Page 11 - Senior Times South Central Michigan January 2022 - 29-01

As I write this in mid-December, so far, the weather has been relatively mild. Even though we have had a few dustings of snow, there has been no accumulation. Temperatures during the day have mostly remained above freezing and it seems like the sun is out a little more than usual. However, as Michiganders we know that harsh weather is coming. Shorter days also make things more difficult. Even on days when the sun is shining, it always seems to dip below the horizon far
too early. That reduction in sunlight can negatively affect us. End-of-year holidays can also be hard for several reasons and those struggles can still resonate into the new year.
Everyone struggles with different issues and it is important to remember that we often do not know what another struggles with. It is also important to remember that no matter how small a struggle may seem to you, it may seem momentous to someone else. Remain attentive to those around you, ask how they are doing, let them know you care about them, and ask if they need help.
• Rehab to Home
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Services
FEATURING:
• Long-Term Skilled Nursing
• Respite Care
• Private Rooms Available
• Admissions 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a week
• Cable and Wi-Fi
It can be difficult to acknowledge
Serving OurSenior Times - January 2022
Page 11
VETERANS
Aaron D. Edlefson, Special to Senior Times
that you need help. Many things stand in the way of asking for help. Pride, fear, worry, and the belief that no one can help are some reasons that prevent people from asking for help. However, there are people in the community who are willing to help and will not judge you. If you are a Veteran in need, please do not hesitate to contact Calhoun County Veterans Affairs or the Battle Creek VA Medical Center. Contact information for Calhoun County Veterans Affairs can be found below and the phone number for the Battle Creek VA Medical Center is (269) 966-5600.
If you are a Veteran in crisis, please do not hesitate to call the Veterans Crisis Line at (800) 273- 8255. The Veterans Crisis Line can also be contacted via text at 838255 or through chat at www.veteranscri- sisline.net.
If you have questions related to benefits for Veterans or their families, please feel free to contact our office. Calhoun County Veterans Affairs can be reached at (269) 969-6735. If you would prefer to reach us by e-mail, you can do so at va@calhouncountymi.gov.
Older Americans
WE THINK THE STAFF AT EVERGREEN ARE...
SOLUTIONS WHEN STRUGGLING
HEROES OF HEALTH CARE
Traveling Again
111 EVERGREEN ROAD, SPRINGFIELD, MI 49037
269-969-6110 | www.evergreenscc.com
BATTLE CREEK HOUSING COMMISSION
SENIOR HOUSING
The Battle Creek Housing Commission Provides Seniors Comfortable Living at an Affordable Price!
By: Kelsey Knoedler Perri, Road Scholar
How are older Americans approach- ing travel in this almost-post-pandemic world? Well, almost 13,000 Americans over the age of 50 have attended Road Scholar’s educational programs since July, when the not-for-profit educa- tional travel organization deemed it safe enough to resume operating with the requirement that all participants
be fully vaccinated. Grand parents on learning adventures with their grand children accounted for more than 750 of those enrollments. Additionally, 18% of Road Scholars traveled internation- ally, while 78% chose the U.S. as their learning destination.
a classroom with was vaccinated was reassuring.”
“This was a summer for grand par- ents to reunite with their grand kids and embark on learning adventures across the U.S.,” said Road Scholar president James Moses. “These folks decided the time was right, they were fully vacci- nated and they were ready to get back out in the world to learn and discover together.”
Road Scholar offers guidance to help participants follow COVID protocols
in each of the 46 states, territories and provinces, and the 34 countries where programs have resumed. The organi- zation arranges for COVID testing in countries that require it and has only seen a handful of mild or asymptomatic breakthrough cases out of more than 10,000 participants.
Road Scholar’s most popular learn- ing adventures this year have been in Costa Rica, U.S. National Parks, and U.S.-based outdoor learning experi- ences. The most popular Grand parent programs focused on physical and edu- cational activities with their grand kids, including canoeing in the Ozarks and learning about sea turtles in Georgia.
Nancy Coolidge, a long-time Road Scholar instructor, shared that, “As we resume our programs, I am struck by how patient and appreciative every- one is. There is a collective sense of gratitude to be back on the road again. Things that we used to take for granted seem very precious now after what we have all been through.”
“We all are settling into the reali-
ty of learning to live in a world with COVID. And, for Road Scholars,
living means learning and traveling,” said Moses. “Especially in light of the new variants, participants’ feedback has been consistent: they are grateful that we will only enroll people who have been fully vaccinated and that
our on-site leaders must also be vac- cinated. This is a policy Road Scholar established as soon as vaccines became available and to which we are fully committed.”
More than 6,500 older adults trav- elled Road Scholar between October 15 and December 31, 2021. So far, more than 52,000 participants have enrolled in programs for 2022; 26,700 in North America programs, 16,900 in inter- national and 4,500 in Road Scholar’s Adventures Afloat shipboard programs, which resumed in August 2021.
CHERRY HILL MANOR
• One Bedroom Apartments
• Located on Public Bus Line
• Residents’ Community Rm & Meals
• Computer/Card Game Rm./Library
• Parking next to Building
• Antenna & Cable Options
• Pet Friendly Building
• Utilities included/
Online Rent Payment Option
• Secured Building Entry/ Brick Construction
Cherry Hill Manor
Located at 10 Clay St.
Kellogg Manor
Located at 250 Champion St.
KELLOGG MANOR
• Studio & One Bedroom Apartments • Located on Public Bus Line
• Residents’ Community Room
• Some Garages Available/
Pkg. Next to Bldg.
• Antenna & Cable Options
• Pet Friendly Building
• Utilities Included/
Online Rent Payment Option
• Secured Building Entry/ Brick Construction
APPLY AT 250 Champion St. Monday-Friday
7am-noon or 1-4pm 965-0591 www.battlecreekhousing.org
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“Requiring vaccinations allayed
my fears,” said Georgina Schuster, a first-time Road Scholar participant. “Knowing that everyone I sat on a bus with, sat across a table from, and sat in
About Road Scholar – Road Scholar is the nation’s largest not-for-profit edu- cational travel organization for adults
– a true university of the world. It offers thousands of programs in more than 100 countries and 50 states. Road Scholar educational adventures are created by Elderhostel, the world leader in educa- tional travel since 1975. Learn more at press.roadscholar.org.
To explore Road Scholar’s 1,000+ program offerings, please visit www. roadscholar.org. To request a mailed catalog, please call (800) 454-5768.
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