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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.

Guide to Housing Resources in Washtenaw County

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Housing is one of the most basic human necessities. As we age, finding the right housing option that feels like home becomes even more important. In honor of February being National Senior Independence Month, we’re going to explore the various housing resources and solutions available in Washtenaw County.  

 

If you or someone you know is at risk of losing their housing, contact the Housing Access for Washtenaw County (HAWC) at (734) 961-1999 to get help. 

 

Housing Counseling 

  • Housing Bureau for Seniors (734) 998-9339 
    • The Housing Counseling Program staff assist you to decide whether it’s best to remain in your home or look into other housing options.  

 

Low Cost/Subsidized Senior Housing 

  • Carpenter Place (734) 973-83777 
    • Offers affordable one bedroom apartment homes for those 62+ years of age and/or disabled. 
    • Rent based on income (accepts Section 8 
    • Small pets allowed (25 pounds maximum) 
  • Clark East Tower (734) 482-5511 
    • Offers affordable one-bedroom apartments for seniors age 62+.  
    • Apartments are accessible. 
  • Lurie Terrace (734) 665-0695 
    • Offers one- and two-bedroom apartments for seniors age 62+. 
    • Purchased by the city of Ann Arbor, now part of the Ann Arbor Housing Commission. 
  • Milan Village (734) 439-8179 
    • Offers one- and two-bedroom apartments for seniors age 62+. 
    • Small pets allowed. Visit the website for more information.  
  • Mill Pond Manor (734) 429-3838 
    • Offers one-bedroom apartments for seniors age 62+. 
    • Peoples Express Saline services the apartment complex for rides. 
    • Residents can get meals on wheels via the Saline Senior Center.  
  • Sequoia Place (734) 669-8840 
    • Offers one-bedroom apartments for seniors age 62+. 
    • Each apartment is 540 square feet with one bedroom, a kitchen, living/dining area and a bathroom.   
  • Towne Center Place (734) 256-4404 
    • Offers one-bedroom apartments for seniors age 62+. 
    • Pets allowed with pet deposit. Visit the website for more information.  

 

Senior Living Locators– these agencies help you look at your options for independent and assisted living- free of charge.  

  • Assisted Living Locators (734) 274-9903 
    • Serves Washtenaw, Wayne, Monroe, Lenawee, Oakland Counties and surrounding cities in Michigan. 
    • Focuses on clients who have a monthly budget of $4,500-$10,000 for senior care. Medicaid resources are also offered. 
  • Oasis Senior Advisors (248) 938-2462 
    • Serves Washtenaw County and parts of Livingston, Oakland County, and Wayne Counties. 

 

Helpful Websites 

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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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