Category Archives: Community Health

Four simple steps to recognize depression and prevent suicide

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, West Michigan,




By Jessica Jones

Communications Director, Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan

Raise your hand if you’re comfortable navigating a conversation about mental health. Now raise your hand if you’re not sure where to start.

At the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, we believe it starts with knowledge, which creates confidence. We empower individuals through our be nice. action plan and programs for schools,
businesses, teams and faith organizations.

“This plan works because it’s simple,” said Christy Buck, Founder of be nice. and Executive Director of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan. “It’s four steps that give you the knowledge to recognize depression, guide you through tough conversations, and empower you with the information and resources you need to start navigating appropriate treatment options. be nice. is simple, powerful and life-saving.”


be nice. program is two-fold

On a macro level, the logo itself is a call to kindness, civility and inclusion. It’s recognizing that how we treat one another has an effect on how a person thinks, acts and feels – their mental health. On a micro level, be nice. is an action plan to equip individuals with the knowledge to recognize, understand,
accept and take action when it comes to mental health through four simple steps – to notice, invite, challenge and empower.

1. notice

Begin by noticing what’s good and right about the people around you so you can notice when something is different. The plan starts with the knowledge to recognize, or notice, the signs and symptoms of a mental health concern or illness.

Behavioral
  • Quitting favorite sport/hobby
  • Avoiding social interaction
  • Sudden/unlikely drug or alcohol use
  • Cry frequently for no reason
  • Neglect responsibilities, loss of motivation
  • Can’t sleep or sleep constantly
Physical
  • Lack of hygiene, personal appearance
  • Fatigue, lack of energy
  • Overeating or loss of appetite
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Headaches
  • Unexplained aches or pains
Psychological
  • Acting out, aggressive, quick to anger
  • Heightened sadness, guilt, indecisiveness
  • Lack of emotional responsiveness
  • Frequent self-criticism
  • Hopelessness, loneliness
  • Thoughts of death or suicide

2. invite

When you notice changes lasting two weeks or longer, it’s time to invite yourself to reach out. Many times we notice something is different about the way someone is thinking, acting or feeling, but we don’t address it. Oftentimes, we stay quiet because we don’t want to hurt a person’s feelings, get a negative reaction, or be wrong – with be nice., we keep it simple.

“I’ve noticed ________ and I’m worried about you. Is everything okay? Is there anything I can do to help?” This conversation starter shows that you care and you’re asking from a place of concern. You’re not attacking their actions or character, you’re simply checking in.

3. challenge

The No. 1 reason someone doesn’t speak up when they’re struggling is because of the stigma or shame they feel. They’re worried about how others will perceive them. You can be someone who challenges the stigma surrounding mental health, illness and treatment. You can challenge stigma with your words and empathy! The third step is also about challenging an individual to seek help and utilize resources. Here in West Michigan, we are fortunate to have many local options for help and treatment. We live in a digital age, and there’s a variety of mental health supports available for a wide range of needs.

Nationwide, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline [988] is available 24/7 for anyone struggling with their mental or emotional health who needs a listening ear, immediate coping exercises, or assistance navigating further help.

4. empower

Ultimately, the be nice. action plan is meant to empower individuals with knowledge and resources. The MHF is an organization that educates individuals of all ages and demographics in this life-saving action plan. Having the correct knowledge surrounding mental health gives us the confidence to take action when we notice changes and the empathy to decrease stigma.

Being aware of our protective factors and positive coping mechanisms are great ways to help keep our mental health in check, and further, knowing what resources are available in our schools, teams, workplaces and communities empowers us to be resilient.


988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline)

If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, call 988 to speak with a professional who can help.

To learn more about each step of the be nice. action plan, visit benice.org.

Chamber hosts annual Santa Parade Saturday

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Community Health, , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Santa riding into town at the 2019 Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce Santa Parade. (WKTV)

Santa is coming to town this Saturday for the Wyoming Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s 16th Annual Santa Parade.

The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. starting near Division Avenue and 32nd Street and heads south, ending just before 44th Street.

“This is one of my favorite projects,“ said Bob O’Callaghan, former president of the Wyoming Kentwood Chamber and committee chair for this year’s Santa Parade. “Celebrating our businesses along Division Avenue is a great way to provide holiday cheer for the businesses and for the community. Our sponsors want to give back to the community and this is a perfect way to do that.“


This year’s sponsors are 105.3 HOT FM, 97 WLAV-FM, Arrowaste Inc., Brann’s Sizzling Steaks and Sports Grille, Car City, Catherine’s Health Services, Consumers Energy, Diversified Protection and Investigations, Godwin Hardware & Plumbing, Hobart Sales & Service, Kellogg Community Credit Union, Marge’s Donut Den, Rivertown Credit Union, Stassen Electric, Steelcase, Supermercado Mexico, VanDyke Mortgage, WKTV, Wyoming Moose Lodge, YoChef Catering & Cafe, and Honor Credit Union.

WKTV will also be on-hand as well to record the festivities with cable television re-broadcasts scheduled for Saturday at around 12:30 p.m. (immediately after basketball programming) and again at 7:30 p.m. Check wktv.org for other air times.

“To see the looks on the children’s faces is a wonderful experience which is why I have been on the planning committee for years with the Chamber,” said Mike Zomerlei of Diversified Protection and Investigation Services. “With more than 50 participants it takes a great deal of logistical planning  and a lot of hours but it’s worth it!.”

This year’s parade will include marching bands from four local high schools, Wyoming, Godwin Heights, Kelloggsville, and Grand Rapids. There also will be several local officials such as Mayor Stephen Kepley as well as police officers and fire fighters from both the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming. The grand marshal is Jackie Green, former 2021 Mrs. American and co-host for 105.3 HOT FM.

Of course this is all in celebration of the arrival of the most famous elf in the world: Santa Claus.

WKTV featured community events appear on cable television in Wyoming and Kentwood on Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T Channel 99 Community Channel. See the programming schedule at wktv.org. Community events covered by WKTV’s video coverage team are available on-demand within a week at wktvlive.com.

How to stay active during the winter

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior Living, ,

Emily Armstrong
Area Agency of Aging Western Michigan

When it comes to house repairs, don’t be afraid to ask a friend or family member to help. (Pxhere.com)

Fall is in full swing and with that comes cooler weather. As the seasons change, you are more inclined to stay indoors and pass on events you used to enjoy in the warmer months–it happens to the best of us. Yet this lack of socialization, movement, and engagement in the winter can have a negative impact on your health and well-being. Winter can be an especially difficult season for older adults. You may not have the means to drive or keep up with home maintenance and repairs, and you could start feeling a bit defeated during this time. Trying to combat these things can be overwhelming, but just because you aren’t able to get out as much doesn’t mean there aren’t a variety of things you can do to have a winter of wellness.

Here are just a few tips:

Take advantage of open enrollment. Now is a good time to review your healthcare needs. Medicare/Medicaid Open Enrollment is underway, and you can make changes to your plan through Dec. 7. The Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program can be a great support in navigating this, offering unbiased help at 1-800-803-7174.

Catch a ride. Several transportation resources are available specifically for older adults, and it is great to be able to take advantage of these in winter months when there is inclement weather. In Kent County, RideLink provides seniors 60+ with affordable rides throughout the county.

You can learn more about RideLink at https://www.aaawm.org/ridelink, or feel free to call 616-774-1288 to schedule a ride. If you are outside Kent County, the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan can connect you to other transportation resources in our nine-county region.

Move your body. An important aspect of aging well is prioritizing both your physical and emotional health. Many community options are available to meet individuals where they are, including the newly renamed Engaging Wellness. All Engaging Wellness programs are designed specifically for older adults, offering evidence-based classes that are safe and effective. Community partners within the nine-county network are dedicated to helping seniors stay active and independent, bringing a holistic, full-circle approach to aging with education on nutrition, diabetes prevention, and fitness classes.

Use your resources. It can be tough to keep up with the maintenance of your home in the winter. When this happens, don’t be afraid to ask for help. A family member or friend was probably always willing but perhaps unsure of what help you need. Or if this isn’t an option, through the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, a number of home chores and repair services are available from yard cleanup, snow removal, lawn mowing, and minor home maintenance.

Connect to your community. Whether it is joining a senior center, a book club at your local library or volunteering for a cause that matters, being involved can help your mood immensely. You get a healthy dose of regular socialization with others, and when you join a group initiative, you are more likely to stick to it as other people can help keep you accountable.

So, what’s your next step? Reach out to us at the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan; it is a knowledge hub for services available to seniors. Often we will offer information on local senior centers to join, available exercise programming, and home and transportation resources to help you maintain your independence over the more challenging winter months and throughout the year. Visit www.aaawm.org/services or call 616-456-5664 to get started.

Coping with grief during the holidays

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Kent County, Senior Living,

By Emmanuel Hospice

Emmanuel Hospice’s grief support services are open to anyone in the community on a grief journey regardless of whether they have a prior connection with the nonprofit organization or hospice care. (Emmanuel Hospice/Adobe Stock)

It can be hard handling the holidays – especially if you’re trying to process grief that accompanies the loss of a loved one.

But there are ways to make it through this season.

That’s not to say there’s a magic wand available to make your sadness vanish. But strategies and coping mechanisms do exist that can be put into place to make the holidays a little less stressful, even though you’re recovering from a loss.

“One of the first things to realize is that grief is a continuum,” says Ashley Huisman, bereavement coordinator for Emmanuel Hospice. “So, while one person might react very stoically and without a lot of tears, another might be extremely emotional.

“The important thing is not to judge; we don’t know what anyone is dealing with internally in that moment.”

Another thing to consider, says Huisman, is that not everyone processes grief according to the so-called five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, despair and acceptance.

“Grief isn’t a standard, cookie-cutter type of thing,” she says, noting it’s just as common to bounce between these stages or even skip one as it is to follow them in a linear way.

Huisman offers the following tips on how to cope with grief at the holidays:

  • Manage expectations. Just because you’ve always been relied upon to bake that fancy dessert, the grief you’re feeling might compel you to pass this year. Even at the risk of thinking you’re letting someone down, take care of yourself first. “Pick out the tasks or customs,” says Huisman, “that have the most meaning for you.”
  • Make time for yourself. “Take a nap,” says Huisman. “Listen to music. Try to be reflective. Or even try to not remember for a while what you’re dealing with. The important thing is to check in with yourself and be sure you’re getting what you need.”
  • Give to get. When grief overwhelms, make a conscious effort to support others. It can help you create perspective and focus on another’s needs. Says Huisman, “It’s giving your heart a break.”
  • Memorialize your loss. Create a special ornament that honors the person gone. Continue to hang a stocking in their name, and slip a note inside telling them the ways they’re missed. Light a candle. Write a poem. Buy a gift they would have loved and donate it in their name to a cause. 
  • Reach out for help. Emmanuel Hospice, for example, offers workshops and support groups to help anyone in the community manage grief, regardless of whether they have a prior connection with the nonprofit organization or hospice care.

