Issuu

SENIORcare

Sandwiched In Caregivers in the Middle

Diabetes Fighting the Sugar War

Aging & the Arts: DIAâ€™s Senior Thursdays

Tour the clinic and

receive a $10 gift card for Walgreens or CVS Select1

Gift cards paid for by ConcertoHealth. Offer valid for new patients only.

Not your typical doctor’s office...

It’s time to choose your 2017 Medicare benefit plan. Pick the right Doctor as well.

The Right Medicare Plan + The Right Doctor For You = A Winning Combination Remember: Medicare Open Enrollment Period is October 15 through December 7 Fun events throughout October, November and December.

Are you ready for a new physician? One with a new approach to primary care and focused on your specific needs – no matter how complex. One that puts you at the center of the care experience.

Our Services Include:

Same day, primary care doctor appointments State-of-the-art medical facilities Care in our Care Center, at your home, in the hospital or at a nursing home Dedicated Care Managers and personalized care plan On-site lab testing

Come learn more about us and your primary care options this Annual Enrollment Period.

Call to let us know you are attending: 1.855.269.8259 All events from 1:00 - 3:00 pm Allen Park Care Center

Center Line Care Center

Allen Park Care Center

15606 Southfield Rd. Allen Park, MI 48101

October NOVEMBER

26th

(Wednesday)

Sip and Paint

25th

(Tuesday)

Nintendo Wii Bowling

Detroit Care Center

7430 2nd Ave., Suite 210 Detroit, MI 48202

November

9th

(Wednesday)

Hustle Class

2nd

(Wednesday)

Bingo

(Thursday)

Ice Cream Social & Medicare Jeopardy 31st

December

West Detroit Care Center 15560 Joy Rd. Detroit, MI 48228

Accepting most insurance plans as well as Original Medicare.

2 • SENIORcare | October 2016

7th

(Wednesday)

Bingo

5th

(Monday)

Manicure Day

21st

(Friday)

Motown Karaoke

(Monday)

Costume Party 17th

(Thursday)

Comedy Show

Center Line Care Center 25373 Van Dyke Ave. Center Line, MI 48015

W. Detroit Care Center

13th

Conveniently located clinics in your neighborhood.

Greater Detroit Care Centers

Detroit Care Center

2nd

(Friday)

Holiday Karaoke Party

15th

(Tuesday)

Game Day – Cards, Checkers, Chess, Dominoes 6th

(Tuesday)

Massage Therapy

ConcertoHealth | 1.855.269.8259 | concertohealthcare.com 1

Services offered may vary by insurance carrier or eligibilty.

As my parents age, the realities of providing care for my loved ones begin to hit closer to home. While both my parents are still able to get around and enjoy life, there are still concerns that they have to face daily. Just this past Sunday, I had a discussion with my very concerned 80-year-old father about the rising costs of his prescription medications. As well, my sister and I have had to take on the task of financially aiding our mother — as we should — because she, like many seniors in our community, has to shoulder the burden of ever-increasing healthcare expenses. I am so blessed to still have them both in my life and happy that they are able to care for themselves for the most part. However, I am well aware that this is not always the case. I have far too many friends who have to coordinate their schedules with other family members and friends to ensure that their ailing loved ones are properly cared for. Friends who are being “sandwiched” between work responsibilities, supporting their child(ren) and providing elder care. Being an elder/parent caregiver is a new role on the stage of life for which no one can ever rehearse. Becoming a parental figure to an aging parent presents extraordinary challenges, which is why this edition includes tips to help these sandwiched caregivers take care of themselves while they are taking care of others. The issue of healthcare — and particularly taking care of our seniors — is far too important not to be addressed. That’s why every year the Michigan Chronicle produces SENIORcare to disseminate information about health plans, programs, initiatives and basic resources that are available to seniors in our community. This edition of SENIORcare does not disappoint. It is replete with information that can help seniors bridge the gap in care. Please enjoy and provide us with any feedback you think will help us to produce an even better resource guide next year.

In the meantime, as always, thank you for reading the Michigan Chronicle.

Cathy Nedd

Medicare and Medicaid have created a health care system that is more user-friendly and advocates healthy living – setting standards for how care is delivered. The content in this Senior Care section will discuss ways to strengthen and improve health care for future generations. Although Medicare and Medicaid started as basic health coverage programs for Americans, the programs have evolved over the years to provide more Americans with improved access to quality and affordable health care coverage. At Detroit Area Agency on Aging, we also provide important information and resources, like our Medicare/ Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) that has saved our clients over $1.9 Million last year in prescription drugs and Part B Medicare premium. MMA is a free service that helps beneficiaries to navigate through the Medicare and Medicaid systems.

MMAP Counselors can:

Associate Publisher, Michigan Chronicle

TABLE OF

Paul Bridgewater President & CEO Detroit Area Agency on Aging

CONTENTS Page 4

Sandwiched In - Caregivers in the Middle

Page 7

Government Programs for Seniors

Page 8

DIA presents Senior Thursdays

Page 9

Diabetes – The Sugar Epidemic

■ Compare Plans ■ Check to see if you qualify for help with the cost of your prescriptions or Medicare Part B premium ■ Explain your enrollment options Navigating Medicare and Medicaid can be challenging, but just remember the MMAP Counselors are here to help you, call us at 1-800-803-7174. We are Detroit’s Senior Solution

Page 10 Understanding Home Care Page 12 MI Choice Waiver Page 14 Common Mistakes of Estate Planning Page 15 Senior Moments Page 18 Senior Resource Directory Associate Publisher: Cathy Nedd Editor: Patreice A. Massey Graphic Designer: Raymond Allen Credits: Marsha Florence, Doniss T. Hicks, Dr. Jesal Khephera, Atty. Jim Shuster and Judy Wiles all appear courtesy of the Just Ask Talk Show with Marsha Florence.

SENIORcare | October 2016 • 3

‘The Sandwiched Caregiver’

ocial worker Dorothy Miller coined the term “sandwich generation” back in 1981, to describe women in their thirties to forties who were “sandwiched” between young children and aging parents as their primary caregiver. A lot has changed since then. Women are delaying childbearing and seniors are living longer. Because of these added variables, the “sandwich generation” definition has morphed along the way and tends to target both genders and the predominant age is 40-65 years.

4 • SENIORcare | October 2016

According to a 2013 Pew research report, “Nearly half (47 percent) of adults in their forties and fifties have a parent age 65 or older and are either raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child (age 18 or older). About one in seven middle-aged adults (15 percent) is providing financial support to both an aging parent and a child” (Parker & Patten). In 2005, the sandwich generation was largely made up of baby boomers. Fast forward to 2016, and the boomers have started to age out of the sandwich generation and become the recipients of care from the new sandwich generation. Generation X is now the predominant demographic in the sandwich generation. In addition, Pew research reports three in ten Hispanic adults (31 percent) have a parent age 65 or older and a dependent child. African Americans are at 21 percent. Compound this data with the growing number of children/dependent adult children and seniors who require complex care related to increased autism

and chronic disease diagnosis and the stress on the sandwich generation magnifies ten-fold. Who cares for the sandwich generation? In many cases, no one cares for this group of caregivers, who usually have the added responsibility of working a full-time job. Additionally, this group often has to juggle an unexpected hospitalization of their loved one with their career obligations. Many outsiders to this issue may think a hospitalization might give the caregiver some respite, when in fact most caregivers have an added stressor when a loved one is hospitalized and their already hectic daily routine is altered. Self-care is typically neglected by the sandwich generation. Learning to integrate simple self-care tips into your daily routine will help caregivers stay healthy. The healthy caregiver provides a higher level of physical and emotional care to their loved one and this is a gift that keeps on giving.

