Page 14 - Senior Times South Central Michigan April 2021 - 28-04

Page 14 Senior Times - April 2021
Aging and Disability Resource Line: 1-800-626-6719 General Agency Telephone: (269) 966-2450
200 West Michigan Avenue Suite 102 Battle Creek, MI 49017
carewellservices.org
Kinship Korner
Creating a Safe Environment at Home
By: Lynn Moss, Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) Regional Coordinator
Family Enrichment Center Regional Resource 3 Team 415 S. 28th Street Battle Creek, MI 49015
Sharon Dewey
Foster Care Navigator Email: SDewey@fecfamily.com
Ph: (269) 660-0448
Fx: (269) 963-0160 www.Fecfamily.com
Just writing the word, April,
is heart lifting. It has been a long and difficult winter with the burden of COVID-19 chang- ing our routines, traditions, and perspective on life. But, April promises warmer weather, beau- tiful flowers, and outside activi- ties. As seniors, it is sometimes difficult to participate in outdoor activities. This is the time to take advantage of the energy and enthusiasm of the young people we are raising. We don’t have
to do the fetching and carrying, we just need to be willing to join and engage with the children
on their level. Just being there makes all the difference. When we join their play, their joy and laughter can turn a ho-hum day to just plain old fun.
One of the places you can
go to play is at Frederick Meijer’s Gardens. The Family Enrichment Center has passes that allow 10 people at a time to attend for the day. The facility is excellent at maintaining safety standards regarding COVID-19 guidelines. Inside and outside
it is a beautiful destination. It is also butterfly time and so thrill- ing to walk among the many varieties.
We still have some resources to help if you need food, clean- ing supplies, masks, or simply someone to talk to when the going gets tough. We under- stand because we have been there. Please reach out to Sharon Dewey at (269) 245-4077.
God bless and stay safe.
Family Enrichment Center
Home safety is something
that we are all concerned about. Falls, fires, security, and general home maintenance are factors we think about for ourselves, family members, friends, and loved ones. As time goes on, we are living longer and are often able to remain in our home longer as long as it’s a safe place to age. Here are some helpful tips to keep us safely at home.
When it comes to falls, there are many ways to help keep ourselves and our loved ones
safe. The first thing that probably comes to mind are rugs. As we age, we tend to lose our stability and have aches and pains. As a result, we tend to not take as large of steps or lift our feet as high
211. Residents of the city of Battle Creek can request smoke detectors for their homes at no charge as well. Please call the fire department at (269) 966-3519 for more information.
Medical Safety
Other home safety measures that should be taken are having medications and first aid kits readily available. If you or a loved one live alone, a Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) is a good resource to ensure that help is just a call away. For more information about a PERS, please contact CareWell Services, at (269) 441-0930.
A Help Home Personal ID Bracelet is also a useful tool
for medical safety. The Help Home Personal ID Program provides support for the person
in early stages of dementia
to continue to be active. The bracelet is specially designed to be comfortable and waterproof.
It allows for emergency and medical information to be stored and accessed by emergency personnel if your loved one wanders. For more information, please call Miles for Memories at (269) 979-1412, ext 305 and ask for Connie.
Preventing Falls
off the ground. Because of these changes, it is recommended that we get rid of any and all throw rugs. If you must have them, it is important that they are secured to the ground with a rubber backing.
footwear such as tennis shoes or slippers with rubber soles are best to avoid falls. In the bathroom, replacing bathtubs with walk-in models, changing your regular toilet seat to a raised one, and installing nightlights can also help prevent falls.
Fire Safety
Here in Michigan, it is also important that we remember to keep landings and patios free from ice and snow. Stairways should also be free from clutter and railings should be secure
to help prevent falls. It can be very easy to throw items in the stairway to take care of later, but it is one of the most common places for us to lose our balance and fall.
Fire safety is another thing we need to keep in mind. Making sure that fire alarms and carbon monoxide are installed and working properly is vital. It is important to check/change the batteries regularly. Monitor any lit candles and keep them in a glass container. Unplugging unused appliances and limiting use of space heaters are important habits for fire safety.
Other good phone numbers to have on hand are:
• Poison Control 1-800-222-1222 • Emergency Response 911
• Emergency contacts for family
Be aware of any extension cords stretched across the room as well, as they can easily become a tripping hazard. Wearing non-slip
Keeping fire extinguishers in different places throughout the house is recommended as well. You may be able to get them for low or no cost by calling
and friends
• Professional caregiving services • Your Healthcare provider
Join in the fun at
Heritage Commons
virtually!
Join Heritage Commons’ virtual classes for fun and social interaction during the pandemic! Grab your lunch and get ready to learn during our weekly Lunch and Learn events, or join one of our virtual group exercise classes.
Email cknoll@carewellservices.org for more information.
PROMOTING
HEALTH
INDEPENDENCE
CHOICE