The nonprofit is offering free “Handling the Holidays” grief support sessions at various locations in the greater Grand Rapids area:

  • Monday, Dec. 5 from 1-2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 14 from 2-3 p.m. 
  • Monday, Dec. 19 from 10-11 a.m. 
  • Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 10-11 a.m.

     

Those interested in joining are asked to contact Emmanuel Hospice if they plan to attend and get more information at 616-719-0919 or EHBereavement@emmanuelhospice.org. RSVPs are welcome up until the day of the event.

In addition to leading support groups, Emmanuel Hospice provides support through counseling, education and referrals to community resources to help individuals cope with all stages of grief before, during and even after the holidays. More information is available at EmmanuelHospice.org/grief-support.

Though it sounds simplistic, Huisman encourages people grieving through the holidays to “take them one day at a time. Try not to be anxious.

“Most of all,” she says, “look for things that will give you comfort. And let the rest be.”

University of Michigan Health-West adds new 3D technology

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, , ,

By Maggie Carey
WKTV Contributor

Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope (Courtesy Aesculap, Inc.)

University of Michigan Health-West (UMH-W) recently announced that the medical facility have obtained an Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope to aid its neurosurgery team and further UM Health-West as an Innovative Healthcare Destination. University of Michigan Health-West serves the Grand Rapids metropolitan area with 18 outpatient centers and more than 500 physicians on staff.

 

Funding for this new microscope came from The University of Michigan Health-West Foundation. This foundation strives to make care more accessible, support professional development, improve patient experiences, and serve the people of West Michigan. 

What is an Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope?

An Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope is a next generation, high resolution microscope  that will be used in the operating room to assist doctors. It will aid with robotic-guided positioning of surgical tools, 3D imaging, and provide doctors with a microscopic view of the body during surgery. Another feature of this microscope is the fluorescence capabilities will help guide doctors by lighting up tumors, aneurysms, and tissues. 

Aid for those in the operating room

The Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope will provide ergonomic relief in the operating room for doctors. Due to the positioning of the microscope, surgeons will no longer have to hunch over microscopes for hours on end while twisting their bodies in uncomfortable positions in order to reach the brain, spinal cord, and nerves of patients during surgery. Procedures can last from six to eight hours long and having technology to help relieve some of the physical pain for doctors is a great advancement for the hospital and patient outcomes.

Dr. Ronald Grifka, Chief Medical Officer, said that this microscope will be a huge support for the surgical team.

“In traditional microsurgery, the surgeon might have to keep their head tilted at a 60-degree angle for hours at a time,” Grifka said. “We know they can perform better for their patients – and have greater job satisfaction – if they are comfortable and relaxed when performing these intricate neurosurgeries.”

Another advantage of the Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope is its application in education. University of Michigan Health-West is a teaching hospital with eight residency programs. Residents now have the opportunity to view exactly what the surgeon sees and learn from them during surgeries. 

Looking towards the future 

The Aesculap Aeos Robotic Digital Microscope has future applications in the world of microsurgeries.

“This is really the next generation of microsurgery,” Neurosurgeon Bryan Figueroa, MD said. “When we all can anticipate what needs to happen next, response time is faster, and we can stay perfectly in sync to optimize patient care.”

There is hope for its application in other surgeries in the future as well. Plastic surgery, ophthalmology (eye surgery), and even reconstructive surgery are areas where this kind of technology has potential.

If you are still interested in this new technology, you can view a video demonstration here!

Michigan farmers battle invaders as temperatures rise

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Environment, Food, Local Food, ,

By Sarah Atwood
Capital News Service

LANSING – As warmer-than-average growing seasons caused by climate change become more common, they bring new invasive species to Michigan.

Tar spot is a fungus that attacks corn and causes production losses. Credit: Michigan State University

“Insects that like warm weather are finding that Michigan is becoming more and more life-sustaining than ever before,” said Bruno Basso, a professor in Michigan State University’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

 

And that requires new ways to fight them.

“These invasive species to Michigan are resistant to pesticides that farmers previously relied upon,” Basso said. “So farmers are looking for new ways to improve the ecology of their crops and improve their resistance.”

Identifying the threats

Two new threats are “tar spots,” in corn, and spotted wing drosophila, said Laura Campbell, a senior conservation and regulatory relations specialist at the Michigan Farm Bureau.

Tar spots are raised black dots on the ears of corn caused by a fungus called “phyllachora maydis,” Campbell said. An outbreak in a corn field causes production losses and economic disaster for the farmers.

Spotted wing drosophila is an insect that attacks soft fruits, a big problem for Michigan’s cherry orchards, Campbell said.

 

The female insects lay eggs inside the fruit, causing brown, sunken spots. As the larva eats the fruit it becomes rotten and non-consumable.

Using technology in the fight

Farmers attack new insects with technology, Basso said. Drones can pinpoint where an insect or weed is on their farms. Then they spray the specific area before it worsens.

Another example of emerging technology is the advancement of Enviroweather, a Michigan State -based weather service that can help farmers anticipate threats to their crops,  Campbell said. The site tracks invasion trends, warning farmers ahead of time if pests are headed their way.

“Preventative pesticide spraying is best, because it will deter the invasive insects and weeds from being able to attack the crops,” Campbell said. “This greatly reduces the amount of pesticides needed, which is good for the farmer and the surrounding land and water.”

Scientists are also making advances in the kinds of products used on farms, Basso said. Biodegradable plastic mulch is replacing synthetic mulch that does not decompose. More plant-based pesticides and herbicides are becoming available.

A local perspective from Ada

Heather Anderson, the owner of Green Wagon Farm, in Ada, uses all-natural products to combat insects and weeds on her certified organic farm.

 

Spotted wing drosophila is an insect that lays its eggs on the inside of fruit, like this raspberry, causing it to rot. Credit: University of Minnesota Extension

“We are constantly vigilant for new threats to our crops,” Anderson said. “We don’t do preventative spraying, instead we scout the farm ourselves, and pick weeds by hand.”

At 18 acres, Green Wagon Farm is much smaller than the average U.S. farm size of 211 acres, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Removing weeds by hand becomes more difficult on large farms.

 

“It’d be nice if all farms could be fully biodegradable and have no waste, but sometimes synthetic products are unavoidable,” Basso said.

This is not to say that farmers aren’t looking for more sustainable methods.

“Pesticides are incredibly expensive, and it would be more cost-effective to spray one small area than to have to spray an entire field,” Campbell said. “There’s a notion that farmers want to spray pesticides everywhere, and don’t care about the impacts on the land and water. But the land and water is their livelihood.”

Keeping the lines of communication open

A challenge is the communication between farmers and scientists, Campbell said.

 

Scientists lack the hands-on experience of being a farmer, and this makes it difficult for farmers to trust that their advice is best.

Money is also a big factor, according to Basso.

“Farmers have historically been more conservative when it comes to implementing new practices,” Basso said. “They have a financial risk, because if they change a way of doing something and it doesn’t work out, they lose that money that they would’ve made before.”

But as the weather gets warmer, farmers understand that their practices have to change or they will not be able to survive, Campbell said.

“Farmers want to do the right thing,” Campbell said. “I’ve never met a farmer who said they don’t care when it comes to the environment.”

ABOUT SARAH ATWOOD

Sarah is a junior at Michigan State University double majoring in Social Relations & Policy and Journalism. She is interested in writing about how politics affects local communities and making information accessible for everyone. In her free time, she likes boxing, yoga, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog.

Lawmakers could change certification to ease paramedic shortage

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Our Cities, , ,

By Sarah Atwood
Capital News Service

LANSING – Paramedics and emergency personnel are sharply divided over a plan that addresses the shortage of Michigan paramedics by creating a statewide certification program that would deviate from the national accreditation program.

 

Michigan looks at creating a statewide certification program for paramedics. (Photo from Pxhere.com)

A bill sponsored by Rep. Jeff Yaroch, R-Richmond, would allow the state to make its own requirements to be certified as a paramedic.

 

Yaroch previously spent 25 years as a firefighter and paramedic in Clinton Township. The bill recently passed the House, 102-6, and now goes to the state Senate, where it is likely to pass with bipartisan support.

To become licensed as a paramedic in Michigan, a person must be nationally accredited. The cost of becoming a licensed paramedic in Michigan can range from $1,400 to $12,000, according to Paramedic Training Spot, an online resource for those looking to become licensed paramedics.

With its own accreditation program, the state would no longer need to adhere to the national standards.

Trying to balance cost with need

Paramedics would still need to pass an examination proctored by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

 

That agency estimates $2 million would be required to establish a training program, with yearly costs of $1.6 million. Michigan now spends $2.3 million per year on EMS funding.

“Right now, a person needs national accreditation to be a paramedic,” said Angela Madden, the executive director of the Michigan Association of EMTs, which supports the bill. “That costs a lot of money, and needing national accreditation makes it harder for small paramedic departments to pay for certification.

“This means that these small departments won’t have paramedics and will have to shut down, leaving the people in that area without that care,” Madden said.

Shoring up the paramedic shortage

There are more than 1,000 open positions for paramedics in Michigan, and two paramedic departments have had to shut down, Madden said.

 

One is in Mason, in rural Ingham County. The other is in Pickford Township, in Chippewa County. The people living in these communities now have to wait longer for emergency care, which could be a life or death problem, she said.

“There’s no real difference between what this bill would do and the national accreditation program,” Madden said. “Students will still need to pass the Michigan test to be accredited.”

“The goal of this bill is to get more people to become paramedics,” Madden said. “I believe that this bill will enable more people to become paramedics and benefit communities across Michigan.”

But not everyone agrees.

Cost not the only issue

“I don’t think that, if passed, this bill will do much in terms of recruitment,” said Anthony Cerroni, a paramedic instructor coordinator in Dearborn Heights.

“It’s not an issue of money. It’s a generational issue. Kids aren’t choosing to become paramedics, just like they’re not choosing to become police officers or other public safety officials,” he said.

Cerroni said he is unsure if much can be done to encourage more people to become paramedics. Benefits have increased over the past five years, but not even the better pay is enough, he said.

“Another concern I have about the state having its own accreditation board is that a paramedic’s license might not be transferable to other states. A national requirement makes it so anyone can practice in any state without this concern,” he said.

Bryan Harmer, a full-time professor of emergency medical services at Lansing Community College who spent nearly 20 years as a paramedic, testified in a House committee hearing that the bill does not address the real causes of the paramedic shortage.

“This bill fails to address the root causes of our workforce shortage: low wages, bad working conditions and lack of professional advancement,” said Harmer. “It isn’t uncommon for EMS providers to work multiple jobs and well over 60 hours a week to make ends meet and feed their families.”

Making sure standards are met

It would be a waste of taxpayer money to create a state accreditation program when a national one exists, he told the committee last May. A state accreditation program could put lives at risk if it fails to adequately train paramedics.

