be done by preventive services, and Medicare will cover it.”

Medicare even offers a one-time physical within six months of your 65th birthday at a discounted price. The Welcome to Medicare physical includes a thorough review of your health, education and counseling about the preventive services you need, such as certain screenings and shots, and referrals for other care. (For more information on Medi-care preventive coverage, visit www.medicare.gov/health/overview.asp or call 1-800-633-4227 and ask for a free copy of the “Guide to Medicare’s Preventive Services”.)

Another reason seniors underutilize preventive screen-ings and vaccinations is that these services tend to be delivered in a doctor’s office, but many people only see their doctor when they are sick. “Most seniors are connected with a physician,” says Dr. Phyllis Meadows, direc-tor and health officer for the City of Detroit. “But the problem is, they generally only go to their doctor when they are ill. Then both the patient and the doctor are focused on the ill-ness, and the doctor may not think to ask if the patient has had a flu shot, or if he’s up-to-date on his colon cancer screening. These screening opportunities get lost in tending to the illness that brought the patient in that day.”

That’s why senior agencies throughout the state are working to bring screenings and vaccinations to where the seniors are located. Here’s a look at just some of the initiatives around Michigan:

n The Macomb County Department of Senior Citizens partners with the local health depart-ment to routinely offer screening services at area senior centers, churches and union halls. Seniors check their cholesterol, blood pressure, bone density, vision and hearing, all free of charge. In the fall, they can also receive a flu shot.

“We’ll reach anywhere from 8,000 to 9,000 seniors with our screenings each year,” says Karen Bisdorf, assistant director of the department, located in Clinton Township. “We try to take a holistic approach, because we know that health affects quality of life in many ways. We look at these screenings as a way to interject a better living style and pro-duce a better quality of life all the way around.”

n The Commission on Aging for Branch County pro-vides area seniors with more than 200 hours per month of services related to wellness at its senior center in Coldwater. In addition to exercise and nutrition programs, these ser-vices include regular screenings for blood pressure, blood

glucose, hearing and even depression, according to Nancy Davis, director of the commission. It also offers at least three or four clinics for flu and pneumonia shots each fall.

However, the commission’s largest screening effort takes place once a year at its Step Up to Wellness Day. The one-day health fair features educational presentations focusing on a different theme each summer. “This year, our topics were adult immunizations, nutrition, early signs of Alzheimer’s and fall prevention,” says Davis.

Participants can also get free blood sugar, blood pres-sure and diabetes foot checks. Sessions on topics such as scrapbooking and wood carving, along with a free lunch and

door prizes, help draw nearly 300 seniors to the event. “Every year, we draw more and more people, and we get more and more positive com-ments,” says Davis. “And every year at least a few people, like Marylou (Ansari, the Coldwater woman mentioned above) discover a condition they did not know they had.”

n In St. Joseph, Lakeland HealthCare hosts an extensive annual health fair called Lakeland Health Pavilion. In addition to blood pressure and cholesterol screening, participants can take a stroke-risk assessment and receive a colon cancer screening kit, which they can complete in the privacy of their homes. This year, the event also included a swallowing clinic. “About 65% of Americans will suffer from some swallowing disorder in their lifetimes, many of whom are stroke victims,” says Terri Albers, coordinator of the Center for Health Enhance-ment at Lakeland HealthCare. “A swallowing disorder can lead to aspirating fluid in the lungs, which can, in turn, lead to a pneumonia-related illness. We offered a flexible endocscopic evaluation of each participant’s swallowing mechanism, as well as sensory testing to ensure that their swallowing impulse was correct. It’s pretty state-of-the-art for a health fair.”

offer screening services at area senior centers, churches and Lakeland HealthCare hosts an extensive annual health

door prizes, help draw door prizes, help draw Opposite page: Step Up to Wellness Day, an annual health fair in Coldwater, offers a wide range of free tests and draws 300 seniors.

Above and at left: St. Aloysius Church’s health fair in Detroit includes health screen-ings, plus a free meal and door prizes. (Photos: Keith Emmerich)


n Churches often offer screening outreach programs in their communities. St. Aloysius Church in Detroit partners with area health care agencies to put on its own health fair once a year at its community center. A free meal and door prizes help lure seniors in the door, and once in, they are offered a host of screenings, including a sophisticated carotid ultrasound scan to detect blockages that could lead to a stroke.

“The people we serve are primarily impoverished and don’t have any insurance,” says Kathleen Ruth, parish nurse for St. Aloysius. “For many of the people who come, this is their only contact with the health care system. So we try to be as thorough as we possibly can. We check vision, dental, feet, mental health — it’s across the board.”

n Another church-based initiative targets overweight and obese African-American women. Called the Healing Zone, the program is sponsored by the National Caucus

and Center on Black Aged and implemented by the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. “We are focusing on obesity because African-American women suffer from it in higher proportion than any other group, and because it is tied to so many other health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and certain forms of cancer,” says Ruth Rashid Kaleniecki, healthy aging manager for the Detroit AAA.