Ways to find balance in a life with competing demands Taking care of multiple loved ones at once can bring joy and fulfillment — as long as you take care of yourself too.

■ Avoid hard and fast plans Purchasing tickets for concerts or signing up to take a class and then being unable to attend can add to your frustration. You are often better off using any free time to take a walk, shop or even nap. Time becomes so precious. Learn to use it wisely.

The “sandwich generation” is defined as those who have a living parent and are either raising a child under age 18 or supporting an adult child. One could claim that all caregivers are sandwiched between multiple responsibilities.

■ Consider counseling

Caregivers care for many layers of family and friends (parents, children, grandchildren, grandparents, siblings, spouses, partners, neighbors, pets) while working, managing finances and households and caring for ourselves. The life of a caregiver could more accurately be described as a gigantic club sandwich — or perhaps a pressed sandwich, flattened by the pressure.

Many counselors specialize in anger, the stress of caregiving and grief. If you need help in getting through a stressful time in life, you are not weak or unusual. Think about what you need or want. Do you just want to talk to someone? Maybe a therapist or support group is what you need. Many caregivers have trouble sleeping or find themselves battling anxiety.

But there are a few things one could do to make sure you are not crushed under all the layers of your sandwiched life.

■ Protect your own identity. Protect the essence of you. If work is an important part of your identity, then you may have to change where and how you work. Whatever the unique combination of interests and skills that make you “you,” find ways to incorporate them into your life, even when caregiving.

Some suggestions ■ Ask for help One of the first things to learn is to ask for and accept help. It’s important to clearly identify your needs and acknowledge that you can’t do it all alone. This can be hard to do. Make a list of people you know who would be willing to help. Help doesn’t necessarily mean caregiving, but every task or chore that is removed from your full plate will give you a few more minutes of you time every day. ■ Accept help No matter how superhuman we are, no one can deal with all these layers of responsibilities alone. Get help with caregiving as well as with your own tasks — things like work, cleaning, shopping.

■ Reprioritize.

you visit the hospital with your loved one. Keep hand lotion, lip balm, a journal, a novel or any item that is soothing for you. ■ Nourish your body with healthy food

We may set daily, weekly and big-picture priorities, but with so many demands on our time, we have to be able to reprioritize as circumstances constantly change. ■ Get organized There are only so many hours in the day and only so much of ourselves to spread around. You don’t have the luxury of wasting a single minute. Not naturally organized? That’s OK, you can learn. Consult a professional organizer for help.

Often we are kind to others while we push ourselves beyond our limits. The first step in dealing with caregiver stress, anger or frustration is to take care of you.

It is all too easy to rely on junk food and vending machines. Avoid using alcohol or drugs (including caffeine) to get through the day. These will only complicate things and add to the stress, anger and frustration. Eating healthy food will give you the physical and mental stamina to deal with whatever is thrown your way during the day. Ultimately, it will help you to deal with adversity more effectively.

■ Take unplanned breaks

■ Sleep whenever you can

■ Be mindful and meditative

If your loved one is in the hospital and needs to have a test, give the nurse your cell number and go sit outside for 10 minutes. If caring for someone at home, consider the use of a wireless doorbell system to enable your loved one to call when needed. This allows the caregiver on duty the freedom to be in another room or go outside. A walk to the mailbox can be a mini-vacation. Sun, and even rain, can be good for the soul. Exercise of any kind can help to release some of the frustration that caregivers experience.

Many of us struggle with sleep even without a life crisis. If you have an unexpected two-hour break in the middle of an afternoon, take a nap and refuse to feel guilty about it. Sleep, like healthy food, helps all of us handle adversity better. In addition to sleep, keep up with your own health needs. Don’t skip annual medical screenings or allow yourself to run out of prescription medicine. If you do not take care of yourself, you can’t do a good job of caring for your loved one.

■ Pack a caregiver bag of your own

We all know the power of a good belly laugh! Try to see the humor in life.

Every hospital has a chapel. Consider utilizing available resources for prayer or reflection. Pick up a book on mindfulness meditation. Carry a book on mindfulness with you and read a passage or two when you have a few minutes. Use a journal to jot down your thoughts and feelings. Being mindful reminds us to have gratitude for even the small things. When caring for your loved one, be mindful of how he or she feels, smells, talks, laughs, etc. Appreciate the beauty of it all. The memories you make in doing so can be conjured up at a moment’s notice, forever. Seize the opportunity to be present in the moment. Refuse to let stress or anger rob you of valuable time with your loved one.

■ Be kind to yourself

Find an attractive cloth bag for essential personal items when

■ Laugh, laugh, laugh

■ Keep filling your own tank. This can’t be stressed enough. Every responsibility requires emotional and mental energy. Consider a variety of ways to refill your energy tank so you can keep going.

SENIORcare | October 2016 • 5

Medicare and Medicaid Assistance Program MMAP Can Help You Make Health Benefit Decisions! What is MMAP?

Beware of Medicare Scams!

MMAP is Michigan’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and Senior Medicare Patrol In the Mail, On the (SMP). We provide local help for Phone, At Your Door people with Medicare.

MMAP speakers can cover many Did you know? topics:  Between 3% and 10% of health care  Medicare and Medicaid spending is lost to fraud  Supplemental insurance  Medicare fraud has been estimated  Prescription drug coverage to cost taxpayers between 30 billion  Long term care insurance and 50 billion dollars each year  Medicare health plans  Medicare fraud could result in bad  Medicare/Medicaid fraud and equipment, bad drugs, or loss abuse of access to your Medicare benefit  New health care options

What is MI Health Link? MI Health Link is a new health care option with built-in care coordination for Medicare and Medicaid services.

MI Health Link offers:  Medical services  Medications  Dental services  Vision services  In-home services  Equipment to help with activities daily living  Community-based long-term care services  Community mental health services  Nursing home care

Call toll-free 1-800-803-7174 or visit www.mmapinc.org

6 • SENIORcare | October 2016

Ten government programs you can access for your elderly parents

By Marlo Sollitto

Caregiving for an aging parent may stretch your budget as well as your endurance. That is, if you aren’t aware of the many federal, state and local government programs that can help you make ends meet. Access to assistance is as close as your computer, and, in most cases, you can apply online. Start by visiting two sites: Benefits.gov: Gather all the information you can relating to your elderly parent's health, disability, income, assets, military service, education level and more. Visit this site and answer every question as accurately as you can. After submitting your answers, the site will respond with a list of government programs, supplements and services, including details and eligibility information. www.Benefitscheckup.org: This non-profit site run by the National Council on Aging will ask many of the same questions as the site above, but may report additional programs, details and contacts that may fit your situation. Following is a guide to the top 10 programs everyone who is caring for an aging parent should know about.

1. Medicare There is more to Medicare than just the Part A hospital and Part B medical insurance coverage. If your aging parent is 65 or older and collecting Social Security, their insurance premiums are deducted from monthly benefits. Part D prescription drug coverage is subsidized by Medicare through payments to private company insurers who then fund an average of 90 percent of the cost of prescription drugs. If your parent is considered low income and receiving only Social Security, Medicare may subsidize all but about $10 of the monthly premiums. This option may provide substantial cost savings for your parent.

an increase in benefits, particularly if the disability has worsened over time. If he or she needs continuing medical care because of the disability, an application for medical benefits, hospitalization and prescription drugs may be submitted. There are several types and levels of VA compensation and pension programs. The VA has been slow in processing claims the past few years, but there is continuing pressure by Congress and the Administration to speed up its service.