“The most egregious error I ever encountered in EMS resulted from a paramedic who had recently graduated from a paramedic program in Michigan, back when unaccredited programs were permitted in Michigan,” Harmer testified. “This error resulted in the death of a young mother with two children.”

The bill does not mean paramedics could practice without a license from an accredited program, Madden said. She disagreed that paramedics would receive subpar training.

“Paramedics will be held to high standards through the Michigan state accreditation program,” Madden said. “My agency would never support a bill that could put patient lives in danger.”

Bill cosponsors are Reps. Terry Sabo, D-Muskegon, Sara Cambensy, D-Marquette, Gregory Markkanen, R-Hancock and Kelly Breen, D-Novi.

Supporters include Lake Michigan College and the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union. Opponents include the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians and Michigan Health and Hospital Association.

Environment links to cancer focus of new Michigan study

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Environment, Great Lakes, Health, , ,

By Cameryn Cass
Capital News Service

A new University of Michigan study aims to understand how environmental exposures in Michigan contribute to cancer.

Sara Snyder is project director of the Michigan Cancer and Research on the Environment Study, or MI-CARES. (Credit: University of Michigan)

The Michigan Cancer and Research on the Environment Study, or MI-CARES, is largely motivated by Michigan’s history of toxic environmental exposures and environmental injustice, said Sara Snyder, the project director.

Researchers are recruiting 100,000 ethnically diverse, cancer-free Michiganders ages 25 to 44. It’s a statewide survey, but they’ll focus enrollment on what they’ve identified as six major environmental injustice hotspots: the Detroit metropolitan area, Saginaw, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Flint, Snyder said.

Environmental injustice refers to people who belong to groups that are discriminated against and are disproportionately exposed to contaminants and other health hazards.

June 1 marked the soft launch to test the website used to recruit candidates. People enroll every day, but the study’s full launch was earlier this fall.

A first in Michigan

“Nothing like this has been done in the state of Michigan before, which is almost shocking if you know about the levels of environmental injustice that have taken place,” said Lilah Khoja, a doctoral student at the University of Michigan on the MI-CARES team.

“There isn’t a community in Michigan that hasn’t been impacted in some way by environmental injustice,” she said.

It dates back decades: the PBB contamination of dairy products in the 1970s, the Flint water crisis, industrial pollution in Detroit and now PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment, Snyder said.

The project, funded by the National Cancer Institute and the University of Michigan, will track participants through annual questionnaires for at least six years, Snyder said.

 

They’ll be asked about employment and residential histories, race, ethnicity, major health and life events and overall lifestyle to gauge participant health and previous exposures to industrial chemicals or other contaminants, Snyder said.

 

Beyond cancer, the surveys might also shed light on how exposures to chemicals in the environment cause heart disease, asthma or even Alzheimer’s disease, said Dana Dolinoy, the principal investigator of biomarker evaluations for MI-CARES.

Compiling the data needed for change

Such surveys have a proven track record. For instance, cancer rates are significantly higher in Flint compared to the rest of Genesee County and the state after lead contaminated the city’s water supply.

“My cousin, my aunt, my friend have all died of cancer,” said Arthur Woodson, a Flint resident and community activist. “People are dying in high numbers here of cancer.”

 

Community activists at the Pittsfield Farmers Market offer information about MI-CARES. Credit: MI-CARES.

Such anecdotal reports can be reinforced by hard data produced by health studies from the Genesee County Health Department proving elevated cancer levels in the area.

A study recently published in JAMA Network Open found that 1 in 5 Flint residents have presumptive major depression and another 1 in 4 have presumptive post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

“They fixed the water, but they didn’t fix the people,” Woodson said.

Providing people with the data they need

A large goal of MI-CARES is to give people access to data that will help them advocate for a cleaner environment and a healthier life, Khoja said.

“You can’t advocate for change if you don’t have the numbers to show that this is why it needs to change,” she said.

Cancer-centric studies like this one, whether linking it to smoking, a lack of physical activity or poor diet, played a role in a 29% drop in cancer death rates between 1991 and 2017, according to the American Cancer Society.

 

MI-CARES’ data will help improve Michiganders’ health while informing policy to reduce environmental injustices and harmful exposures, Snyder said.

 

Researchers looked at what was going on in the state and narrowed the study’s focus to the most prominent of the 80,000 chemicals in the environment: exposure to metals, like lead, chemicals in personal care products, air pollution and PFAS, Dolinoy said.

Addressing the issues

Michigan has the highest known PFAS levels of any state.

To measure some contaminants like lead, participants from the six environmental injustice hotspots will send in blood and saliva. These measurements, called intermediate biomarkers, show if a past environmental exposure changed the epigenome – the instruction book telling genes how to behave – to make them more susceptible to cancer and other diseases, Dolinoy said.

The study focuses on a younger population so that researchers might recognize any diseases before they manifest, Dolinoy said.

 

“This gives us time to intervene and treat individuals, because when the disease is already on board, it’s really hard to reverse it,” she said.

There’s evidence, though, that relatively easier things like changes in lifestyle and diet might reverse changes to that epigenetic instruction book, especially early in life, Dolinoy said.

Building a better tomorrow

The hope is to inspire policy intervention with MI-CARES findings, forcing industry and other institutions responsible for poisoning the environment to change. That is a challenge that the health survey hopes to meet.

“It’s very difficult to translate some of this science in a way that will directly change the economics of a company,” Dolinoy said. “But studies like MI-CARES can provide a weight of evidence that shows our environment can negatively contribute to disease status.”

 

To apply to be part of the survey, visit https://micares.health and click “Join the Movement!” Applicants must be 25 to 44 years old and cancer-free.

Cameryn Cass reports for Great Lakes Echo.

How to navigate hospice services and access care

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Senior Living, ,

By Emmanuel Hospice

Many of us realize that hospices are there to serve us.

It’s never too early to inquire about hospice care. With just a click or a call, you can learn about services available, eligibility, costs and more to find a good fit. (Adobe Stock)

But sometimes, it’s difficult to break the ice. How do you reach out – with a call or a click? And how do you express the need? With whom do you ask to speak? And what exactly do you say?

In a perfect world, there are protocols in place to accommodate all the above and more. And you should be able to reach out anytime – day or night, weekday or weekends, even on a holiday.

“At Emmanuel Hospice, we understand that life doesn’t stop when you have a need for hospice,” says Elizabeth Mangiapane, a patient access specialist there. “That’s why any time you call our main line, it’s going to be answered on a 24/7 basis. Easter Sunday? Middle of the night? It doesn’t matter. You will connect with someone who can help.”

Mangiapane emphasizes that a referral to Emmanuel can originate in more than one way. Often, a physician will make the connection. But sometimes, family members serving as caregivers become involved at the outset, and naturally they have questions about eligibility, timing and more.

While a physician’s order is required to perform a formal assessment, a representative from Emmanuel will welcome the opportunity to meet with a patient and/or their loved ones if they simply have questions.

In either case, “we do all the legwork,” Mangiapane says. If it’s determined someone qualifies, the hospice care provider will integrate the patient’s physician and medical history into the equation as needed.

“We’ll set up meetings. We’ll work with the doctors. We are glad to serve in any capacity that lessens the burden on that patient, on that family.”

Mangiapane notes that there’s never a “wrong time” to inquire about hospice. Too often, people will act on the misconception that hospice is only “for the last few days a patient has.”

On the contrary, “We’re trying more than ever to educate the community on how it can be for a much longer time period, so that we might focus earlier not on the quantity of life someone has left, but the quality of life that remains.”

For someone who lives in a nursing home or assisted living facility, that institution may have a working relationship with a preferred provider. But Mangiapane explains that a patient and their family have the right to choose any hospice, and shouldn’t feel pressured.

Mangiapane says it’s important you come away with a full understanding of the services a hospice provides. At Emmanuel, for example, a full slate of complementary services is available – pet visitors, massage therapy, music therapy, virtual reality and more.

Location of care is important to ask about, too. A common misconception is that hospice is a place you go to, but for most providers, hospice care can be provided anywhere. With Emmanuel, it can be in the hospital, a care facility or wherever a person calls home.

Cost is another consideration. Medicare and most commercial insurances will cover 100% of virtually everything provided by hospice – medications and visits, personal care, counseling and other services – but there are some limitations. A phone call can help you discover where you stand.

“Make your choices based on the needs of the patient and family,” says Mangiapane. “You want what’s right for you, and that can look different from person to person.”

For more information, visit EmmanuelHospice.org or call 616-719-0919.

Hospitals invest nearly $1 billion in community health programs

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Pets/Animals, , , , ,

By Janelle James
Capital News Service

LANSING – More therapy dogs and tourniquet emergency training are among the programs Michigan hospitals are investing in to better serve patients, health officials say.

Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids has been making tourniquets more accessible in public spaces as part of its Stop the Bleed campaign (Chris Clark | Spectrum Health Beat)

The state’s hospitals invested more than $860 million in community-based partnerships and programming in 2020, according to a recent report by the Michigan Health and Hospital Association. 

“Michigan hospitals and health systems serve and care for any patient that walks through their doors,” said John Karasinski, director of communications for the association. “ We know that there are some patients with … challenges and burdens and we do not want to be a detriment to them receiving the care that they need.”

 

The report outlines six major areas of investment: health education and guidance, support services, community outreach, health professional, community building and clinical research.

 

Hospitals have invested $60 million in mental health services like counseling, support groups and family support, the report said.

Teaching the public to stop the bleed

One example: Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids is making tourniquets more accessible in public spaces as part of its Stop the Bleed campaign, the report said. The campaign started in 2012 in response to the increase in mass shootings across the country.

 One goal is to put tourniquets in public places where mass shootings are likely to occur like in malls, schools and grocery stores.

 

“We were able to supply some tourniquets to schools in the area,” said Meaghan Crawley, senior improvement specialist with trauma services at the hospital.

The hospital also provides low-cost or free training on how to stop bleeding. The training is open to anyone who could be a bystander to an emergency – even children as young as 11 years old can receive training.

 “We’ve taught at many different local schools … and local churches and that is still ongoing,” Crawley said.

The addition of therapy dogs

Another example: McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital has expanded its pet therapy program after gaining success using it with geriatric psychiatric patients. Therapy dogs and their owners now even accompany doctors on their rounds to patients, the report said. They are also used in the Intensive Care Unit and the orthopedic hospital.

 

Some Michigan hospitals have added therapy dogs. (Pxhere.com)

St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac has expanded to meet the need for dental care for people with disabilities. The dental office now has five rooms including one wheelchair-accessible room, the report said. The General Dental Residency program has expanded from three to four residents.

 

Michigan hospitals also provided $42 billion in financial assistance to patients with unpaid medical care costs, the report said.

 

The report is in response to the Affordable Care Act requirement that hospitals conduct a community health needs assessment at least every three years, Karasinski said. This assessment helps hospitals to accurately allocate funding where it is needed most.

The Michigan Health and Hospital Association represents more than 150 hospitals, including community hospitals, teaching hospitals, children hospitals, rural and urban hospitals and critical access hospitals. 

