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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 know that isolation can be a significant issue for older adults, especially now when face-to-face interactions are still limited. This begs the question, could a pet help? … Continued
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 expanded older adult program WISE. Ahead of the Curve: If you had to give an “elevator speech” about what your organization does, how would you … Continued
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 healthy diet is a very common new years resolution, but you can adopt a healthier diet any time during the year! (looking for articles on … Continued
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 in their first two years of retirement than they spent before retiring. Today on the blog we’re finishing January with a discussion about one of the … Continued
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 positive benefits ranging from strengthening muscles, preventing falls, and even reducing the odds of contacting certain diseases, but it can be hard to do when it’s colder outside and … Continued
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, & Resource Center (SPARC) defines stalking as “a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.” Stalking is a … Continued
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 on the blog we’ll discuss the steps caregivers can take to be better organized in the new year and have their loved one’s information in … Continued
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 everyone’s shopping online. Below are some popular scams to watch out for: Pop Up Stores- Some of these are legitimate but be wary of stores offering the “it” toy … Continued
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, education, advocacy, and enhanced partnerships. Recently we spoke with Breanne Stuaart, President/CEO of Homewatch CareGivers. Homewatch CareGivers pride themselves on providing excellent care at a … Continued
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 bring attention to home repairs that need to be finished before winter is in full force. Washtenaw County is home to a variety of home repair and … Continued
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, education, advocacy, and enhanced partnerships. Recently we spoke with Angelique Fluellen of HomeWatch Caregivers. Homewatch Caregivers pride themselves on providing excellent care at a variety of levels ranging from respite care and … Continued
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 the holiday: “Thanksgiving is going to look different this year […] It just has to. Medical experts across the country strongly recommend that we do … Continued
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 PACE. A member of the National PACE Association, Huron Valley PACE helps older adults continue to age in place in their home by offering a full … Continued
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 program of Michigan Medicine’s Geriatrics Center, Silver Club offers a respite for caregivers by providing their family member who has dementia with a social outlet … Continued
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 of their children or adult children. This type of caregiver is often pulled in two directions at the same time. Senior Living.org breaks it down even further by creating three … Continued
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 of each resident.” What does this mean? There are certain rights that nursing homes must adhere to if they accept Medicare and Medicaid, including: The right to be … Continued
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 to distinguish between sadness and clinical depression. According to a 2017 report by the World Health Organization, depression affects 7% of older adults internationally; ¼ of deaths … Continued
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 ways to connect, but it also brings with it new opportunities for scammers. How can I stay Safe? Make sure your computer is protected with anti-virus software … Continued
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 lunch programs. Call ahead or visit their website before visiting. Adult Day Programs Huron Valley PACE– provides flexible meals/vegetarian menu. Vegetarian meal alternatives available daily. Congregate … Continued
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 themselves as “very or extremely prepared” for retirement, versus 24% who rated themselves as “not very or not at all prepared” for retirement. Unfortunately, retiring may beyond … Continued
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 in health complications, hospitalizations, and even deaths. Although it’s common, falling is NOT an inevitable part of aging. Why do so many people fall? Medical conditions … Continued
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 Force does NOT provide housekeeping/chore services. [This interview was conducted before Covid 19. Call the agency directly for services and information that may have changed.] The Washtenaw … Continued
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. McQuade was a champion for older adults. She was elected Vice Chair of the West Virginia Committee on Aging in 1971. She also served as a delegate … Continued
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 issue with a guide for supporting older adults during this pandemic. Click on the image below to be taken to the NPR website.
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 a rock and a hard place- they can either focus on being a good caregiver or a good employee, but not both at the same … Continued
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 adults in their community. Below is a guide to current services and offerings from local senior centers: Ann Arbor Senior Center (734-794-6000 x42591) Building Closed? Yes … Continued
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 with gray hair who sits on a couch with their caregiver? Do a quick web search for “older adult”- what do your results look like? Even though … Continued
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 think of small, quiet stores with rows of clothes organized haphazardly. Thrift shops can be great for finding clothes and furniture at a discount, but they offer … Continued
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, education, advocacy, and enhanced partnerships. Recently we spoke with Rashanna Davis of Adult Protective Services (APS), Adult Protective Services investigators protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation … Continued
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 maintain good eye health, or see cataracts and needing glasses as an inevitable part of aging? Normal Changes as We Age Glare Dry or irritated … Continued
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 can visit the Michigan Voter Information Center’s website to see whether they’re already registered to vote. If you’re not, it’s easy to sign up. You can sign up for … Continued
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 audience understand what resources are available and how to access them. In recognition of July 30 being the anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, we recently … Continued
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 of the fear surrounding Coronavirus by calling older adults and offering to send them testing kits, vaccines, or even filters that filter out the virus (no … Continued
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 to manage care wherever you are, whether it’s in your home or in a hospital. Hospice is one of those words that people throw around when … Continued
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 Survey, most people over 50 want to stay in their home, and their community, for as long as possible. But what do they need to do to … Continued
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 that if you were to measure happiness across a lifetime, it would be curved or U-shaped. People, in general, tend to feel most content in their 20s … Continued
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 will be in effect. What’s a cooling center? A cooling center is an air-conditioned space (usually a public place such as a library or community … Continued
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 male caregivers, but that does not mean that they do not exist. As we’ve pointed out before on the blog, the face of caregiving is changing. Men … Continued
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, but there is more to staying safe than focusing on medical markers. Older adults can be abused in a number of ways and, unfortunately, it usually happens … Continued
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 working relentlessly to change the systems and attitudes that allow this abuse to continue. In this interview, Amy discusses how to get connected with SafeHouse, signs … Continued
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 Baby Boomers are more likely to live alone than their parents, members of the LGBT community are three times more likely than the general population … Continued