The Healing Zone gives area churches some start-up funds and training so they can start their own health minis-try based on the specific needs of their congregations. “The program has been very popular in the churches that have adopted it,” says Kaleniecki. “I know of at least one partici-pant who credits the program with saving her life, and there are probably more.”

n Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit runs the People’s Medical College, a series of presentations by doctors on a variety of health topics. Although the sessions are primarily educational, they also offer screenings when it is appropri-ate. “We just had a session on cardiovascular health,” says Conrad Mallett, Jr., the hospital’s president. “It included blood pressure screenings as well as heart-healthy cooking demonstrations.

“Since we are a hospital, not a public health organization, we have chosen to target our outreach services to people who are eager to receive the information,” Mallett continues. “Admittedly, we are preaching to the choir, so to speak, but we are making a difference, a little bit at a time.”

n The Alpena Regional Medical Center, which serves five primarily rural counties, networks with local agen-cies and providers to offer multiple services at area senior centers. “We try to offer a one-stop shop to get people to come out and access the services,” says Martha LaFave,


Screening recommen dations for adults age 50 and older

Michigan Generations

ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM Screeningsn May include weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, vision and hearing screenings, a s determined by your physician.

When to have themAnnually. Current guidelines suggest healthy blood pressure levels are at or below 120/80; LDL (“bad”) cholesterol below 100; and HDL (“good”) cholesterol above 45.

DIABETESScreeningn Fasting blood sugar test

When to have itEvery three years if you are at high risk for developing Type 2 diabetes. You may be at high risk if you have a family history of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, have a personal history of gestational diabetes, are obese, are inactive, have delivered a baby weighing more than nine pounds (diabetics often give birth to heavier babies), have high blood pressure or are of African, Hispanic, Native American, or Pacifi c Island descent.

EYE, EAR, ORAL HEALTHScreeningsn Dental checkup, eye exam, hearing exam

When to have themA dental checkup is recommended at least once a year. Risk for hear-ing loss increases after 50, so have your hearing checked if you notice any change. An eye exam is recommended every one to two years to check for common vision problems associated with aging, including glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts.

IMMUNIZATIONSn Infl uenza — fl u shot recommended every year.n Pneumococcal vaccine recommended for people 65 and older. Most people only need a single dose. However, people 65 and older should have a second dose if they received the shot more than fi ve years previously and were younger than 65 when they were vac-cinated the fi rst time.n Tetanus-Diphtheria Booster — a booster is needed every 10 years throughout life.

STROKEScreeningsCarotid scan (a type of ultrasound scan and a blood pressure check), aortic scan, PAD scan (a Doppler exam that tests for circulation impairment in limbs).

When to have themA doctor may recommend one for people at high risk. Risk factors include: age, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, high blood cho-lesterol, family history of atherosclerotic or circulatory problems.

Continued on page 16

local churches and hospitals are effective in targeting services to seniors in their communities.


Fall 2007 7

Screening recommen dations for adults age 50 and older

Fall 2007 7

BREAST CANCERScreeningsn Breast self-examn Clinical breast exam by a health care providern Mammography (X-ray of the breast)

When to have themEvery one to two years, depending on your medical history. Women with a personal history of breast cancer or who are at high risk of developing the disease should talk to their doctor about screening more often.

CERVICAL CANCERScreeningn Pap test

When to have itEvery one to three years. Women at 70 who have had three or more recent consecutive normal tests and no abnormal tests in the past 10 years can discuss the need for continued screening with their doctor. Women with a history of cervical cancer should continue annual screenings.

COLON CANCER Screeningsn Fecal occult blood test. This test detects blood in the stool using a chemical process. n Digital rectal exam.n Sigmoidoscopy. A slender lighted tube is inserted through the rectum into the lower part of the colon, allowing the doctor to see abnormalities. n Double contrast barium enema. The colon is partially fi lled with barium sulfate, and an X-ray is taken to see the lining. n Colonoscopy. A fl exible slender tube is inserted through the rectum to give a complete view of the colon.

When to have themBeginning at age 50, men and women at average risk should have a yearly fecal blood test, either a sigmoidoscopy or a double-contrast barium enema every fi ve years and a colonoscopy every 10 years. People at high risk for colon cancer should start screenings at an earlier age and perhaps have them on a more frequent schedule, as determined by their doctor. People at high risk include those with:

— a history of ademonatous polyps or colorectal cancer— a family history of colorectal cancer or ademonatous polyps in a close

relative before age 60— a personal history of infl ammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative

colitis)

PROSTATE CANCERScreeningsn Prostate-specifi c antigen (PSA) blood testn Digital rectal exam (DRE)

When to have themBeginning at age 50, men should discuss with their physician whether to start having annual PSAs and DREs. African-American men and men with a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 should consider testing at 45. Men with more than one close relative diagnosed before age 65 should consider testing at 40.