ABOUT JANELLE JAMES

Janelle James is a senior at Michigan State University double majoring in journalism and political science with a minor in Spanish. Janelle aspires to one day secure a position as an investigative journalist, White House correspondent or politician.

Wyoming, Kentwood to participate in drug take back event

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Environment, Kent County, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

Kentwood’s Drug Take Back Day event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. (WKTV)

The fall National Drug Take Back Day has been set for this Saturday, Oct. 29, with both the Wyoming Department of Public Safety and the Kentwood Police Department participating in the event.

The annual event is part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back initiative. The event is held in April and October as part of ongoing efforts to combat prescription drug misuse and overdose deaths. For the April Take Back Day, the Department of Drug Enforcement reported that about 720,000 pounds of unneeded medications were collected. Since starting the program in 2010, around 16 million pounds of unneeded prescription medications have been collected.

“By taking advantage of this free and anonymous Drug Take Back Day, residents can help save lives,” said Kentwood Police Chief Bryan Litwin. “Proper medication disposal prevents identity theft, accidental poisonings, drug addiction and overdose deaths. It can also help preserve the environment by reducing the amount of medications in landfills and sewer systems. Please gather unneeded medications from your home and join us Oct. 29 as we work together to keep our community safe.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the United States, more than 107,000 people died as the result of a drug overdose last year. This figure means that someone in the United States is dying of a drug overdose every five minutes.

City of Kentwood

Residents may drop off unused, unwanted or expired prescription pills and patches from 10 a.m to 2 p.m at the Kentwood Police Department, 4742 Walma Ave. SE. Liquids, needles and sharp objects will not be accepted. For disposal of needles and other sharp objects, visit the Kent County Health Department’s reimaginetrash.org or click here.

The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.

City of Wyoming

The Wyoming Department of Public Safety, 2300 DeHoop Ave., has a SafeMed box at the station where anyone may properly dispose of medications throughout the year.

The department also partners with University of Michigan Health West, 2122 Health Dr. SW, on Drug Take Back Day. The event at UMHW will be a drive-thru from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. People are encouraged to stay in their car and a volunteer will come to the vehicle.

As with the Kentwood program, this program is free with no questions asked.

Grief presentation, dealing with an illness focus of upcoming program at Marge’s

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, , ,

For the next Mr. Sid’s Video Series, Lorna Dobson will lead a discussion on dealing with grief Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Rev. Ed Dobson’s book “Prayers and Promises” will be available at the Mr. Sid’s Video Series this Wednesday.

Dobson’s husband, Rev. Ed. Dobson, who was the long-time pastor at Calvary Undenominational located on the East Beltline, died of ALS in December of 2015. ALS is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and sometime’s referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It is a neurological disease that primarily affects the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement such as walking or chewing.

While dealing with ALS, Rev. Dobson produced two short videos, “My Garden,” issues of grief and loss and “Ask Forgiveness.” Lorna Dobson will lead the discussion on the videos.

Also available will be Rev. Dobson’s book and audio CDs Prayers and Promises,” a 30-day devotional or morning and evening reflections when facing a life-threatening illness.

The program is at 2 p.m. at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW.

Upcoming Mr. Sid’s Video Series presentations

Nov. 2: Traverse City resident, Vietnam veteran, and Silver Star recipient Tim Keenan snuggled with his wartime experiences while hiking the Appalachian Trail, Keenan wrote about his journey in “The Good Hike.”

Dec. 21: “I’ll be Home for Christmas” the group’s traditional celebration of the meaning of Christmas as well as the importance of what “I’ll be home for Christmas” means to veterans.

How to capture a bat and avoid getting rabies

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Pets/Animals, , ,

By Jodi Miesen
WKTV Contributor

To date, the Kent County Health Department has received and tested double the number of bats than it did in 2021, which has local officials reminding residents about the dangers of bats and rabies.

The Kent County Health Department has received and tested 82 bats so far this season. (Courtesy, Kent County Health Department)

August through October are the busiest months for the department’s bat program as the mammals moved indoors to breed. The latest count for this year stands at 82 bats. In 2021, the department saw 41 bats which was about 20 less than 2020, which was 61.

Steve Kelso, a spokesperson for the Kent County Health Department, said county officials are not sure if the increase means there actually has been an uptick in numbers.

 

“It may just mean that people are more aware of the program and are bringing them in here,” Kelso said.

Bites and scratches from bats can go undetected

The concern over bats centers on the fact that they can transmit rabies to other animals and humans. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, rabies are mostly found in wild animals such as bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes. The Kent County Health Department and the Kent County Animal Shelter work with the State of Michigan to perform necropsies – autopsies on animals – to identify and track the  number of infected bats. This year, of the 82 bats brought to the Health Department, only five tested positive for rabies.

“I don’t know the status of those cases. If those people were bitten or scratched by that bat but there are five lives that we potentially saved through that program,” Kelso said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of human rabies in the United States is rare with about one to three reported annually. From 2009-2018, there have been 25 reported cases of human rabies in the United States. In Kent County, the last reported case of human rabies was in 1983.

While cases of rabies have been declining since the 1970s due to animal control and vacation programs as well as public outreach, the disease can be fatal if not detected.

Rabies is transmitted through bites or scratches. Because a bat’s teeth are very small, the animal’s bites can go undetected.

 

“You walk in the room and you see it for the first time, you likely haven’t been bitten or scratched, but if you wake up in the room and the bat’s in there, you don’t really know,” Kelso said, adding that if there’s even the slightest chance that you’ve been bitten, take it seriously.

 

What to do if you find a bat in your home

Guidelines from the Kent County Health Department recommend that if you find a bat in your home, you should try to capture it to get it tested, unless you are 100 percent sure you have not been bitten.

If you wake up and find a bat in your bedroom, it is recommended that you get the bat tested for rabies and you contact your health provider. (Courtesy, The Kent County Health Department)

To capture a bat, officials recommend wearing a layer of protective clothing, including leather gloves, to avoid being bit. Once you are prepared, place a box or coffee can over the bat and slide a piece of cardboard under the container. Kelso acknowledged he’s no expert at catching bats but he said the important thing is to take it seriously and limit possible exposure.

“If there were a bat in my house, I would be putting on an extra layer,  coat, jacket, something,” he said. “I’d be doing anything I could to not come in contact with that bat.“

Adding with a laugh that “…if it were in my house, I’d probably put on a full face motorcycle helmet just because I have one handy.”

Prevention is the key, but there is a treatment as well

When capturing a bat, it is important to not damage the bat’s head as that is what is needed to do the testing. Also, if the bat is dead, keep it cool but don’t freeze it.

“It’s really important that you do not smash the head of the bat…That you don’t crush the brain because that brain is what has to be tested in necropsy.” Kelso said.

If you’ve been exposed to rabies, it’s important to contact a doctor immediately, Kelso said, adding the earlier the treatment, the better. The CDC noted that there has been less than 20 documented cases of people surviving rabies.

 

The treatment for rabies is Post Exposure Prophylaxis which is a series of four shots. The shots are usually given in the arm for adults and in the thigh for children. A welcome change from the days when the shots were administered in the stomach.

 

To contact the Kent County Health Department, call 616-632-7200 during regular business hours, which are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Captured bats should be taken to the Kent County Animal Shelter, located at 740 Fuller NE. The shelter is open from 1 – 7 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday.

World Hospice and Palliative Care Day offers opportunities to reflect, reach out

Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Non-Profits, Senior Living, ,

By Emmanuel Hospice

Pictured is an Emmanuel Hospice patient receiving massage therapy, which is one of the nonprofit’s complementary therapies that can be used to reduce pain, lower stress and manage fatigue. (Courtesy, Emmanuel Hospice)

For caregivers and survivors left in the wake of some six million who died during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s more than grief and anxiety to consider.

That’s the message from organizers of World Hospice & Palliative Care Day, celebrated Saturday, Oct. 8, to commemorate and support hospice and palliative care around the world with one voice advocating quality of life and equitable healthcare for all.

It’s also an opportunity to help people understand the difference between hospice care and palliative care, emphasizes Michele Siegel, a social worker for Emmanuel Hospice.

“A lot of people group the two together, but there are distinct differences,” she points out. “The biggest one is that with palliative care, you typically don’t have a life expectancy of six months or less to qualify for symptom management.”

At Emmanuel and other hospices, the primary emphasis is on providing holistic care and support for someone seeking to live as pain-free and alert as possible throughout a serious illness. Medications, equipment, supplies and care relate to pain and symptom relief.

 

That contrasts markedly from palliative care, where the patient is likely still fighting their illness and continues employing strategies tied to the prospect of cures.

“Does hospice provide palliative care?” Siegel poses. “In a sense, yes. We provide palliative care in the sense that our goal is to provide comfort and care. But with hospice, you also have a terminal diagnosis, and so you’re not seeking curative treatments.”

Sometimes, people suffering from the same maladies can be receiving either hospice or palliative care. They often include those diagnosed with cancer, heart disease and other chronic conditions. The care they choose to receive determines whether they’re receiving palliative or hospice care. If they’re fighting their condition with therapies or clinical trials or other options designed to sustain life, that’s palliative care. If they’re mostly managing pain and symptoms and focused on “making the best of the time you have left,” says Siegel, that’s subscribing to hospice care.

According to Siegel, it’s important to rely on healthcare workers you trust – as well as friends or family members who may be serving as caregivers – to both understand and act on options available. In either case, she says, it’s important to find someone who wants to “coach but not force” decisions affecting care.

The organization supporting World Hospice & Palliative Care Day – online at theWHPCA.org – offers a digital toolkit on its website to help inform and educate those interested in the annual observance.

Siegel applauds such measures, noting that individual hospice care providers like Emmanuel also go to great means to educate people on who they are, what they stand for and the services they provide.

“We’re always just a click or a phone call away, and eager to inform people wondering about their options,” she says. “It’s not always easy wading through all the information available. We’re here to help with that.”

For more information, visit EmmanuelHospice.org or call 616.719.0919.

How to avoid falls while staying active when aging

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health

By Emily Armstrong
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

September 18-24 was Falls Prevention Week, a nationwide effort to raise awareness that falls are preventable. As we get older the chance of our suffering a fall increases, in fact according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA) 1 in 4 Americans aged 65+ falls each year.

To help with walking, find a good balance and exercise program. (pxhere.com)

Relying on your body to catch you and keep you steady, and then losing this ability, can be a serious downfall to your mobility and morale. Sometimes the fear of falling can be such an all-consuming worry that you may start retreating from doing the things you used to love. However, just because you are noticing a drop in your confidence, movement levels, and strength, does not mean that you can’t improve upon these things and live a fulfilling life. The key to fall prevention is that because we know which factors contribute to falls we can work to prevent them. The National Council on Aging recommends a number of steps you can take to prevent a fall and build your confidence along the way!

