Published quarterly by Michigan’s Area Agencies on AgingPublished quarterly by Michigan’s Area Agencies on Aging

Also in This Issue: ■ The New Medicare

Prescription Drug Benefit■ A Look at AAAs

Around Michigan

BetterHealthA Path to

Also in This Issue: ■ The New Medicare

Prescription Drug Benefit■ A Look at AAAs

Around Michigan

S M A R T

Nutrition

GenerationsTMWinter 2004Michigan

2 Michigan Generations

WINTER 2004 Published quarterlythrough a cooperative effort ofMichigan’s Area Agencies on Aging.

For information contact:Jenny Jarvis248-262-9202jjarvis@aaa1b.com

Editorial Project Development:JAM Communications, Atlanta, GA

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

On the Cover:Healthy eating starts in the kitchen,where cooking includes lots of nutrient-packed fruits and vegetables.For more details on good nutrition,turn to page 4.

Photography by Anne Ledbetter.

GenerationsMichigan

Winter 2004, Volume 1, #3 © 2004 by theMichigan Area Agencies on Aging. The informationcontained herein has been obtained from sourcesbelieved to be reliable. However, the Michigan AreaAgencies on Aging and JAM Communications makeno warranty to the accuracy or reliability of thisinformation. No part of this publication may bereproduced or transmitted in any form or by anymeans without written permission. All rightsreserved.

Whether you are an older adult your-self, a caregiver or a friend concernedabout the well-being of an older adult,Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) areready to help. AAAs in communitiesacross the country serve as gateways tolocal resources, planning efforts, andservices that help older adults remainindependent.

AAAs were established under theOlder Americans Act in 1973 torespond to the needs of Americansaged 60 and over in every commu-nity. The services availablethrough AAA agencies fall intofive general categories: infor-mation and consultation, serv-ices available in the community, services in the home,housing, and elder rights. A wide range of programs isavailable 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 10 of this issue. MI

Welcome toMichiganGenerations

Michigan is

divided into

16 AAAs,

each serving

a different

part of the

state.

They are:11

10 9

7

5

1A

1C2

8

14

6

3B3A

3C4

1B

MAP

PHO

TOG

RAPH

YCO

URTE

SYTR

AVEL

MIC

HIG

AN

1A Detroit Area Agency on Aging

1B Area Agency on Aging 1-B

1C The Senior Alliance

2 Region 2 Area Agency on Aging

3A Kalamazoo Cty.Human Services Dept.Region 3A

3B Burnham-Brook Region IIIB Area Agency on Aging

3C Branch-St.Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIIC

4 Region IV Area Agency on Aging

5 Valley Area Agency on Aging

6 Tri-County Office on Aging

7 Region VII Area Agency on Aging

8 Area Agency on Aging ofWestern Michigan

9 NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging

10 Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan

11 Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging

14 Senior Resources of West Michigan

AAAs—Gateways to Community Resources

Winter 2004 3

CAREGIVINGNews&Notes

D I D Y O UK N O W

YOU CAN HAVE A MINI-

STROKE AND NOT

EVEN KNOW IT? The

symptoms of a mini-

stroke, also known as a

transient ischemic attack,

or TIA, last only a few

minutes. They’re also

milder than the symp-

toms of a full-blown

stroke, although similar

in nature. They include

numbness or weakness,

vision problems, confu-

sion, dizziness, or loss of

balance/ coordination. If

you experience any of

these symptoms — even

briefly — seek medical

help immediately.

Surfing the NetEach issue of Michigan Generations offers several websitesof interest to older adults and their caregivers … right atyour fingertips.

www.eldercare.gov links caregivers to the infor-mation and referral (I&R) services of their state andArea Agencies on Aging. These I&R programs can helpyou identify appropriate services in the area whereyou or your family member resides.

www.nmha.org is a comprehensive site for the National Mental Health Association, the largest U.S. nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mentalhealth and mental illness. It offers in-depth information, news and advice, fact sheets,resources and legislative updates.

www.hospice.net guides caregivers facing end-of-life situations including paincontrol, discussing loss with children, coping with grief and understanding Medicarehospice benefits.

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

Contrary to common belief, “old” and “tired”do not go hand in hand. Feeling exhausted

is not a normal part of aging! If you or yourcaregiving recipient feels fatigued for weeks onend, it could be a sign of an undiagnosed healthproblem. Make an appointment for an overallphysical exam. If your doctor has ruled out amajor medical cause of fatigue, the next thing tothink about is overall fitness.With aging, muscles

tend to lose bulk andstrength.Thus a person’sreservoir of stamina andenergy, in essence, is shal-lower, and he or she cantire more easily.

What to do? Bothstrengthening andendurance exercises willpush those reserveshigher. Follow these tips:

■ Exercise moderately every day.Walking, leglifts from a seated position and light handweights will build muscle strength andendurance.

■ Eat smaller amounts of food more often,and avoid large portions of fatty or starchyfoods.

■ Take time every day to relax.

FATIGUEFighting

Need Help Paying WinterUtilityBills?All Michigan seniors, regardless of

income, fall under the Michigan Pub-lic Service Commission’s “Winter Protec-tion Plan” that prevents utility shut-offsfrom December 1 through March 30. Thereare several resources available to olderadults who need continuing assistance withenergy bills after the Winter ProtectionPlan concludes. The following public andprivate organizations can help with infor-mation and assistance:

Your local Area Agency on Aging(Turn to pages 10–19 for AAA telephonenumbers)

Consumers Energy800-477-5050; www.consumersenergy.com

DTE Energy800-477-4747; www.dteenergy.com

SEMCO Energy Gas Company800-624-2019; www.semcoenergy.com

Michigan Public Service Commission800-292-9555; www.cis.state.mi.us/mpsc

Family Independence Agency800-292-5650; Energy Assistance Hotline

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund800-827-1000

THAW, 800-866-THAW(The Heat and Warmth Fund, a private non-profit agency serving 22 Michigan counties)

Scam AlertWatch out for a scam targeting seniors,

which has been popping up all over the

country. It involves an offer for “free scoot-

ers,” but, in reality, is a means to defraud

Medicare of your tax dollars. The scammers

may or may not actually provide a free

scooter, but they then charge Medicare for a

wheelchair — which is over twice the cost

of a scooter. They keep the difference, and

Medicare is out the money. If you suspect

that you have been the victim of Medicare

Fraud, call 1-800-275-3626.

A“If you have passed your 60th birthday,

sitting down for a big meal may not

hold the same appeal for you that it

once did. That’s because age can bring

a loss of both appetite and hunger.

4 Michigan Generations

ppetite is the psychological desire for food and hunger isthe physiological desire,” said Louise Whitney, RD, nutri-tion coordinator for the Michigan Office of Services to theAging in East Lansing. “Isolation, loss of loved ones anddepression can reduce your appetite. Chronic disease,medications and reduced activity and muscle mass canreduce hunger. So if you don’t feel hungry and you don’thave any interest in food, you may say, ‘Why eat?’”

Because you need to. Even though your desire forfood may have decreased, your need for many importantnutrients has increased, or at least stayed the same. Andyou’re not alone. Many seniors throughout the state —and the country — are malnourished. Not malnourishedas in at risk of starvation, but they are deficient in keynutrients. This deficiency can compromise the immunesystem, hamper mental abilities and keep the body fromperforming as well as possible.

So it’s important for seniors to pack as many nutrientsas possible into the calories that they do consume. Thatmeans a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy foods and lean meats.

Seniors at riskMany seniors find it difficult to follow that ideal diet.

Missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures can make eating freshfruits and vegetables troublesome. Lean meats may be outof the price range of some. And a jug of milk may be tooheavy to carry home from the grocery store for a seniorwho no longer drives.