SKIN CANCERScreeningn Full-body skin exam

When to have itFrequency of screenings depends on family history, lifestyle and complex-ion. People at high risk for developing skin cancer include those with fair complexions and blue, green or hazel eyes. A personal or family history of skin cancer also elevates your risk, as does a lot of time spent in the sun.

UTERINE CANCER Screeningn Uterine biopsy

When to have itThis test is only recommended for women at high risk. Women who have or who are at risk for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer are at signifi cantly greater risk and should start testing at age 35. Other women who may be at greater risk include those who have had breast or ovarian cancer. The risk of uterine cancer goes up at menopause.

HEART DISEASEScreeningsn Blood pressure testn Cholesterol testn Cardiac stress testn EKG (electrocardiogram)

When to have themHave your cholesterol checked every fi ve years and a blood pressure reading at least every two years, unless your doctor advises you other-wise. Your doctor may recommend a cardiac stress test or an EKG if you are experiencing any symptoms of cardiac disease, such as shortness of breath or chest pain.

OSTEOPOROSISScreeningn Bone mineral density test

When to have itAll women 40 years old or older who have sustained a fracture should have a screening. All women beyond 65 years of age should have the test. The test is also recommended for women who are at increased risk due to certain medications, and for patients with diseases or nutritional condi-tions that are known to be associated with bone loss.

Note: Check with your doctor and/or health insurer regarding coverage of the tests/screenings that you are considering. You can also contact the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) at 1-800-803-7174 for information or assistance.


ReGionAlnews

In communities

across the U.S.,

Area Agencies on

Aging (AAAs) serve

as gateways to local

resources, planning

efforts and services

that help older adults

remain independent.

Here are the

programs and

services offered by

Michigan’s AAAs.

1 1

10 9

7

5

1A1C

2

8

14

6

3B3A

3C4

1B

6Tri-CountyOfficeonAging

7RegionVIIAreaAgencyonAging

8AreaAgencyonAgingofWesternMichigan

9NEMCSARegion9AreaAgencyonAging

10AreaAgencyonAgingofNorthwestMichigan

1 1UpperPeninsulaAreaAgencyonAging

14SeniorResourcesofWestMichigan

1ADetroitAreaAgencyonAging

1BAreaAgencyonAging1-B

1CTheSeniorAlliance

2Region2AreaAgencyonAging

3AKalamazooCo.Health&CommunityServicesDept.Region3A

3BBurnham-BrookRegionIIIB

3CBranch-St.JosephAreaAgencyonAgingIIIC

4RegionIVAreaAgencyonAging

5ValleyAreaAgencyonAging

� Michigan Generations

Spotlight on…

Burnham Brook Region IIIBServing Barry and Calhoun counties in Southwest Michigan

Reg 1-A / Detroit AAA Reg 1-B / AAA 1-B Reg 1-C / The Senior Alliance, Inc. Reg 2 / Reg 2 AAA

Reg 3-A / Kalamazoo Cty. HumanServices Dept. (Region 3)

Reg 3-B / Burnham-Brook Reg IIIB Reg 3-C / Branch-St. Joseph AAA (IIIC)

Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA

Reg 5 / Valley AAA Reg 6 / Tri-County Office on Aging Reg 7 / Reg VII AAA Reg 8 / AAA of Western Michigan

Reg 9 / NEMSCA Reg 9 AAA Reg 10 / AAA of Northwest MI Reg 11 / Upper Peninsula AAA Reg 14 / Senior Resources ofWest Michigan

It sounds almost harmless — “Affin-ity fraud.” Don’t let the name fool

you. Affinity fraud is a form of invest-ment and financial scam that targets a specific group of people, such as religious or ethnic communities, the elderly or professional groups. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission, these scams exploit the trust and friendship that exist in groups of people who have something in common.

It is no surprise that a primary target of affinity fraud is the fastest-growing segment of our population — seniors. Last year more than five million seniors were victims of abuse and/or fraud. By nature, older adults

are more trusting. But when it comes to your money, too much affin-ity can cost you everything. In the case of your life savings and investments, it pays to be suspicious and distrustful.

One of the best ways to avoid becoming a victim is to understand scammers’ tactics and how to avoid them:

• Bogus charities: If someone asks for a charitable donation, check out the organization at www.guidestar.org or with the Better Business Bureau.

• Email solicitations: Remember,

banks don’t email you about your account sta-tus. Your best defense? Delete them!