5. HIPAA The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1966 provides your elderly parent privacy of his or her medical records. It is a regulation and restriction program on health care providers. The protection should be of concern to you and other family members because, unless your parent signs a form designating each of you as approved to discuss your medical concerns with the physician, he or she cannot do such, even if you prove your family connection. Better sooner than later, access the HIPAA website for the information and forms, or secure the forms from a physician, and file copies with every health care professional involved in your parent's care.

6. United States Department of Justice

website offers briefings and cost-free publications on the regulations to grant universal access to the disabled.

7. Food and Drug Administration Your aging parent is probably taking a few different prescription drugs, perhaps prescribed by different doctors. As caregiver, you should be aware of every one of the drugs, know its mission in the body and, particularly the side effects and conflicts with other medications. You want to watch for a danger known as polypharmacy. The federal Food and Drug Administration offers a giant database on every drug approved by the agency, listing active ingredients, purpose of the medication, dosing recommendations and the side effects and conflicts.

8. Your U.S. Senator Every senator has a staff specialist on elder affairs, programs and services, probably in major cities of your state plus in Washington, D.C. The staff person can both advise and advocate for benefits or services for your parent. Know that bureaucrats listen immedi-

ately to an aide for a United States Senator. 9. Your Congressional Representative Most representatives in the United States Congress also have staff specialists on elder affairs, programs and services and can provide both information and advocacy.

10. Area Agency on Aging There is a federally-mandated Area Agency on Aging in your county or city. This agency is staffed by professionals who are knowledgeable about elder programs and services, including available financial sources in your area. Gather up the same information you collected for the two sites detailing the national, and even state, programs for which your parent may qualify and make an appointment to meet with a counselor at the Area Agency on Aging. The staff person can advise regarding programs and qualifications and even help prepare the necessary applications and documentation. Often, the counselor will even call a recommended agency, program or service to notify them that your application is headed their way. In summary, using these resources, caregivers can gain access to a world of vital information as well as increased income and services for their aging parents. These programs can provide added support that may help reduce caregiver stress.

If your parent has a disability, particularly with physical movement, learn about the Americans with Disabilities Act administered by the U.S. Department of Justice. Its ADA

2. Social Security If your parent’s Social Security benefits were earned based on lower-paying jobs, and if the benefits are their only source of income, there may be a larger monthly benefit available by applying for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The program may be operated federally or in conjunction with your state government. The Medicaid program is also administered through the Social Security Administration.

3. Administration on Aging (AoA) The AoA administers many national programs and services for elders, including health insurance counseling, legal assistance, protection from elder abuse and help with long-term care.

4. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) If your aging parent is a military veteran and has a service-related disability, you may be able to apply for

SENIORcare | October 2016 • 7

The Detroit Institute of Art presents Senior Thursdays The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) works with thousands of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county seniors annually. This year, in an effort to further expand the array of tri-county senior programs, the DIA, with input from community senior centers, has developed “Senior Thursdays”. The program gives seniors from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties the opportunity to visit the museum and enjoy programs planned exclusively for them every Thursday at no cost. The first Thursday of each month features a guided gallery tour; the second, a lecture; the third, an art-making class; and the fourth, a film. During months with five Thursdays, the fifth Thursday features a guided gallery tour. All programs begin at 1 p.m. The schedule for October and November is as follows:

October Oct. 20: Studio class: Sugar skulls Learn how sugar skulls are used for Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexican and Mexican American communities while you decorate one of your own. Oct. 27: Film, “Eva Hesse” One of America’s foremost postwar artists, Eva Hesse’s pioneering sculptures, using materials such as latex, fiberglass, steel and plastics (including her stunning “Accession II,” in the DIA’s permanent collection) helped establish the post-minimalist movement. Before a brain tumor took her life in 1970 — at age 34 — she had a

8 • SENIORcare | October 2016

decade-long career that, despite its brevity, is dense with complex and marvelous works.

Nov. 17: Studio class: Print-making notecards

This first feature-length appreciation of her life makes superb use of the artist’s journals, her correspondence with friend and mentor Sol LeWitt, and interviews with artists Richard Serra, Robert Mangold, Dan Graham and others, who recall her creative genius as well as her passionate personality. Eva Hesse is a moving portrait of this artist’s personal and professional struggles and triumphs – one of the few women whose work was taken seriously in the male-dominated downtown New York art scene of the 1960s.

Use foam printing plates, water-based inks and a wooden stylus to create beautiful, one-of-akind hand-pulled prints on cardstock. Envelopes included.

November Nov. 3: Tour: Highlights of the permanent collection Nov. 10: Lecture: Coffee, Tea and Chocolate: New Designs for New Drinks Three exotic beverages — coffee, tea and chocolate — arrived in 17th-century Europe at a time of burgeoning exploration and trade, and their arrival caused a near-revolution in drinking habits and social customs. Celebrated by some, reviled by others, these stimulating brews spurred an insatiable demand for a range of fashionable new equipage such as coffee pots, tea caddies, sugar tongs, and matching beverage sets. Come learn about hoe the introduction of these new drinks stimulated the European silver and porcelain industries.

Nov. 24: No Senior Thursday program; museum closed for Thanksgiving Research shows both the acts of creative expression and social interaction are vital to the mental and physical well- being of senior citizens. According to Gene D. Cohen, MD, PhD of the Center for Aging, Health & Humanities, George Washington University, “Expressing ourselves can actually improve health, both mentally and physically.” Dr. Cohen’s research claims the following benefits of creative activity: • Creativity reinforces essential connections between brain cells, including those responsible for memory. • Creativity strengthens morale. It alters the way we respond to problems and sometimes allows us to transcend them. Keeping a fresh perspective makes us emotionally resilient. • Challenging the brain can relieve sleep and mood disorders. • Reading, writing and word games increase one’s working vocabulary and help to fend off forgetfulness.

• Capitalizing on creativity promotes a positive outlook and sense of well being which boosts the immune system and fights disease. • Having an active, creative life makes it easier to face adversity, including the loss of a spouse. No reservations are necessary to participate and free transportation is available for groups of 25 or more. To book a group, call 313-833-1292. Visit dia.org for a list of upcoming activities.

Museum Hours and Admission 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesdays–Thursdays, 9 a.m.– 10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission (excludes ticketed exhibitions) is free for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb county residents and DIA members. For all others, $12.50 for adults, $8 for seniors ages 62+, $6 for ages 6-17. For membership information, call 313-833-7971. The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), one of the premier art museums in the United States, is home to more than 60,000 works that comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from ancient times through the 21st century. From the first Van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum (“Self-Portrait,” 1887), to Diego Rivera’s world-renowned “Detroit Industry ” murals (1932–33), the DIA’s collection is known for its quality, range, and depth. The DIA’s mission is to create opportunities for all visitors to find personal meaning in art.

