Resources for Younger Caregivers
When we think of the word “caregiver,” we tend to picture a middle-aged woman caring for her parents or an older woman caring for her spouse. Unfortunately, this bias shows … Continued
Blog
What are your rights if you’re a victim of a crime?
Beginning in 1981, the US Department of Justice’ Office for Victims of Crime has designated a week each April as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week to bring awareness to barriers that victims … Continued
Spotlight: Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP)
April is National Volunteer Month! Recently we spoke with Kandy Lazell, Program Director for the RSVP program at Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County. The RSVP program helps volunteers find meaning through service throughout the county. Ahead of … Continued
Spotlight: Edward Jones
April is Financial Literacy Month! Recently we talked with Angie Leaser, Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Milan. Edward Jones offers individuals, families and businesses assistance with creating personalized wealth building and protection strategies regardless … Continued
Spotlight: Detroit Area Vaccine Hunters
The Covid 19 pandemic has stretched past the one-year mark and there’s been a lot of talk lately about vaccines. Who qualifies for a covid 19 vaccine? How do you … Continued
Food Resources and COVID19
March is National Nutrition Month! Washtenaw County is home to a wide variety of food programs to help fill in the gaps in our diets. Below is just a partial … Continued
Spotlight: Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels
March is National Nutrition Month! We’ve covered food pantries and other food-related resources on the blog before, but what if you’re an older adult who cannot leave your home or have access … Continued
Don’t hit snooze on these sleep facts
March is Sleep Awareness Month! We’ve talked about sleep before on the blog. There are some serious misconceptions about sleeping and aging, which is what we’ll take a look at … Continued
What’s a social worker? How can they help?
“Social worker” is probably a term you’ve heard thrown around. You may have heard of a social worker that helps you find resources or performs therapy. You might even work with a … Continued
2021 Tax Resources for Seniors
It’s that time of year again…tax season! Taxes can be complicated in a good year, but how do you even begin to start your taxes during a pandemic where usual … Continued
Furry Friends for Older Adults
National Golden Retriever Day. National Love Your Pet Day. National Walking the Dog Day. International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. These are just some of the official and unofficial pet-related holidays in February. We … Continued
Spotlight: Jewish Family Services
February 19 is National Caregivers Day! Today on the blog we speak with Roberta Hirshon of Jewish Family Services (JFS). A staple in the community for decades, JFS provides assistance across the lifespan, including their newly … Continued
Exploring the DASH Diet
February is American Heart Month! It’s tempting to focus on the chocolate hearts that are filling grocery shelves, but today on the blog we’re going to look at heart health. Eating a … Continued
Saving Money in the New Year
Caregiving can be expensive, so can aging. We’ve all been told to save for retirement, but lots of little unexpected costs can pop up. Research shows that 45.9% of households spent more … Continued
Staying Active During Winter (with bonus Covid tips!)
Today on the blog we’re taking a look at another of the most common new year’s resolutions: being more active/exercising more. We’ve all heard that staying active has a lot of … Continued
Stalking and Aging
January is National Stalking Awareness Month. Like with abuse, it’s crucial to discuss stalking and how to protect our community’s most vulnerable residents. What is stalking? The Stalking Prevention, Awareness, … Continued
How to get everything together in the new year
Happy new year! Did you make any resolutions? The new year means a fresh start, so a common resolution is to get organized, whether at home, at work, or at school. Today … Continued
The 12 Scams of Christmas
The holidays are upon us! This means lots of cooking, cleaning, and preparing for time with loved ones. Unfortunately, it also means that scammers are preparing for a big payday while … Continued
Spotlight: HomeWatch Caregivers (Part 2)
The Washtenaw County Elder Justice Coalition is a group of health and social service practitioners and community members working to acknowledge and prevent elder abuse in Washtenaw County through awareness, … Continued
Home Repair Programs Primer
Colder weather means a lot for Michiganians- the beginning of the holiday season, winterizing cars and homes, and switching out lighter clothes for cozy winter favorites. The colder weather can also … Continued
Spotlight: HomeWatch Caregivers
The Washtenaw County Elder Justice Coalition is a group of health and social service practitioners and community members working to acknowledge and prevent elder abuse in Washtenaw County through awareness, … Continued
How to have a virtual Thanksgiving
Holidays are a time to gather with family, but this year the holidays will look different. With Covid cases on the rise in Michigan, Governor Whitmer urged Michiganders to rethink … Continued
Spotlight: Huron Valley PACE
We’re going to be closing out National Family Caregivers Month with interviews and information about adult day care programs in Washtenaw County. Recently we spoke with Tina Berry of Huron Valley … Continued
Spotlight: Silver Club
We’re going to be closing out National Family Caregivers Month with interviews and information about adult day care programs in Washtenaw County. Recently we spoke with Shannon Etcheverry of Silver Club. A … Continued
A sandwich no one ordered
You’ve probably heard the term “sandwich generation” (it was even added to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary). Basically, it refers to someone who is “sandwiched” between taking care of their aging parents while also taking care … Continued
In a Nursing Home? Know Your Rights!
