Page 10 - Senior Times South Central Michigan June 2022 - 29-06

Page 10 Senior Times - June 2022 BATTLE CREEK HOUSING COMMISSION
SENIOR HOUSING
The Battle Creek Housing Commission Provides Seniors Comfortable Living at an Affordable Price!
Update On Your
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
My Dad, who had open heart surgery to repair a thoracic aor-
tic aneurysm at University of Michigan in 2008, also taught me about working with the healthcare system, the need to be an advocate for your loved one, about nursing facilities and rehabilitation, and how to embrace developing a dis- ability. From 2008 to 2016 when he died, my dad was in and out
Retirement was a major event in my dad’s life. While my mom and
I talked on the phone regularly, my dad rarely called me. At age 57, my dad took a buyout from GM. He called me at work, which caused me to think that something was wrong or there was an emergency, to share the story that his cowork- ers gave him a money tree and filled his truck with balloons on
his final day. My Dad was retired for 23 years but he never stopped working. He worked as a mainte- nance guy for a car repair place, drove cars and did errands for numerous used car dealers, was a school crossing guard, and worked odd jobs for people around Lapeer.
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Calhoun County Senior Millage
My mom and dad met on a blind date for a prom in their junior year of high school. My Dad died just after their 59th wedding anniver- sary, just before his 80th birthday. Part of the legacy of love that my dad leaves is a history of family gatherings while I was growing up. My dad had three sisters who all married wonderful men, together with my ten cousins and grandpar- ents they gathered for a potluck meal for every holiday until my grandparents died and my cous-
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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) 441-0964
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
(269) 788-1678
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
(269) 565-4144
Even though he worked for GM, he always drove a Ford truck. He loved watching professional Detroit sports teams especially the Detroit Tigers, eating meat and potatoes, and spending time with family. He loved talking to people, watch-
ing the world go by, and helping others. My Dad opened his home
to his cousin when he was going through a divorce, my brother and his son when my brother’s mar- riage broke up, and other friends when they were in need. My Dad lent his truck to help others move things all the time.
ins grew up and got married. At my grandma’s funeral, I had so much pride and love for my aunts and uncles as they sat in the front row together, a testimony of four lifelong marriages. My heart over- flowed with gratitude for the love of family and the sense of belong- ing that they had given their kids.
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
At my wedding, I didn’t cry until it was time to take pictures with my parents. My dad putting his arm around me caused me to tear up because he was so emotion- al, and I realized all the blessings that he had given me and our family.
Happy Father’s Day!
CELEBRATING FATHERS WHO LEAVE A LEGACY OF LOVE AND HARD WORK
In May we celebrate Mothers and in June we celebrate Fathers.
I have often talked about my mom who at age 84 is struggling with diabetes, kidney disease, and the beginnings of dementia. Helping my brother, who is her primary caregiver, has given me insight into aging and the struggles of pro- viding care for an aging parent or spouse.
visiting Binder Park Zoo with us, especially feeding the goats and giraffes. When he died, I started feeding the birds with a feeder in his honor.
of hospitals and nursing facilities. When I see other older adults resist using a cane or a wheelchair, I often think of how my dad always sat in a wheelchair with relief and
a smile, knowing that he could now participate in an outing without the shortness of breath and ache in his legs that walking caused in his last years.
My Dad was a quiet, humble man who worked hard and loved his family. He didn’t use words
to say how much he loved family, but his actions said it. He worked for General Motor in Flint, MI for forty years starting in high school at age 17 on a coop program. He worked many double shifts and, in the seventies, when he couldn’t get a carpool ride home, I remember sleeping in the back of the car in my pajamas to go pick him up in the middle of the night.
My Dad was from a different time. My Dad’s father lived in Flint when he was a teenager, while he lived with his mom and stepdad
in Lapeer. My dad regularly hitch- hiked back and forth from Flint to visit his dad.
When I was in college at Michigan State University, my dad would always bring a big roll of toilet paper or paper towel that he got on sale at K Mart. While he did not say he loved me or that he was proud of me, I realized that bring- ing me these items was his way of saying it.
There are many life lessons that my parents taught me. I am grate- ful for the legacy of love and hard work that my dad left for his fami- ly. In retirement, it is so important, especially for men, to stay active and engaged in part-time work, family activities and hobbies, and/ or volunteer work. Thank you for letting me share my memories of
a hardworking man who left me a legacy of love.
My Dad loved animals. He
took great joy in watching birds, deer, dogs, and cats. He especially loved German Shepherds. He loved
Helen Guzzo, LMSW, manages Calhoun County Senior Services, which administers Senior Millage tax dollars to fund over 20 dif- ferent services for older adults in Calhoun County. Call for more information (269) 781-0846.
SENIOR PROGRAMS
Helen Guzzo, MSW, Special to Senior Times
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