• Powers of attorney: These scammers persuade seniors to sign a power of attorney so they can help manage bank accounts and other financial transactions. Always get a second opinion from another family member or trusted adviser before signing anything.

• Investment scams: Do not fall for investments that promise “guaranteed” returns. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Promises of fast and high profits, with little or no risk, are classic warning signs of fraud.

Need help? Region 3B Area Agency on Aging is sponsoring the Elder Abuse Coalition in Calhoun County. To find out more about this effort, contact Carrie Taft at 269-441-0920.

When it Comes to Your Money, it’s okay not to Trust


Detroit Area Agency on AgingServing Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Harper Woods and the five Grosse Pointes in Wayne County

Fall 2007 9

Noted psychologist and gerontologist Ken Dychtwald will address a public forum on

Riding the Age Wave, to be held at the Rock Finan-cial Showplace in Novi on October 20. The half-day program, sponsored by Humana Michigan, focuses on issues of long-term care, introducing options to guarantee choice among older adults and disabled persons. The event is held in conjunction with the Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo. For informa-tion, call: 313-446-4444, ext. 4100.

Aging Authority Headlines Forum

The Detroit Wayne County Long-Term Care Connec-

tion is the one-stop resource for information, assistance and referral to long-term care services in Wayne County. Whether provided

in a person’s home or in a com-munity-based setting, services are available to meet medical, social, financial, health education and personal needs — for a brief recovery or for continuous care. For help in navigating the maze of available services, programs, providers and living options, dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-MICHLTC (1-866-642-4582).

Aging is All About “living life to the Max”

Honoree Mother Ruth holds her Life to the Max photo, surrounded by members of Detroit's Perfecting Church who sponsored the well-known, 93-year-old evangelist. Paul Bridgewater, President and CEO, Detroit Area Agency on Aging (right front), joins the group.

operation extra Help: A Grassroots Campaign for Prescription Assistance

• Detroit Area Agency on Aging • The Senior Alliance-Area Agency

on Aging 1-C• Medicare/Medicaid Assistance

Program (MMAP)• My Medicare Matters • National Council on Aging • Access to Benefits Coalition• AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals L.P.

Almost FreePrescriptions

Call the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program

(MMAP) in Wayne County at

1-800-803-7174to find out how to enroll in “EXTRA HELP”

“Operation EXTRA HELP”is sponsored by:

+ EXTRA HELP =

Have Medicare?

Still Need Help

Paying for

PRESCRIPTIONS?

Medicare

One Great Resource:

Detroit Wayne County long‑Term Care Connection

information, assistance and referral to long-term care services in Wayne County. Whether provided

in a person’s home or in a com-

It was like Christmas in July when the Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) introduced its first Life to the Max honorees at Detroit’s

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Now, some 50 older adults whose lives exemplify living life to the max are commemorated in a limited edition, hardcover book that celebrates their community con-tributions and positive outlook toward life. Proceeds from the event and book support Detroit Meals on Wheels. DAAA’s Holiday Card campaign, now under-way, also supports Holiday Meals on Wheels. For every $5 contribu-tion, a holiday meal is delivered to a homebound senior. To contribute, or to volunteer for meal packing or deliveries this Thanksgiving or Christmas, call 313-446-4444.




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



Thousands of Detroit and Wayne County residents qualify for “Extra Help” — a program that can

save an average of $3,700 per year in Medicare Part D prescription drug plan costs and co-payments. And now, community-based organizations and health care providers are rewarded for helping them. Participating groups earn $75 for each eligible referral that results in a successful application. This is an innovative way to generate incremental revenue for community-based groups and health care providers while connecting people in the community with additional prescription help. For information, call 313-446-4444, ext. 5337.


Many seniors in southeast Michi-gan are benefiting from a unique

residential grocery delivery service offered by Bill and Norma Ansara, owners of the Value Center Market located at Six Mile Road and Inkster Road in Livonia. Seniors can place their grocery order by mail, email, fax or phone to Norma, and within two to three days their groceries are delivered right to their door.

Staff of the Value Center Market take extra care selecting the freshest fruits and vegetables to fill the seniors’ orders and ensure they are packed well to avoid bruis-ing or damage. The program also customizes meat orders for seniors. For many seniors, one steak, half a chicken or possibly two pork chops are enough, and they do not want the larger quantity that many stores sell. So Norma and her staff will pack-age the meat separately to meet the needs of their delivery customers. Seniors can also specify brand names or simply ask for the least expensive product, depending on their taste and budget. Norma and her staff also shop the sales for seniors to help save them money. For example, if name-brand tuna is on sale that week and is less expensive than the store brand, the senior will receive the name-brand version, unless they have

indicated another brand is preferred. In addition to food items, the grocery delivery service includes cleaning sup-plies, dog or cat food, stamps, money orders and even fresh-cut flowers.

