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.

Home Repair Programs Primer

Home-repair-web-icon-set

Colder weather means a lot for Michiganians- the beginning of the holiday season, winterizing cars and homes, and switching out lighter clothes for cozy winter favorites. The colder weather can also bring attention to home repairs that need to be finished before winter is in full force. Washtenaw County is home to a variety of home repair and safety programs. Below is a partial list of agencies that Ahead of the Curve works closely with.    

Catholic Charities Washtenaw County Home Repair & Maintenance Program 

  • Services Offered: 
    • Basic household repairs & routine maintenance 
    • Minor plumbing 
    • Smoke alarms & carbon monoxide detectors 
    • Battery and light bulb exchanges 
    • Grab bars and shower chairs 
    • Raised toilet seats, handheld showers 
  • Qualifications: 
    • Must be Washtenaw County resident age 65 and older.  
  • Cost/Repayment: 
    • Services offered on a sliding scale, however if clients are unable to contribute to cost share, services will not be denied.  
  • Website: https://ccwcwashtenaw.org/seniors/home-and-safety-services/  
  • Contact: Email [email protected] or call (734) 971-9781 (press “366” for Home Maintenance Coordinator or “8” for Senior Services).

Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) 

  • Services Offered:  
    • Insulation in the attic, walls and crawlspaces 
    • Furnace and water heater inspections and repairs  
    • Plumping repairs (including emergency repairs) 
    • Caulking around drafty windows and doors 
    • Inspections and replacements for inefficient refrigerators 
    • Weather-stripping around doors and attic accesses 
    • Emergency furnace, water heater or sewer line repairs (not affected by waitlist) 
    • installation of exterior wheelchair ramps (Manufactured homes are eligible for this program on a case-by-case basis) 
  • Qualifications: 
    • Must reside within one of the Urban County jurisdictions (Ann Arbor Township, Augusta Township, Bridgewater Township, City of Ann Arbor, City of Dexter, City of Saline, City of Ypsilanti, Dexter Township, Lima Township, Manchester Township, Northfield Township, Pittsfield Township, Salem Township, Saline Township, Superior Township, Sylvan Township, Webster Township, York Township, Ypsilanti Township) 
    • Must meet income requirements:
  • Cost/Repayment: 
    • All accessibility projects shall include a property lien, which covers the cost of installationThe terms of the property lien shall be in the form of a deferred, zero percent interest loan that is forgiven at the rate of one-fifth per year for a five-year period following project completion. After five years the lien is 100% forgiven. 
    • Accessibility ramp grants will be limited to a one-time assistance per dwelling during a five-year period. 
  • Website: https://www.washtenaw.org/2923/Home-Improvement-Programs  
  • Contact: Call (734) 544-3008 or email Yvonne at [email protected] 
  • Weatherization FAQs: https://www.washtenaw.org/FAQ.aspx?TID=33  
  • Waitlist:  
    • As of 11/23/20 waitlists for the following programs are full and not accepting new applications: 
    • Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation program 
    • Single Family Housing Rehabilitation Program 
    • Roof Replacement Program 

Habitat for Humanity 

  • Services Offered: 
    • Grab bars
    • Handrails for porches and staircases 
    • Lever knobs and push-button locks
    • Furnace test and tune up
    • Energy saving measures (e.g., LED lightbulbs, thermostats, water flow regulators, etc.) 
    • Refrigerator replacement (must be pre-2014 model) 
    • Roof replacement 
    • Water heater replacement 
    • Converting bathtubs to walk-in showers 
    • Habitat for Humanity also offers a Critical Repairs and Weatherization program for veterans: https://www.h4h.org/veterans-programs 
  • Qualifications:  
    • Must live in greater Washtenaw county and own your home (rental homes, condos and multiple-residence structures are not eligible).  
      • Unable to repair roofs on mobile homes.  
    • Must use DTE for BOTH your gas and electric services for furnace tune ups and replacements.
    • Must provide a recent copy of your DTE bill 
    • Much of Habitat’s critical repairs take place in neighborhoods in Gault Village, Sugarbrook, and West Willow in Ypsilanti. 
    • Annual household income must not exceed the maximum based on household size – go to https://www.h4h.org/refrigerator-replacement-program to determine your eligibility 
  • Cost/Repayment: 
    • Some programs require a repayment that is deeply discounted from the full cost of labor and installation. No deposit required and no interest charged. Visit website or call for information on repayment schedules.  
  • Website: https://www.h4h.org/home-improvement-program  
  • Contact: Call (734) 649-5655 or email Martha Davis at [email protected]
  • Waitlist:  There is no waitlist at this time.  We are actively accepting applications for critical home repairs in Washtenaw county.  NOTE:  Submitting an application does not guarantee your eligibility for the program.  All applications are reviewed by the Home Improvement Team and cannot move forward with their approval. 

Preventing Home Repair Scams 

  • ALWAYS do your homework when hiring someone for repairs. Ask for references and don’t accept work from people or companies that approach you. The Federal Trade Commission recommends getting three written estimates before getting work done.  
  • A credible repair person/service will never ask for payment in gift cards, money wiring, or in cash. 
  • It’s not rude to ask for references before hiring a repair person or company! It could save you thousands of dollars and your home. 
  • If someone pressures you to hire them, it’s most likely a scam
  • If someone demands payment up front, it’s most likely a scam
  • Check their ratings with the Better Business Bureau.    

Stay safe and stay warm! – the Ahead of the Curve team

Read more from the Senior Resource Connect Blog

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

466551930_10160553783055779_8355109071730817088_n

Spotlight: Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Print Disabled

katie-smith-uQs1802D0CQ-unsplash

Nutritionist Services: Getting Coverage and Support

Ash Wednesday (Facebook Post) (1)

Wishing You A Blessed Ash Wednesday

256px-Washroom_pictogram_sign_with_braille

Guide to Finding Adult Diapers and Incontinence Supplies in Washtenaw County