Exercise is the key

The first is to find a good balance and exercise program. This is vital because building up your body’s flexibility, strength, and balance enables you to avoid falling in the first place, and if you do happen to fall, you’ll have the ability to get up safely. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) offers a variety of evidence-based falls prevention classes through its Healthy Aging partner programs such as A Matter of Balance and EnhanceFitness. There are a number of evidenced-based programs available throughout West Michigan, and you can learn more by calling AAAWM at 616-456-5664 or visiting www.aaawm.org. YouTube can also be a great online resource for finding free at-home exercise classes at a level that is best for you.

Advice from the expert

Talking to your health care provider is the second step to fall prevention. It is helpful to go over your medical history and if you’ve experienced falls in the past. Your provider also has the ability to assess your risk level for a fall and what can be addressed to lower this risk. The third measure you can take to prevent a fall can also be done with your doctor, and this is to regularly review your medications. Some medication’s side effects can increase your risk of falling, and of course, you should take medications only as they are prescribed by your doctor. Step four of fall prevention is to get your vision and hearing checked annually. Proper sight can help you avoid trip hazards and obstacles, and abnormalities in your inner ear can also negatively impact your balance. Treat your health as a top priority to fall prevention and check in with your doctor on these three steps to ensure your well-being.

It all starts at home

The fifth step that NCOA recommends to avoid a fall is to keep your home safe by removing hazards that are commonly overlooked, but easy to fix. A few things to look for: Do you have a clear pathway through your rooms? Look for rugs, cords and wires, and bulky furniture that may be in your way. Assess your stairs; if steps are uneven or broken this can cause you to fall, and make sure that your stairway is well-lit and has a handrail.

In the kitchen, it is best if items are not on kept high shelves, and that your step stool is sturdy if you must use it. In your bedroom, you should have a light close to the bed within easy reach, as well as a well-lit path to the bathroom. Lastly, your bathroom should have some sort of support for you to rely on when using the toilet and bathtub, and if you have a slippery shower floor, add a non-slip rubber mat.

Systems and programs that can help

Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) can also bring peace of mind to individuals and can be a vital line of support. A PERS program often provides a cellular in-home unit in the form of either a necklace or wristband that can call dispatch at the press of a button. Users have the freedom to set who they would like to receive the emergency notification from dispatch to send help, whether family, friend, neighbor, or ambulance. Currently PERS are available in the region, you can call AAAWM at 616-456-5664 to learn more. All are helpful things to keep your home safe.

A little help from your friends

The last step in fall prevention is to enlist the help of your family and friends. Let them know that you are worried about falling and would appreciate their help in making your home a safe space. They can provide an extra set of eyes and hands to rid your house of obstacles. They are also likely to help you navigate talking to your doctor, checking your vision and hearing, and reviewing your medications. Having their help will make the process less overwhelming for you. Often those around you are eager and willing to help, you just need to ask.

These six steps come together to help you avoid falls, so you can continue to do the things that you love. Getting older doesn’t mean a loss of independence; it simply means adapting your environment to best fit your needs so that you can flourish. Be sure to use the resources around you; from your doctor to a family member or friend, to help you take these preventative measures.

More Michigan communities strive to become age-friendly

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, Senior Living, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org
Janelle James
Capital News Service

Some Michigan communities are trying to accommodate aging residents – and it’s not just the gray-haired population that benefits, advocates say.

Age-friendly communities allow seniors to be independent and continue to do things they love such as shopping. (pxhere.com)

More than 18% of the state’s population is 65 or older, according to the U.S. Census. It ranks 14th among the states for the largest population of people over 65.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in June approved a plan to make the state age-friendly.

It focuses on communication and information, respect and social inclusion, health services and community support, social participation and transportation.

That comes after announcing an initiative in 2019 with the AARP and the World Health Organization to make Michigan an age-friendly state.

Building an age-friendly community

An age-friendly community is a place where people of all ages can live comfortably, according to AARP, a nonprofit organization that advocates for Americans who are 50 or older.

Since then, nine cities have come up with an age-friendly community plan.

Auburn Hills was the first in Michigan to join a national network of such communities in 2013. It was followed by Highland Park and Lansing in 2015; East Lansing and Southfield in 2017; Grand Rapids in 2018 and Royal Oak and Jackson in 2019. Oak Park joined just this year.

Age-friendly communities allow seniors to be independent and continue to do things that they love, like going to the grocery store and visiting their grandchildren within their community, said Paula Cunningham, the state director for AARP Michigan.

They offer benefits to others, too, Cunningham said. For instance, longer crosswalk times help seniors with walkers, but also help those using wheelchairs and parents pushing strollers, she said.

Grand Rapids focuses on making information available

The City of Grand Rapids started working on its age-friendly community plan in 2016, according to Jay Steffen, assistant planning director for the City of Grand Rapids. After meeting with more than 500 area seniors, hosting several meetings, and talking to leaders in the community, the city’s efforts culminated into The Grand Rapids Age-Friendly Action Plan that is focused on four areas: communications, housing, outdoor spaces, and transportation.

The accessible walking trails is one the amenities that makes the City of Grand Rapids’ Mackay-Jayvee Park an age-friendly park. (Courtesy, City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation)

Through the communication program, the city established a webpage designed to provide information on the four main topics along with connecting residents to services such as United Way’s 211, Network 180, and Senior Neighbors.

 

“It has been an interesting and challenging process because of the pandemic,” Steffen noted. “We do feel that the more readership we have along with working with the many other agencies that we are doing a fairly good job at getting the word out.”

The city’s parks and recreation department has contributed to the site by providing a list of 28 parks that are the most age-friendly based on a number of amenities such as restrooms, drinking fountains, parking, accessibility to walking paths, and seating.

Steffen said the city also has reached out to Senior Perspectives magazine, which focuses on providing information for seniors, to have the publication available in Grand Rapids.

City of Wyoming discusses age-friendly in master plan

While the City of Wyoming has not formally adopted an age-friendly community plan, its new [re]imagine master plan, does recognize that the city has experienced a “significant increase in the proportion of older adults aged 65 years and up…”

Under the Traditional Residential section of the plan’s Land Use recommendations, the master plan encourages expanding housing options for older adults seeking to age-in-place.

By providing such options, it makes it easier for a family to provide daily care to aging members as the family can moved closer to that member or have the member move closer to the family, said Nicole Hofert, the city’s director of planning and economic development.

 

What they are doing on the other side of the state

East Lansing community leaders strive to make the city accessible to young and old, said Thomas Fehrenbach, the director of planning, building and development for the city.

“Throughout the plan, we are very intentional on addressing not just seniors but people of all ages and all abilities,” said Fehrenbach, a member of East Lansing’s Age-friendly Community Committee. 

The city’s plan focuses on housing, transportation, communications/information, social participation, respect and social inclusion, community support and health services, outdoor spaces and buildings, civic participation and employment. It was approved by the AARP in 2020.

The community plan for Southfield is similar.

The city has already achieved many goals, like placing more benches at bus stops and across the city, said Kendall Murphy, the immediate past chair of Southfield’s Commission on Senior Adults. 

“With the rapid aging of baby boomers, we needed to make sure that we were prepared for that population to start being retired,” Murphy said. “We wanted to make sure that people were supported as they are aging. ”

Michigan was the first state in the Midwest and fifth in the country to join the network of age-friendly communities.

Janelle James is a sophomore at Michigan State University. She is pursing a double major in journalism and political science. James aspires to one day secure a position as an investigative journalist, white house correspondent, or politician. She is the state government reporter at The State News and has an internship with HOMTV, the government access channel for meridian Township. At HOMTV, James anchors live new shows, conducts interviews and covers local government.

Michigan seniors want more in-home care, but funding is needed

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Hard News, Senior Living, Volunteers, West Michigan, , , , ,

By Sarah Atwood
Capital News Service

Many seniors want to “age in place” with help from family and/or friends. (pxhere.com)

LANSING – Funding for in-home care and other state senior services is not increasing proportionally to the number of seniors in Michigan, according to Melissa Seifert, the associate state director of AARP Michigan.

“Michigan is one of the most rapidly aging states in the nation,” Seifert said. “But we’re also one of the worst states when it comes to adequately addressing the needs of our senior population.

 

“A large amount of taxpayer dollars go to nursing homes, but not enough go to at-home care,” she said.

Many seniors have a desire to stay at home

Most senior citizens want to “age in place,” staying at home and being cared for by family or friends, said Seifert, whose organization provides seniors with information and services. But that is impossible for most people with current funding.

The one-time federal funding under the American Rescue Plan Act offers the opportunity to better care for the state’s elderly population, she said.

Though the money is an important step, Seifert said ongoing support is needed. The goal is to bring about structural changes in at-home care funding that will make a positive difference without creating additional financial obligations for taxpayers, she said.

A growing senior population

The two most pressing issues for seniors are unnecessary institutionalization and overcrowded senior care facilities, Seifert said.

These problems are likely to get worse as more people get older and are no longer able to care for themselves the way they used to, advocates say.

 

The proportion of Michigan seniors is expected to reach 22% by 2050, said Cathleen Simlar, the communications manager for AARP Michigan. And the proportion of people 85 and older in Michigan is expected to reach 4.8% by the same year.

“We are incredibly unprepared for the amount of people who will be needing senior services in the coming years,” said Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, who is a member of the House Committee for Families, Children and Seniors.

The need for more funding

“We’ll need more funding for them, especially for their health care. Although there are options to help people with paying for health care, it should be expanded,” Pohutsky said.

Seifert agrees. “Not only is there a lack of government funding in health care, but there’s a shortage of direct care workers to serve those who want to stay at home,” she said.

Michigan needs 34,000 more home caregivers than the 165,000 it has, Seifert said. But “noncompetitive pay, low job satisfaction, unpredictable schedules and the absence of benefits” make it difficult to attract and retain them.

That turnover costs Michigan $684 million per year, she said.

Coming up with creative solutions

Services provided by the Tri-County Office on Aging have been strained during and after the COVID-19 pandemic as more people are choosing to age at home rather than move into a senior care facility, said Casey Cooper, the community engagement and fundraising director for the agency serving Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties.

 

“For example, we do a Meals on Wheels program for our seniors and community members with disabilities,” Cooper said.

“Our services were definitely strained during the pandemic, and we had to get creative in order to serve everyone. Although qualifications for who could request our services were expanded, funding was not,” Cooper said.

There was not enough funding for one hot meal a day for everyone, she said. So, instead, seven frozen meals were delivered once a week. Now, the program has gone back to one hot meal a day, but people can still request frozen meals.

More creative solutions will be needed as the population of Michigan’s seniors grows, Cooper said.

 

There is a need for volunteers as well

“Right now, we have a shortage of funding and volunteers,” she said. “If funding is not increased along with the increase of seniors, people will not be able to access all of the services we would be able to provide them.”

Seifert said the coronavirus pandemic highlighted many holes in services for seniors.

“These issues were overlooked before and, hopefully now, increased funding and resources will be allotted to us and allow us to serve our senior communities how they want to be served,” she said.