Perhaps the No. 1 issue putting seniors at nutritionalrisk is chronic disease. Diseases can reduce yourappetite, make it difficult for you to eat or change theway your body absorbs food. “And when you’re looking atseniors, you’re looking at people who have multiplechronic diseases, from cardiovascular disease and hyper-tension to diabetes and cancer,” said Whitney.

The medications seniors take to combat these diseasescan have side effects, including decreased appetite, nausea,change in taste, dry mouth, constipation or interaction withthe foods they eat. Poverty can also sabotage good nutri-tion. As many as 40 percent of older Americans haveincomes of less than $6,000 a year. These seniors may notbe able to afford fresh fruits, vegetables and meats.

By Martha Nolan McKenzie

S M A R T

NutritionA Path to Better Health

A meal delivered to the door ensures good nutrition for this home-bound senior.

Social isolation and depression can also impact nutrition. “If you live alone and your spouse is no longer with you, youmay not have much interest in preparing, or even eating food,”said Karen Jackson, a registered dietitian and nutrition contractsmanager for the Area Agency on Aging 1-B in Southfield.“Brushing up on cooking skills for one or two, setting an attrac-tive table or inviting a guest for lunch can make a difference inone’s appetite.”

Changes in your body may also present nutritional chal-lenges. Decreased senses of taste and smell make foods lessappetizing. As you age, less muscle mass can mean lower hungerlevels. And changes in the digestive tract reduce the body’s abil-ity to absorb the nutrients from the food that is eaten.

“Senior nutrition is like a complex woven fabric,” said Whitney. “There are threads of social issues, chronic diseasesand physical changes all woven together to make nutritionalneeds even more complex than in the younger population.”

Nutritional needsAs a result of all these nutritional challenges, many seniors

fall short in getting enough of some key nutrients, including cal-cium, zinc, magnesium, vitamins A and D, and the B6 vitamins.Many also don’t consume enough fiber or drink enough water.The latter is so important that the modified food pyramid foradults over age 70 rests on a base of water.

“As you age, your sense of thirst decreases,” said Jackson.“And you may be having some problems with bladder control, sosome individuals may avoid drinking a lot of water. But seniorsneed water to keep themselves hydrated and to wash the med-ications they take out of their systems so they don’t build up.”

Seniors are advised to drink eight or more eight-ounce servings of water a day. Fruit and vegetable juice, soup and low-or non-fat milk can count as a serving.

FIBER IS AN IMPORTANT NUTRITIONAL COMPONENT forseniors, because it helps prevent constipation, diverticulosis anddiverticulitis. High-fiber diets can also help lower triglycerideand cholesterol levels and blood pressure, reduce fasting bloodsugar levels and increase satiety rate after eating a meal. Menover age 50 should consume 30 grams of fiber each day andwomen should get 21 grams. Good sources of fiber includewhole-wheat bread, legumes, brown rice, dried and fresh fruit,cooked vegetables, tomatoes, cabbage and high-fiber cereals.

CALCIUM KEEPS BONES AND TEETH STRONG and mayhelp regulate blood pressure. After age 50, the recommendeddaily consumption increases from 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams.That’s because as we age, our body’s ability to absorb calciumdeclines and our bones lose calcium more quickly. Good sourcesof calcium are dairy products including yogurt, canned salmon,green leafy vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fortified soyfoods and calcium-fortified orange juice.

VITAMIN D ALLOWS THE BODY TO ABSORB and metabo-lize calcium. Adults aged 51 through 70 should consume 400International Units (I.U.) daily, compared with 200 I.U. for theunder-50 population. Seniors over age 70 should get 600 I.U.daily. Need for vitamin D increases as our body’s ability to syn-thesize the nutrient from sunlight decreases, so about half of allseniors are vitamin D deficient, according to Jackson. Vitamin D

occurs naturally in salmon and sardines. It is fortified in yogurt,margarine, soy and cow’s milk and some cereals.

FOLATE, A B VITAMIN, HELPS GUARD AGAINST HEART

DISEASE and may also help brain function. Adults of all agesshould get 400 micrograms of folate daily. Since risk of heart disease increases with age, it is critical that seniors consume therecommended amount. Older adults commonly have a loweracid level in the stomach and may use prescription drugs thatraise the pH in the gastrointestinal tract. Both of these can con-tribute to reducing folate levels in the blood. Good sources offolate include legumes, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes andfruits such as oranges and cantaloupe. All flour and grain foodsproduced in the U.S. are fortified with folate.

VITAMIN B6 MAY HELP WITH BRAIN ACTIVITY, and it isessential for making antibodies as well as protein and fat metab-olism. Women over age 50 should consume 1.5 milligrams daily,1.7 milligrams for men. Good sources include baked potatoeswith skin, bananas, chicken, beef, liver, canned tuna and ham,grains, seeds, legumes and dried figs.

VITAMIN B12 PROMOTES MENTAL FUNCTION, balanceand muscular function. It may also help prevent heart disease.Adults of all ages should consume 2.4 milligrams daily. However,older adults may have trouble absorbing the vitamin, so seniorsshould take a B12 supplement or eat B12-fortified cereal andgrain products and animal foods rich in this vitamin.

“Seniors need to get a big bang for their nutritional buck, sothey need to eat a very nutrient-dense, high-quality diet with avariety of foods,” said Jackson. “When living with a chronic illness such as diabetes they especially need to work with a reg-istered dietitian and develop an eating plan they can stick with.”

Programs around the stateIn an effort to help ensure Michigan’s 1.6 million seniors

are meeting their nutritional needs, state and local agencies offermyriad programs. Last year, more than 117,000 Michigan seniorsparticipated in various congregate and home-delivered mealsprograms, according to the Office of Services to the Aging. Con-gregate meals in a senior center are a great solution for lonelydiners, and meals-on-wheels programs make sure frail, home-bound seniors get the food they need. In addition, educationalprograms throughout the state help increase awareness of sen-iors’ unique nutritional challenges. Here’s a look at some of theinnovative nutritional programs offered around the state:

■ Cindy Smagala recognized congregate meals at a seniorcenter are not appealing to all seniors. The meals are served at aspecific time — usually noon — and there’s not a lot of choiceon the menu. And some seniors feel it’s akin to a soup kitchen,even though there are no income requirements to participate.

Winter 2004 5

Programs around the state arereaching out to an increasinglyethnically diverse population.

So Smagala, the nutrition director for the St. Joseph CountyCommission on Aging in Three Rivers, began a partnershipbetween the AAA and local restaurants. Now seniors can buy acoupon for $2.50 and use it to buy a meal at one of 11 participat-ing restaurants. “They can go any time the restaurant is open andchoose from between five to 10 items,” said Smagala. “The mealsmeet the same nutritional requirements as the meals we prepareat the senior center, but there is more variety on a daily basis.”

The program has proven very popular, particularly amongyounger, active seniors. Last month alone, over 2,000 restaurantmeals were served through the program.

Sturgess residents Naomi and Fred Blanchard, aged 87 and91 respectively, enjoyed some of those meals. “We use thecoupons quite a lot,” said Naomi. “Yesterday we drove 23 milesjust to go to a Chinese restaurant with the coupon. We live on alimited budget, so we wouldn’t be going out to restaurants muchif we didn’t have these coupons.”

Several other AAAs around the state have rolled out similarrestaurant partnership programs.

■ Sally Klute, executive director of Senior Nutrition Ser-vices in Benton Harbor, realized some seniors were fallingthrough the cracks. They were seniors who needed home-deliv-ered meals for a short time, because they were recovering fromsurgery or an illness. “They didn’t qualify as a home-deliveredclient, but, for a week or two, they couldn’t get out of theirhomes,” said Klute.

So Klute started the SOS — Services of Short Term — program. Seniors can get up to four weeks of delivered mealswhile they recuperate without going through the assessment ofthe Meals on Wheels program.

