Let Your Voice be Heard on Aging Issues Affecting Southwest Michigan-Christine Vanlandingham-3/26/22
The phrase “nothing about us without us” has been around in concept for hundreds of years, starting as the Latin phrase “Nihil de nobis, sine nobis.” It became a motto for people who wanted a say in how they were governed. In the 1990s, writer and activist James Charlton applied the term to the disability […]
Medicare and Annual Preventive Visits-Sara Duris-3/19/22
Q: Is it true that Medicare provides for one wellness visit a year? A: Medicare covers one “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit in your first year of having Medicare Part B, then one wellness visit per year after that, with zero cost-sharing as long as you see the appropriate providers. These visits are not head-to-toe physicals. […]
Awareness, support for change needed in climate fight-3/12/22-Lynn Kellogg
As a retirement present to myself, I planned a desert immersion for mid-winter. A double major in college with human service on one side and environmental studies on the other, I needed re-entry to the natural world. It didn’t disappoint. With a friend willing to take the plunge with me, first came an expedition with […]
Fighting the stigma of memory loss-Pat Arter-3/5/22
Small mundane actions can start something great. Everyday my schedule seems to be filled with mundane tasks like budget talks, phone calls, meetings, funding projects, reports, and trainings. Sometimes it feels like I just get something cleared and its on the schedule again the next day. It’s all in a days’ work, right. I have […]
Options for Elder Care-Christine Vanlandingham-02/26/22
The John A. Hartford Foundation recently asked older adults how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their perceptions of nursing homes. Key findings from the “Age-Friendly Insights” poll, which measured opinions on issues related to improving care for older adults and support for family caregivers, included: 71 percent of older adults say they are unwilling to live […]
Where local seniors can turn for tax prep help-Sara Duris-2/19/22
Q: Where can seniors get their taxes done? A: The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide programs are available again this year through April – but sites are limited. If you made less than $58,000 in 2021, and need assistance in preparing your tax return, the VITA-trained volunteers will prepare basic federal and […]
Finding Enthusiasm in the Arena of Life-Lynn Kellogg-2/12/22
Nestled between Martin Luther King Jr. Day and President’s Day, thoughts for this column pulled in many directions. Then, through the mail, someone commented that the speech that provided them the most inspiration as a young person was Theodore Roosevelt’s call to be a person “in the arena.” Roosevelt’s call was to be someone “who […]
Have a job to fill? Consider an older worker-Pat Arter-2/5/22
We all know area businesses are struggling to attract workers. It’s evident every day as we go about our daily activities. Our favorite takeout is unexpectedly closed when we run to grab lunch. The line at the pharmacy is long – at the drive-thru and inside the store. Service at some businesses is very slow, […]
Soon to be 102, Jean Koebel still living independently-Emily Marshall-1/29/22
Raised a “city-girl,” Jean Koebel wasn’t used to life on the farm or riding in a horse and buggy. Jean, who will celebrate her 102nd birthday next month, spent an afternoon with me, her Area Agency on Aging care manager, and reflected on her life experiences. Jean married the love of her life, Mike Koebel, […]
Explaining MI Health Link and Being Dually Eligible
Q: We just switched my mom’s Advantage Plan a month ago, and now she’s received a letter telling her she has to call a number to keep from being enrolled in something else! What’s going on? A: Your mom likely has Medicare and Medicaid, which is known as being dually eligible, or “fully dual.” Being fully […]