Sarah is a junior at Michigan State University double majoring in Social Relations & Policy and Journalism. She is interested in writing about how politics affects local communities and making information accessible for everyone. In her free time, she likes boxing, yoga, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog.

New mobile app helps ID potential Lyme disease-carry ticks

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Environment, Great Lakes, Hard News, Health, Pets/Animals, , ,

By Genevieve Fox
Capital News Service

An adult black-legged (deer) tick. (By Photo by Scott Bauer. – This image was released by the Agricultural Research Service, the research agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, with the ID k8002-3 (next)., Public Domain)

Picture this: You’re walking through the woods when you brush up against some tall grass, or maybe you wandered off trail momentarily. You head home, but the next day notice a black speck on your arm.

It’s a tick. 

Beyond the gross-out factor, you wonder if it might make you sick. A new mobile app may help figure that out.

Emily Dinh, a medical entomologist with the Department of Health and Human Services, says encounters people are having with ticks are becoming more common.

That’s as the state’s tick population has been on the rise, including numbers of the American dog tick and the blacklegged tick, which can transmit the bacterium that causes Lyme disease.

“That blacklegged tick is something that we’re concerned about and seeing a greater distribution throughout the state of Michigan. That is the tick that can transmit Lyme disease,” Dinh said.

In 2021, the state health department reported nearly half of Michigan’s counties had a known risk of Lyme disease for people and animals.

Ticks like shady, moist areas

Ticks are typically found in wooded and brushy areas but can even show up in suburban yards.

“The most important thing to be aware of is where ticks are, so ticks like shady, moist areas in woody, grassy locations,” she said. “Especially in the warmer months of April through September, but sometimes into October as well because ticks can be active when the temperatures are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.”

Barry OConnor is a tick expert at the University of Michigan’s Zoology Museum. He cites a rise in temperatures as a possible reason for the increased risk.

“We’ve certainly seen changes in the distribution of several species of ticks moving northward over the years as temperatures have become warmer,” OConnor said.

According to the state, average yearly temperatures have increased two to three degrees in the past two decades.

The Tick App

A group of researchers from universities across the U.S. decided to create a mobile app, called The Tick App. (Courtesy, The Tick App)

Because of growing concerns about the pests, both in Michigan and across the country, a group of researchers from universities across the U.S. decided to create a mobile app, simply called The Tick App.

Michigan State University professor Jean Tsao said the app allows scientists to learn more about where ticks are and what people are doing to keep safe from them. She is in the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife and is part of the group that helped develop the digital portal.

“It’s a mobile health app that is both a research tool as well as an outreach tool,” she said.

When people download it, they’re prompted to fill out a 10-minute survey about potential risk factors.

“We really wanted to understand, if possible, when and where and what kind of activities people are doing to expose themselves to ticks,” Tsao said.

She said users are also able to take a picture of a tick and submit it to the app. The research team is then able to identify it within 24 hours.

“They have a lot of reliable information all collated into one area that can tell you about what a tick is, what the various species of ticks are that you’re likely to contact in the area that you live and what are prevention measures that you can take,” Tsao said.

Tips on avoiding ticks

To avoid ticks, Tsao recommends wearing bug repellent and long clothing outside.

 

After returning home, a full-body tick check and shower is also ideal.

Tsao said the research team is working to use artificial intelligence to make tick identification faster and more accurate.

She said she hopes that with this advancement, the app may one day be used by health care workers as a diagnostic tool.

Genevieve Fox reports for WKAR Radio in partnership with the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism and Capital News Service.

Free lunch funding change worries some school officials

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Education, Health, Local Food, ,

By Sarah Atwood
Capital News Service

Michigan school officials are concerned about children going hungry or accumulating lunch debt after Congress recently ended federal funding for free meals for all students.

With the federal pandemic lunch program discontinued, parents must now fill out paperwork for their student to get a free lunch. (pxhere.com)

“Families are still struggling with the economic downturn during the pandemic,” said Thomas Morgan, a communications consultant for the Michigan Education Association (MEA). “It’s not over, and we need to make sure children are taken care of.”

During the pandemic, Congress passed funding to ensure all students got free meals. That ended in  August, although children who would have previously qualified for free or reduced lunches will still be able to get them if their parents fill out paperwork.

Parents must fill out paperwork for free lunches

There have been instances where a parent did not fill out the paperwork, meaning a child could not get the food they need or goes into lunch debt, Morgan said.

Parents have to shift from automatically having access to free meals to having to fill out paperwork to ensure their children get what they need. 

“Since paperwork was not needed for the past couple of years, some parents weren’t aware they had to fill it out for their children to qualify, ” said Tom Freitas, the director of food and nutrition services for Traverse City Public Schools. “There have been issues with not having paperwork in on time, which affects the amount of pre-ordering for meals.”

Trying to keep costs reasonable

Traverse City Public Schools are trying to make sure all children who need free or reduced lunches are able to get them, he said.

“We’re doing our best to serve all our children. Right now, our superintendent is focused on getting donations,” Freitas said.

“We’d never take away food from a child, but we do have policies in place to make sure we get the payment required. After a child is $10 in school lunch debt, the parents are contacted,” he said.

This could be a problem for parents who thought that their child was getting free meals and are suddenly confronted with lunch debt.

Other issues impacting the lunch line

Funding isn’t the only issue affecting free school lunches this fall. A shortage of administrators means delays in processing time for paperwork.

Morgan said, “There’s a lot of paperwork that goes into providing free breakfast and lunch. The federal waivers made sure every kid had a meal automatically, meaning the paperwork wasn’t necessary and so this burden was removed for administration.”

Others say the shift might not be too troublesome for schools.

“I don’t believe schools will necessarily have any real difficulty going back to the way free lunches were processed a few years ago,” said Jennifer Smith, the director of government relations for the Michigan School Board Association. “The waivers did make it easier for school administration, but it’s not as if the infrastructure wasn’t already in place.”

Schools could take it upon themselves to continue to provide free meals for all students, as several districts across the state do.

Grand Rapids Public Schools free breakfast and lunch program

Grand Rapids Public Schools have been providing free breakfast and lunches for all students for seven years.

“I think this has been extremely beneficial for our students,” said Jennifer Laninga, the nutrition services supervisor at Grand Rapids Public Schools. “All of the stigma with free or reduced lunches is eliminated. Students who would otherwise avoid using these services for fear of being judged are now on an equal footing with other students.”

According to Laninga, schools with over 60% of students using free lunch services can apply for Community Eligibility Provision, federally funded through the Department of Agriculture.

However, schools are not guaranteed funding unless over 80% of their students are a part of the free lunch program. A more universal approach would streamline the process and make sure all students have access to free and healthy lunches, Laninga said.

Working to get federal funding for free school meals

Congress is reviewing  the Child Nutrition Reauthorization, said Alex Rossman, the external affairs director at the Michigan League for Public Policy, and there is a possibility that universal access for free lunches could come back.

However, that isn’t likely in an election year, he said. Additional funding would be hard to achieve.

The MEA’s Morgan agreed.

“I don’t believe it’ll go anywhere. It’s not a big priority, even though it should be,” Morgan said.

“It’s incredibly frustrating, especially when you realize that they’re literally taking food away from the kids who need it most.”

Sarah Atwood is a junior at Michigan State University double majoring in Social Relations & Policy and Journalism. She is interested in writing about how politics affects local communities and making information accessible for everyone. In her free time, she likes boxing, yoga, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog.

Role of hospice social worker is to listen, engage, fulfill

3-bottom, Community Health, Health, Senior Living

By Emmanuel Hospice

Emmanuel Hospice patient Ruthe with hospice aide/certified nursing assistant Quincey VanKoevering getting ready to ride home after living out her wish of taking a trip to a favorite beach spot with her family. The photo was taken by Britt Fischer – capturing the experience was one of the ways she helped make the patient wish special. (Supplied)

For any social worker involved in hospice care, it’s all about meeting the needs of patients and their families. And that means listening intently and responding to clues that are both subtle and obvious.

“Just recently, I was sharing with a patient that they could tell me anything, because I’m there to listen and to serve, no matter the physical or emotional need,” says Britt Fischer, a medical social worker for Emmanuel Hospice. “I’m there to keep my ears and eyes open for anything, and if it’s a spiritual need or something else outside my realm, I’ll find the right person to address it.”

Fischer joined Emmanuel this year and brings nearly a decade of experience to the job tied to work she performed on behalf of adults with intellectual and developmental challenges.

“In hospice especially,” says Fischer, “it’s making sure folks have as many resources as possible as they make decisions about their final months and days. They may need assistance with exploring durable power of attorney and other legal questions. Maybe they’re at odds with a family member over final arrangements or have a strained relationship with a loved one. It could be any one of a number of concerns. It’s our job to help them and their family members sift through the options.”

According to Fischer, it’s important to honor the decisions a patient makes as they embark on what can be a difficult journey: “Sometimes it’s helping them deal with caregivers and friends and family. A veteran may have other concerns. And then there are people who don’t have a lot of support or others to lean on, and we become the last line of support.”

Sometimes, says Fischer, it’s a hard line to walk when the patient insists on one thing and a family member pushes for another. “We can get into some tough conversations, but the bottom line is to listen to all sides and respect those differing opinions in making those decisions for the patient.”

Fischer emphasizes that when a team approach is utilized – which is how Emmanuel provides its hospice care – it presents opportunities to cover all the bases: physical, emotional, spiritual and more. Social workers are especially attuned to anticipating the need for grief support, facilitating life reviews and educating patients and their loved ones about hospice care in a compassionate way.

It’s also important to attend to the details. “Maybe someone wants something as simple as an electric shaver. Or one more trip to the beach. To a social worker, job satisfaction is making those kinds of things happen for our people.”

The key, she says, is to establish and maintain open lines of communication with patients:  “That’s the best way to ensure the patient is served in every way.”

By definition, says Fischer, social work “is all about constantly learning while on the job, and it’s always changing, because you’re working with people as the center of your universe. You’re never going to be 100% prepared for every question or concern, but you learn how to adapt, how to try to make wishes come true.”

Kent County campaign aims to raise immunization rates

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, Senior Living,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor

Kent County Health Department launches new campaign to raise awareness on immunizations. (Supplied)

Recent news of the virus that causes polio being found in New York City wastewater has many people thinking about immunizations.

The reason? Because as many national health experts have noted, the best protection against such diseases as polio is immunization.

“The importance of getting our child immunize is that we need to keep them healthy,” said Amy Shears, the immunization program supervisor for the Kent County Health Department. “Our vaccine campaign is ‘The Future is Ours.’ We want our children to stay healthy. We don’t want a resurgence of diseases that we haven’t seen in years whether that is polio, measles or mumps.

“That is where we get nervous. If these immunizations rates continue to drop, could those diseases we haven’t seen in years, rear their ugly heads? That’s were we get concerned.”

In fact, about a couple of weeks before the news of polio in New York City’s wastewater was released, the Kent County Health Department had announced it would be launching a public awareness campaign, “The Future is Ours,” to address falling vaccination rates in the county.