Senior Nutrition Services also provides quick meals for thesenior on the go. “All the seniors who come to our centers canstay and eat, but some just come in, do a class and dash out,”said Klute. “So they can call ahead and order a cold box lunch

that they can take with them. It meets all the same nutritionalrequirements as our hot meal, but they can eat it on the run.”

■ In Farmington Hills, Diane Gaydek had a similar idea. Aspart of the city’s senior services, Gaydek wanted to attract themore active seniors to the center’s congregate dining program.So she introduced a “light and healthy” menu option. Three daysa week, the center offers a lower sodium, lower fat alternative toits regular meal. “Our noon meal is sort of heavy,” said Gaydek.“Pork chops, turkey and dressing are favorites for some. How-ever, those meals didn’t appeal to a lot of the active seniors whowere coming to the center to swim or take an exercise class. Ourlight and healthy menu includes entrée salads, soups and sand-wiches, and it has started attracting seniors who weren’t eatingwith us before.”

Programs around the state are reaching out to an ethnicallydiverse population. The food pyramid and other nutritionalinformation has been translated into Spanish, Arabic, Vietnameseand Chinese, among other languages. Congregate and home-delivered meals are being tailored to the tastes of different eth-nic groups. “Regardless of the color of our skin or our ethnicbackground, we all have the same nutritional needs,” said Whitney.

■ In Rochester, the Older Persons Commission caters to anAsian clientele as part of their community. Their central kitchenprepares meals that are served in six other senior centers anddelivered to homes throughout the area in addition to the dailymeal served in its own dining room. Having just opened a newand much larger facility early this year, it is going to add Asianfoods to its menu.

“We’re doing it not only for the Asian participants, but alsofor a variety of younger seniors who are coming in and who aremore exposed to foods from different cultures,” said MaryeMiller, director of the center.

■ In Grand Rapids, Gloria Zamarripa oversees what shebelieves to be the only kitchen cooking Hispanic meals fromscratch for seniors. The project supervisor of Latin AmericanServices, Zamarripa and her staff prepare meals that are servedin the senior center as well as delivered to about 40 Hispanicseniors in the area. “We make enchiladas, fajitas, Cuban foodand rice — if we don’t have rice every day they get upset,” saidZamarripa. “We use the seasonings that they grew up eating, likeadobo and sofrito. They don’t like to eat the same kind of mealsthat non-Hispanics do, and they wouldn’t eat as much if that’swhat we served them.”

Also, at the La Amistad senior center in Pontiac, authenticHispanic dishes are requested for the special activities at thecenter to draw the older Hispanic adult community and add tothe festivities planned.

■ In Oak Park, Andrea Asarch oversees the preparation anddelivery of 112 kosher meals daily. “We have a kosher kitchenand specially trained cooks,” said Asarch, the chairperson of theNational Council of Jewish Women, Kosher Meals on WheelsProgram. “We deliver a hot and cold meal every day, includinghomemade soup, and we also deliver kosher meals to an adultday care center.”

AAA 1-B’s Jackson hopes to see more programs like these.“One of the things we are trying to grow is our ability to meetnot just the nutritional requirements, but the cultural and reli-

Freshly-cooked ethnic dishes are served to Hispanic seniors by Latin AmericanServices in Grand Rapids.

6 Michigan Generations

gious needs that center around food,” she said. “Just a littlechange, like adding sofrito to flavor the rice can make a hugedifference to your Hispanic seniors. Offering non-pork options also means a lot to some of your Arabic and Jewish participantswho may otherwise avoid the protein portion of their meal.”

■ The food stamp program can help low-income seniorsafford the food they need to stay healthy, but only about 30 per-cent of eligible seniors participate. To try to boost enrollment,the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) has funded sixdemonstration projects around the country, including one inGenesee County. The Michigan model, called MiCAFE (Mich-gan’s Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly), helps withthe application process. Seniors can go to any of 12 sites aroundthe county, and trained volunteers, most of whom are seniorsthemselves, will interview them and fill out an online application.

“The computer also screens the senior for eligibility for othernutrition programs such as congregate meals and home-deliveredmeals, provides a personalized report with referrals and direc-tion to the programs, a nutritional screen and, if the senior is athigh nutritional risk, referrals to free counselors in their area,”said Candice Janiczek, project manager of MiCAFE in Lansing.

So far, MiCAFE has helped 500 seniors apply for food assis-tance. The average household benefit in the state is $60 amonth. “For many seniors, that can make a considerable differ-ence in their purchasing power at the grocery,” said Janiczek.

For more information on the MiCAFE program, seniors inGenesee County can call 1-877-6MI-CAFE.

■ For many older men, the kitchen is a place as foreign asTimbuktu. Yet, when their wives become ill and are unable tocook, men may have to take over the cooking if they want to eat.AAA 1-B’s Jackson hopes to make the transition a little easier forthem. She is promoting a Men Making Meals program, whichshe hopes to roll out in area senior centers early next year. Theprogram will cover kitchen essentials — from cook’s tools toreading recipe terminology and cooking methods.

“We’ll teach them the difference between pan fryingand poaching, how to handle foods safely, how to freezefoods and how to shop the perimeter of the grocery storeto buy the fresh products,” said Jackson. “By cooking,men can take more control over their nutrition well-being and their wallets.”

■ Getting general nutrition information out toarea seniors is one of Linda Eaton’s missions. Theinternship director of the Oakland County HealthDivision in Southfield trains dietetic interns tobecome registered dietitians. As part of theirtraining, the interns do nutritional presenta-tions at senior centers four times a year.“We do one on eating healthy when you’reeating out,” said Eaton. “Another talksabout how to evaluate labels on frozenand prepared foods and make thehealthiest choices.”

■ Meeting nutritional needs ina rural community can be particu-larly taxing. In addition to serv-ing congregate meals at three

senior centers, the Mecosta County Commission on Aging inMecosta delivers 150 meals to home-bound seniors each week-day. Some of the meal recipients live as far as 85 miles away.

“It’s very challenging to find ways to get meals to the mostisolated people,” said Claudia Lenon, meals program coordinatorfor the Commission. “We contract with a bus system to delivermeals to a lot of our rural areas, and we have a core of volun-teers who are unbelievable.”

Like most meals-on-wheels programs, the Mecosta Commis-sion delivers a hot lunch five days a week, along with a coldevening meal and frozen meals for the weekends. It also pro-vides liquid supplement meals for cancer patients or others whocannot eat solid food but are independent in their homes.

Though the programs are varied, they all share the same goal— to improve the nutritional health of seniors. “We want tomake sure people’s eating habits and choices change as theirneeds change,” said Jackson. “And we want to dispel the myththat diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure areinevitable parts of old age. With good nutrition, you can preventor delay such diseases and enjoy a better quality of life.” MI

Winter 2004 7

Calcium,Vitamin D & B12 Supplements

Fats, Oils & Sweets Use sparingly

Meat, Poultry, Fish, Dry Beans,Eggs & Nuts 2 servings

Milk, Yogurt & Cheese 3 servings

Vegetables 3 servings

Fruits 2 servings

Modified Food Pyramid forAdults Over Age 70

•

•

•

•

•

•

Bread, FortifiedCereal, Rice & Pasta 6 servings

•

Water 8 servings

•

8 Michigan Generations

OSA Maps Out

GUESTClose-Up

By 7:30 a.m., staff begins arriving at the brick building sixmiles west of the Capitol and heads toward cubicles onthe first floor. Vacant cubicles are reminders of retired col-

leagues whose jobs have been absorbed. Throughout the day,staff arrives from and departs to meetings, hearings and field visits. Staff members in need of a sugar boost visit the well-provisioned snack table, “nuke” a bag of popcorn or raid the‘fridge. The tapping of computer keyboards will continue past5:00 p.m.; much later if necessary. The daily routine is sprinkledwith monthly coffees, birthday parties and potlucks and punctu-ated by urgent discussions and quick decisions.