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 activity has a lot of benefits, including better heart health, stress management, and decreasing your risk of falling. The World Health Organization recommends that older adults should be active … Continued
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 Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NDICD), about one in three people age 65-74 in the US experience hearing loss; those numbers jump to … Continued
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 wouldn’t be to do a medication review. Medicine travels through the bodies of older adults differently that it travels through the bodies of younger adults. … Continued
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 protect caregivers? As caregivers, you give selflessly of yourselves to allow a loved one to age in comfort and dignity. There are government departments that … Continued
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 feel safe going to a store for groceries? Today on the blog we’re going to walk you through ordering groceries through the two popular apps, … Continued
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 age 60 and over are living below the poverty line. This can affect all areas of life, including housing, health, affording services, and having access … Continued
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 (RSVP), which provides enriching volunteering opportunities for older adults. In this interview Andrea discusses what the RSVP program does, who she works closely with, and shares … Continued
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 keeping them safe? FaceTime– if you use Apple products, you’re probably familiar with FaceTime, Apple’s video calling platform. For more information, click here. Google Hangouts– if you … Continued
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 exactly does stress affect older adults and the people that care for them? What does stress do to the body? Stress can weaken the immune … Continued
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 health, but is that really the truth? According to the 2017 National Health Interview Survey, only 18% of adults aged 65-74 described their overall health as fair or … Continued
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 ever present (it’s not uncommon to glance at a group of people and see more Apple Watches and Fitbits than bare wrists). Technology companies are … Continued
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, financial support, or time. Item Donations Food Gatherers- (734) 761-2796 Accepting food donations Shelter Association of Washtenaw County- (734) 971-1073. Click here to view their Amazon … Continued
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. Note: Please note that information is rapidly changing. This information is current as of January 16, 2021 and will be updated as needed. Call a resource before visiting. Caregiving Ahead of … Continued
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 adults. Once older adults stop driving, they rely on others or on public transportation to get to the store. They may not be able to … Continued
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. Because of this announcement, Catholic Social Services’ Packard office will be closed effective Tuesday until further notice. Several programs have been suspended until further notice, … Continued
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, education, advocacy, and enhanced partnerships. Recently we spoke with Susan Atkins of the Housing Bureau for Seniors. The Housing Bureau for Seniors (HBS) provides guidance … Continued
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 of catching and experiencing severe symptoms of the virus. In this special post we’ll walk you through what Coronavirus is and how to protect yourself. … Continued
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 health, and our ability to learn. What’s stopping us from sleeping? Difficulty sleeping is often portrayed as a normal part of aging- but it isn’t. … Continued
Yesterday was Caregiver Appreciation Day- It’s never too late to thank the caregivers in your life!
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 healthy heart. Eat five servings a day of fruits and veggies (focus on eating the rainbow) Replace heavy condiments and mayonnaise with olive oil Coconut … Continued
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 tell their stories. The Ahead of the Curve blog is excited to share stories from interesting adults throughout the county. In honor of tomorrow being … Continued
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 various scams, but with our tips and some forethought, you can outsmart the scammers. What scams are popular on Valentine’s Day? Romance Scams- scammers contact … Continued
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 Day by taking these steps to protect yourself (or a loved one) from identity theft: Keep up with news about what scams are popular at … Continued
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 that the average age of caregivers was 47 (down from 53 in 2010). According to a 2018 study by the AARP, one in four caregivers … Continued
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 as caring for someone you live at least an hour-long car ride away from. Long-distance caregiving is more common than you may think! According to … Continued
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 on because one in three older adults reports feeling lonely, which can lead to a lot of issues including increased risks of heart attacks, depression, … Continued
Wishing you a bright and happy new year!
Happy holidays!
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 hover mouse over the document title until it changes color. The crossword should open in a new tab (if it doesn’t, click “open” when prompted). … Continued
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 lead a full life after loss. To reach their vision, the GrieveWell mission is to provide resources and support to individuals in grief — as … Continued
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 travel but are a full or part time caregiver? Don’t give up on travel, instead use these tips to travel smarter: Think ahead Are you … Continued
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 an unpleasant time for anyone, but it can be especially dangerous for older adults. Our bodies are less efficient at sensing cold as we get … Continued
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 Rob Lowe who acted as caregiver for his mother and is an advocate of the importance of self care for caregivers. During #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth, I am … Continued
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 of the times she was going through treatment I realized that I had my sister Mary, who is a nurse, available to explain to me … Continued
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 video by Sean Hayes and his plea to reach out to the caregiver in your life. Make sure to visit the Ahead of the Curve … Continued
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 celebrities! We’re starting out the month with a video from Caregiving Club. Their CEO interviewed celebrities who have acted as caregivers and asked for their … Continued
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 in a different state and research resources for your loved one? Do you have a neighbor you regularly check up on? If you answered … Continued
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?). Some of these new technologies are aimed at caregivers…but can be prohibitively expensive. The good news is that if you’re creative and keep an open … Continued
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 and becoming more sophisticated. According to the FBI, between 2018 and 2019 scammers collected $700 million from about two million people, most of which were … Continued
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 Care Services has created an interactive quiz to help you make sure everything is covered in your care-giving plan. This is a great jumping off … Continued
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 fatigue. What is compassion fatigue? “Compassion fatigue refers to the phenomenon of perpetual caregivers — whether familial or professional — becoming physically and emotionally depleted … Continued
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 Prevention Awareness Day. Falls are a huge issue for older adults. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 300,000 older adults … Continued
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 (or your loved one) can no longer live alone. Luckily there are plenty of options for senior living, so many in fact that it can … Continued
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.
Our easy to use and regularly updated resource directory is a one-stop guide to older adult services in Washtenaw County.
