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.

You Belong... with us

As we’ve moved through this year and grown in our use of the Paycor system to distribute training, we’ve been trying out ideas to help us stay connected. We’ve tried a little bit of everything - periodic phones calls, text, emails, newsletters and even coffee breaks. I won’t say we’ve hit a home run yet, but we’ll keep trying. If you have an idea for a social gathering that would promote connection and community let us know. We are committed to giving each of you the level of connection you seek with your team of caregivers. Watch for this quarter’s COFFEE BREAK announcements. We will have one in each territory during August and September.

Send ideas to N.RUDER@managedseniorcare.com.

What to Carry in Your Car in Winter

Winter travel can be tough on car and driver, to prepare:

• Check your tires and make sure your chains fit before the first winter storm and check tire pressure during cold weather. Remember, tire shops and mechanics are busiest just before and during winter storms.

• Get a vehicle winter maintenance check-up. Don't wait to check your battery, belts, hoses, radiator, lights, brakes, heater/defroster and wipers.

• Keep your fuel tank full — don't let it fall below half a tank on winter trips.

• Program your radio for traffic reports and emergency messages (for WSDOT radio: 530 and 1610 AM).

What to carry on winter trips:

• Keep a basic winter survival kit in your vehicle: flashlight, batteries, blanket, snacks, water, gloves, boots, first-aid kit.

• Load your car with winter travel gear : tire chains, ice scraper/snowbrush, jumper cables, road flares.If you find yourself stranded, be safe, stay in your car, put on your flashers, call for help and wait until it arrives.

https://www.wsdot.com/winter/files/WhatToCarry2016.pdf

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