Comfort Keepers is northwest Michigan’s premier in-home care provider.
Senior Safety: Real Estate Fraud
Scam Alert:
Could your house be sold without your knowledge? Yes.
How the scam works:
A criminal forges your signature using a fake notary seal, adds their name to your property’s title, then sells the home to themselves and registers the sale with the county recorder’s office. Ouch!
Why target seniors?
Criminals often focus on seemingly vacant properties, such as second or vacation homes, which are more likely to be owned by older adults.
How concerned should you be?
According to the FBI, nearly 1,500 Americans aged 60 and older lost $65 million in real estate scams in 2023. Complaints filed by elderly victims have increased by 14 percent since 2022, and the number of reported title fraud cases has risen by 23 percent in the last two years.
Family Matters: Curb the conflict Comfort Keepers News for Seniors, Caregivers, and Their Families in Northwest
How can I protect myself?
Open all mail sent to your property’s address, especially if it’s addressed to a name you don’t recognize or comes from real estate, title, or financial companies. Regularly review your credit report for any suspicious activity.
The American Land Title Association advises that you call your local county recorder’s office (Register of Deeds) to request a current copy of your home's title and to inquire about the safeguards in place to protect your home against title fraud.
Comfort Keepers Traverse City tops the fundraising charts in Walk to End Alzheimer's
Congratulations to our Comfort Keepers Walk team, named the top Comfort Keepers fundraising team in the nation, raising an incredible $26,836 for the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association! A special shout-out to our outstanding Team Captain, Mary Maison, whose leadership and enthusiasm kept the momentum going. Contact Mary at (231) 929-9044 for 2025 Walk information. Please join us! (See insert for Walk details)
No adult of any age likes feeling bossed around or informed of a decision made for them, about them, without them.
Family life is full of uncomfortable conversations. The two most dreaded discussions between seniors and their adult children concern the elderly parent's ability to remain in their home and continue driving.
Be mindful that a “fiercely independent” senior may appear the most stubborn when feeling their freedom slipping away. Similarly, a “controlling” adult child may seem the most stubborn when feeling pulled into time commitments they can’t possibly meet.
Our Advice:
• Don’t try to “win”; seek to solve.
• Center your attention on building confidence that you fully understand their perspective. Aim to deeply comprehend their needs and fears by echoing what they say before advancing the conversation.
• Be open to a resolution you have not considered.
Mary Maison
National
Awards and Recognitions
Innovation Award
We’re proud to announce that we were recognized with two major awards for our performance in 2024 — celebrating both innovation and excellence.
Diamond Club Award
Comfort Keepers Honored with Two Prestigious Awards in 2024
This award goes beyond revenue, recognizing creativity and forward-thinking solutions that meet the evolving needs of caregivers, clients, and office staff. It highlights meaningful innovation through new products, services, and approaches. The award spotlights our commitment to thinking outside the box and putting people first.
We were also honored with the Diamond Club Award, given to the top 25 franchisees in the Comfort Keepers system. We’re incredibly grateful for this recognition and extremely proud of our team for continuing to lead with purpose, passion, and innovation.
Local Caregivers Receive Comfort Keeper of the Year Awards
Spirit Award Winners!
Heather Noyes is recognized for her incredible efforts during the ice storm in Northern Michigan. She stayed with her client for 3 days during this difficult time.
Mikayla Marshall-Zemaitis exemplified calm and reassuring professionalism while she virtually guided a client through an emergency situation using our newly introduced HomeSight blended care program.
SPIRIT AWARD NOMINATIONS
Nominate A Team Member!
Make Someone’s Day!
Have you interacted with a Comfort Keepers team member who performed far beyond the call of duty? We want to know about those moments as we review our monthly Spirit Award candidates. Call (231) 929-9044 or email danielleletourneau@comfortkeepersnwmi.com.
Congratulations to Lura Ruede and Michael Overland on winning Comfort Keeper of the Year! The award celebrates outstanding caregivers who positively impact their clients' lives and go above and beyond. We are proud to honor Lura and Michael's impact in our community.
Lura's nomination shared the story of her care for a client. After the client died, the family wrote a beautiful letter thanking Lura for her love and devotion to their mother. They noted that her joy and sense of humor secured her a place in her clients' and the family's hearts.
Michael's nomination shared the story of his dedication and gentle kindness to every client. He treats everyone he meets with empathy and compassion and brings his smile to brighten his clients' homes. One client called their care coordinator after Michael visited to share that he was a "ray of sunshine" and how much they appreciated his support.
Lura and Michael live out the Comfort Keepers’ values of Kindness, Generosity, and Progress daily. Congratulations, Lura and Michael!
MAKE A PLAN: Special events and day trips
Make great northern Michigan memories this spring and summer.
PLAYS
Old Town Playhouse, Traverse City
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
April 25 - May 11
Matinee and evening shows
Adults: $33 Youth under 18: $20
The Wizard of Oz - Youth Edition
8 shows in early June (visit OTP website)
Matinee and evening shows
Adults: $21 Youth under 18: $12
OTP tickets and information: oldtownplayhouse.com or (231) 947-2210
GARDENS
The Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City: 2025 Garden Walk
Thursday, July 17, 10 - 4 p.m.
