Welcome Spring! Welcome Team!

We are glad for the new season and changes it will bring, taking us out of the long and dreary winter, yet again. Spring isn’t only good for blooms and allergy companies but us too this year.

Today we got to welcome four new team members to our SHS team!

Shann Souders, Bernadette Negron, Carly Kerbyson and Melissa Southwick.

We can’t wait for our whole team to meet them next quarterly meeting coming up on May 27th!

Check Out the Grand Rapids Senior Expo!! 5/20

Connect with dozens of local organizations dedicated to helping seniors and their families in Grand Rapids and surrounding communities.

Not only will you see the other resources' right in our town, but also be able to see US!! We will have our own booth there, so stop on by or send others over, too to say hello .

Meet with experts regarding Medicare Coverage, Assisted Living, Mobility Solutions, Independent Living, Veterans Benefits, Audiology, Senior Travel, Health Insurance, Home Care, Medical Equipment, Hospice Care, Financial Planning, Legal Assistance, Aging In Place Home Improvements, Eye Care, Physical Therapy and much more.   

Senior Expo link: https://www.seniorexpousa.com/2025-grand-rapids-spring-attendee.html#/

Grand Rapids / West MI Spring Senior Expo
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 • 10am-1pm
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park 
1000 East Beltline Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Need a boost? OnDemand training

To support your caregiving journey, we provide on-demand training for caregivers covering a wide range of essential topics. Our most popular courses cater to new caregivers and those specializing in dementia care. A list of our most requested courses is below. To enroll in one of these classes or in the Dementia Basics Program, please text our office with your course request.

Dementia Basics Certificate Program

Introduction to Dementia Care

Introduction to Dementia Care | This class was created for professional caregivers to understand dementia and apply recommended care strategies for supporting a client living with dementia in the client's own home. Alzheimer's disease and dementia impact many aspects of care. The caregiver's ability to modify care, recognize and work through challenges, and support themself and the family are all vital in providing care to those with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Communicating with a Person with Dementia

Communicating with a Person with Dementia | This class will teach caregivers about the progression of dementia and discuss ways to communicate with the older adult living with dementia as the condition progresses. The goal of this class is to give caregivers more tools and confidence around effective styles of communication with older adults with memory problems.

Addressing Agitation & Aggression in Dementia

Addressing Agitation and Aggression in Dementia | This class will help caregivers recognize agitation and aggressive behaviors in older adults living with dementia, and will provide strategies for preventing and addressing agitation and aggression.

Safety in Dementia

Safety in Dementia | This class will teach caregivers the importance of safety for clients living with dementia. It will also show caregivers strategies for protecting the client inside and outside the home while maintaining the client's independence.

Addressing Dementia-Related Behaviors When Assisting with ADLs

Addressing Dementia-Related Behaviors When Assisting with ADLs | In this class, caregivers will learn the importance of person-centered care when assisting older adults living with dementia with activities of daily living (ADLs). Caregivers will apply strategies for supporting clients throughout the progression of dementia and will identify best practices for fostering the client's dignity, independence, and choice.

Caregiving Generalist

Light Housekeeping Techniques

Light Housekeeping Techniques | We created this CareAcademy class to help professional caregivers like you maintain cleanliness in your client's home and avoid the spread of infection and bacteria.

Assisting with Independent Living Through IADLs

Assisting with Independent Living Through IADLs | In this class on instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), we touch upon how to assist older adults with activities such as meal preparation, grocery shopping, medication self-administration, social connections, and transportation.

Assisting with Personal Care Through ADLs

Assisting with Personal Care Through ADLs | In this class on activities of daily living (ADLs), we touch upon how to assist older adults with activities such as transferring to and from a bed to chair, wheelchair, or commode; bathing; grooming; dressing; toileting; and eating.

We have over 200 courses in our catalog, so if you don’t see what you are looking for here, just call the office and we will help you find what you need. We are committed to your development and comfort with the every client you work with.

Discover Hearing Loss

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, about 1 in 3 adults between 65 and 74 experience some form of hearing loss. But because symptoms appear gradually, many seniors don’t realize the changes right away. Here are some key pointers and reminders to help detect hearing loss.

Keep Your Ears Perked for These Hearing Loss Symptoms
Age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis, is a gradual decline in hearing that occurs as we age. It’s one of the most common conditions affecting older adults, often caused by natural changes in the inner ear, prolonged exposure to noise, genetics, or health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Because the changes happen slowly, many seniors don’t realize their hearing is declining until it starts affecting daily life.

So, what should you watch for? Here’s what to look out for when it comes to hearing loss in yourself or a loved one.

Difficulty Understanding Conversations
Do voices sound muffled, or do people seem to be mumbling more than they used to? Struggling to follow conversations, especially in noisy places like restaurants or family gatherings, is an early indicator of hearing loss. If you’re missing words or struggling in loud environments, it could be time to check your hearing.

Repeatedly Asking People to Repeat Themselves
“Could you say that again?” If you find yourself asking this question in conversations more often, take it as a sign to check in on your ears. While the change happens slowly, you may notice it more in group settings or when someone is speaking softly.

Trouble Hearing on the Phone
If voices sound faint even with the volume up, it might not be a bad connection—it could be a problem with your ears. Hearing loss often makes it harder to pick up on high-pitched sounds, like the clarity in voices over the phone. This can lead to frustration, missed details, or avoiding phone calls altogether.

Needing to Turn the TV/Radio Up Excessively
Turning the volume way up but still missing parts of the show? Many seniors with hearing loss find themselves increasing the volume on their devices to hear more clearly. If others complain that it’s too loud while it still sounds normal to you, it could be time to explore hearing support options.

Hearing loss impacts more than just your ears. It affects your ability to connect with loved ones, enjoy your favorite activities, and maintain independence. By recognizing the early signs of hearing loss and taking proactive steps, you can protect your hearing and get help early.