October is Resident Right Month. Older adults deserve dignity as they age. The 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law ensured this by requiring nursing homes to “promote and protect the rights … Continued
Aging and Mental Health
October is Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. Older adults tend to be shown in pop culture as being sad because they feel isolated or are suffering with loss. It’s important … Continued
Staying Safe Online
October is both Crime Prevention Month and Cyber Security Month! Today on the blog we’re going to share tips for navigating the internet safely. The internet brings us new and different … Continued
Older Adult Resources for Vegetarians
October 1st is World Vegetarian Day! In honor of this holiday, we rounded up the congregate meal and senior living facilities that are vegetarian-friendly. Some agencies have temporarily suspended their … Continued
Do you plan on retiring?
According to a recent article by the Associated Press, 23% of Americans (nearly 1 in 4 people) plan on never retiring, mainly for financial reasons. In a survey of retired persons, 38% rated … Continued
Fall Prevention
It’s officially fall in Michigan! Did you know that the first day of autumn/fall is also falls prevention day? 1 in 4 people age 65+ in America fall each year, which can result … Continued
Spotlight: Hoarding Task Force of Washtenaw County
Disclaimer: The Hoarding Task Force receives referrals from community agencies and first responders. Please note that the phone is not answered immediately, instead callers are prompted to leave a voicemail. The Hoarding Task … Continued
Is Grandparents Day just another Hallmark holiday?
National Grandparents day is the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year it falls on Sunday, September 13. Who invented this holiday? Grandparents Day was created by Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade. … Continued
How can you help older adults during Coronavirus?
Coronavirus and social distancing are hard on everyone, but can be especially difficult for older adults who find themselves isolated from their families and community. National Public Radio tackles this … Continued
Caregiving and the workplace
Did you know that only five states offer paid family leave? What does this mean for the roughly 1 in 6 caregivers that are still in the workforce? Oftentimes caregivers can feel like they’re between … Continued
Senior Centers in the Time of Coronavirus
Coronavirus has changed nearly every aspect of our lives. Despite the unique challenges of the past six months, senior centers in Washtenaw County continue to do their best to serve older … Continued
Older Adults in the Media
What comes to mind when you hear the word older adult? Is it an active person playing basketball or teaching a grandchild how to ride a bike? Or is it someone … Continued
Thrift Shops
This post was scheduled before the Covid 19 outbreak. Call head to your local thrift shop before visiting or donating. August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day! When you think of thrift shops you probably … Continued
Spotlight: Adult Protective Services
The Washtenaw County Elder Justice Coalition is a group of health and social service practitioners and community members working to acknowledge and prevent elder abuse in Washtenaw County through awareness, … Continued
More than Glasses: Protecting our Eyes as we Age
August is national eye exam month! When thinking about protecting our bodies from signs of aging, how many of us remember to think about our eyes? Do we take steps to … Continued
The 2020 Election: A Guide
This year’s election is looking a little different than in years past. How do you cast your vote when you’re worried about Coronavirus? Are you registered to vote? Michigan residents … Continued
Spotlight: Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP)
Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSW) is home to a wide variety of programs serving young children to older adults and everyone in between. We’ll be interviewing representatives from different CSSW programs help our … Continued
Avoiding Scams: Covid19 Edition
Unfortunately, scammers aren’t above using any situation to their advantage- including a pandemic. Below is a run through of various scams to be aware of. The Vaccine/Cure/Test Scam Scammers are taking advantage … Continued
What the heck is hospice?
Last week on the blog we discussed ways to age in place without having to leave your home. Today we’re going to talk about hospice and how it allows you … Continued
What does it mean to Age in Place?
