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.

Staying Social During Winter (and COVID)

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Do you have cabin fever? Winter can be rough for several reasons and March can be especially difficult because spring seems so close yet so far away. Of course, COVID can also add to isolation and feelings of loneliness. Today we’re going to explore friendly caller programs, virtual support groups, and what activities the different senior centers are offering.  

Friendly Caller Programs 

A friendly caller program connects older community members with volunteers or staff members who can talk to them on a weekly or monthly basis.  

  • Catholic Charities Washtenaw County offers a friendly caller program. Call (734) 971-9781 and press “8” for Senior Services. 
  • JFS WISE Comfort Line– Call (734) 769-0209 
  • Saline Area Senior Center Friendly Caller Program- click here to sign up
  • Turner Senior Wellness Program Connected Companions- If you are interested in volunteering or participating to get regular friendly calls, please call the office at (734) 998-9353 or email [email protected].

Senior Centers 

Memory Cafes  

  • Connections Café (Chelsea Senior Center)- No cost. For more information or to register call CSC Office. Registration appreciated. 

Virtual Support Groups 

  • Caregiver Conversations (JFS)- Meets monthly on Thursdays from 3:00-4:30pm (virtual). Register online. The group is limited to 10 participants. 
  • Virtual Statewide Veteran Caregivers and Caregivers of Veterans Support Group (Alzheimer’s Association)- Meets the 2nd Friday of each month, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. To register, please call (800) 272-3900 or email [email protected] 
  • Virtual Statewise Grief After Dementia Support Group (Alzheimer’s Association/Hospice of Michigan)- Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:30-7:30pm. To register, please call (800) 272-3900 or email [email protected] 
  • Turner Geriatric Clinic is offering a virtual grief support group for older adults or family members of older adults affected by loss due to COVID-19 (via Zoom/phone). Call (734) 764-2556 for more information. 
  • Arbor Hospice offers a variety of grief-related virtual support groups and activities. Click here for more information.  

In-Person Groups 

  • Conversation Club (Saline Area Senior Center)- Meets Wednesdays from 9:30-11am. Weekly drop-in conversations on current events, science, and more. No cost.  
  • Solo Seniors (Milan Seniors for Healthy Living)- Meets the 4th Wednesday of every month at 11:00 am. This informal peer support group meets to discuss the challenges of living alone, share resources, and be a support to each other. 

Virtual Classes 

  • GetSetup teaches older adults how to use videoconferencing, telemedicine, and other technology. 
  • Senior Planet offers a wide variety of online courses and activities. 
  • Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers online courses for a small fee. Visit their website for more information. 

Drive Thru Events

To keep up to date on programs and events in the community, subscribe to senior center newsletters or visit the Ahead of the Curve Community Calendar.  

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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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