Food is hand-packed in special plastic containers and delivered in a refrigerator/freezer truck by a

bonded driver. The driver for this program has been with the senior grocery delivery service for over 10 years and helps clients with other items if needed — such as taking out the garbage on a wet or snow day, changing a lightbulb or possibly helping to move furniture. “We love helping seniors, making them happy and helping make a difference in their lives,” says Norma. “This program is very rewarding and we, including our staff at the market, really enjoy working with our clients.”

The program accepts clipped cou-pons, Michigan bridge cards, check,

cash and credit cards. Also, the driver will pick up empty returnable bottles and give the senior the reimbursable amount in cash. The cost of the deliv-ery service is $30 for the delivery plus the cost of the groceries. For an extra $7.50 the driver will put away the groceries inside the home.

The program services Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.

For more information, please call Norma Ansara at 734-525-2300 or email [email protected].

FOR MANY SENIORS, PETS ARE AN INTRICATE PART of their family, and provide friendship and companionship, yet driving your Labrador retriever, or getting your stubborn cat into their cage, to visit the vet can sometimes be very challenging. Dr. Barbara Corn, a veterinarian in

Warren, has a unique service. She will bring her services directly to your home. Whether your pet is due for their annual exam and vaccines, or possibly is experiencing some dis-comfort, Dr. Corn is able to perform most services, with the exception of major surgery or conditions that require hospitalization, in the com-fort of your house. For example, Dr. Corn has treated upper respiratory ailments, ear infections and arthritis, and can provide hospice for animals diagnosed with cancer.

Under the company name of B.C. Veterinary Home Care, Dr. Corn

Serving the counties of livingston, Macomb, Monroe, oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



Area Agency on Aging 1-B

Unique Services in the Home Help Area Seniors


Norma Ansara, owner of the Value Center Market, stands near the fresh fruit and vegetable area of the store.


The Jackson County Department on Aging

celebrated 20 years of festival fun on May 10, 2007, at the Jackson Crossing Mall, with the theme appropriately being “Life Is a Highway!” A record number of businesses, agencies and clubs were in attendance, all with fun and helpful information and activities concerning aging and the senior population.

Festival-goers were treated to live entertain-ment throughout the day, a great boxed lunch, door prizes, raffles and

‘Breakout Sessions’ that covered Healthy Eating Habits, In-Home

Services, Geriatric Mental Health Issues and Health and Wellness Lifestyles. The Depart-ment on Aging worked hard to cover all areas that would inter-est seniors.

This festival, created by the Department on Aging, has become the yearly pre-mier event for senior citizens throughout the Jackson area. The department is very proud of the festival and of the help and education it gives to our area senior citizens.

For more information, contact Barbara Stoy at the Region 2

Area Agency on Aging, toll-free 1-800-335-7881 or 517-467-1909.

Serving Hillsdale, Jackson and lenawee counties




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



20th Annual Senior Festival Draws Record Attendance

Region 2 Area Agency on Aging

Fall 2007 11

established this service in 2005 and has been a veterinarian since 1991. “I’ve always wanted to provide this service,” says Dr. Corn. “It gives me more freedom with my schedule and I enjoy helping individ-uals, especially seniors who may have dif-ficulty leaving their home, with caring for their pets.” The cost to have Dr. Corn visit a home is $40 for those residing in Warren, plus the cost of the veterinary services and $50 for individuals residing outside of

Warren. Seniors receive a 10% discount. For more informa-tion, contact Dr. Corn at 586-817-0160.

In addition to grocery delivery service and veterinar-ian services that come directly to your home, many areas also have traveling dentists, hair stylists, and of course the more familiar visiting physicians and nurses.

For more information on what is available in your community, contact the Area Agency on Aging 1-B at 1-800-852-7795.

Dr. Corn and her dog.

Joe Evans, Jackson Triad, displays useful information for seniors about scams they should watch out for.

The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is the first resource for older adults, caregivers and persons with disabili-ties to call when looking to resolve problems or locate the resources they need to improve the quality of their life.

When individuals call the toll-free Information and Assistance (I&A) service at 1-800-852-7795, they speak with a certified Information and Referral Specialist to determine what their needs are and the services and assistance available to address those needs. Once the needs are deter-mined, the specialist accesses the I&A database of over 2,000 community agencies and mails the individual a complete listing of relevant services and providers in their local community.

Call us. We can help.

1‑�00‑�52‑7795

Help is a Phone Call Away


It’s hard for busy professionals to keep in touch with a broader view

of aging amid the day-to-day demands of the job. And yet, the resources available are more and more numer-ous, relevant and interesting.

After attending a session at a conference on aging and viewing a sampling of fascinating documenta-ries about aging and disability, the Area Agency on Aging decided to share films and discussion time with other interested staff. Thus was born “Fabulous Friday Film Festival.”