Diabetes: By Doniss Hicks

RD, CEO, Living4LifeWellness, LLC “Sugar” Diabetes Some time ago, before I became a registered dietitian, I used to hear my elders talking about “sugar.” At that time, I had no idea what “sugar” was other than the white sugar that my family and everybody I knew used. I heard the elders saying things like: “He got sugar girl,” “That sugar ain’t no joke” and “Sugar runs in my family.” I was perplexed to say the least. I used to think to myself, why are these people carrying sugar around? That is, until I heard people use sugar in connection with diabetes. They called it “sugar” diabetes. As I heard more and more about “sugar diabetes,” I also learned more and more about its devastating complications, especially among African American women. Older women I knew described and allowed me to witness the problems they suffered with their skin, eyes, hands, feet and more. I witnessed their struggles with diet and trying to control their “sugar” with no real knowledge of how to combat Doniss Hicks the disease. Preventable Epidemic Diabetes has become an epidemic in the United States, especially in regards to African American women. One in 4 African-American women older than 55 has diabetes. This is largely due to the increasing number of black women with contributing risk factors such as obesity, high levels of stress, lack of an exercise program,

The ‘sugar’ epidemic

poor dietary practices along with genetic predisposition.

Diabetes is currently categorized under two primary disorders:

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, over 50 percent of African American women are obese. This translates to significantly higher numbers of women being diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease and cancer. It is also an indication that we must pay closer attention to our diet in order to prevent the onset of diabetes. 90 - 95% of

Type 1 diabetes - occurs when the pancreas no longer produces insulin and is usually diagnosed in early childhood to pre-adulthood. Insulin is required to offset the carbohydrate in food allowing carbohydrate to be utilized by cells for fuel. Type 2 diabetes - is diagnosed when the pancreas produces a limited supply of insulin, requiring a diet that has a consistent supply of carbohydrate throughout the day. These individuals require oral medications or insulin to manage blood sugar levels. Any food or drink with carbohydrates, including vegetables and dairy products, are digested and broken down into glucose to fuel cells. Management and Prevention

all cases of diabetes are described as type 2. Adopting a lifestyle that includes maintaining a healthy weight, eating balanced meals and regular physical activity, can prevent type 2 diabetes. Origins of Diabetes Diabetes is a chronic disease in which increased levels of blood sugar build up in the blood. The Egyptians first described diabetes in 1500 BC as “great emptying of urine.”

Addicted to SUGAR

Diabetes is a difficult disease to manage because people have a hard time dealing with changing a lifetime of bad eating behaviors. At one point in the life of most diabetics, they ate huge amounts of sugar-laden foods. They ate whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. They ate candy by the tons, dumped mounds of white sugar into their coffee, drank pop, fruit drinks, sweet tea, and Kool-Aid loaded with sugar. Some would binge on cookies by the dozen; eat whole sweet potato pies, topped off with a gallon of ice cream.

The eating behaviors mentioned above may seem excessive but that is the life pattern of a sugar addict. Those same people are stunned when they learn they have diabetes. All of the foods described above are filled with sugar — highly refined, non-nutritious, highly addictive sugar. Re fined sugar is as addictive as cocaine. Sugar consumption in the United States has also reached epidemic proportions. Statistics show that the average person in the United States consumes up to 130 pounds of sugar per year. That amount is equivalent to the size of an average sized teenage female. The average American consumes 3,550 pounds of sugar in

Diabetes is preventable and can be managed if we are serious and adopt a consistent diet, exercise and stress management program. Believe it or not there are documented cases of individuals who have cured themselves or at the very least improved blood sugar levels by adopting a vegetarian diet. A vegetarian diet is effective because of the high levels of soluble and insoluble fiber found in fruits, vegetable and grains, which helps to level off blood sugar levels. Fruits, vegetables, grains, spices and herbs also contain phyto and micronutrients that aid in cellular reproduction, repair and healing of the body along with regulation of hormones such as insulin. A vegetarian diet is also lower in fat and can help promote a healthier weight, both of which are good for the heart.

Need help coping with diabetes? Diabetes PATH (Personal Action Toward Health) Patterned after the Stanford Diabetes Self-Management Program, the Diabetes PATH is a workshop for adults with type 2 diabetes, their family, friends and caregivers. It takes two-and-a-half hours a week for six weeks. Trained leaders guide workshops. Workshops are free. What will you learn? The workshop covers many things about diabetes, but what you will really learn are ways to help take care of your health. In a workshop you will learn techniques that help you: ■ Move more easily by doing exercises that work for you. ■ Take charge of your own health. ■ Do the things you like to do. ■ Be more independent. ■ Communicate better with your health care team. You will learn to make weekly action plans that help you stay on track with your diabetes care. You and the other workshop participants will help each other learn to solve problems managing diabetes. For more information, call (313) 446-4444, ext. 5348, or email healthyaging@daaa1a.org.

a lifetime. That’s equivalent to 500 calories per day or 10 strips of bacon. On average, we also consume 53 gallons of soft drinks per year. It’s no wonder that obesity is on the rise. Sugar intake is also linked to most incidences of cancer, high blood pressure, headaches, fatigue, violent behavior, acne, nervous tension, stiffening of the arteries and, of course, diabetes. You don’t need sugar as much as you think you do. In fact, you can train your taste buds to enjoy things that aren’t as sweet. Try cutting out one sweet food from your diet each week. For example, pass on dessert after dinner. Start putting less sugar in your coffee or cereal. Over time, you will lose your need for that sugar taste. If you must indulge, try fresh berries or pureed fruit on oatmeal instead of sugar. Explore fruit that’s dried, frozen, or canned (without too much added sugar). A glass of low-fat milk or low-sugar yogurt can help. You don’t always have to give up sweetness. Just use alternative sources and moderation.

SENIORcare | October 2016 • 9

Understanding

HOME CARE

Home care can be for anyone — individuals and families of all ages who are challenged by a variety of health and social problems such as short or long term illness, injury, physical impairments, mental health disorders and chemical dependencies. Generally, home care is appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay home, but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends. An increasing number of people, electing to live independent lives, are taking advantage of home care services as their physical capabilities diminish or they become terminally ill. Younger adults with disabilities or those recuperating from acute illness are also choosing home care. The chronically ill and children are benefiting from sophisticated medical treatment in their loving and secure home environments. Thanks to the success of modern technology, yielding state-of-the-art medical equipment for use in the home and the technicians who are trained to operate such equipment, more people are able to leave institutions or avoid ever having to enter them. They can be cared for safely and effectively in the comfort of their own home, surrounded by the ones they love. You may benefit from home care services if you or a loved one is: • In need of assistance to live independently at home • Recovering from a recent illness • Discharged from a hospital or nursing home, but need additional care • Terminally ill and wishes to die in the comfort of their own home

So what exactly is an in home service agency?

To help evaluate that question, it is important to know the categories of care that are available. Home care encompasses a wide range of health and social services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Home care services may be either skilled (non-medical) or skilled (medical) services such as:

Hospice: Provides a team of health care professionals and volunteers who offer comprehensive physical, psychosocial and spiritual care for patients at the end of life. Quality of life is enhanced by relief of pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. Mobile Diagnostic: Provides x-ray, ultrasound, heart studies and laboratory services at home.

• Nursing • Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy • Home Medical Equipment • Personal Care • Housekeeping • Infusion and Respiratory Therapy • Respite • Hospice • Mobile Diagnostic • Counseling

Infusion Therapy: Provides services and medication, such as intravenous antibiotic therapy. Payment for services may be through Medicare, Medicaid or other health insurance plans. Home care may also be paid directly by the patient or the patient’s family. You may wish to talk with your doctor or friends regarding their experience with home care services. Consider all the circumstances before making a final decision when selecting a home care agency.

Who provides home care?

Hospice agencies are required to be licensed in Michigan but all other home care agencies are not. Meanwhile, certification and accreditation are two ways home care agencies demonstrate credibility to patients seeking home care services from a reputable provider. A Medicare-certified home care agency has met federal minimum requirements for patient care and financial management and therefore can provide Medicare and Medicaid home health services.