The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA) is asmall but significant unit of state government. With less than

30 staff members and an annual budget of roughly $90 million,OSA is the central resource for serving Michigan’s older popula-tion. Since 1965’s passage of the federal Older Americans Act,OSA has been the designated state unit on aging. The OlderAmericans Act provides just over half of OSA’s budget for serv-ices such as home-delivered meals and in-home assistance. Theremaining portion of the budget is state funds, either GeneralFund/General Purpose or restricted funding designated forrespite services. The majority of OSA funding is distributed tothe 16 area agencies on aging; other organizations receivesmaller amounts.

OSA’s budget provides funds for supportive services such ashome-delivered meals, community services, in-home services,adult day care and respite services. While we count service unitsand monitor program costs, we know that services are the meansto assisting an older person to remain at home. We contribute tothe older population’s well-being through the 16 area agencies,which are key components of the aging network.

OSA recently completed its multi-year state plan for agingservices for fiscal years 2004-2006. The plan is built on the fivecritical goals identified for Governor Granholm in early 2003.The goals identify a scope of activity considered central to OSA’smission:

1. Maintain or improve the health and nutritional status ofolder adults;

2. Improve access to information and services;3. Promote financial independence and safeguard the eco-

nomic security of vulnerable older adults;4. Protect Michigan seniors, especially those at risk from

abuse and exploitation;5. Extend the time older adults are able to remain in their

own homes.As the tenth director of OSA, I have been delighted with

many aspects of the job. First, I’m impressed by the hard workand dedication of the OSA staff. Next, I have visited each areaagency and am struck by both their variety and shared commit-

ment to older adults. My vis-its increased my appreciationfor the AAA’s tremendousimpact on Michigan’s olderpopulation. Finally, I’m grate-ful for the thoughtful discus-sion of difficult issues that

occurs among the state’s aging network. The Commission onServices to the Aging, its State Advisory Council, the Area Agencies on Aging directors, local service providers and ourmany other partners have contributed their perspectives on challenging issues such as housing, employment, transportation,long-term support services, chronic disease prevention, nutri-tion, guardianship, dementia and family caregiving.

As the leading edge of the baby boom generation arrives atthe aging network’s doorstep, we must nourish our networkwhile partnering with those who can bring new ideas to thornyproblems. OSA has never achieved great things on its own; it has

relied on the support of the aging net-work, service providers and most of all,older adults. Together, we can do greatthings. MI

SHARON GIRE is the director of theOffice of Services to the Aging (OSA). Formore information on programs and ser-vices available through OSA, please call517-373-8230 or visit www.miseniors.net.

FutureGoalsBy Sharon Gire

We must nourish our network while partnering withthose who can bring new ideas to thorny problems.

When will the new Medicare Pres-cription Drug Benefit be available?BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2006 allMedicare beneficiaries, older adults 65+,will be eligible for a prescription drug ben-efit under Medicare Part D. The benefitwill be available through at least one pri-vate plan and one enhanced Medicare +Choice Plan (HMO). In areas where thereare fewer than two plans, the federal government is required to administer cov-erage through traditional Medicare.

I currently have a Medigap policythat provides prescription drugcoverage. Will I be able tocontinue with this plan?NO MEDIGAP POLICIES PROVIDING DRUG

COVERAGE will be sold, issued or renewedafter January 1, 2006. This currentlyincludes plans H, I & J. Individuals withMedigap policies that provide a prescrip-tion benefit will be required to enroll forthe new Medicare Prescription Drug benefit under Medicare Part D to havecontinued coverage.

Is there a deductible on this planand do older adults have to payany monthly premiums?YES, THERE IS A DEDUCTIBLE on the newMedicare prescription drug benefit of $250

per year in 2006 which is indexed toincrease annually. Additionally, there is apremium of $35 per month, which is alsoindexed to increase annually.

Do I have to enroll for theMedicare Prescription Benefit?THE NEW PRESCRIPTION BENEFIT IS AN

OPTIONAL PROGRAM under Medicare. Ifyou wish to have this benefit you will needto enroll in the program. There will be aninitial enrollment period before the programlaunches in 2006. If a current Medicare ben-eficiary chooses not to enroll during the ini-tial enrollment period and enrolls at a laterdate, that beneficiary will pay a highermonthly premium. Also, if you are currentlyon Medicaid, you will be required to enrollin the Medicare drug benefit to continuereceiving prescription coverage.

How does the co-pay work whenpurchasing prescriptions and isthere any time when I may not havecoverage?EACH YEAR, AFTER MEETING THE DEDUCTIBLE

of $250, the Medicare benefit plan will payfor 75% of your drug costs from $251 to$2,250. The plan does not provide any cov-erage for prescription drug costs between$2,251 and $5,100. Once costs haveexceeded $5,100 you will pay the greaterof $2 for generics or $5 for brand names(this co-pay will increase annually) or 5%of the cost of each prescription.

Is there a subsidy for lowerincome older adults?YES, OLDER ADULTS WITH INCOMES lessthan $8,980* (or 100% of poverty level) willhave no deductible, or premium, and a co-pay of $1 for generics and $3 for namebrand drugs up to $2,250. When your drugcosts exceed $2,250 the co-pay will bewaived.

Older adults with incomes between 100to 135% of poverty, or $8,980 to $12,123*

who have assets no greater than $6,000 fora single person or $9,000 for a couple willhave no deductible or premium and a co-pay of $2 for generics and $5 for namebrand drugs up to $2,250, after which theco-pay is waived.

Lastly, individuals with incomesbetween 135 to 150% of poverty, or $12,123to $13,740* who have assets no greater than$10,000 for a single person or $20,000 fora couple will pay a sliding scale premium,a $50 annual deductible and a 15% copayup to $2,250. Once the cost exceeds $2,250the individual will pay the greater of $2 forgenerics and $5 for name brand drugs or5% of the cost of each prescription.

Will there be any interim coverage available between now andJanuary 2006?NEW MEDICARE-ENDORSED PRESCRIP-TION DRUG DISCOUNT CARDS will be avail-able to all Medicare beneficiaries beginningin April 2004. The annual cost for the cardwill be approximately $30 and savings areestimated between 10 and 15 percent. Forolder adults with incomes less than $12,123,who do not have Medicaid, the governmentwill pay the enrollment fee and deposit $600to their discount card account.

Who can I call if I have additionalquestions on the new MedicarePrescription Drug Benefit?ANY INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING OLDER

ADULTS AND FAMILY CAREGIVERS, whohave questions on the new program maycall the Medicare Medicaid Assistance Pro-gram at 1-800-803-7174 and speak with atrained counselor. There is no charge forthis program.

ASKtheExpert Louanne Bakk

Do you have acaregiving 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;

jjarvis@aaa1b.com.We will make every

effort to answer your question in an

upcoming issue of Michigan Generations.

Medicare’s New Prescription

Drug Benefit

* Income amounts are based on the FederalPoverty Levels for 2003.

LOUANNE BAKK Director of Access andBenefits for the Area Agency on Aging 1-B.

Winter 2004 9

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.

SPOTLIGHT ON…

11

10 9

7

5

1A1C

2

8

14

6

3B3A

3C4

1B

6 Tri-County Office on Aging

7 Region VII Area Agency on Aging

8 Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

9 NEMCSA Region 9 Area Agency on Aging

10 Area Agency onAging of NorthwestMichigan

11 Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging

14 Senior Resources of West Michigan

1A Detroit Area Agency on Aging

1B Area Agency on Aging 1-B

1C The Senior Alliance

2 Region 2 Area Agency on Aging

3A Kalamazoo Cty.Human Services Dept.Region 3A

3B Burnham-Brook Region IIIB

3C Branch-St.Joseph Area Agency on Aging IIIC

4 Region IV Area Agency on Aging

5 Valley AreaAgency on Aging

After many years ofresearch, debate and

fundraising, older adults inClinton, Eaton and Inghamcounties will benefit from thetechnology of the HOT SHOT.In February 2003,TCOA wasable to purchase this versatilevehicle.The modified truckchassis has hot, cold and drystorage compartments withthe capacity to hold 800meals.