A number of award winning docu-mentaries — old and new — were selected, purchased or rented, and scheduled for the year. Films were selected for their entertainment and

educational value, and to present a well-rounded look at issues dealing with aging and persons with disabilities.

A short description of each film, along with the schedule, was sent out to all staff members. On the last Friday of each month, the projector and computer are hooked up, the lights are turned down and, for an hour, staff share a unique viewing experience with col-leagues. Dessert is provided.

The film festival premiere featured portions of the Ken Dychwald PBS series, “The Boomer Generation.” Then the summer season was kicked off with “To You Sweetheart, Aloha”, the

story of a Hawaiian ukulele player who finds a new soulmate at age 94. The documentary presented a surprising and intimate look at rela-tionships and generated a good deal of discussion.

Rounding out the year are films about retirement, face lifts, activ-ism, caregiving, social engagement, Alzheimer’s, developmental disabilities and intergenerational relationships.

The resources are also available for loan through the agency’s library.

For more information, contact the Region IV AAA at 269-983-7058.

In days gone by, it was acceptable — and even common — to play with

small amounts of mercury. These days, we are more aware of the risks associated with handling mercury or breathing its vapors. We now know that mercury is hazardous, a powerful neurotoxin that is especially harmful to the brain development of children under six years of age and pregnant women, because of its effects on the brain of the developing fetus.

Many households continue to have objects containing mercury in them. A small amount of mercury

is found in fever thermometers. Larger amounts can be found in furnace thermostats, older blood pressure measuring devices, antique pendulum clocks, mirrors and barometers. To make your home safe from mercury contamination, look for the objects mentioned above, even if you think you no longer have any of them. If you find them, seal them in two plastic bags — one inside the other — for dou-ble protection from a spill.

The Community Health Agency serving Branch, St. Joseph and Hillsdale counties has available “ther-mometer safe” disposal bags and will accept your double-bagged mercury thermometers for disposal.

For further information, call 517-278-2538 or toll-free 1-888-615-8009.




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



Branch–St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIICServing a two‑county area surrounding Sturgis, Three Rivers, Coldwater and Quincy

Region IV Area Agency on AgingCovering Michigan’s Great Southwest including Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA




Protect Yourself and Young Visitors from Mercury in Your Home

Community Health Agency Offices Coldwater — 570 Marshall Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517-279-9561, ext. 106Three Rivers — 1110 Hill Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-273-2161, ext. 233Sturgis — 209 W. Hatch Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-651-4013

Fabulous Friday Film Festival

educational value, Ken Dychwald PBS series, “The Boomer Generation.” Then the summer season was kicked off with “To You Sweetheart, Aloha”, the

story of a Hawaiian ukulele player who finds a new soulmate at age 94. The documentary presented a surprising and intimate look at rela-tionships and generated a good deal of discussion.

Rounding out the year are films about retirement, face lifts, activ-


Fall 2007 13

One goal of the Region VII Area Agency on Aging is to provide

funding for programs that enable individuals to stay healthy and in their own homes. One such program is Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. This program is designed to provide information and support to older individuals with the intent to assist them in avoiding illness and improving their health status. The primary goal of a provider offering Disease Prevention and Health Pro-motion is to offer timely, practical education on the physical, emotional and spiritual life. The program aims to help individuals manage daily situa-tions and make long-range decisions,

as well as to understand abnormal changes in the aging process that may need attention.

Synergy Medical Education Alli-ance, located in Saginaw, is one of Region VII’s providers that offer this outstanding service. Their program is called AGES (Ambulatory Geriatric Evaluation Service). It provides a unique service with the goal of helping the older population live independently. The

program operates collabora-tively with physicians, nurses, social workers, physical ther-apists and dietitians. These dedicated professionals work to provide patients with alternatives for long-term care, to recommend changes in their lifestyles and to help identify excellent resources in the community.

There are many options available to help seniors

remain in their homes and active in their community.

For additional information on programs and services, contact the Region VII Area Agency on Aging, 1615 S. Euclid Ave., Bay City 48706, 1-800-858-1637 or visit www.region7aaa.org.

Region VII Area Agency on AgingServing Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola counties




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



Better lives for Seniors Through Geriatric evaluation

Mary Keane, nurse practitioner, performs an evaluation on Beverly Rusmisel.

The Tri-County Office on Aging values and embraces choice for

all individuals they serve. Through the years, the community has looked at how best to help grandparents or other kin raising children with Federal Older Americans Act funds (Title 3E) designated for this purpose.

A few years ago the consensus from the Advisory Council and a community focus group was for respite — needed time away from the responsibilities and stress of car-ing for the children they are raising. Because of TCOA’s philosophy of consumer choice, as grandparents (55 years and older) call the agency, they are asked what will most help them and the child/children they are

raising. The grandparent then selects a day care, day camp, after-school program, sport camp, tutor, etc. TCOA makes payment arrangements

with the identified programs. Each program has to have proper and appropriate insurance and licenses.