Certified Home Health: Provides professional and paraprofessional services which meet federal requirements, such as nursing, home health aides, social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy. Private Duty Home Care: Provides services, which are desired and purchased by the individual, such as nursing care, personal care or housekeeping services. Private duty services may be skilled health or non-skilled (non-medical). Home Medical Equipment Supplier: Provides equipment and supplies, such as beds, wheelchairs, oxygen, wound care, diabetic and ostomy.

Licensing or Accrediting Home Care

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service (CMS) has more quality measures and other information to help you make decisions about certified Medicare and Medicaid services at CMS Home Health Compare. Keep in mind that an agency decision not to

become certified does not imply that it provides poor care. In many cases, these agencies adhere to their own set of high standards, but those seeking a home care provider should ask more questions to determine if the agency is right for them or their loved one. Accreditation is a voluntary process that signifies that the agency has met national industry standards. Agencies may be accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP), the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) or the Accreditation Commission for Home Care (ACHC). Staying at home is the popular choice for elderly, disabled or injured patients. Home care helps people stay out of the hospital. In fact, home care is both the preferred choice and lowest cost choice for patients needing care. Editorial provided by Barry Cargill, executive director, Michigan Home Health Association, a state based trade association representing all segments of home care services.

Medicare 2016 Annual Enrollment October 7 through December 7

Call toll-free 1-800-803-7174 For A Counselor To Help You Locate An Open Enrollment Location or Schedule An Appointment Dates and Times are Available on Our Website at

www.DetroitSeniorSolution.org

1333 Brewery Park Blvd., Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48207-4544 Phone: (313) 446-4444 Fax: (313) 446-4445 10 • SENIORcare | October 2016

Detroit Area Agency on Aging The Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) is a non-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors, adults with disabilities, and caregivers living in the communities of Detroit, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, and the five Grosse Pointes.

Creating Aging-Friendly Neighborhoods Nutrition • Health/Wellness • Senior Independence Nutrition Services

Provides hot, frozen or liquid nutrition to homebound seniors 60 years or older. Nutrition Services also serves congregate meals in a community setting and Holiday Meals on Wheels.

Healthy Aging

Consists of classes to improve fitness, reduce falls, manage chronic diseases, and control and monitor diabetes.

Senior Independence & Family Assistance

Long-Term Care Services MI Choice provides home care support to adults with disabilities who are 18 to 64 years of age, and seniors who are 60 years and older who qualify for nursing home care. Care Management provides home care support to adults and seniors with disabilities who are 60 years and older. Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) SCSEP offers on-the-job training for seniors who are 55 years or older. Medicare-Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) Provides free health insurance counseling for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. Long-Term Care Ombudsman A service that provides assistance and advocacy for long-term care facility residents. Resources for Families Provides caregiver education, support and training for individuals caring for a loved one with dementia.

(313) 446-4444 • www.DetroitSeniorSolution.org

SENIORcare | October 2016 • 11

FACT SHEET ON

MI CHOICE What is MI Choice? MI Choice is a statewide program designed to give older adults and people with disabilities more choices in receiving long term supports. It provides a variety of services in a person’s home that are similar to those provided in a nursing home. MI Choice is also known as the Medicaid Waiver for the Elderly and Disabled. Is MI Choice an entitlement program? No, the state places a cap on the number of clients that can enroll. Which services are included? Services include personal care, homemaking, respite in the home, respite outside the home, respite in the home of another, adult day care, home-delivered meals, non-medical transportation, private duty nursing, personal emergency response systems, chore service, counseling, specialized medical equipment and supplies, training, nursing home transition services, fiscal intermediary, goods and services, community living supports and environmental accessibility adaptations. A new option allows clients more control in directing how services are delivered. Who can participate? Low-income adults of all ages who have disabilities significant enough to qualify for nursing home care are eligible for MI Choice. People already living in nursing homes are eligible if they are able to live safely at home with supportive services. Income can be no greater than 300 percent of the SSI level ($2,022/month in 2009), and liquid assets can be no greater than $2,000. The income of a spouse is exempt and spousal asset protections apply. Starting 2009, people living in adult foster care homes and homes for the aged are eligible to participate in MI Choice. How does the program work?

MI Choice Waiver Program giving seniors more long-term care options

Nursing homes used to be the only choice for older or disabled persons who needed help caring for themselves. Today, many have the choice to stay in your home or a community setting, and the government has programs to help make that possible.

One such program is the MI Choice Waiver Program. Funded by Michigan Medicaid, the program began in 1992 as the Home and Community Based Services for the Elderly and Disabled (HCBS/ED) waiver program. The MI Choice Waiver Program, or simply, “the Waiver,” allows eligible adults who meet income and asset criteria can receive

Medicaid-covered services like those provided by nursing homes, while staying in their own home or another residential setting.

The Waiver became available in all Michigan counties Oct. 1, 1998. Each participant can receive the basic services Michigan Medicaid covers, and one or more of the following services unique to the waiver: ■ Community transition services ■ Community living supports ■ Nursing services (preventative nursing) ■ Respite services ■ Adult day health (adult day care) ■ Environmental modifications

12 • SENIORcare | October 2016

■ Non-medical transportation ■M edical supplies and equipment not covered under the Medicaid State Plan ■ Chore services ■ Personal emergency response systems ■ Private duty nursing ■ Counseling ■ Home delivered meals ■ Training in a variety of independent living skills ■ Supports coordination ■ Fiscal intermediary ■ Goods and services

A registered nurse and a social worker visit the person in his/her home to determine what the client wants, and what family members and friends can do to help. The nurse or social worker provides a list of qualified agencies from which the client can choose, and contacts agencies if the client desires. After services are started, the nurse or social worker stays in touch with the client on a regular basis to make adjustments, as desired. MI Choice uses an approach that is person-centered, meaning clients are in control and make the decisions about their care. What is the role of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs)? AAAs administer the MI Choice program, meaning they provide the nurses and social workers that visit clients and help them get assistance—this service is known as care management. AAAs are well suited to manage clients’ care because they don’t provide in-home services and have no financial self-interest in referring clients to particular services or service providers. AAAs are also responsible for data collection, financial management, and implementing cost controls. Fourteen AAAs administer MI Choice; seven other agencies across the state also perform this role. How much does it cost? There is no charge for people who qualify. The state has placed limits on MI Choice to control spending. The reimbursement cap is $52 or $53 per client per day; the cap is figured in the aggregate, so individual clients can cost more. All service costs, care management and administration must fit under the cap.

Have you used your

medical insurancelately?

re you paying insurance every month? Are you retired and have health Insurance? Are you receiving Medicare?

If you answered yes, the real question is, when was the last time you really used your benefits? When caring for an elderly love one or even yourself, you should contact your insurance company and find out about your current benefit coverage. If you are a caregiver you are legally able to inquire about the coverage for your elderly family member. When providing senior care, the patient or family member may be in need of home care service such as a visiting nurse, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and certified nursing assistance (CNA). This is a request that you ask your primary physician for or if being discharged from the hospital speak with the hospital social worker before being discharged so that your paperwork for home care services are processed. Family members are often glad that their elderly love ones are coming home from a hospital stay, but totally unaware of the resources needed to care for a person once they get home. A good example is incontinence care. Oftentimes, the elderly parent may be in need of waterproof undergarments. Before you head to the nearest store and spend $20 for a 12-pack of absorbent products, call your insurance company to ask if you have coverage for incontinence care. If so, contact your doctor and ask for a written prescription which will be used to place the order with a medical supply company for the items to be delivered to your home. If you are not sure what kind to get when you contact the medical supply company, just have them send you samples before placing your order.

