Michigan summers and winter weather can pose many challenges to older adults; major disasters are even more challenging. Winter brings power failures and ice storms while summer brings heat waves and power outages and more. So how can you help your older relative or neighbor during and after a disaster?

I just read an informative blog on the Public Health Emergency website. The blog was written by Cheryl A. Levine, Ph.D., Senior Policy Analyst & Team Lead for At-Risk Individuals, ASPR’s Division for At-Risk Individuals, Behavioral Health & Community Resilience.

The blog is a very easy to read and gives great tips for during and after disasters. It’s worth your time.

BLOG: https://www.phe.gov/ASPRBlog/pages/BlogArticlePage.aspx?PostID=267

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Karen Adcock, Director of Senior Services

From time to time, I come across events that are truly worthwhile for seniors, caregivers, family members and friends. The Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo is one of those events.

This event provides a wide variety of educational sessions, resources, and displays. So many times we might see information on products specifically for seniors in a magazine or on TV but are hesitant to purchase something without seeing it or touching it. There are over 90 vendors at this event where you can touch and feel  a variety of products and talk to various professionals.

Do you sometimes feel like you’re lost in a maze when it comes to understanding Medicare or Medicaid? Or care for a loved one with dementia and don’t know what resources are available to help you? This Expo is like a one-stop shop to get answers to many of your questions.

And as always, the Senior Services Department is a great place to seek resources, ask questions and get answers. And if we don’t know an answer or have the resource, we can certainly refer you to someone who does.

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Karen Adcock, Director of Senior Services

The City of Auburn Hills Senior Services Department has been working alongside Oakland University Physical Therapy Program on a grant that will benefit the growing population of senior citizens within our city limits. Karen Adcock, Senior Services Director and Deb Colling, Health and Wellness Coordinator & Community Liaison have been assisting Dr. Sara Arena and Dr. Chris Wilson of Oakland University for the past year with a common goal to obtain a grant that will link senior citizens within the community with Physical Therapy to help with primary and secondary risk prevention in the home. Continue reading “Auburn Hills Senior Services Partners with Oakland University” →

Being a caregiver to someone you love and care deeply for can be an exhaustive and confusing time in a person’s life. There are so many things to worry about: doctor appointments, legal matters, meals, finances, home maintenance, transportation, prescriptions, laundry, work, family members schedules….the list is endless.

And this list is what the caregiver is typically worrying about in her or his own family life. Now multiply that list by 2, and the caregiver is now worrying about someone else’s lists, it could be their parent, an in-law, a sibling or spouse. Continue reading “Lists Made Easier With Technology” →

On Monday, the Senior Services Department was honored to host the city’s first Martin Luther King Celebration and what a great experience. Guests of all ages and backgrounds from our community, surrounding communities, along with city dignitaries came together to celebrate the great legacy of Dr. King.

The Community Center was the perfect place to host our event as it symbolizes who we are – a community rich in diversity and welcomes all.

The program started out with a welcome by yours truly, and then we shared a tasty luncheon. After lunch, former Councilman Otis Newkirk presented to Mayor Kevin McDaniel a Proclamation from Oakland County Board of Commissioners recognizing our 1^st Annual City of Auburn Hills Sr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Continue reading “MLK Celebration 2016” →