One of the first grandmothers, or great-grandmothers, TCOA worked with four years ago was Elizabeth, who is raising a now-14-year-old granddaughter and 7-year-old twins. The program directly purchased day care two days per week for the younger twins while the older girl went to a week-long camp that included horseback riding.

For another family, in which the grandmother is raising seven chil-dren, a YMCA family membership was purchased and each child was enrolled in a summer program there.

For more information, please contact the Tri-County Office on Aging at 517-887-1440 or 1-800-405-9141.

Tri-County Office on AgingA consortium of Clinton, eaton and ingham counties and the cities of lansing and east lansing




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



A Choice of Respite for Grandparents

Grandmother Elizabeth and her granchildren.



The federal government established the Long-Term Care Ombuds-

man Program to help address the quality of care and quality of life experience by residents who reside in licensed long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, homes for the aged and adult foster care facilities. Om’budz’man is Swedish for “citizen representative.” It is the responsibility of an Ombudsman to protect the rights of individuals

by providing information, investigation and advocacy.

Local Ombudsmen work with indi-vidual residents to resolve problems and promote high-quality care. Local Ombudsmen are skilled in providing the following:

• Explaining residents’ rights, • Empowering residents to com-

municate their concerns individually or collectively,

• Assisting in the resolution of resident concerns,

• Promoting com-munity education and awareness regarding long-term care issues,

• Promoting the

use of best practices, and, • Seeking solutions to identified

problems within the long-term care system.

The Northeastern MI region has a full contingency of trained volunteer Ombudsmen visiting the 22 nurs-ing homes in the area. We are very fortunate to have many high-quality nursing homes in Northern Lower Michigan, and the Ombudsman pro-gram, along with the facilities, strive to continue that distinction.

If you would like to schedule a presentation on issues related to long-term care, or if you have a concern regarding the care of a resident, contact your Long-Term Care Ombudsman toll-free at 1-866-485-9393.

NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on AgingCovering 12 counties of northeast Michigan




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



Volunteer ombudsmen Protect Seniors’ Rights

Area Agency on Aging Region 9 Long-Term Care Ombudsman Dawn Jacobs presents Buck Gwizdala with the Volunteer Ombudsman Recognition Award.

UPCAP Services, Inc. is a multi-purpose organization that

administers many other programs in addition to serving as the Upper Pen-insula’s Area Agency on Aging. Several of these programs have proven to be of significant value to senior citizens within the region. One rather unlikely program that has shown its worth is the West-Central U.P. Regional Com-munity Corrections Program.

The Community Corrections Program was created to help reduce prison admissions and jail overcrowd-ing. It provides safe, alternative sentencing options to judges for non-violent offenders in our communities. These options allow the offender to

remain in the community while serv-ing his or her sentence, instead of being placed in jail or prison.

Community Work Crew Services is a central component of UPCAP’s Community Corrections Program. Local nonprofit organizations receive assistance with many different activi-ties through these work crews. Com-munity action agencies use the work crews to assist with commodity distribution, by having them sort and pack boxes and assist with loading and delivering the boxes to seniors. Senior centers may utilize work crews to provide snow removal for seniors. The crews also perform general lawn maintenance for some nonprofit

senior housing complexes. Since October 2006, West-Central U.P. work crews have contributed over 3,800 hours specifically to local senior citizens.

There is a profound impact not only on the seniors who receive the assistance, but also to the participants in the work crews. Many workers have indicated that they can really “see” the value of the work they are doing. This sense of accomplishment can go a long way towards making positive lifestyle changes.

For more information on this program, contact Becky McIntyre at 906-789-0511.

Upper Peninsula Area Agency on AgingServing all 15 counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula




Reg 4 / Reg IV AAA



Community Corrections Program Benefits local Senior Citizens


Transitioning to a caretaking role for aging parents and other loved ones

is perhaps one of life’s most difficult challenges. Complicating the scenario are the increased health concerns asso-ciated with an aging population. We find ourselves escorting loved ones to and from doctor visits and even to the hos-pital. A hospital is a place of healing, but it can also create confusion and anxiety when you don’t understand what will take place. Here are some tips on what to expect and what to have in place when taking a loved one to the hospital.

How can i help my Dad when he is facing a hospital admission?if the admission is not an emergency, you have the opportunity to prepare him for the experience. Talk with your father about going into the hospital, why it is necessary for him to be admitted and the goal of the admission. Let him express his feelings about the admission, and ask him if there is anything you can do to help with the process. Assure him that you will visit frequently and be involved in any decision-making that may arise out of the treatment.