Marsha Florence Your doctor’s prescription is key to you receiving home care services and supplies such as hospital beds, wound care supplies, portable potty chair, portable home oxygen supply, even transportation assistance to and from some doctor’s appointments, hospital stays and discharges. For the uninsured, contact World Relief, Red Cross, Missions and local Church organizations to see if they have what you need at little to know cost. Oftentimes, caregivers may have donated unused items that they no longer need to these organizations and you may be eligible to receive said donations.

If you are in need of new dentures but can’t afford them or new prescription glasses, check your dental and vision coverage. Don’t guess at what kind of benefit coverage you have. Take a few minutes and call. You will be surprised at what’s available and what you have already paid for in past years, but have never used. I know you’re saying, ‘they (the insurance company) never told me that.’ Well remember, if you don’t ask you won’t know.

Submitted by Marsha Florence, “Just Ask” talk show.

SENIORcare | October 2016 • 13

reinventing estate planning

Age didn’t stop her from

The five most common mistakes of

her career later in life By Kira Brekke

Karen Love had worked in the news media industry for over 30 years when, instead of hanging up her hat when reaching retirement age a few years ago, she went back to school and received a degree in sociology and a master’s degree in gerontology.

For 34 years, Love worked in news media, first at the Los Angeles Times, then at the Chicago Tribune and, most recently, as the chief operating officer (COO) at the Michigan Chronicle in Detroit. But at age 65, Love decided she needed a change. This grandmother of three and great-grandmother of one returned to college and completed a degree in sociology at Eastern Michigan University before going on to earn a master’s degree in gerontology from the University of Southern California. Wanting to put her new degrees to good use, she applied last summer for the posiKaren Love tion of outreach coordinator for a new organization called Community Connections designed to enhance the lives of seniors — and she got it. Love is now doing exactly what she’s always wanted to do — help get senior citizens active and involved in their communities.

“I wanted to show my grandkids that you can go back to school, that you can do anything you want, when you are in your sixties and beyond,” she said. “They need to know they have a voice in the community and that they don’t have to sit back and let people and government officials run all over them. I want seniors to know that you don’t have to stop. I’m an example of that. You can go back to school and repurpose yourself. I did it and anyone can do it.” Love continued, “I decided why not use my skills that I’ve honed over the years along with my degree in sociology, and work with seniors? And who better? Here I was, over 65, and realizing that with the growing numbers of seniors, they were going to need someone who spoke their language.” It’s been the norm for people of retirement age to “sit down in a rocking chair and read every day,” Love said, but wasting her talents wasn’t an option. “I really have a lot of skills and a lot of knowledge that I can share with others, and the Community Connection aspect of it was just perfect for me to fall into,” Love said. “And by doing that, through what I do at Community Connection, we help individuals to discover the gifts and talents they have.”

14 • SENIORcare | October 2016

By Jim Schuster

Certified Elder Law Attorney

Everybody knows of the problems of aging adults, but many elders do nothing about preparing for aging. Following are the most common mistakes. Doing nothing

If you do nothing to deal with aging, you have a good chance of lifetime probate. That means the probate court must appoint a guardian or conservator to handle your affairs. One study found that the number one cause of probate guardianship was the need for emergency medical treatment when the patient cannot give consent.

The cost of probate over your lifetime can be enormous and you lose control over your life. Only Planning for Death Many people think they are “all set” if they have a will, but a will is only effective at death. We are talking about lifetime issues, not what happens after we die. Joint property with children Many seniors think they are all set if they have a daughter or son on their bank accounts with them. The thinking goes “that way they can pay the bills if I cannot.” There are many problems with joint accounts. The first is that it solves only one problem of aging — paying bills. Joint

accounts give the child no ability to help the parent in any other way. If the child calls the insurance company they will ask, “Are you the insured?” The child will say, “No, but, I'm joint on the bank account.” That goes nowhere.

The more serious problem is the risk of losing your life savings to a child who may not be financially responsible. The same can go for the house. If a child is a joint owner, if that child is sued, divorced or goes into bankruptcy, so does your property.

And finally, joint accounts can be the source of probate battles after the death. What if a parent makes an account joint with one child? After the parent dies, will the child share it with the other children? What if the parent’s will says to share equally? Unfortunately, there are no absolute legal rules and questions like these are often answered after a bitter battle in probate court. Paying employees under the table. People who work for you in your home have rights as employees. You are responsible for collecting and paying income, Social Security, Medicare and unemployment taxes.

Suppose a lady falls down the stairs

carrying laundry. She can file for workers compensation and have her medical bills and her wage loss paid by the employer — you. If you “let her go” because your daughter can now do it, the former employee could file for unemployment, and that opens you up to back taxes, interest and penalties. Not getting legal advice for "means tested" government benefits. Veterans “Aid and Attendance” and Medicaid nursing home benefits are very valuable to elders, but they are “means tested.” They have asset limits. Few people know that these programs allow some common sense solutions to losing all your life savings before you get your earned benefits. Like income tax, you need to know what “deductions, credits and exemptions” the programs allow. When it comes to these government benefits, get legal advice. It is really easy to do it right. For the average person a “life care” plan is no more difficult than preparing for “death and taxes.” All you have to do is identify your trusted assistants and give them legal authority to do what they will need to do — everything. And then make sure they know when to get professional advice. Do that and you are 99 percent there to having aging go as smoothly as it can.

Senior moments By Dr. Khephera Jesal

The description “senior moments” is often used when describing certain adverse behavior that may be typical for those that are in their fifties, sixties and beyond. Periods of forgetfulness, fatigue, confusion, lessened mobility and illness, to name a few. If we are lucky enough to live a long productive life and reach the age of Social Security or retirement, we undergo certain changes and challenges that we did not experience in our youth. With age comes demands of different life skills, routines, choices, requirements and certain responsibilities. My interest as a senior and having a mom who is experiencing diminished capacity has given me pause to investigate, pursue and apply what is possible for the rest of our years on this earth. Our basic needs and care that we required from infancy tend to be the same no matter what age or gender. Our first and primary need for life is oxygen. To be able to breathe fully is to feel the flow of air moving through our lungs in order to maintain and sustain life. Our second and most neglected thing that our bodies require is water, which is essential for hydration, especially for the brain. Many people have found that increasing the amount of pure water they drink improves memory function. Seniors are often chronically dehydrated and often lose their ability to indicate thirst. Third, our food is fuel that distributes necessary vitamins, minerals and substances to support the functionality of the whole

body. Increasing the amount of uncooked fresh fruits and vegetables daily assists in the ability to sustain optimal health and well-being. Remember that there is a distinct difference between eating and feeding. The fourth much needed and often neglected form of body maintenance is exercise. It is essential that the body keep moving, eliminating, repairing and restoring. Muscles and bones can become stronger when you use them. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. An alternative form of passive exercise for those with limited mobility is massage therapy. Research has shown that weakened and premature babies survive and thrive better when lovingly rubbed and massaged. Touch has been proven to accelerate healing. One of my favorite pastimes for seniors is the art of music and laughter. Sounds, tones, chords, voice and harmony contain the inherent ability to activate and spark memory. Music from the era of the “good old days” ignites feelings of joy and comfort to the body, mind and spirit. Whether watching slapstick or old time comedy, laughter is often the best medicine. Finally, remember to speak words of love and possibility into the ears and heart of our beloved elders. Prayerfully holding the vision of increased strength and well-being often brings hope to the hopeless. May the fall and winter season experiences be the best life has to offer, and your “senior moments” turn frowns into smiles.

