August Area Agency on Aging programs

Team:

Attached you will find:

1.      August’s caregiver calendar, with many support groups listed.

2.      August’s Family Caregiver University flyer.

We hope that all of you are having a great summer!

PLEASE CALL AHEAD to confirm time and place, as holidays may conflict with meeting dates. All meetings are open to the public and free of cost, unless otherwise noted.

Note: The Alzheimer’s Association provides a number of support groups for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias that meet monthly throughout the West Michigan region; a complete list is available online at: http://www.alz.org/gmc or by calling the Association’s 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900.

National Drug Take Back Day

Working with seniors every day as we do, we know better than most the numerous unused pills that exist in every senior’s medication cabinet. Everyone is encouraged to stop by to dispose of expired prescriptions and unwanted or unneeded medications on Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, Oct. 27.

The public event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The free and anonymous public service is part of the 16th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administrations. 

The Grand Rapids Police Department will oversee the drug collection and ensure the drugs collected are disposed of in an appropriate manner. 

The DEA advises the public not to flush medications down the toilet or throw them in the trash because those methods of disposal could cause potential safety and health hazards. 

As part of the national event, Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, Priority Health, Families Against Narcotics Grands Rapids Chapter and Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services will be collecting unwanted or unused prescription drugs on Saturday at Healthier Communities (Widdicomb Building), 665 Seward Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. 

The public can swing back at the Grand Rapids-area locations listed below to drop off unwanted medications:

• Spectrum Health Healthier Communities, 665 Seward Ave. NW, Grand Rapids

• Ludington Hospital, 1 N. Atkinson Drive, Ludington

• Muskegon County Sheriff's Office and Muskegon City Fire Department, 770 Terrace St., Muskegon (9 a.m.-1 p.m.)

• Zeeland Community Hospital, 8333 Felch St., Zeeland  (4-6 p.m. October 26)

• United & Kelsey Hospitals/Montcalm County, Endeavor Center, 201 W. Main St., Edmore

• Grand Rapids Police Department

• Allegan County Sheriff's Office

• Michigan State Police (Wayland, Pleasant, Rockford, Lakeview, Paw Paw Post)

• Kentwood Police Department 

• Rockford Department of Public Safety 

• Kent County Sheriff's Department, Metro Health Park East Pharmacy 

• Zeeland Police Department

• Holland Department of Public Safety

• Lowell Police Department 

• Wyoming Police Department and Metro Health Hospital 

• East Grand Rapids Public Safety

• Gun Lake Tribe Public Safety Department

• Newaygo County Sheriff's Office, Hometown Pharmacy - Newaygo City Police

• Grand Fire Department

• Fremont Fire Department

• White Cloud Family Healthcare

• Barry County Sheriff's Office

• Hastings City Police Department

• Village of Lake Odessa

• Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, Antwerp Township Activity Center

• Grand Ledge Police Department 

• Shoreline Wellness & Rehab Center

• Albion Department of Public Safety, Family Fare Supermarket

• Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department 

Click here to find a location near you, click here

Turn Your Steps into Prizes at ArtPrize Nine

Take the Art Meets Heart Steps Challenge at ArtPrize Nine and enter to win fantastic prizes!

As part of the ArtPrize Health and Wellness programming, the Art Meets Heart Steps Challenge encourages you to walk around Grand Rapids and explore the event and our city. Track your steps on your personal device -- when you reach 10,000 steps on any given day during the event, enter a weekly raffle for the chance to win exciting prizes, including gift certificates to purchase a new pair of kicks, portable phone chargers, water bottles and more!

Health fact: Did you know after each hour of regular activity you get, you gain back about two hours of additional life expectancy?

Where to Start:

Start the Challenge on any of six Pantone Pathways that ArtPrize has to offer. The Pantone Pathways presented by X-Rite Pantone are planned walking routes that highlight the character of their respective neighborhoods while helping you navigate through downtown Grand Rapids. Each Pathway is 2.4 miles or less, and will take you past nearly 90% of ArtPrize Nine venues.

Find the Pathway routes in the ArtPrize Event Guide, which is available at any of the ArtPrize HUBs located around the city.

Art Prize Nine is almost here

September 20 - October 8

ArtPrize HUBs are a great place to start your ArtPrize adventure. Stop by any HUB location where a friendly volunteer can make sure you’re ready to vote for your favorite entries, help you map your unique ArtPrize route, equip you with one of our new Experience Guides (like the Family Experience Guide!) and an enhanced Metro Pass, give you your free ArtPrize Event Guide and help you make the most of your ArtPrize experience.

ArtPrize HUBs are open during the event, Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., September 20 to October 8.

AT ALL ARTPRIZE HUBS, YOU CAN:

• Sign up for an ArtPrize account and get ready to cast your first vote
• Get a free Event Guide, thanks to MLive Media Group
• Buy an enhanced ArtPrize Metro Pass for unlimited rides on the Silver Line, 10 rides on The Rapid's fixed routes, a day pass to the ArtPrize Clubhouse, and more.
• Get help—from how to vote to recommendations for lunch
• Receive a commemorative tote provided by Meijer (while supplies last)