Blog

Welcome to the Senior Resource Connect blog. You can visit the blog each Wednesday at 10am for the latest information about aging, caregiving, COVID, and local resources.

Flooding Resources

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Washtenaw County experienced severe storms on June 25-26, 2021, which resulted in flooding for many residents. Below is a list of local resources to help with cleanup and the general aftermath of the storms. Please note that the deadline for applying for flood assistance payment is Thursday, August 19!

Clean up 

Safety 

Financial Assistance 

  • Washtenaw County is asking residents to self-report on damage. Click here to access online form
  • Apply for aid by FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4607. Additionally, you can apply by calling (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired 7 a.m.-9 p.m. seven days a week. The deadline to register for FEMA aid is September 13, 2021. 
  • Governer Whitmer announced that Wayne, Washtenaw residents affected by flood can apply for one-time flood assistance payment (Deadline: August 19) 
  • Red Cross may be able to offer financial assistance, but first must complete a damage assessment to determine that a home has suffered major damage or is destroyed for a household to receive assistance. If your home has not been inspected already, please call the Red Cross at 1-800-RedCross (733-2767). You will then be assigned a caseworker, and the Red Cross will send out a damage assessment team to assess your home. 
  • The State of Michigan is providing up to $1,500 per household to families and individuals facing conditions of flooding that threatens health and safety. To get access to funds individuals must complete a State Emergency Relief application at their local MDHHS office or online through MiBridges. Click here to find an office near you
    • Required documents include proof of income, proof of assets (cash on hand, bank account amounts, etc.), birth certificates, social security cards and repair estimate and proof of home ownership.  
  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services may be able to assist with rent or relocation costs in certain situations. Click here for more information 

Food Assistance 

Mental Health Support 

General Assistance 

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Medication Safety 101

March 26th is Epilepsy Awareness Day. You may have heard of Epilepsy, but did you know that it affects an increasing number of older adults? Today on the blog we’re going to explore Epilepsy- what it is, how it affects older adults, and what resources exist in the community.  

 

What is Epilepsy? 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Epilepsy is a chronic disease where the cells in the brain produce abnormal electrical signals, causing seizures. Approximately 3.4 million people in the United States live with Epilepsy. Epilepsy can be treated with daily medication.  

 

Epilepsy & Older Adults 

Older adults (age 55+) are the fastest growing group of epilepsy patients. It's estimated that there are nearly 1 million older adults living with Epilepsy in the United States. In older adults, strokes may cause symptoms that resemble other health conditions, such as wandering, confusion, dissociating, or the inability to speak (all of which can resemble Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia). Unfortunately, many antiseizure medications put older adults at an increased risk of falling due to side effects including dizziness and loss of balance. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about your medication (we’ve also covered basic fall prevention tips on the blog in the past). 

 

Managing Epilepsy 

While seizures can be unpredictable, there are some small steps people with Epilepsy can take that may improve their seizure control and overall health. 

Stay on top of medication. 

Missing medication is the leading trigger for seizures. 

How Can You Make Sure You Take Your Medicine As Directed? via Senior Resource Connect 

How to save money on prescription medications via Senior Resource Connect 

Get a good night’s sleep. 

Sleep deprivation can also trigger seizures.  

Stay active. 

Eat a healthy diet and know how certain foods or drinks (e.g., alcohol, caffeine) affect your seizures.  

Reduce stress. 

Keep a record of your seizures- what happened before, during and after the seizure, any triggers you can identify, and any patterns you notice. 

Develop a Seizure Action Plan and share it with loved ones.  

 

What To Do If Someone Is Having a Seizure (Stay-Safe-Side) via Michigan Medicine 

STAY with the person until they are alert and the seizure has passed. 

Make sure to time the seizure. 

Make sure the person having the seizure is in a SAFE place. 

Turn the person on their SIDE to keep their airway clear. 

Also make sure to loosen any clothing/jewelry that may be tight around their neck. 

Make sure there’s something soft under their head.  

When to call 911: 

If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes. 

If the person has multiple seizures one after the other. 

If the person has difficulty breathing, chest pain, or does not regain alertness after the seizure. 

If the person became injured during the seizure. 

If the seizure occurs in water.  

 

Local & National Resources 

Epilepsy Foundation’s 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000 

Spanish hotline: 1-866-748-8008 

Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan’s Here For You Helpline: 1-800-377-6226 

Project UPLIFT via the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan 

Evidence-based depression management program for adults with Epilepsy. This program runs for 8 weeks and is conducted over the phone. 

Seizure Response Dogs via Paws With A Cause ($50 application fee) 

Seizure Smart Mental Health Professional Network- this is a list of therapists that have completed the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan’s training on seizures and mental health. 

Steve Metz Memorial Grant via The Defeating Epilepsy Foundation 

Offers a one-time grant in the amount of $1,000 towards a seizure alert dog.  

University of Michigan Comprehensive Epilepsy Program (734) 936-9020

Supporting Older Adults with Epilepsy

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