Living life with chronic conditions is like trying to walk through a revolving door in a hamster’s wheel! Six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease, like heart disease and stroke, cancer, or diabetes. Chronic diseases are defined broadly as conditions that last one year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities…
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is extra insurance you can buy from a private company that helps pay your share of costs in Original Medicare. You need both Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap policy. Some Medigap policies offer coverage when you travel outside the U.S. Generally, Medigap policies don’t cover long-term care…
Mental health can mean different things to different people. To me, mental health means being at peace in the moment. For someone that has struggled with anxiety and depression for more than half of their life, the feeling of being settled, still, and at peace is what matters most to me in this chaotic world…
Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). The focus for 2022 is aging in place – how older adults can plan to stay in their homes and live independently in their communities for as long as possible. The theme for 2022 is Age My Way,…
Region 3B Area Agency on Aging, d/b/a CareWell Services Southwest, is seeking inputfrom the public about the needs of and available services for seniors in Barry andCalhoun counties as a part of its FY 2023-2025 Multi-Year Plan (MYP) with the Bureauof Aging, Community Living and Supports, MDHHS-Health and Aging ServicesAdministration. All interested parties are invited…
You may have heard that Medigap companies are raising their premium rates. Most plans use “attained age” pricing tiers–as you age, your premium prices increase. This is because the odds of developing chronic health issues, needing health maintenance tune-up surgery, or supporting long-term health conditions with monitoring or rehab increases as you age. You can…
Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week (held annually on the third week of April) is a time to celebrate volunteers, recognize their impact, and encourage volunteerism in our communities. Community-based organizations across the country celebrate National Volunteer Week as a way to recognize “the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges.” Volunteering has social, mental,…
by Jen Rice, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator Fighting cancer is a team effort that involves family, friends, and your care team. Don’t underestimate the strength that can come from having your support network by your side. Three out of four newly diagnosed patients say that they remember or understand little of what their healthcare team…
CareWell Services’ Friendly Phone Reassurance Program is back! This program exists to connect older adults who live alone, are homebound, or just need someone to talk to with caring and compassionate volunteers. Each participant will receive regular phone calls at a scheduled time from trained volunteers. The program’s goal is to combat social isolation and…
from Active Daily Living Everyone knows cleaner air means healthier bodies, but new research suggests it might also help aging minds. “Our study is important because it is one of the first to show that reducing air pollution over time may benefit the brain health of older women by decreasing their likelihood of developing dementia,” said study…
Do you know the differences between a Medigap Medicare Supplemental Insurance and Medicare Advantage Insurance? Page 5 of your annual Medicare and You Handbook has a graphic showing the differences in the two “paths” of Medicare…pay up front or pay as you go. Those who choose Original Medicare with a Medigap policy as secondary insurance…
by Jen Ozolins Rice Aging is an inevitable journey for everyone. Maintaining a positive attitude, feeling good about yourself, keeping fit and healthy, and seeing each day as an opportunity for adventure and learning are a few of the keys to help make the rest of your life meaningful. Focusing your mindset on happiness and…
Recently, we have received a number of reports of door-to-door solicitors trying to sign people up for Medicare plans. Some have even gone so far as to attempt to disparage our Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), saying we leave people confused and uncertain. We want seniors and those who support seniors to know about these folks…
CareWell Services Southwest has granted $1 million to local organizations to support growth, innovation, expansion and improvement of aging and disability services in Barry and Calhoun counties. Individual grants ranged from $5,000 to $250,000. The Innovations in Action Special Project Fund was a one-time grant opportunity created out of CareWell Services’ Strategic Framework. The Policy…
Decluttering your living space is a popular resolution for the new year. This can be a worthy goal regardless of whether you are a hoarder or not. Over time, we all accumulate stuff; many things tucked away that we forget we possess. Do you have a method to deal with your mess? Do you feel…
Forks Senior Center is launching a new SilverSneakers Yoga class on Wednesdays at 10:30am. Forks Senior Center’s fitness consultant Kate Pawlukiewicz is a certified instructor for Silver Sneakers® as well as their Yoga program. Kate shares information about the classes. “You will move through seated and standing yoga poses to increase flexibility, balance and range…
Jen Ozolins Rice, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator, CareWell Services Southwest To help combat loneliness and depression among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, we are working on a pilot program to distribute over 50 interactive robotic cats and dogs to those most at-risk for social isolation. These pets allow older adults to receive…
If you have BOTH Medicare and full Medicaid with no spend down, you are considered a “dual eligible” beneficiary. Dual Eligible beneficiaries in several Michigan counties have the option to receive coverage from a MiHealth Link health insurance program. These programs are similar to Medicare Advantage plans. They include hospital, medical, and prescription benefits, plus…
Winter is in full swing, and with it comes flu season, icy roads, and cold temperatures! With colds, flu, and a new strain of COVID-19 going around, you may not consider the colder temperatures to be of concern, but it’s important to stay warm. As we age, we tend to lose body heat more quickly.…
Membership makes Heritage Commons tick. It is that simple. Without the active participation of members, there is no senior center. Your passion and zeal for sharing exercise, euchre, bingo, lunch and learns, craft experiences, interactive bake offs, and many other things gives Heritage Commons life and sparkle. These things are only possible if you join…
