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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.

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Pet Resources in Washtenaw County

June 7, 2023
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June 4th is Pet Appreciation Week! We’ve covered the benefits and challenges of pet ownership for older adults in the past. If you do decide to take care of a pet, where can you turn for assistance with things like purchasing pet food or dealing with vet bills? 

Humane Society of Huron Valley- Bountiful Bowls 

  • What do they offer? 
    • Provides supplemental pet food at no cost for up to 6 months. Please note you should expect to purchase food for your pets in addition to receiving the program food to meet their full nutritional needs. 
    • The monthly food pick-up is on Sundays from noon-3 pm. 
  • What are the eligibility requirements? 
    • Must provide proof of Washtenaw County 
    • Online approval is sent via email. A valid email address is required. 
    • Proper identification will be required each time food is picked up. 
    • All animals in the home must be spayed or neutered  
  • How can I learn more? 

Humane Society of Huron Valley- Friends for Life 

Humane Society of Huron Valley- Monthly Low-Cost Vaccination Clinics (LCVC) 

  • What do they offer? 
    • Wellness vaccines along with heartworm, flea and tick preventative medications offered at discount prices. 
  • What are the eligibility requirements? 
    • Appointments required! You can make an appointment on their website by clicking this link. 
    • Cats must be in carriers and dogs on leashes 
  • How can I learn more? 

Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels- Pets Assisting the Lives of Seniors Program (PALS) 

  • What do they offer? 
    • Free delivery of pet food, cat litter, treats, and other pet supplies 
    • Also offer pet grooming and veterinary services, including nail trims and preventative care for a small fee.   
  • What are the eligibility requirements? 
    • Must be an Ypsi Meals on Wheels client 
  • How can I learn more? 

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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
Mar 26

Supporting Older Adults with Epilepsy

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Spotlight: Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Print Disabled