In today's episode of A3 Aging Ann Arbor, hosts Faye Molitor and Sheila Doeden welcome guest Ilene Segar for part one of their two-part conversation. Ilene and her husband, Bob, use Senior Helpers as their home care providers. Ilene shares why they opted for Senior Helpers for their home care when she realized she needed assistance during the night to prioritize her sleep. She also discusses the significance of finding an appropriate match. Faye recalls her first interaction with Bob, who was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, and how they modified their home care to cater to his needs. They discuss the importance of being adaptable in the care offered as situations and people change, and how home care can help family members maintain their roles as spouses and children.
Ilene discusses the factors that families should take into account when searching for home care, as well as how these factors can vary from one family to another. She also mentions the challenges she faces in trying to manage her daily tasks, as well as the differences between her own responsibilities and those of her caregivers. Ilene shares her personal experiences of the advantages and occasional difficulties of home care. Don't forget to check out part two!
Please get in touch with Faye and Shelia if you have any questions, concerns, or simply want to chat! www.SeniorHelpers.com/MI/Ann-Arbor
In today's episode of A3 Aging Ann Arbor, hosts Faye Molitor and Sheila Doeden delve into various strategies and resources to help seniors navigate the challenges of the winter season, focusing on the importance of nutrition, promoting traditional diets supplemented with vitamin D and B12, and highlight the convenience of meal subscription services like Nutrisystem for seniors who might lack access to fresh produce. They also talk about the impact of decreased sunlight in winter, noting that natural daylight lights can be instrumental in treating seasonal affective disorder and mentioning the potential uses of infrared and UV lights.
They discuss the importance of hydration during the colder months, recommending products like hydration packets to address this concern. To combat the feelings of isolation and enhance mood, they suggest engaging in activities such as visiting botanical gardens or even traveling to warmer climates for those who can (often referred to as "snowbirding").
Please get in touch with Faye and Shelia if you have any questions, concerns, or simply want to chat! www.SeniorHelpers.com/MI/Ann-Arbor
In today's episode of A3 Aging Ann Arbor, hosts Faye Molitor and Sheila Doeden welcome Arlene Caddell, owner of Assisted Living Locators of Southeast Michigan, who shares her personal journey into the business of helping families find suitable housing options for their loved ones. Arlene was motivated by her mother-in-law's struggle with dementia and Alzheimer's, leading her to start Assisted Living Locators to help others in navigating the complex care landscape.
The discussion covers various aspects of assisted living, including adult foster care homes, staffing, services, and the importance of carefully selecting care providers to match clients' needs. Arlene also touches on the ways she connects with clients and the necessity of offering ongoing personal support. The three highlight challenges faced by seniors and the growing demand for assisted living.
Get in touch with Arlene by visiting: Cape Coral Senior Living Advisor | Assisted Living Locators
In today's episode, Faye and Sheila are joined by Merilynne , an end-of-life doula. Together, they discuss the complex relationship between life and death and how doulas can provide companionship and support to those nearing the end of their lives. The show will delve into the changing roles of doulas, from supporting life at its beginning to providing comfort at its end.
This episode covers the evolution of the doula model of non-medical end-of-life care and Merilynne describes what an end-of-life doula is and how she found herself in the position. Faye, Shelia, and Merilynne talk about the nuances of navigating sensitive conversations surrounding death, including advanced care planning and legal matters for aging individuals. Additionally, the three examine the invaluable role doulas play in bridging gaps within patient support. Merilynne shares her experiences and offers resources for comprehensive doula training programs.
Learn more about end-of-life doulas and Merilynne at thedyingyear.org.
In this episode, Faye and Sheila discuss heartwarming ways to bring holiday cheer to seniors. They share that even small acts of kindness, like helping with tree decorations or delivering homemade cookies, can make a big difference in the lives of the elderly during the holidays (and every day!). If you're in Ann Arbor, they also talk about local festivities that are perfect for the whole family, especially seniors.
Here are some of their festive suggestions:
- Treat them to a scenic drive to admire the dazzling local holiday lights.
- Attend services together at their neighborhood church.
- Explore the magical wonders of Greenfield Village - https://www.thehenryford.org/current-...
- Experience the Michigan International Speedway lights - https://nitelitesshow.com/
- Share a cozy evening watching their beloved Christmas movie at home.
- Catch a movie at the Dementia Friendly Saline theater - https://www.dfsaline.org/movies
- Discover unique treasures at local craft shows.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and a Merry Christmas from A3 Aging Ann Arbor!
Welcome to part two of Faye and Shelia's conversation with Sharon McRill, the founder and president of The Betty Brigade, a location, organization, and handyman company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As they continued their conversation, Sharon shared anecdotes from her experience in home maintenance and organizing, as well as their new handyman subscription services.
Sharon explains how her team prioritizes safety when dealing with hoarder jobs, pest infestations, and hazardous conditions such as asbestos and mold. She also outlines the range of services The Betty Brigade offers, including seasonal tasks and organizing services that help clients manage home maintenance.