More info: thefriendlygardenclub.org
ART FAIRS
Elk Rapids Arts & Crafts Shows
Saturday, May 24
Saturday, June 28
Thursday, July 31 (During Harbor Days)
Saturday, August 30
Shows run from 10 am – 4 pm
River Street, Downtown Elk Rapids
Traverse City Spring Art & Craft Show
Saturday, May 31, 10 am - 5pm
Sunday, June 1, 10 am - 5pm
Traverse City at the Open Space
Manistee Arts & Crafts Show
Saturday, June 4
Sunday, June 5
First Street, Manistee
Old Town Arts & Crafts Fair
Saturday, June 14, 10am - 5pm
Rotary Square, Traverse City
Paint Grand Traverse 2025
June 14 - 21
Festival includes classes, live demos, kids activities, art sales, exhibitions, and more!
Crooked Tree Arts Center - Traverse City
Night of the Arts - Harbor Springs
Tuesday, June 24, 5:30 - 8pm
Wander through downtown and discover stunning works in a variety of media –crafted by local and regional artists. Main Street, Harbor Springs
Crooked Tree Art Fair - 64th Annual
Saturday, July 26, 9am - 4pm
Grand Traverse County Civic Center, Traverse City
Petoskey Art in the Park - 39th Annual
Saturday, July 19, 10am - 5pm
Sunday July 20, 10am - 5pm
Pennsylvania Park
Bay Harbor Arts Festival - 25th Annual
Saturday, July 26, 10am - 5pm
Sunday July 27, 10am - 3pm
The Village at Bay Harbor
Suttons Bay Art Festival
Saturday, August 2, 10am - 5pm
Sunday, August 3, 10am - 4pm
Suttons Bay Marina Park
New Service: Blended Care
Television can help keep older adults thriving at home
Comfort Keepers introduces their new Blended Care Program, combining in-person visits with remote support through smart technology. This enables us to consistently assist older adults, even when we are not physically present in their homes.
• Video calling
• Comfort Keepers' in-person caregiving services.
Through the HomeSight® System, we enhance our daily care services with wellness check-ins, medication and activity reminders, video calls, and passive monitoring — all via a familiar and user-friendly device: your television.
Community Caring
• Photo and video sharing via a secure web/mobile app
• On-screen notifications and alerts for calls, appointments, medication reminders, events, and more.
Comfort Keepers is proud to sponsor these life-changing fundraising events
Saturday, September 27
Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey
Saturday, October 4
Contact Mary Maison: 231 929-9044 or email marymaison@comfortkeepersnwmi.com
Hull Park, Traverse City Parkinson Hero Walk - Traverse City
Saturday, August 23
Traverse City Civic Center
Contact Torrey Davenport: tdavenport@parkinsonsmi.org or visit https://bit.ly/HeroWalk2025
• Discreet monitoring that encompasses whole-home temperature, humidity, sound detection, and activity tracking, presented through dashboards.
• And more!
Cohen's photographs and stories celebrate the beauty and creativity of older couples he has met in New York City, California and around the world. Available on Amazon or at your local bookseller.
Healthy Seniors: Watch the salt
Sodium Surprises
Your quick stop at Dunkin' Donuts may launch you on more than a sugar-loving guilt trip. Just one glazed donut serves up 220 mg of sodium, equivalent to a medium-sized McDonald's French fries order.
Your beloved Costco rotisserie chicken is also high in sodium. A 3-ounce serving (one leg) contains 460mg of sodium, roughly one-fifth of the recommended daily maximum for adults. A whole chicken, naturally, contains only 75 mg per 3-ounce serving.
Take the salt out of your salad
If you buy bottled salad dressing, prepare for a sodium surprise! Some bottled dressings, especially creamy ones like ranch, Caesar, and blue cheese, can pack over 400 mg of sodium per serving (2 tablespoons), which can add up quickly if you pour generously. On the other hand, most vinaigrettes and oilbased dressings can have much lower sodium, often 100 mg or less per serving, but you must read the labels.
Seniors on the move
Get out there!
Seniors can can easily access Sleeping Bear Dunes
One of the best things about Sleeping Bear Dunes is that it now offers activities for all mobility levels. You don’t need to climb the towering dunes to enjoy the park’s beauty! Scenic drives, such as the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, offer spectacular overlooks where you can take in panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding forests.
Thanks to the Friends of Sleeping Bear, a hardened beach deck was installed at the Cannery in Glen Haven in 2017 to make it easier for older visitors and those in wheelchairs to enjoy Glen Haven beach.
No Sodium Vinaigrette Salad Dressing and Marinade
½ cup red wine vinegar
⅓ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or your favorite herbs
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon lemon juice or zest
⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
Combine all ingredients in a bottle shaker or small bowl. For a creamier texture, combine in the blender. Stays fresh in the refrigerator for 10 days. Try our recipe!
The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes have one wheelchair bike and three track chairs available to visitors with limited mobility. Reservations for track chairs and a new wheelchair bike are open in the spring for visitors to reserve for FREE to hike select accessible trails from Memorial Weekend to mid-October. Upon arrival, a volunteer will arrange to meet with you for a quick orientation.
RESERVATIONS: Contact Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes at (231) 882-6981 or email info@friendsofsleepingbear.org
Senior In-home Care
1755 Barlow Street
Traverse City, MI 49686
NewsKeepers® News
In the wake of the recent ice storm that hit our communities, our incredible team went above and beyond to ensure our clients were safe and cared for. Their commitment, compassion, and resilience inspire us every day.
Nurse Jennifer navigated downed power lines to deliver critical medications to clients, ensuring they had what they needed despite the dangerous conditions. Manager Ian worked with a neighbor to check on a client without power or phone service, delivering fresh groceries, water, and even cut-up fruit to ensure they were safe and cared for.
Katie, our Northern Territory Care Coordinator, spent her Sunday checking in on clients to ensure their well-being. One client was completely cut off by fallen trees and downed power lines, but that didn’t stop Katie from ensuring their safety.