The HOT SHOT makes two tripsdaily.The first delivers north to St.Johns and Ovid, and the other meal-delivery run stops in Mason, Onondaga

and Eaton Rapids. During long trans-port times, the truck keeps the temperature of the food constantand preserves the quality and tasteof the meal.

The HOT SHOT hashigher ground clearance and a wider wheelbase than most trucksor vans. According to the TCOAnutrition program director, the vehicle handles well in inclementweather conditions.

Another unique feature of the HOTSHOT is the ability to spotlight

major donors on the sidepanels — Delta Dental ofMichigan and the EydeCompany.TCOA also hastheir logo, address andwebsite on the sides and back of the truck,

which has increased our visibility inthe community.

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

Tri-County Office on AgingA consortium of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties and the cities of Lansing and East Lansing

Office on Aging’s Nutrition ProgramPurchases a HOT SHOT Truck

HOT SHOT delivers meals to Tri-County seniors.

10 Michigan Generations

Winter 2004 11

In an effort to combat inactivity inDetroit’s older adults, the Robert

Wood Johnson Foundation has awarded“Detroit Active for Life®”— a collabo-ration of the Detroit Area Agency onAging, the Greater Detroit Area HealthCouncil and Wayne State University’sCommunity Health Institutes — a four-year grant to help sedentary seniorsbecome physically fit.

Detroit Active for Life® is based ona behavioral change model developedby the Cooper Institute in Dallas andHuman Kinetics. Participants meetweekly in small groups for five monthsto develop the behavioral skillsneeded to build moderate to vigorousphysical activity into their daily lives.The program is a great way for inac-tive older adults to learn how tobecome physically fit through a struc-tured course conducted by trainedfacilitators.

The Detroit Active for Life® modelis unique because it employs the effortsof a network of churches, communitycenters and senior centers.This collab-oration enhances and expands the out-reach of Detroit Active for Life® byincluding organizations that have accessto seniors in a variety of settings.

“Detroit Active for Life® targetsadults aged 50 and older who are inac-tive and motivates them to indulge insome form of physical activity every-day,” says Paul Bridgewater, executivedirector of the Detroit Area Agency onAging. “Our participants have lostweight, improved their health and havecredited a better outlook on their livesand an overall sense of well-being tothese meetings.”

The Detroit Active for Life® projectwill coordinate and administer groupmeetings in four community locations inDetroit, led through Cass Community

Social Services, New Calvary BaptistChurch, Northwest NeighborhoodHealth Empowerment Center and Vir-ginia Park Citizens Services Corporation.

Physical activity is an essential partof a healthy lifestyle. Regular physicalactivity can stave off age-related ill-nesses and increase life spans.

Sadly, high incidences of chronic

disease are especially paramount inDetroit. Earlier this year, the DetroitArea Agency on Aging commissionedresearchers at Wayne State Universityto do comparison health studies onseniors living in metropolitan Detroit asopposed to seniors living throughoutthe rest of Michigan.

“The studies conducted by WayneState University have shown that adultsaged 60 and older in Detroit are dyingat a 48% higher rate than seniors living

elsewhere in the state,” says Bridge-water. “Adults between the ages of 50and 59 are dying at an even higher rateof 122% in Detroit.”

The Wayne State University studyalso found that seniors in Detroitreported higher frequencies of chronichealth conditions — such as diabetes,heart disease and hypertension.

“Moderate physical activity, alongwith proper nutrition, can help toreduce these high occurrences ofchronic illness,” says Bridgewater.“Keep-ing active is one of the most importantsteps older adults can take to preventthe loss of independence that oftenleads to living in a nursing home.”

For more information on Detroit Active for Life®, contact Shirley Williams at the Detroit Area Agency on Aging,313-446-4444.

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

Fitting Physical Activity into Everyday Life

The program is a great way for inactive older adults to learn how to become physically fit.

Detroit Active for Life® graduate speaks about how she has benefitted from the program.

The Area Agency on Aging1-B’s Out-of-Home

Respite Program is intended tolessen the burden on care-givers — people who provideat-home support for elderlyfamily members, friends andpersons with disabilities —who need to get away fromtheir caregiving duties for ashort time. The programallows caregivers to place theirloved ones in a reserved spaceat a local adult foster care homefor an arranged period of time.

“One of the most difficultchallenges facing any caregiver isarranging to be away from their lovedone for a length of time, whether it’sto take a brief vacation or attend afamily or business event,” says SandraReminga, executive director of theArea Agency on Aging 1-B. “Many care-givers had nowhere to turn until now.

Our program gives caregivers flexibilityto plan time away while knowing theirloved one is in good hands.”

The Out-of-Home Respite Programprovides safe, around-the-clock care ina homelike atmosphere for persons60 and older and for persons withdisabilities who need assistance withtwo or more daily activities. Care-

givers can reserve space inadvance and for up to twoweeks at a time. The pro-gram is made possiblethrough the AAA 1-B’s shareof funding from the federalOlder Americans’ Act —National Family CaregiverSupport Program.

Clients are asked to makea voluntary cost-sharing con-tribution. The amount of thevoluntary contribution isdetermined by the client’sincome and other factors.

Clients who can’t afford to pay willnot be turned away.

The Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) serves the residents of Livingston,Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair andWashtenaw counties. Reservations for theOut-of-Home Respite Program are first-come, first-served, and can be made bycalling the AAA 1-B at 1-800-852-7795.

Out-of-Home Respite ProgramGives Caregivers a Welcomed Break

Serving the counties of Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw

AreaAgencyon Aging 1-B

Through Community Care Services,the Area Agency on Aging 1-B

(AAA 1-B) provides access to servicesthat help older adults and personswith disabilities remain as independentas possible in their own homes. TheAAA 1-B services are funded throughmultiple sources, including the OlderAmericans Act, the Older MichiganiansAct,Tobacco Settlement dollars, clientcost sharing and grants. Programsavailable through Community CareServices include Care Management,In-Home Services, MI Choice Homeand Community-Based Waiver andRapid Response.

Referrals to Community Care

Services come from many sources:doctors, home care nurses and socialworkers, other service providers, fam-ily members and individuals them-selves. Once an individual is referred

to Community Care Services, and if heor she meets the eligibility require-ments, an AAA 1-B care managementteam — consisting of a nurse andsocial worker — visits the person intheir home, assesses the individual’s

needs and then establishes a plan ofcare. The care plan may include per-sonal care, homemaking, respite, med-ication set-up and other services.There is no fee; however, clients are

encouraged to share in the cost oftheir care for some of the availableprograms.

For more information, call the AreaAgency on Aging 1-B at 1-800-852-7795and ask for Community Care Services.

Community Care Services HelpsPersons with Disabilities

A care management team — consisting of a nurse and social worker — visits the person in their home, assesses theindividual’s needs, and then establishes a plan of care.

The beautiful interior at the Out-of-Home Respite location inFarmington Hills.

12 Michigan Generations

The Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP)helps older adults and their families learn about their

rights under different types of insurance, includingMedicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance and HMOs.Trained MMAP counselors assist clients by phone as wellas face-to-face in community settings such as churches,senior centersand hospitals.Last year, theAAA 1-B MMAPvolunteershelped 4,851individuals andsaved these ben-eficiaries thehighest regionaltotal in the state— $3.7 million.For more infor-mation or tospeak with acounselor, pleasecall the MMAP at1-800-803-7174.