Immunization rates are low

“As of Aug. 1, children 24-36 vaccine coverage rate of 71 percent,” Shears said. “Granted that is not a bad number but we would really like to see that in the high 80s.”

According to many health experts, the best way to protect against a number of different diseases is too immunize. (pxhere.com)

Recently the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released information that Michigan’s numbers have gone below 70 percent for immunizations for children 19 to 36 months. The rate is currently around 68 percent.

The practice of immunizations dates back hundreds of years. For modern-day immunizations, the smallpox vaccine is considered the first successful one. It was developed in 1796. The polio vaccine came next follow by MMR which is for measles, mumps, and rubella.

There is the Tdap which protects against there diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). A more recent vaccine is the HPV vaccine. This is a sexually transmitted infection that is linked with cancer such as cervical, penile, and cancers of the back of the throat.

This is only a short list of the vaccines available. For a complete list and immunization schedules, visit accesskent.org and click on “immunizations.”

Data shows immunizations helps

To reflect how beneficial vaccines have been, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine note that since the release of the HPV vaccine in 2006, there has been a 29 percent decrease in cervical cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that immunizations have saved two to three million lives each year.

As to why there has been a decrease, Shears said numbers were dropping before the COVID pandemic, which also had an impact. With medical facilities combating COVID-19 and putting as “many boots on the ground” where needed, immunizations were not a main focus.

For 19- to 35-month-olds, Kent county is about 3.4 percentage points below its pre-pandemic levels, Shears said, adding the biggest drop has been with those who have Medicaid.

Educating on the importance

The “Future is Ours” campaign is designed to share information about all immunizations. The project included rebuilding the VaccinateWest Mi.com website, which was originally built to provide COVID-19 vaccine information. The website now features information on age-appropriate vaccine timelines, links that allow parents to make vaccine appointments for their children, and how to find a local health department clinic.

Those interested in scheduling a clinic appointment, can call 616-632-7200 or visit accesakent.org.

Live discussion designed to raise awareness on local issues

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Hard News, Local Faces, Our Cities, ,
The Diatribe hosted a live Facebook stream on issues facing the 49507 zip code. (Supplied)

By Sheila McGrath
WKTV Community Contributor

If the community poured as much money into the public health crisis of racism as it poured into the public health crisis of COVID-19, what might the result be?

That question and many more were discussed in a Facebook Live event recently hosted by Marcel ‘Fable’ Price and G. Foster II from The Diatribe, an organization that uses performing arts to raise awareness of social issues.

Fable and Foster posed questions about health care, community and life in South Grand Rapids neighborhoods to a panel that included social workers, health care workers, and community organizers.

Racism has been declared a public health crisis in Grand Rapids, Fable said, but since the city government made that declaration nearly a year ago, what has been done about it?

“We responded to COVID in many ways. Money, pop-up clinics, stimuluses, billboards, millions of dollars in marketing campaigns,” he said. “What would a response to racism as a public health crisis look like if we took it as seriously as COVID?”

“It would mean people are reacting to racism like their lives depend on it,” said Aarie Wade, director of education at Baxter Community Center.

“Like if they don’t attack this, they will die. And their families will die. And generations will die.”

Listening to the community

In addition to Wade, participants on the panel included Chinyere Aririguzo, LMSW, client services supervisor at Health Net of West Michigan; Ashlie Jones, senior program coordinator for the Grand Rapids African American Health Initiative; Nirali Bora, MD, medical director of the Kent County Health Department; Kelsey Perdue,  a project director with the Michigan League for Public Policy, and Lee Moyer, director of community programs at Spectrum Health Healthier Communities.

Questions posed in the forum were based on listening sessions hosted by The Diatribe as part of its 49507 Project, an anti-racist project by and for people of color that involves the creation of public murals, writing, and community listening sessions.

Fable said during listening sessions, they were able to listen to more than 400 individuals from the 49507 neighborhood.

“Many residents didn’t feel like our downtown belongs to them, which makes it even more important that we pour into our communities, our neighborhoods,” he said.

Creating more home ownership opportunities

Obstacles to home ownership in the 49507 zip code are a big problem, many of the panelists said, as well as the difficulty of people being able to afford housing in general.

Fable noted that nonprofit organizations own hundreds of homes in the 49507 zip code. He questioned why those couldn’t be given to families, bringing home ownership and stability to those neighborhoods.

Investors and developers buying up properties bring another obstacle, according to Fable.

“How do community members obtain equity if developers are constantly taking control of neighborhoods, and our politicians and community leaders continue to align with them?” he said.

Aririguzo said the requirements for subsidized housing are keeping a lot of people from even being able to live in the neighborhood, such as rules requiring people to be able to come up with three times the amount of the rent to be eligible for assistance.

“If I could make three times the rent, I wouldn’t be looking for subsidized housing, right?” she said. “I would like to see changing the requirements that are supposed to be helping us stay in our neighborhoods.”

 

Using your vote to get local leaders to listen

The difficulty getting city leaders to listen to the concerns of Black and Brown residents was another topic of discussion. Panel members said that when conversations with city or county leaders did happen, they felt as if leaders were just waiting for them to finish talking so they could give their prepared rebuttals.

Panelists agreed that it’s important to get informed on local candidates running for office in the city of Grand Rapids and Kent County.

“Do your research on candidates, not only when it comes to their political stance but what they’ve done in the past. What does your track record say you’ve done for the city to improve it?” Moyer said. “That will speak volumes.”

“We get wrapped up with the news about Trump vs. Biden, but it’s wildly important to care about these smaller elections,” Fable said.

Real Talk: The Diatribe Livestream can be viewed on the organization’s Facebook page.

Knowing when to call hospice can be a game-changer

3-bottom, Community Health, Health, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Senior Living, ,
Knowing when to call for hospice care can be a difficult decision, but many families say they wish they would have called sooner. Hospice care is available to anyone who’s received a physician’s diagnosis of six or fewer months to live.

By Emmanuel Hospice

It’s sometimes easier to define what hospice is not rather than trying to absorb all the things it is – especially in assessing when one should reach out.

“A common misconception is that we’re available only at the eleventh hour, or just days or weeks before someone passes,” says Dana Shelton-Clark, an admissions social worker with Emmanuel Hospice. “But hospice care is really holistic support for anyone who’s been given a physician’s prognosis of six or fewer months to live. And that’s only a requirement for admission.

“There’s no ticking clock, no time limit for the amount of time the hospice benefit can be used as long as someone remains eligible.”

What Shelton-Clark and her colleagues too often hear from patients and their caregivers is this: We wish we would have called sooner.

Dealing with an approaching death can be understandably trying, to say the least. At Emmanuel Hospice, says Shelton-Clark, a team approach is instituted to rally around the loved one and care for them in mind, body and spirit. And there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, either. Instead, care and options are customized to consider each individual’s wants and needs.

“We often get comments such as ‘I didn’t know this is what hospice is’ and ‘I didn’t know hospice could provide this,’” she explains. “All it really takes is a phone call to set up a meeting that will provide a clear and accurate window into all the services hospice offers.”

Shelton-Clark notes some people put off calling hospice because they’re being counseled by medical personnel still fighting for a cure.

“We understand that,” she says, “because most doctors are trained in an approach to do all they can to ‘fix’ the problem. But cures are not always possible, and hospice is a treatment option that should be offered and considered.

“Our focus is to instead provide interventions that relieve symptoms and allow patients to focus on how they really want to live, so that they have as many good days and months as possible.”

Shelton-Clark emphasizes hospice will come to wherever it is the loved one calls home – their own house, or a relative’s, or an assisted living facility or memory care unit. During a first discussion, there’s never any obligation to sign on or take next steps. That’s up to the individual and their caregivers. But sometimes, just that initial meeting is enough to help people understand their options going forward.

Some people actually improve during hospice care, in some cases enough to no longer require services. But they’re free to return if they decline to a point where they again meet eligibility standards; there are never any deadlines imposed.

Shelton-Clark acknowledges that the role of Emmanuel Hospice is as much to provide education as it is to provide care – doing all it can to acquaint people with what hospice is and why it’s better to reach out earlier than later.

“There are so many ways for us to assist,” she says, “especially for that person who’s been in and out of the hospital and is ready for that revolving door to finally stop. That’s the time to give us a call and learn more.

“Our compassionate and experienced team is ready to answer any questions you may have.”

For more information, visit EmmanuelHospice.org or call 616-719-0919.

How to create a more Dementia friendly community

Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, Senior Living, ,

By Emily Armstrong
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

Dementia Friends works to help create a more friendly community for those living with Dementia. (pxhere.com)

More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s – members of our family, our friends and our neighbors.

We may not even recognize that these individuals have Dementia, as symptoms present differently from person to person. They may be experiencing challenges in problem solving, communicating, or making decisions. Some may have withdrawn from their social obligations due to embarrassment or shame.

Building a friendlier community

Educating ourselves on the disease can help us better support those living with dementia and their caregivers. Become a Dementia Friend and take a step towards making your community more Dementia Friendly.

Dementia Friends is a global social movement that focuses on five simple key messages. The goal is to change the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. By incorporating Dementia Friends into open, accessible communities, we enable those living with dementia and those who care for them to be active participants in their well-being.

“The default reaction to a diagnosis of dementia tends to be one of despair,” said Dementia Friends Michigan Program Coordinator Brandon Beck. “Dementia Friends works to change the narrative to one of hope. While it’s perfectly normal to grieve what has been lost, a focus on preserved abilities and interests will boost the self-esteem of the individual and create opportunities for meaningful engagement. This person-centered approach is essential for working with those with Dementia.”

Becoming a Dementia Friend

The best thing about Dementia Friends – anyone can become one! The content is presented as a one-hour informational session where you will learn how to recognize signs of dementia, how to effectively communicate with people living with dementia, and simple actions you can take to make our community more supportive for those with dementia. The information is meant to be helpful no matter how you interact with people with dementia – whether you are a caregiver, a professional, a business owner, or a family member simply looking for support.

COVID-19 has also had a significant impact on those living with dementia. Changes in daily routines, barriers to social engagement, and new fears associated with the pandemic have exacerbated many of the challenges already present. In addition to Dementia Friends, the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) offers support groups, educational presentations presented by the Family Caregiver University, and many other resources for caregivers.

More information on Dementia Friends can be found at www.aaawm.org/dfmi – including upcoming sessions, how to request a session for your organization, and other ways to get involved. Sessions are currently being offered virtually via Zoom, so it’s never been easier for you or your organization to attend a session. Sessions can also be hosted in-person for your agency by request. You can also call the AAAWM at (616) 456-5664.  There is no cost to attend a session.  

How to avoid the West Nile virus

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Hard News, Health, , ,

By WKTV staff
joanne@wktv.org

West Nile virus has been detected in a recent mosquito trapping by the Kent County Health Department. (CDC.gov)

The recent news that West Nile virus has been detected in Kent County reminds everyone the importance of preventing mosquito bites.