Additionally, they discuss The Betty Brigade's unique recycling and donation mechanisms that support various causes, such as the Brides Project and Coats for Cubs. Toward the end of their conversation, Sharon discusses the importance of embracing change in aging well.
If you're interested in learning more about Betty Brigade, visit www.BettyBrigade.com
This week, Faye and Shelia are excited to introduce Brittany Patton, the Director and Supervisor of Ann Arbor Senior Center. Brittany shares how she got involved in senior care and her passion for encouraging physical activity among older adults. She also discusses the wide range of activities the Senior Center offers and explains why these activities are so important for seniors' minds and bodies.
Faye, Shelia, and Brittany discuss their interest in Blue Zones, and Brittany delves into the various principles that are essential for a high-quality, long life. She highlights a few principles that resonate with her the most and emphasizes how everyone can adopt these daily habits. By incorporating them, people can find meaning in their daily lives and age gracefully.
Finally, Brittany opens up about her personal experience caring for her mother during her final days. She reflects on how this experience has influenced her approach to work and her perspective on living a meaningful life. Get in touch with Brittany and her team at the Ann Arbor Senior Center here www.a2gov.org, bpatton@a2gov.org or by calling 734-794-6250.
In this episode, Faye and Shelia are joined by Sharon McRill, the founder and president of The Betty Brigade, a relocation, organization, and handyman company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Sharon talks about how moving can be one of the most stressful experiences for a person and how her team at Betty Brigade creates custom plans to approach each move differently according to their client's needs.
The discussion also covers different hoarding situations and how Betty Brigade approaches them while working with other resources in the community to help those in need.
Towards the end of the episode, Betty Brigade makes an exciting announcement about the launch of their Handyman subscription service. However, as there's so much more to discuss, so this episode is only part one of two with Sharon. Stay tuned for more!
If you're interested in learning more about Betty Brigade, visit www.BettyBrigade.com
Join Faye and Sheila as they talk with Kate Tselios, the Director of Visiting Angels, a company committed to providing a wide range of home care services for those in need. Kate's journey in senior care began in college, where she discovered her passion for working with the aging population. She has a diverse background working in the industry, starting at the Ann Arbor & Dexter Senior Centers; she then moved to assisted living before falling in love with home care services. Kate highlights how home care can be tailored to meet seniors' unique and evolving needs. She also talks about the "secret" to aging well and the positive changes seniors can make in their daily lives. Faye, Sheila, and Kate discuss what the future of home care could look like and how Ann Arbor's senior community is a great place not only to work, but a great place to age.
Learn more about Kate and her organization at https://www.visitingangels.com/annarbor
This week, Faye and Sheila are joined by James Giordani, founder of Clear Computing, a company that works with older adults and technology. James found passion in helping older adults be more comfortable around new and changing technology and utilize it to their benefit. He emphasizes the importance of motivation and personalized plans in helping older adults embrace technology. James also addresses the growing problem of hacking and scam operations, advising caution and seeking second opinions. James can be found at https://clear-computing.net
Sheila and Faye welcome guest Sue Prynn, to discuss the upcoming Alzheimer's Association walk event in Washtenaw County and information about the various activities and attractions at the walk, such as the promise garden ceremony and the two-mile walk. They provide information on the support and resources offered by the Alzheimer's Association, including education programs, support groups, and a helpline. Join the walk on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at the Pioneer High School. Registration and participation in this event is completely free.
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This week, Faye and Sheila sit down with Jim Mangi to discuss the incredible work being done by Dementia Friendly Saline. Faye shares her experience of working with Dementia Friendly Saline and the importance of educating people on proper caregiving. Dementia Friendly Saline started with a dementia awareness lecture series in the small town of Saline ,Michigan attracting a significant number of attendees each week. Realizing the immense need for dementia information and support, they joined the nationwide effort called Dementia Friendly America. Together with the city government, medical, faith, and residential communities, Dementia Friendly Saline created a package to make the town a recognized dementia-friendly community. This episode explores the importance of breaking the stigma associated with dementia and providing support and dignity to individuals living with the disease. Through heartfelt conversations and personal anecdotes, the episode highlights the impact of Dementia Friendly Saline's work in creating a community that embraces and supports those affected by dementia.
In this episode of Aging Ann Arbor, Faye & Sheila discuss various important topics related to aging, caregiving, and resources available in Ann Arbor including wills and power of attorney, as well as the importance of trusts for financial support. They also provide valuable insight on the importance of staying active and services available for the aging community in Ann Arbor, from field trips, community events, to getting home repairs to assist in physical limitations.
In the first episode of A3 Aging Ann Arbor, Sheila and Faye dive into the topic of aging in place. With their extensive background in home care and owning a home care company in Ann Arbor for 14 years, they have encountered numerous individuals who desire to age in the comfort of their own homes. Sheila and Faye share their motivation, stemming from witnessing people being displaced and lacking the necessary support, to help others stay in their homes as they grow older.