Questions about Medicare?

Winter 2004 13

Help is a Phone Call Away

The Area Agency on Aging 1-B is thefirst resource for older adults, caregiversand persons with disabilities to call whenlooking to resolve problems or locate theresources they need to improve the qualityof their life.

When individuals call the toll-freeInformation and Assistance (I&A) service at1-800-852-7795, they speak with a certifiedInformation and Referral Specialist todetermine what their needs are and theservices and assistance available to addressthose needs. Once the needs are deter-

mined, thespecialistaccesses

the I&A database of over 2,000 communityagencies and mails the individual a com-plete listing of relevant services andproviders in their local community.

Call us. We can help.

1-800-852-7795

Caregivers receiving valuable Medicare information.

The Senior AllianceServing caregivers and seniors in the 34 communities of southern and western Wayne County

The Senior Alliance works hard tohelp seniors live independently. But

that’s only part of what we do. Part-nering with community organizationssuch as the Detroit Tigers, OlympiaEntertainment and the Detroit Pistons,we help create opportunities for olderadults to get out of the house too, andenjoy themselves for a day out withtheir friends and family.

This past season, The Senior Alliance,the Detroit Tigers and DTE Energy cre-ated the hugely successful Senior DaySeries: five afternoon baseball games,great seats, a soda and a snack, all pricedfor less than half the normal charge.These five games brought older fans backto the ballpark, some for the first time in

decades, and who could argue with theresults? On Senior Days the Tigers wonfour times and lost only once.

Olympia Entertainment has also part-nered with The Senior Alliance, offeringdiscounted tickets to seniors and theirfamilies for the very popular Radio CityChristmas Spectacular featuring the Rock-ettes. In addition to the Christmas Spec-tacular, Olympia Entertainment offersmany, many discounted programs to olderadults at the beautiful Fox Theater, JoeLouis Arena, Cobo Hall and the Palladium.

New this year, the Detroit Pistons aremaking the opportunity to cheer on thechampionship-bound Pistons a little eas-ier for their more experienced fans. Onfour Wednesday evening dates, older

adults, their friends andfamilies can attend a Pis-tons game at the Palace of Auburn Hillsfor a little bit more than half the regularprice — and buses bringing in seniors willbe allowed to park at the Palace for free!

“We try our best to serve all olderadults,” states The Senior Alliance Exec-utive Director Mike Simowski.“And it’svery important for everyone, not justseniors, to never let too many obstaclesget in the way of going out and havingfun with your friends and family.”

For more information on the DetroitTigers/DTE Energy Senior Days, contact Jordan Field at 313-471-2052. For moreinformation on Olympia Entertainment,contact Meg Worth at 313-471-3099. Andfor more information on the Detroit PistonsSenior Nights, contact Jaclyn Immel at 248-377-8286.

Cheer! Cheer! For the Home Team

The Region 2 Area Agency onAging is committed to exposing

late-life domestic violence and elderabuse. Older women who are victimsof domestic violence are among themany women who are abused everyeight seconds in the United States.Older women often have difficultyadmitting that domestic violence is aproblem, or even more surprisingly,that it is occurring. This populationwas socialized to marry “for betteror for worse,” with divorce a rareoption. Women often live in silencebecause the shame of being labeled“battered” is of great concern.

According to national data, elderabuse is primarily a “family problem,”with perpetrators most likely being

adult children (47%), spouses (19%)and grandchildren (9%). The mostcommon types of abuse are neglect(49%), emotional/psychological (36%),physical (25%) and financial/materialexploitation (30%).Those beingabused are the most vulnerable (48%of victims are only marginally able totake care of themselves), includingthose within long-term care facilities.Crimes committed by family membersand caretakers occur far more fre-quently than crimes perpetrated bystrangers yet are the least reportedand prosecuted. Only 21% are everreported to Adult Protective Servicesor police.

It has been said that you canmeasure the worth of a society by

how it treats its children and its eld-erly. The value placed on our mostvulnerable population reflects com-munity conscience and compassion.The Region 2 Area Agency on Aging is working with the other human service organizations and the commu-nities in Hillsdale, Jackson andLenawee counties to increase publicawareness and raise issues of elderabuse and late-life domestic violenceout of the shadows and into publicforums, meetings and homes.TheRegion 2 Area Agency on Aging facili-tates an elder abuse meeting everyother month, with participation fromall three counties.

Please call Ginny Wood-Bailey at 1-800-335-7881 for more information.

The Area Agency on Aging 3A provides funding for two adult day

programs, offering a stimulating andsafe environment for the person need-ing care while giving a much-neededbreak to the caregiver.These programsoffer transportation to and from thesite, which is especially helpful forworking caregivers.

Alliance Senior Day Services isdesigned to help individuals withdementia and/or physical frailty, as wellas some individuals with developmen-tal disabilities or difficult behaviors. Aninterdisciplinary team provides supportfor physical needs such as nursing orpersonal care, and for emotional and

behavioral needs,as well as social,therapeutic andrecreational activi-ties. Alliance islocated at 751Pleasant Avenue inKalamazoo.

CovenantSenior Day Program prima-rily serves olderadults withdementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.Staff and volunteers provide a day ofplanned activities that include exercise,music, crafts, outings,beauty shop, garden-ing opportunities andhealth monitoring.There are two

sites —one at St.MichaelLutheran Churchin Portage andthe other atHope Full Com-munity Centerin Richland.

Call the AAA3A for informa-tion about addi-

tional adult day programs, in-home respiteservices, support groups or the upcomingCaregiver Wellness Day.

Region 2 Area Agency on AgingServing Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee counties

Covering Kalamazoo County and its 24 municipalities

Domestic Violence Does Not Respect Age

Information and Assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . 269-373-5147Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-387-2146Covenant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269-324-3250

14 Michigan Generations

Staff and participants at an adult day program.

Kalamazoo Cty. Human Services Dept.Region3A

Taking a Break: Adult Day Programs

Doris, age 77, is the primary care-giver for her 82-year-old hus-

band, who has Parkinson’s disease. Shehelps him in and out of bed, assistswith his personal care, takes him tothe doctor and helps him get up offthe floor when he falls. When her hus-band chokes on his food, Doris isthere to assist him; and when he stopsbreathing at night, she is at his bedsideto wake him.

Doris is exhausted from her 24-hour-a-day caregiving responsibili-ties. Her back aches from helping her200-pound husband off the floor, andshe longs for a good night’s sleep.YetDoris is committed to keeping herhusband at home.

Last year Doris learned of theRegion IIIB Area Agency on Aging’s

respite program. Shearranged for short-term relief so shecould attend a highschool reunion. Shealso used the pro-gram to take afew days off torest. “Therespite hasbeen a bless-ing,” she says.“I would have fallen apart without it. Ifeel secure knowing it’s available, and I know my husband is in good hands.”

The Adult In-Home and Out-of-Home Respite Care Program providescare in the care recipient’s home by acontracted home health care agency orin a contracted and licensed adult day

carefacil-ity or nursinghome. There is nocharge for this serv-ice, but there is avoluntary cost sharebased on the carerecipient’s income.This respite careallows caregivers totake time off to runpersonal errands,go to a medical

appointment or have lunch with a friend.Having an occasional break can improvethe caregiver’s mental and physical well-being and provide renewed energy tocontinue caregiving duties.

For more information on the respiteprogram, call 269-966-8136 or visit ourwebsite at www.burnhambrook.com.

The Branch-St. Joseph Area Agencyon Aging has recently applied for

a $10,000 “Health Vision 2010” grantto provide community-based educationand health promotion projectsaddressing low vision in our planningand service area. The National EyeInstitute, the National Institute ofHealth and the Department of Healthand Human Services are making thesefunds available in an effort to reducevisual impairments and increase use ofvision rehabilitation services.