If you had the choice between living alone at home or with other people in senior housing, what would you choose? According to the AARP’s 2018 Home and Community Preferences … Continued
The Happiness Curve
You’re probably aware of the stereotypes of older adults. Popular culture loves to depict older adults as lonely, depressed, and isolated. But is that really the truth? Recent studies show … Continued
Special Post: Cooling Centers
Washtenaw County announced that cooling centers will open starting today (July 7) through Friday (July 10). Both locations are open 9-5am and will have water and masks available. Social distancing … Continued
The Elusive (?) Male Caregiver
When you think of a caregiver, you probably think of a middle-aged woman. 70-80% of older adults are cared for by a family member. 57-81% of those family members are female. Female caregivers may outnumber … Continued
Elder Abuse
June is both national safety month and national elder abuse awareness month. June 15 is also World Elder Abuse Day. The term “safety” might make us think about fall prevention and medication risks, … Continued
Spotlight: SafeHouse Center
Recently we spoke with Amy Merkle, Sexual Assault Services Coordinator at SafeHouse Center. SafeHouse works to provide safety, support, advocacy and resources for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and their children, while also … Continued
Resources for LGBTQ+ Seniors
Older adults face a number of unique challenges; unfortunately, these challenges are heightened for older adults that identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer). While … Continued
Staying Active During Quarantine
Coronavirus and quarantine have changed what our everyday lives and routines look like. One effect of quarantine is that Americans are becoming more sedentary. As we’ve mentioned on the blog before, physical … Continued
Can you hear me now? Protecting our hearing as we age
Today is National Senior Health and Fitness Day and Sunday is Save Your Hearing Day, so it’s the perfect time to talk about protecting our hearing. According to the National … Continued
Is it Dementia…or something else?
If you were a doctor and an older adult came to your office because they were confused, forgetful, and unable to focus, what would your first step be? It probably … Continued
Caregivers- Know Your Rights!
May 1 is Law Day, a holiday to reflect on the important role that laws play in our society. Did you know that there are some laws created specifically to … Continued
Online Grocery Ordering 101
A number of grocery stores have released special shopping hours for older adults and those at high risk of contracting Covid-19, but what if you still can’t leave your home or … Continued
Financial Literacy as we Age
April is Financial Literacy Month. How does the way we handle money change as we age? According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), more than 25 million older adults … Continued
Spotlight: Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
April 19-15 is National Volunteer Week! Recently we spoke with Andrea Traskos of Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSW). Andrea is the Program Director for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program … Continued
Keeping in Touch while social distancing
It can be hard to remember a time before we knew the term “social distancing.” With Covid-19 still a concern, how do we keep in touch with loved ones while … Continued
Caregiving & Stress
It goes without saying that caregiving can be stressful (we’ve even covered self-care tips and avoiding fatigue on the blog before). Aging in general can also be stressful. But how … Continued
Overall Older Adults Feel Positive about their Health
What comes to mind when you think of older adults and health? Is it a laundry list of health concerns? We tend to think of older adults as victims of their … Continued
Shades of Beige: Why are products for older adults so ugly?
We’re at the beginning of an interesting shift in technology. For years now technology has been coming down in cost, working to make day to day life easier, and becoming … Continued
COVID-19: Organizations Accepting Donations
With everything that’s going on, it’s easy to feel hopeless. To help with that Ahead of the Curve has compiled a list of organizations that are accepting donations of materials, … Continued
COVID-19: Resources for Older Adults
With Coronavirus, it can seem like each day means more services closing for the near future. Below are resources for seniors and caregivers that are still available in some capacity. … Continued
What’s on your plate?
March is National Nutrition Month! Did you know that hunger affects 13.6% of Washtenaw County residents? Malnutrition, or not getting enough food or nutrients, is a big problem facing older … Continued
Important Announcement from Ahead of the Curve
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan issued a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” executive order to combat the spread of COVID-19 that takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. … Continued
Spotlight: Housing Bureau for Seniors
The Washtenaw County Elder Justice Coalition is a group of health and social service practitioners and community members working to acknowledge and prevent elder abuse in Washtenaw County through awareness, … Continued
Special Blog Post: Coronavirus and You
You may have heard of Coronavirus or Covid19 as it is spreading throughout Michigan and the United States. You may have also heard that older adults are at higher risk … Continued
Sleeping as We Age
Why is sleep important? Sleep is when the body repairs itself. The processes that our bodies go through when we sleep have been shown to affect mood, energy, memory, brain … Continued
Thank a Caregiver
Yesterday was Caregiver Appreciation Day- It’s never too late to thank the caregivers in your life!
