Page 25 - Senior Times South Central Michigan April 2021 - 28-04

Senior Times - April 2021 Update on Your
Page 25
is a blessed time of year, reminding us we will live forever.
SENIOR PROGRAMS
Helen Guzzo, MSW, Special to Senior Times
REVIEWING A YEAR OF ADAPTING TO CHANGE
As we all changed our routines to stay home and stay safe, 2020 was a year like none other. Faced with the global pandemic, Calhoun County Senior Services continued to cre- atively partner and fund 10 nonprofit service providers that provide 22 different services to older adults in
the community. While special events like the annual Senior Fair and the Centenarian Luncheon haven’t been able to be held, Senior Millage pivot- ed to other ways to serve older adults, age 60 and over. In 2020, Senior Millage programs served 5,458 people down from a high of 6,568 in 2019. In 2020, Senior Millage programs served 17% of Calhoun County’s 32,644 population of people over age 60. This is down from the 20% served in 2019. The total County population is estimated to be 134,379.
expand the garden by purchasing fencing, irrigation, and equipment for this popular intergenerational and interracial program.
• Albion Health Care Alliance for the purchase of eye clinic equipment to establish eye care services on the east side of the county.
Pre-Planning is a Gift to Your Family.
Easter
• Senior Care Partners PACE to pur- chase 100 tablets called Grandpads for participants to help them connect with telemedicine, family, friends, and the PACE team.
Award-Winning | 5-Star Rated
50 Sanderson Lane 517.279.9587 Coldwater, MI 49036 Maple-Lawn.org
Thank you to Calhoun County vot- ers for the renewal of Calhoun County Senior Millage for another ten-years in the August Primary Election.
Voters overwhelmingly approved the renewal with 82% saying “yes” to seniors! This huge vote of confidence is greatly appreciated. In addition, a brand-new Parks Millage to improve County, City and Township recreation spaces was also approved on the same ballot. Special thanks to Senior Times publisher, Sherii Sherban, and to local attorney, Richard Lindsey, for chairing the Renewal Campaign.
The Senior Millage Allocation Committee (SMAC), the 13-member volunteer committee that oversees the assessment of needs and spending of Senior Millage continued to award the Joanne Konkle Lifetime Leadership in Senior Services Award. In the summer of 2020, the annual award was given to Jolene English, a longtime employ- ee of CareWell Services. Jolene has been instrumental in the Medicare/ Medicaid Assistance Program. It was a fitting award as both Jolene and Joanne Konkle received their social work degrees from Western Michigan University and are well-known for their baked goods.
Early in 2020, Senior Services partnered with other organizations and volunteers in the community to provide hand-made masks when the supply of masks was limited. Working with partners, over 5,000 hand-sewn masks were collected and distributed to area seniors. Many masks were made by seniors themselves.
In 2020, Senior Millage spent $2.9 million in total, significantly below the $3.4 million spent in 2019, because of the closure of Marian E. Burch Adult Day Care, the Senior Centers in Albion and Marshall, the Senior Fitness and Fun exercise sites, group meal sites and a big reduction in older adults using Community Action’s Senior Transportation pro- gram. As vaccination efforts contin- ue, we all look forward to gathering again and the safe reopening of these important programs.
Calhoun County recently issued a request for proposals for a second round of Senior Strategic Projects with a due date of April 14, 2021.
Funeral Directors: Fred Bachman – Lexie Stygar – Sydney Houghtalin 223 N. Bedford Rd., Battle Creek . 269-965-5145 . www.bachmanhebble.com
Calhoun County Senior Millage
Benefits Counseling
(517) 629-3842 - Albion (800) 803-7174 - Battle Creek (269) 781-0846 - Marshall
Community Care Options
(269) 441-0948
Dental Services
(269) 781-0952
Handy Helper Services & Bed Bug Remediation (866) 200-8877
Hearing & Vision Services
(269) 441-0930
Home Heating Assistance
(269) 965-7766
Legal Assistance
(800) 688-3951
Meal Delivered / Meal Sites
(866) 200-8877
Minor Home Repair
(877) 422-2726
Money Management
(866) 963-3253
Personal Emergency Response
(269) 441-0930
Prescription Assistance
(269) 781-0952
Ramps for Accessibility
(866) 200-8877
Senior Fitness & Fun
(269) 441-0948
Senior Transportation
(800) 994-9876
All services are funded by the citizens of Calhoun County through support of the Senior Millage. Services are available to any County resident, age 60 and over. Some programs may have additional eligibility requirements.
315 West Green St. Marshall, MI 49068
269-781-0846
www.calhouncountymi.gov
Service may be impacted due to COVID-19. Please call to verify.
Staff also started volunteering
to deliver Meals on Wheels in the City of Battle Creek and helping ensure that food box delivery con- tinued through Community Action’s Commodity Program. Many regular volunteers had to step back due to their own high risk for contracting COVID, so staff was able to step in and fill this need.
Senior Millage awards mini-grants of between $500 to $5,000 for special projects. This popular program is open for application at anytime for projects that serve Calhoun County residents, age 60 and over. In 2020, this pro- gram funded 12 requests from food boxes through the South Michigan Food Bank in Albion and Marshall, to a power assist door for the Alano Club in Battle Creek, to free Wednesday rides on Marshall Dial-A-Ride, and other important community services.
Instead of our normal special events, Senior Millage supported the Merry Mile at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds, where 186 coupons were redeemed by seniors to drive through the light display, a fun way to spread holiday cheer, while keeping seniors safe. Instead of a birthday celebration at Schuler’s Restaurant in Marshall, Calhoun County partnered with Senior Times and CareWell Services to recognize 40 Centenarians (older adults 99 years or older) with flowers from Plumeria, a certificate from the Governor or the State Legislature, and a feature in Senior Times. The oldest living person in Michigan, Calhoun County resident Ellen Goodwill, recently died at 114.
While many Senior Millage service providers have had to modify pro- grams in 2020 to respond to COVID- 19, services are still available and
will gradually be reopening. 2021 opened with staff helping to schedule COVID vaccination clinics in partner- ship with the Calhoun County Health Department and CareWell Services. Recruiting volunteers for seniors help- ing seniors is a new project that will be started in 2021 as Senior Millage works to help older adults reduce social isolation.
To fund creative, one-time projects using revenue that Senior Millage receives from FireKeepers Casino and Personal Property Tax Reimbursement from the State of Michigan, Senior Millage issued a request for proposals for Senior Strategic Projects. Four new projects received funding in 2020:
Senior Millage is a valuable resource that helps Calhoun County residents, who are 60 years and over, solve problems. To learn more about Calhoun County’s Senior Millage, call an individual program or (269) 781- 0846.
• Albion Community Foundation for predevelopment of market rate senior housing in Albion.
Helen Guzzo, LMSW, is the Manager of Calhoun County Senior Services, which funds a variety of services for residents age 60 and over with Senior Millage tax dollars. Email questions to seniormillage@calhouncountymi.gov.
• Albion Community Gardens to
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