Community seminars will beoffered in Spring 2004 in bothBranch and St. Joseph counties. Localexperts and practitioners will make

presentations on topics including:

■ Diabetic retinopathy■ Glaucoma, macular degeneration

and other diseases of the eye■ Vision rehabilitation services■ Adaptive devices■ Community resourcesAlthough we have not yet heard if

our application is funded, we will offerthe seminars regardless! So, keep aneye out for information, dates andtimes for the seminar being offered inyour community!

For more information about servicesand providers, contact the Branch-St.Joseph Area Agency on Aging (IIIC) at517-279-9561 (dial extension 137) ortoll-free at 1-888-615-8009.You may alsovisit our website at www.bhsj.org.

Burnham Brook Region IIIBServing Barry and Calhoun counties in Southwest Michigan

Branch–St.JosephAreaAgencyonAging IIICServing a two-county area surrounding Sturgis, Three Rivers, Coldwater and Quincy

Respite Program for Caregivers

Winter 2004 15

Low-Vision Seminars Offered to Older Adults and Caregivers

Doris talks about the responsibilities of caregivingand the benefits of the Region IIIB’s respite programfor caregivers.

“To the world you may be oneperson, but to one person you

may be the world.”We all need to connect with others

for just a little help and advice fromtime to time.These are days of instantcommunication — e-mail, pagers, textmessaging, personal digital assistants,cell phones, fax machines and answer-ing machines.

The Region IV Area Agency onAging has started a program aimed atconnecting people using the oldfamiliar phone.This low-techapproach matches persons who maybe isolated or unable to get out witha “friend” who calls to check up onthem and chat.

Some of the subscribers (whoreceive calls at no cost) live alone.Others are alone for part of the dayand appreciate having someone call toprovide reassurance, support and con-versation. If a volunteer can’t reachsomeone, a friend or family member iscalled as designated by the subscriber.

The two-part training includeslearning about community programs,how to use good listening skills, howto handle an emergency situation andmore. People who want to volunteerbut can’t attend the training canreceive the information by viewing thetraining session on videotape at home.

If you wish to subscribe to the pro-gram, or know someone who could bene-fit from a regularly scheduled call, contactthe Senior Info-Line at 1-800-654-2810for more information.

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

Reaching Out by Telephone

Lu Billa talks with her telephone friend.

Everyone knows the cost of living isskyrocketing, especially for those

seniors on a fixed income.To providehelp with the spiraling cost of food, theState of Michigan has initiated theMiCAFE Program, which helps seniorsin Genesee County apply for foodassistance at designated Senior Centersusing on-line applications. Funding forthis program is provided by the UnitedStates Department of Agriculture, withadditional funding through Family Inde-pendence Agency, Michigan Departmentof Services to the Aging, CommunityFoundation of Greater Flint and theMichigan State Bar Foundation.

MiCAFE has several different components that make it a unique

program. Perhaps the most unique feature is the one-on-one assistance seniors receive throughout the

process of applying for benefits.Trained volunteers ask seniors thenecessary questions, enter the infor-

mation into a user-friendly computer program and help seniors organize thepaperwork that must accompany theapplication. These trained assistantswill also educate seniors on using thenew Bridge Card, which has replacedpaper food stamps. MiCAFE providesseniors with a personalized nutritionalrisk assessment, recommends congre-gate meal sites and offers home-delivered meal information, as well asno-cost nutrition counseling, ifneeded.

In its first year, the MiCAFE Program has helped 500 seniors, or400 households, apply for benefits,with over 70% qualifying for assistance.

For more information, please call 1-877-6MiCAFE (1-877-664-2233) orVAAA at 810-239-7671.

ValleyAreaAgencyonAgingServing Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee counties

16 Michigan Generations

Need Help with Food Costs? Try MiCAFE!

This program matches persons who may be isolatedor unable to get out with a“friend” who calls to checkup on them and chat.

Volunteer interviews MiCAFE applicant.

Anew education and supportgroup is being offered in West

Michigan for people who are newlydiagnosed with Alzheimer’s diseaseand their caregivers. “Until now, therehas been very little support for peo-ple who’ve just learned they have thisdevastating disease,” says Tom Czer-winski, director of the Area Agency onAging of Western Michigan (AAAWM).“The early stages of the disease areoften the hardest, when they knowsomething is wrong, and they’re strug-gling,” he adds.

The Early-Stage and Early-OnsetAlzheimer’s Support Group, funded bya grant from AAAWM with moneyfrom the National Family Caregiver

Support Program, runs for six weeks.Two different groups will be offered in2004. “The most important thing is toreach out to people early on in theprocess so they can know there’shope, understand their illness andknow they’re not alone,” says Dr.Suzann Ogland-Hand, Ph.D., a clinicalgeropsychologist and a co-leader ofthe group. “People are so grateful tohave a resource, a place to connectand not be frightened,” she adds.

Each support group is split intotwo sessions. The first hour is aneducational time for persons withthe disease and their caregivers.During the second hour, they split upfor separate meetings focusing on

emotional support.Over the course ofsix weeks, the group discusses med-ical issues, legal and financial plan-ning, coping, communication, difficultbehaviors and community resources.The final session includes a potluck,hobbies and sharing of stories, afterwhich participants are transitionedinto long-term support groups.“People with early-stage Alzheimer’sare just as functional and importantas others. They can write stories,be active in public policy and serve on boards of directors,” saysSue Kolean, program director for the Alzheimer’s Association ofNorth/West Michigan.

For more information, call the AreaAgency on Aging of Western Michigan at1-888-456-5664.

Have you ever had ques-tions about your

Medicare bill? Perhaps you hada denial or an invalid code.Maybe you had questionsabout supplemental Medigapinsurance, long-term careissues, Medicaid or the highcost of prescriptions? We canhelp. The statewide toll-freetelephone number, 1-800-803-7174, connects you to a volun-teer program called MMAP(Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Pro-gram). The program offers free one-on-one counseling to assist seniorsand disabled persons 18 years of ageand older through the maze of health

care forms, insurance and pharmaceu-tical discount programs.

In 2003, we served 1,000 peoplefor a total of 750 logged hours. Thiscreated savings of $1,006,280, an aver-

age of $1,000 per person.Region VII is grateful forthe attention our counselors dedicateto each individual’s situation. Coun-selors also provide important informa-tion to families and caregivers whooften handle financial and insurancequestions as well as the direct care fora family member.

This year, 27 new volunteers,many of them retirees, completedfour days of MMAP training. Thereare now 63 MMAP counselors withinRegion VII. All of our counties arelooking for persons interested inworking with us in this importantcommunity effort.

For further information, contact Region VII at 1615 South Euclid Avenue,Bay City, MI 48706, call us toll-free at 1-800-858-1637 or visit our web site atwww.region7aaa.org.

RegionVII Area Agency on AgingServing Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola counties

Area Agency on Agingof Western MichiganServing Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo and Osceola counties

Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Support Group

Winter 2004 17

Volunteers Guide Seniors and CaregiversThrough Health Care Channels

Stacey Lopez,MMAP counselor, assists Ken Hess withMedicare forms.

What is a long-term care ombuds-man? In the United States, a

long-term care ombudsman explainsthe long-term care system in under-standable terms and helps individualsadvocate for their needs and rights.Long-term care ombudsman servicesare confidential and free.

Ombudsmen:■ Advocate■ Educate■ Provide information ■ Give referralsThese services can empower long-

term care residents by assisting themin exercising their rights. Ombudsmenwill represent the residents’ interestsbefore governmental agencies. In addi-

tion, they will educate legislators andother policy makers about long-termcare issues. As advocates, they willbring residents to the forefront tovoice their con-cerns directly topublic officials onissues affectingtheir lives.