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Mental exercise can help seniors improve

memory

skills

Can crossword puzzles and photographs really help older Americans?

Absolutely, according to Shaun Jayakar, MD, St. John Hospital and Medical Center internist and geriatrician, who says, “Mental exercise can be a huge benefit for people as they age, especially those with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.” Whether memory loss is hindering your (or a loved one’s) lifestyle, or you’re just noticing some forgetfulness, mental exercise can delay the loss of intellectual ability that faces many as they age. There are three broad types of memory issues: • Dementia: A loss of memory and intellectual ability, enough to interfere with normal life. • Alzheimer’s disease: A degenerative and progressive disease that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. • Vascular Dementia: Diminished intellectual abilities that result from repeated cerebral strokes or lack of blood flow to the brain. While there is much research going on to find a vaccine, cure or lasting and effective treatment for these issues, there is no current cure for dementia. But there are many things you can do. Keep Current to Day, Time and Events To keep your circadian rhythm from getting out of whack, keep lights on during the day and off during the night. To make things simple, buy a timer from a home improvement store to automatically keep lights on schedule. Get a newspaper subscription, or watch TV or listen to radio news to stay current on world and local events. People who can remember the date, day of the week, and be aware of the world around them are more able to handle their day than those who cannot. Photographs As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the patient begins to forget family members and friends. Consider creating a photo album of loved ones. Online publishers like snapfish.com and shutterfly.com offer many options for beautiful photo books that are affordable and simple. When going to the hospital, take photos of family. It’s common to lose sense of time and reality when hospitalized, especially in the evening hours, when some patients behave contrary to their nature and become disoriented or hostile. Having familiar items and photos can help you re-orient to time and place. Mental Stimulation Finally, try crossword or Sudoku puzzles. Read books that make you think. Play card games or Scrabble with friends or grandchildren. Discuss the news or ask others their opinion on a world affair. Get together with other people who are good conversationalists. The more a person with memory issues is engaged with their world, and oriented to it, the healthier they will be mentally. Editorial provided by Sara E. Brown, St. John Providence Health System.

16 • SENIORcare | October 2016

Pass the black eyed peas, hold the defibrillator please Judy Wiles Dietary Consultant African Americans are one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States, accounting for 13.3 percent of the general population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2015). Nine percent of African Americans were age 65 or older in 2014 (DHHS, 2014). The national average of our aging African American community suffers a disproportionately higher rate of chronic diseases such as obesity, morbidity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and cerebrovascular disease compared to that of whites, Asians and Hispanics (Satia et al., 2004).

scribe African American cuisine, originated during the 1960’s civil rights era, however, its roots can be traced as far back as the 1400s (African American Registry, n.d.). While slave owners dined on fine cuts of premium meats, poultry, fish, fowl, fresh fruits and vegetables, our ancestors were forced to consume castoff remnants of meats, such as ham hocks, pig feet, gizzards and pig intestines/ chitterlings (SUNYSCC, Begley Library, 2016). The African American slave, faced with limited food resources, became masters at transforming discarded scraps of meats and vegetables into a veritable mélange of appetizing flavors. These undesirable scraps of food were made palatable for human consumption by incorporating heavy doses of seasonings and animal fat into delicious onepot stews and soups (African American Registry, n.d.).

The aging African American’s guide to healthy food choices

The mortality rate among African Americans age 65 or older is 40 percent higher than that of whites afflicted with similar age-related chronic diseases (Hummer et al, 2004). One contributing factor to these health disparities can be traced directly to diet, but diet alone is not the only obstacle blocking the path to healthier senior living. Stress, socioeconomic disparities, lack of access to fresh fruits, vegetable, preventive health care and regular exercise play a significant role as well (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 2008). In order to extend and improve the quality of life of the African American senior population and close the health disparity gap, it is imperative that we promote healthy eating strategies. A healthy lifestyle begins with the food we eat and how we prepare it. “Soul food,” which is a term used to de-

Soul food, albeit a tasty, mouthwatering meal and a source of cultural pride for African American seniors, can contain high levels of saturated fats with an unhealthy calorie to fat ratio of 50 percent or higher. The high fat content found in many soul food recipes far exceeds the current national daily dietary recommendations of 25 to 35 percent of calories to fat (Kim, et al., 2008). Many soul food dishes also contain extremely high levels of sodium, which contribute to hypertension and other chronic diseases (USDHHS, 2010).

An increasing number of aging African Americans living in urban cities reside within virtual food deserts. African American seniors are further restrained by socioeconomic inequities, the lack of adequate transportation and limited access to grocery stores and food pantries in their community. Such inequities make the procurement of healthy, fresh vegetables, fruits, lean cuts of meats and fish a daunting challenge for seniors with limited resources (Pawlak, et al.,2009). These urban food deserts serve only to further exasperate the health and well-being of aging African Americans, by exposing our seniors to a never-ending cycle of unhealthy food and lifestyle choices (Collins, et al., 2010). The current health disparity crisis impacting the lives of our African American seniors can be disheartening, but fear not, Nana and Pop, pass the black eyed peas, collards and mac and cheese. With some tweaking of your beloved ancestral soul food recipes, you can still enjoy your favorite comfort foods and maintain a healthy lifestyle as well.

HEALTHIER SOUL FOOD Following are some suggestions for modifying your favorite soul food recipes, without sacrificing the “flava” in the process: ■ When baking, cakes, breads or making the crust for your sweet potato pie, substitute white flour with whole wheat flour. ■ When making your creamy shrimp and grits, substitute heavy cream for low-fat evaporated milk, skim or low-fat half-andhalf. ■ Substitute whole milk for 1% or fat-free milk. ■ When baking up your awesome bubbling

golden brown, mac and cheese, substitute regular cheese with 2% or low-fat cheese. ■ When whipping up your southern heirloom tomato/cheese/egg pie, substitute whole eggs with cholesterol- free eggs or an egg substitute. ■ When simmering those delicious mouth-watering collard greens, replace ham hocks, fatback and salt pork with the more flavorful smoked turkey (for a little extra added flavor add a little low-sodium chicken broth to the pot). ■ Every day should begin with a well-balanced healthy breakfast. You can start your

day off right by substituting lean Canadian bacon, turkey bacon or turkey sausage for bacon or pork sausage. ■ Substitute canola or olive oil for lard, Crisco or saved drippings from fatty meats. ■ When baking, replace unhealthy oils with apple sauce. ■ Substitute salt with fresh or dried herbs and spices. ■ Trim the fat from meat, remove the skin from poultry and eat more “caught in the wild” fresh fish. Source: (“Eating Well,” 2015)

SENIORcare | October 2016 • 17

Agencies on Aging Area Agency on Aging 1-B Oakland County........................................................ 800-852-7795

Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Beneficiary Helpline................................................ 800-642-3195

City of Detroit Senior Citizen’s Department........ 313-224-1000

Senior Prescription Program Caremark Mail-order Pharmaceuticals................................... 877-321-2652