Heart Health 101
Happy February! In addition to being the month of Valentine’s Day, February is also American Heart Month. Today on the blog we’re going to share some tips to maintain a … Continued
SallyGeorge Wright: Not in Our Town
Washtenaw County is home to more than 45,000 adults age 65 and over. Despite the high number of older adults in the county, there are few outlets for them to … Continued
Valentine’s Day Scams: Don’t Get Your Heart Broken!
Scammers never take a break. Believe it or not, we need to be aware of scams all year round- especially around the holidays. Valentine’s Day is a popular day for … Continued
Preventing Identity Theft
January 28 is Data Privacy Day. Unfortunately scammers love to prey on older adults and each year there are multiple scams to be on the lookout for. Celebrate Data Privacy … Continued
What does a caregiver look like?
When we think of caregivers usually, we picture a woman in her 50s or 60s caring for a parent. In reality, caregiving happens across the lifetime. A 2018 study found … Continued
What’s a long-distance caregiver to do?
You love your family member and want to support them as they grow older…but you live in a different state- now what? The National Institute on Aging defines long-distance caregiving … Continued
Feeling lonely? You’re not alone
Loneliness isn’t something that only affect older adults. With new technology and people living further apart, it can be easy to feel lonely. But it’s something to keep an eye … Continued
Happy New Year from Ahead of the Curve!
Wishing you a bright and happy new year!
Happy Holidays from Ahead of the Curve!
Happy holidays!
Take a break with our Caring Crossword
December 21 is National Crossword Day. Celebrate (and test your knowledge) with a special Ahead of the Curve crossword! To download the crossword and answers: Click on “download” button or … Continued
Grieving during the holiday season
Grief is universal and can be especially difficult during the holiday season. GrieveWell is a non-profit organization that envisions a community in which individuals grieve well so that they can … Continued
Think your traveling days are over? Think again!
Traveling is often an amazing experience that can broaden you as a person or just provide some much-needed rest and relaxation. But what can you do when you want to … Continued
Winter Weather Warnings
It’s that time of year… the days are getting shorter and grayer. It’s getting darker earlier and earlier and people choose to hibernate instead of going out. Winter can be … Continued
Family Caregivers Month: Rob Lowe
This month on the blog we’ve been focusing on stories from famous family caregivers in honor of Family Caregivers Month. We’re closing out the month with a video from actor … Continued
Family Caregivers Month: Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey and his siblings have famously stepped in to care for their mother when she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. My mom, Amanda, is a seven-time ovarian-cancer survivor. One … Continued
Family Caregivers Month: Sean Hayes
This month on the blog we’ll be focusing on stories from famous family caregivers. Lots of people find themselves acting as a caregiver- even celebrities! Today we’re sharing a touching … Continued
Happy Family Caregivers Month!
November is National Family Caregivers Month! This month on the blog we’ll be focusing on stories from famous family caregivers. Lots of people find themselves acting as a caregiver- even … Continued
You might be a caregiver if…
Do you care for a loved one full time and live with them? Do you hire a nurse to stay with your loved one and visit periodically? Do you live … Continued
Technology that adapts to you and your loved one
We’re living in an increasingly digital world. It seems like every few years there’s a new technological device or service that we soon can’t live without (remember life before Netflix?). … Continued
Busting Scams
October is National Crime Prevention Month. We all know that scammers exist and like to prey on older adults. What you may not realize is that scams are constantly evolving … Continued
Caregiving: Where to Start?
Caregiving can easily feel overwhelming, especially when you’re starting out. A quick web search shows results for various guides, websites, and articles spread throughout the internet. Luckily, Home Instead Senior … Continued
Avoiding Compassion Fatigue
We’ve talked on the blog before about the importance of self-care for the caregiver. Today we’re going to focus on why self-care is so important: preventing caregiver burnout and compassion … Continued
Do Hospitals Do Enough to Prevent Falls?
The start of fall can mean a lot of different things- crunchy leaves, scarves, and more pumpkin-flavored things than you can imagine. The first day of fall is also Falls … Continued
What are your options if you can’t live alone?
You or a loved one may have had trouble recently with self-care. Maybe it was a fall or forgetting to take medication. Either way it’s becoming to be clear- you … Continued
Check out our online training
Are you Ahead of the Curve? Take our short training any time to learn more about ways to support older adults in your family or community. You’ll learn to identify when someone might need more help and which resources are available for support.
Explore the Washtenaw County Senior Resource Directory
Our easy to use and regularly updated resource directory is a one-stop guide to older adult services in Washtenaw County.