If there is some dementia, be pre-pared to explain the process several times. He is not ignoring you or inten-tionally seeking attention; he simply

cannot remember what he has been told. Remain calm and reassuring.

Emergency admissions create a much more difficult situation, because there is not time to prepare the person emo-tionally. As soon as it becomes evident that he will need to be admitted, begin to talk with him about what to expect. Allow him to express his fears with you. Explain his situation to the nurses and tell them about his fears.

Why does my mother’s confusion become worse when she is admitted to the hospital, even though she is not as confused at home?a hospital admission for an elderly person can be a very upsetting and con-fusing experience. As people age, and especially if dementia is present, it becomes more and more difficult to adapt to unfamiliar settings and under-stand a busy and complicated environ-ment like the hospital. It is not unusual for the person to become confused and disorientated in an unfamiliar situation.

What information should i bring to the hospital?it is very helpful if you have an accurate medication list with names, dosages and what physician prescribed the medication. Be sure to include any herbal or vitamin supplements, as these can interact with certain medications. Also, a list of physicians and the diag-noses are very useful, especially if the parent has multiple issues that are being addressed by several specialists.

If your parent has behavioral issues as a result of dementia, it would be helpful to have a summary of the behaviors and how you intervene to manage them.

It may be helpful for your parent, if you bring along something familiar such as a family photo, favorite pillow or com-

forting quilt. That provides a reminder of home and family. Reassure the person that you will visit frequently and can be called on the phone. Be sure to post phone numbers of family members in a clear place and request that the nurses call if they have any questions.

What about decisions regarding life and death for my mother?be sure that your mother has a durable power of attorney for health care that clearly expresses the wishes of your mother in making decisions about resuscitation, life saving/extending mea-sures and who is to make these decisions if your mother is unable to make them herself. It is very helpful to have this conversation before a hospital visit. If your mother has been diagnosed with a dementia disorder, it is important to have these documents completed before the progression of the disease makes decision-making difficult or impossible. Preparing for a hospital admission is a good time to have that conversation with your mother.

If those documents have not been completed before the admission, the social work staff is able to provide the forms and assist with filling them out. This may be a difficult conversation to have with the mother that you love, but it can make the end-of-life decision pro-cess flow much more smoothly.

Marilyn sytsMa, l.M.s.W., served as a therapist at Holland Hospital Behavioral Health services for over 10 years. she recently began a new program providing behavioral health interven-tions to the inpatient services at alpena regional Medical Center.

ASKtheexpert Marilyn Sytsma, lMSW

Do you have a caregiving question?Write or email your question to our

“Expert” at: Jenny Jarvis, Area Agency

on Aging 1-B, 29100 Northwestern

Highway, Suite 400, Southfield, MI 48034;

[email protected]. We will make every

effort to answer your question in an

upcoming issue of Michigan Generations.

Fall 2007 15

Admitting Your Parent

to the Hospital


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For more information on becoming a sponsor of Michigan Generations, please call Jenny Jarvis at 248-262-9202 .

community health outreach coordinator at the medical cen-ter. “We typically bundle all our screenings in the fall, so we can offer a flu shot at the same time. That’s another enticement to get the seniors to come out.”

n Seniors as a group don’t get all the health screenings they should, but minorities tend to lag even further behind. “Far fewer African-Americans are up-to-date on screenings than their Caucasian counterparts, which means their diseases tend to be found in later stages,” says Dr. Robert Chapman, director of the Josephine Ford Can-cer Center in Detroit. “That leads to a terrible disparity in terms of survival rate.”

To try to lessen this disparity, the center is participat-ing in a study in which it will contact African-Americans through area churches, senior centers and senior resi-dences. The seniors who agree to participate will be divided randomly into two groups. One group, the “educa-tion group,” will be educated about the importance of health screenings and advised about available screenings in the area. This group will be contacted again after four years to assess the level of screenings they have had.

The other group, the “facilitated group,” will get the same education, but they’ll also receive regular follow-up. “We’ll set up a calendar for each of them and keep remind-ing them when they are due for which screening,” says

Chapman. “Then, after four years, we’ll monitor the difference between the groups.

“We’ve just been going about 10 months, but we’ve already diagnosed 10 new

patients with early cancer who would not have been diagnosed otherwise,” continues Chapman. “If we can make a difference in patients’ lives in diag-nosis and treatment in a way that is fiscally responsible — even beneficial

— we could literally make a change in the way Medicare, and then other

insurers, offer their benefits.”The goal behind all of these various

programs is the same — to get seniors to take advantage of available health screenings and immu-

nizations. “Seniors want to be healthy, to live long and to live well,” says the City of Detroit’s Meadows. “One of the best ways to achieve that is through regular health screenings.” MI

Screenings, continued from page 6


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