Detroit Area Agency on Aging 1-A........................ 313-446-4444 Macomb County Department of Senior Citizen Services........................................... 586-469-6313 The Senior Alliance Area Agency on Aging 1-C...................................... 800-815-1112 Wayne County Alzheimer’s / Memory Care Alzheimer’s Association................ 248-351-0280 Shelby Township...................................................... 86-323-2020 Alzheimer’s / Memory Care Alzheimer’s Association......................................... 248-351-0280 American Lung Association................................... 313-499-4856 Mental Illness and Depression Catholic Charities Services of Cuyahoga County 7800 Detroit Ave........................................................ 216-631-3499 6804 Lansing Ave...................................................... 216-441-5402 2 Parkinson’s Disease Michigan Parkinson Foundation............................ 248-433-1011

Veteran Services Oakland County Veteran’s Services Pontiac........................................................................ 248-858-0785 Troy............................................................................. 248-655-1250 Walled Lake................................................................ 248-926-3368 Macomb County Veteran’s Services........................ 586-469-5315 Veterans Benefits....................................................... 800-827-1000 Veterans Healthcare Benefits................................... 887-222-VETS Wayne County Veteran’s Affairs............................... 313-224-5045

Nutrition Detroit Meals on Wheels........................ 313-446-4444

MI Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP)...................................................................... 800-803-7174

Oakland County Addison/Leonard..........................................................248-628-3388 Auburn Hills....................................................................248-370-9353 Berkley............................................................................248-658-3470 Birmingham/BASCC.....................................................248-203-5270 Bowen Ctr.–Golden Opportunity Club........................248-857-5723 Commerce/Richardson................................................248-926-0063 Clarkston........................................................................248-625-8231 Clawson..........................................................................248-583-6700 Dublin.............................................................................248-698-3994 Farmington Hills.............................................................248-473-1830 Heather...........................................................................248-544-6767 Hazel Park......................................................................248-546-4093 Highland.........................................................................248-887-1707 Huntington Woods.........................................................248-541-3030 Lake Orion......................................................................248-693-2066 Madison Heights............................................................248-545-3464 Milford.............................................................................248-685-9008 North Hill Farms.............................................................248-334-7500 Northville........................................................................248-349-4140 Novi.................................................................................248-347-0414 Oak Park.........................................................................248-691-7577 Ortonville........................................................................248-627-6447

18 • SENIORcare | October 2016

AARP Foundation..................................................... 734-281-2470 AARP Foundation is accepting applications for Branch, from Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw, Western Wayne and Downriver Wayne Counties for our Senior Community Service Employment Program, a federally funded training program for seniors aged 55 & up. Program is income based and you must be actively seeking employment. All services are free and include: resume rewriting, interview coaching, job boards & referrals, Job Clubs, newsletter, and paid educational opportunities. Part-time paid training positions at non-profit organizations in your hometown. Meals on Wheels Dearborn Heights......................................................313-791-3550 City of Detroit (also delivers to Grosse Pointes*)............................313-446-4444 Grosse Pointe Wood, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Shore, Grosse Pointe Harbor Woods...................................313-882-9600 Pontiac .......................................................................248-738-9393 Macomb County........................................................586-469-5228 Oakland County Emerald Food Service.............................................248-689-0001 Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Twp., Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Oxford, Brandon Twp., Independence Twp., Addison Twp.............................................................. 248-608-0264 National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Detroit Section Kosher........................................................................248-355-3300 *Now delivering on holidays

Pharmaceuticals Medicare..................................... 800-MEDICARE

SENIOR CENTERS

Employment / Volunteerism

Senior Alliance Chore Referral..............................734-722-2830

Oxford Township Veterans Memorial Center............................................248-628-9056 Rochester OPC..............................................................248-656-1403 Royal Oak.......................................................................248-246-3900 Ruth Peterson/La Amistad...........................................248-858-2307 South Lyon.....................................................................248-573-8175 Troy.................................................................................248-524-3484 Waterford........................................................................248-682-9450 West Bloomfield.............................................................248-451-1900 Wixom.............................................................................248-624-2850

Macomb County Armada...........................................................................586-784-8050 Centerline.......................................................................586-757-1610 Chesterfield....................................................................586-949-0400 x138 Macomb Township........................................................586-992-2900 x2800 Roseville.........................................................................586-445-5480 Shelby Twp.....................................................................586-739-7540 Sterling Heights.............................................................586-446-2750

Wayne County Allen Park.......................................................................313-928-0771 Butzel..............................................................................313-925-1135 Canton/Summit on the Park.........................................734-394-5485

City of Taylor Ford..........................................................313-291-7740 Copeland........................................................................734-324-7275 Dearborn........................................................................313-943-2034 Detroit (Adams/ Butzel Recreation Complex).............313-628-0990 Detroit (Coleman A. Young Center).............................313-628-0995 Detroit (Crowell Community Center)............................313-628-2047 Detroit (Farwell Recreation Center).............................313-628-2028 Detroit (Joseph Walker Williams Center).....................313-628-2039 Detroit (Kemeny Community Center)...........................313-628-0956 Ecorse.............................................................................313-382-3305 Eton.................................................................................313-277-7765 Flat Rock........................................................................734-379-1450 Garden City/Maplewood...............................................734-793-1870 Hannan Foundation.......................................................313-833-1300 Jefferson.........................................................................313-382-3305 L.A.S.E.D........................................................................313-841-8840 Lincoln Park...................................................................313-386-3103 Livonia Civic Park..........................................................734-466-2555 Melvindale......................................................................313-429-1089 NW - YWCA....................................................................313-537-8500 Plymouth........................................................................734-453-1234 Redford...........................................................................313-387-2788 River Rouge...................................................................313-842-3360

CHOOSE the Medicare-Medicaid plan that cares for you. For information on AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care Plus and other options for your health care, call Michigan ENROLLS at 1-800-975-7630 (TTY: 1-888-263-5897). Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. AmeriHealth Caritas VIP Care Plus is a health plan that contracts with both Medicare and Michigan Medicaid to provide benefits of both programs to enrollees. We are in Macomb and Wayne counties.

1-866-404-4296 (TTY 711)

7 days a week, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

H0192_001_PRA_1883_APPROVED_05252016

www.amerihealthcaritasvipcareplus.com SENIORcare | October 2016 • 19

The right choice is affordable. The right choice is Blue.

Get a Medicare Advantage plan from Blue Care Network that’s affordable for you — from the name you know and trust. BCN AdvantageSM HMO HealthySaver

BCN AdvantageSM HMO ConnectedCare

Monthly Premium

$25

$58

Medical Deductible

Star Rating

Open Enrollment: October 15 – December 7

To speak to a Blue Cross health plan advisor about Medicare Advantage plans, call 1-844-331-2353 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week, Oct. 1–Feb. 14. TTY users, call 711. To receive more information about your Medicare options, visit www.MedicareRightChoice.com/Care

BCN AdvantageSM is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in BCN Advantage depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, co-payments and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next. Blue Care Network of Michigan is a nonprofit corporation and independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-888-563-3307 (TTY: 711). ‫ اﺗﺻل ﺑرﻗم‬.‫ ﻓﺈن ﺧدﻣﺎت اﻟﻣﺳﺎﻋدة اﻟﻠﻐوﯾﺔ ﺗﺗ واﻓر ﻟك ﺑﺎﻟﻣﺟﺎن‬،‫ إذا ﻛﻧت ﺗﺗﺣدث اذﻛر اﻟﻠﻐﺔ‬:‫ﻣﻠﺣوظﺔ‬ .(711 :‫ )رﻗم ھﺎﺗف اﻟﺻم واﻟﺑﻛم‬1-888-563-3307 DP-092616A 20 • SENIORcare | October 2016

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H5883_S_17BCNAPrintCare CMS Accepted 09242016 10/17/16 12:49 PM