The ombuds-man program needs your help. We arelooking for volunteers to join our pro-gram.You can make a difference in thelives of Michigan seniors residing inlong-term care communities. Volun-teers are needed in all of our 12counties in Region 9. As a volunteer,you would serve as a resource by rou-

tinely visiting residents of a specific,licensed long-term care community.You would empower and assist resi-dents and families to resolve their

concerns on an individual or collectivebasis.You would promote dignity, therights of residents and cultural changewithin the long-term care community.

To learn more about this excitingopportunity or for more information,contact your local ombudsman at 1-866-485-9393 or 989-356-3474 ext. 230.

The Community Pharmacy Programis a community-based program

established in Spring 2003 to assistlow-income older adults who have noprescription insurance.The programhelps seniors obtain prescriptionsthrough the patient assistance pro-grams of major pharmaceuticalcompanies. Eligibility criteriainclude residency in Antrim,Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaskaor Leelanau counties.

The clinic has seen 88 clientsand helped with 351 prescrip-tions to date. This assistance

provided 782 months of medications at an average wholesale price of$55,410.62. Most prescriptions forwhich there is a program available areprovided free of charge.

The clinic is funded through a grantfrom the Grand Traverse Regional

Community Foundationand is a collaborativeeffort with the regional Commissionon Aging offices, the CommunityHealth Clinic, Munson Medical Center’sMEDs Program and the Area Agencyon Aging. Volunteer nurses and supportstaff, along with a pharmacist and phar-macy technician, provide service foreach clinic day.

The Community Pharmacy Programis open on Monday afternoons andThursday mornings. Eligibility screeningand scheduling are conducted throughthe county’s Commission on Agingoffices. The time between the appoint-ment and receiving medications rangesfrom two to eight weeks.

For more information, call your Commis-sion on Aging office or the Community Pharmacy Program Clinic at 231-935-0648.

NEMCSA Region9 Area Agencyon AgingCovering 12 counties of Northeast Michigan

AreaAgency on Aging of Northwest MichiganOffering information and funding senior services in the 10-county area of Northwest Lower Michigan

Community Pharmacy Program Offers Prescription Assistance

A client visits the clinic .

Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramAssists Residents and Families

18 Michigan Generations

A long-term care ombudsman explains thelong-term care system and helps individualsadvocate for their needs and rights.

Winter 2004 19

On September 18, 2003, theUpper Peninsula Area Agency on

Aging, along with co-sponsor OSF St.Francis Hospital, hosted the 35thannual Upper Peninsula Senior Citi-zen’s Convention and Expo.The themeof this year’s convention was “Cele-brating the Golden Years.”

770 seniors from across the UpperPeninsula made their way to Escanabato participate in a wide variety of activi-ties, including informational exhibitsfrom over 35 vendors, health-relatedscreenings, glamour shots, bingo withcash prizes, a silent auction and a 50/50raffle.This year’s convention alsooffered antique appraisals.

Marquette General Hospital offereda free “Stroke Awareness Screening”

throughout the day.The Upper Penin-sula Diabetes Outreach Network(UPDON) also provided free kidneyscreenings for seniors with diabetes orhigh blood pressure.

The keynotespeaker was SharonGire, director of theMichigan Office of Ser-vices to the Aging. Ms.Gire focused on theimportance of volun-teerism, particularly inlight of current budget realities, notingthat seniors helping seniors will makelimited state and federal resources gofurther.

Dr. Ronald Bissett from OSF St. Fran-cis Hospital spoke about the potential

problems and interactionsof prescription medications.

The third speaker was Gary Lark,Escanaba Public Safety Officer, whotalked about abuse and the use of pre-scription medications within the com-munity, noting that sometimes seniors

make easy targets for people in searchof drugs.

For further information, contact the Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging at 906-786-4701 or toll-free at 1-800-338-7227.

Vulnerable adults are wellserved in Muskegon,

Oceana and Ottawa countiesby the Tri-County ProtectionTeam. This team, which wasinitiated by the Family Inde-pendence Agency (FIA),Western Michigan Legal Services, Senior Resourcesand the prosecuting attor-ney’s office of each county,works to serve the adultpopulation in the areas of abuse, neg-lect and financial exploitation.

The group began as a way toimprove how cases of adult neglectand abuse were handled. The AdultProtective Services staff had been dis-

couraged when investigating cases andfelt that the area police departmentsand prosecuting attorneys did notunderstand the seriousness of theadult abuse. Now the team has grownto include Michigan State Police, localpolice departments and other busi-

nesses and agencies thatare concerned with thewelfare of the disabled and frail elders.

During the three years of its exis-tence, the team has hosted a numberof trainings for police departments,agency personnel, home health aides,bank employees and senior citizens.Topics have included the VulnerableAdult Act of 1994, the FinancialExploitation Law of 2000 and How toRecognize Abuse and Neglect.

The Tri-County Protection Team’sefforts have resulted in the creation ofthe Vulnerable Victims’ Unit within theMuskegon County Prosecutor’s Office— a unit that is exclusively dedicatedto victims, regardless of age.

For further information, contact Senior Resources of West Michigan at231-739-5858 or 1-800-442-0054.

Upper Peninsula Area Agencyon AgingServing all 15 counties of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Senior Resourcesof West MichiganLocated on the shores of Lake Michigan, serving the three counties of Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa

AAA Hosts Senior Convention

Attendees at a mini-conference learn about financialexploitation.

Upper Peninsula Senior Citizen’s Convention.

Tri-County Protection Team

Gentiva Health ServicesServing clients in Lansing, Jackson, Flint,Saginaw, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegonand Southfield. Call today to set up your

personalized homecare services. 1-800-322-7111.

Health & Home Services Unlimited, Inc.Care, companionship and peace of mind. In-home or wherever your residence may be!

We specialize in meeting your needs — from personal care to home maintenance. Insured and bonded. 1-800-314-8718.

Visiting PhysiciansProviding compassionate, high quality medical care in thehome. We serve communities across Michigan, Ohio, Chicago, Atlanta and Milwaukee. Services are covered by

Medicare and most other insurances. Call 1-877-HOUSE-CALL or visitwww.visitingphysicians.com.

Whirlpool CorporationWhirlpool Corp., the global leader in home appliances,proudly serves and sponsors agencies that help people livetheir lives to the fullest.

DetermineYour NutritionalHealthThe warning signs of poornutritional health areoften overlooked. Usethis checklist to find outif you or someone youknow is at nutritional risk.

Read the statements to the right. Circle thenumber in the “yes” column for those thatapply to you or someoneyou know. For each “yes”answer, score the numberin the box. Total yournutritional score.

Total your NutritionalScore. If it’s:0–2 Good! Recheck your nutritional score in 6 months.

3–5 You are at moderatenutritional risk. See what canbe done to improve your eatinghabits and lifestyle. Your officeon aging, senior nutrition pro-gram, senior citizens center orhealth department can help.Recheck your nutritional scorein 3 months.

6 or more You are at highnutritional risk. Bring thischecklist the next time you seeyour doctor, dietician or otherqualified health or social serviceprofessional. Talk with themabout any problems you mayhave. Ask for help to improveyour nutritional health.

SPONSORS

YES

I have an illness or condition that made me change 2the kind and/or amount of food I eat.

I eat fewer than 2 meals per day. 3

I eat few fruits or vegetables or milk products. 2

I have 3 or more drinks of beer, liquor or wine 2almost every day.

I have tooth or mouth problems that make it 2hard for me to eat.

I don’t always have enough money to buy the 4food I need.

I eat alone most of the time 1

I take 3 or more different prescribed or 1over-the-counter drugs a day.

Without wanting to, I have lost or gained 10 pounds 2in the last six months.

I am not always physically able to shop, cook and/or 2feed myself.

TOTAL

Thanks to these companies and organizations for their generous support. For more information on becoming a sponsor of Michigan Generations please call Jenny Jarvis at 248-262-9202 .