Respite Care is a quirky phrase that’s often misunderstood but it’s a service that’s desperately needed to relieve most family caregivers. Respite means to provide relief to persons who are caring for loved ones. Respite care gives family time away from caregiving responsibilities, essential to caregiver’s well-being and mental health. Families who do not qualify for Medicaid-financed respite programs often have the greatest need. Depending upon the limited programs that are

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America provides free, virtual memory screening allowing one-on-one, confidential screenings from a qualified health professional. Screenings are conducted through secure videoconference technology (i.e., Zoom, FaceTime, Skype) in real-time using a smart phone, computer, tablet or other device with a webcam and internet capability. Screenings are by appointment Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 am to 4 pm and Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm. The 10 – 15

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, researcher Brenda Whitehead conducted a study to identify what brought comfort and joy to seniors. Older adults said they were eased when connecting with family and friends, interacting on digital platforms (video chats, emails, social media, texts), engaging in hobbies, being with pets, spending time with spouses or partners, and when relying on faith. “One thing I learned in my research is that most older adults are incredibly res

Researchers want to hear YOUR voice! 1. What is it like to grow older in metro Detroit? 2. What matters most to you in these areas: Housing Health care Transportation Economic stability Neighborhood safety / stability Other areas of importance to you 3. Who do you turn to for help when you need it? 4. What do you think people in Detroit think about older adults? Hannan Center / Hannan House and SAGE Metro Detroit are working with researchers at the University of Michigan to l

In the “What will they think of next” column, place life-like cats and dogs - mechanical pets being distributed by the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative’s Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. The faux felines and canines are meant to provide comfort to seniors in nursing homes and adult foster homes, to combat the additional social isolation and loneliness brought on by COVID-19. Facilities participating in the program will focus on residents living with dementia and th

Those who plan to remain in their homes and “age in place” may well find that they’ll need a homecare worker to help them do so. Classified by the state as homecare specialists, homecare workers provide care through Medicaid-funded programs like the Medicaid Waiver and the Home Help programs. Before COVID-19, homecare specialists were classified as non-medical, non-essential workers and were not recognized by the State as members of the healthcare workforce. Without that reco

“Home is the nicest word there is,” reflected early 20th century American author Laura Ingalls Wilder. While in these COVID times many have grown weary of home, there’s no arguing the seminal importance of having one. A home that’s safe and warm is a basic human need, not to mention an emotional bedrock in times of trouble - and the best possible repository for memories. But for many of Detroit’s older homeowners on limited incomes, the houses they raised their kids in and l