The Kent county Health Departments (KCHD) Mosquito Surveillance Team has detected West Nile virus in mosquitos. This part of the ongoing tracking that takes place through the country every summer. The discovery comes after testing pools of mosquitoes that were trapped by KCHD in the 49519 zip code, which is in Wyoming.

“The discovery is important because it lets us know that this season’s mosquitoes are now carrying the virus and it could spread to humans,” said KCHD Public Health Epidemiologist Paul Bellamy. “It is important for people to take precautions to prevent mosquito bites as much as possible.”

The Mosquito Surveillance Team traps large amounts of mosquitoes in various locations in Kent County. The team then collects the pools of mosquitoes and begins the process of testing the insects for presence of West Nile virus. The information the team gathers is shared with the municipalities where West Nile virus is found. Those agencies can then use that information to inform that mosquito mitigation strategies.

Tips for keeping safe

There is no vaccine or cure for West Nile virus so the best treatment is prevention. KCHD recommends the following measures:

Cover exposed skin when able

Wear a mosquito repellant that contains 10 to 35 percent DEET (read and follow product directions)

Wear light colored clothing and stay indoors

Remove or refresh water in bird baths, children’s wading pools, water bowls for your pets, and empty other small containers that can collect water in your yard.

Repair missing, damaged or improperly installed screens.

For more information about prevention, visit https://www.accesskent.com/Health/Environmental/vector.htm

Only about 20 percent of the people infected with West Nile virus notice symptoms that may include headache, body aches, joint pains, and fatigue. Most people with West Nile virus completely recover, but fatigue may linger. About one in 150 people infected develop severe illness that can affect the central nervous system. Recovery may take several months. Some damage to the central nervous systems can be permanent. In race instances, the disease can lead to death.

According to a 20 year review of the West Niles virus (it was discovered in the United States in 1999),  a total of 51,702 cases of WNV have been reported to Center for Disease Control’s ArboNET, including 25,227 (48.8%) WNND and 2,376 (4.6%) deaths.

Zika Virus

The mosquito species that carry the Zika virus are not currently present in our area. However, the Zika virus is still a worldwide concern and can be contacted through out-of-state travel.

Possible Monkeypox case has been identified in Kent County

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) was notified by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services that the first probable case of Monkeypox was identified in Kent County.

The patient is currently isolating and does not pose a risk to the public.The KCHD is identifying and monitoring any close contacts for symptoms and no additional cases have been identified at this time. To protect patient privacy, no further case details will be provided.

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious disease that has an incubation time of one to two weeks after exposure. Symptoms of monkeypox include headache, fever, muscle aches, and exhaustion followed by a rash and lesions often beginning on the face one to three days after the onset of illness. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks. The virus is spread from person-to-person by direct contact with bodily fluids or monkeypox lesions. Less common routes of transmission include respiratory droplets from prolonged face-to-face contact or contact with contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding. The KCHD recommends anyone experiencing monkeypox symptoms to contact their healthcare provider.

There are no treatments specifically for MPV infections. However, MPV and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, which means that antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat MPV infections. Most people don’t need a monkeypox vaccine right now. However, if you have had contact with someone who has the disease you should contact your healthcare provider.

So far, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported 767 cases of Monkeypox. there have been three other cases, besides the one in Kent County reported in Michigan, two in Oakland County and one in Detroit.

Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “monkeypox”, the source of the disease remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) may harbor the virus and infect people.

The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970. Since then, monkeypox has been reported in people in several other central and western African countries. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, nearly all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs, or through imported animals.

Cardiac program provides better quality of life, control over care

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Health, Senior Living, ,

By Emmanuel Hospice
EmmanuelHospice.org

Despite frequent doctor, ER and hospital visits for those with end-stage heart disease, many eligible patients don’t receive palliative or hospice care to improve their quality of life – but Emmanuel Hospice wants to change that.

With care guidelines developed by the American Heart Association, Emmanuel Hospice professionals are helping patients living with end-stage heart disease achieve better quality of life and control over their care. (Supplied/Adobe Stock)

Hospice professionals like Melissa Schmidt are working to help more patients with advanced congestive heart failure access the enhanced care they deserve.

“Even though heart disease is the nation’s top cause of death, hundreds of thousands of patients with heart failure die alone in hospitals, never utilizing end-of-life care and support,” says Schmidt, who serves as Emmanuel Hospice’s director of clinical services. “Hospice care can help manage or even prevent symptoms associated with cardiovascular disease and keep patients out of the hospital.

“This not only puts patients and families in better control over their care, it also saves money and reduces the stress of repeated hospitalizations.”

At Emmanuel, care is provided to patients wherever they call home. With the nonprofit’s Heart & Soul Advanced Cardiac Care Program, patients have access to a robust care team – nurses, physicians, spiritual caregivers and complementary therapists, all of whom are specially trained in heart failure and in collaborating with outside care providers.

Made possible through the National Partnership for Healthcare and Hospice Innovation, or NPHI, Heart & Soul relies on care guidelines developed by the American Heart Association for individuals living with end-stage heart disease.

“Our advanced cardiac care program enables patients to be cared for in a way that works alongside their diagnosis,” Schmidt explains. “We’re able to look at innovative ways to care for patients in collaboration with their cardiologists or other physicians to support the whole person – mind, body and soul.”

Among the unique ways Emmanuel Hospice can support people living with advanced cardiac disease are its complementary services, which can be used alongside pharmaceutical approaches or as alternatives for holistic end-of-life care. In particular, music and massage therapy have proven to be successful in the management of symptoms for Heart & Soul patients.

For example, Emmanuel Hospice’s music therapists aid in anxiety relief for patients living with heart disease through music-assisted relaxation to influence heart rate, enhance breathing and support management of stress.

The use of massage therapy can help reduce painful swelling of feet, ankles and legs that comes with end-stage heart disease. For one of Schmidt’s patients, this service helped avoid an increase in medication, enabling him to remain comfortably at home until his death.

The additional support and education hospice can provide is ideal for patients who wish to avoid repeated trips to the emergency room.According to NPHI, advanced cardiac care programs like Emmanuel’s have already helped lower hospitalization rates in the last year by 23% for patients during their last 30 days of life. Patients who are a part of these programs visit the ER nearly half as much as those not receiving hospice care.

“The decrease in emergency rates is remarkable because patients with heart failure are known to need frequent visits to the doctor’s office, emergency room and hospital due to breathing difficulties, fatigue and other worsening symptoms,” Schmidt says. “Reducinginpatient and emergency services reduces stress, which can improve both mental and physical health outcomes.”

Avoiding trips to the ER or hospital also helps save patients money. The average cost of care in NPHI advanced cardiac care programs is 20-35% lower for patients than those who aren’t in hospice care.

While this is promising data, Schmidt says there’s more work to be done in overcoming myths about hospice care and encouraging families and caregivers to reach out sooner to seek this invaluable service.

“Many people think that hospice is just for your last couple of days or weeks or that calling hospice means giving up,” she says. “Hospice is holistic care and support for people who have been given a physician prognosis of six months or less to live and want to maximize that time.

“We want to help these individuals and families know it is absolutely OK to utilize hospice to supplement other medical care that’s already being provided. Our entire team is trained and ready to walk alongside you with individualized care for your end-of-life journey.”

To learn more about Heart & Soul, individuals can visit EmmanuelHospice.org/cardiac-program or call 616-719-0919.

Kent County offers free testing for National HIV testing day

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, , ,

In honor of National HIV Testing Day, the Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is partnering with community organizations to offer “Wellness in the Park” at three parks in Grand Rapids. The KCHD will provide free HIV and STD testing and several other self-care related services including access to health care information and resources, outdoor games and activities, and free snacks and drinks.



The Wellness in the Park events will occur at the following locations and times:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Park 1200 Franklin St SE, Grand Rapids
    Monday June 27, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
  • Heartside Park 301 Ionia Ave SW, Grand Rapids 
    Wednesday, June 29, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
  • Garfield Park 250 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids 
    Thursday, June 30, 1 p.m.- 4 p.m.

National HIV Testing Day is June 27 and this year’s theme is “HIV Testing is Self-Care.” Self-care is critical to an individual’s physical and mental health. It is estimated that 13 percent of people who are infected with HIV do not know that they have the virus because they have never been tested. Getting tested and knowing one’s HIV status will equip residents with the information needed to keep them healthy and is an act of self-care.

Kent County has a higher-than-average percentage of people who are diagnosed with HIV at a later stage, meaning they have AIDS or Stage 3 HIV at the time they test. Testing for HIV is important because there are often no symptoms when someone has HIV. Once someone is diagnosed with HIV, medications will help bring the level of the HIV virus in their blood to a point where it is “undetectable,” meaning they are not able to spread the virus to others. With medications, people living with HIV can live long and healthy lives.

Free HIV testing is always available by appointment at KCHD’s Fuller Clinic by calling (616) 632-7171.  

How to stay safe when caught by a rip current

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Environment, Great Lakes, Health, How-To's, Recreation, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org


It is finally nice in West Michigan, which means lots of beach time, but as the recent scare this week at Grand Haven beach reminded many knowing how to handle a rip current is key to water safety.

Grand Haven State Park does not have lifeguards but does utilize a flag system to let beachgoers know conditions.

Under a new land use order that allows the Department of Natural Resources shutdown the Grand Haven State Park on Tuesday, June 21, after water conditions prompted several rescues. Under the new order, the DNR can prevent or fine a person who enters waters under their jurisdiction when certain conditions are present such as harmful bacteria, dangerous weather conditions or rough waves, as was such the case on June 21.

According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, there has been 46 possible great lakes drownings so far in 2022, of which 19 have been in Lake Michigan. Lake Michigan is considered the deadliest lake of all the Great Lakes and one of the deadliest lakes in the United States due to the number of drownings.

One of the leading causes of those drownings are rip currents, channelized currents of water flowing away form shore at surf beaches.

To help raise awareness about rip currents, WKTV will be again airing the special “Respect the Power,” on June 28 at 9:30 a.m. and June 30 at 5 p.m. on Comcast Channel 25. 

If caught in a rip current, relax and don’t swim against the current. Rip currents do not pull people under the water.

The video was produced by the Great Lakes Beach & Pier Safety Task Force and was created in memory of Andrew Burton Fox and Daniel Reiss, both who were swept off the Grand Haven pier and drowned in Lake Michigan.

According to Grand Haven officials, rip currents and powerful breaking waves are common in the area of the pier. But education, including recognizing what a riptide looks like and what to do if you are caught in one, can increase the chances of a happy outcome.

From the “Respect the Power” website, it states that the Great Lakes are better understood as inland seas rather than lakes. Storms, not the lakes, can easily generate waves up to 30 feet in the most sever weather. However, even smaller waves can be dangerous.

When waves break, water is pushed up the slope of the shore. Gravity pulls this water back toward the lake. When the water converges in a narrow, river-like current moving away from the shore, it forms what is know as a rip current. Rip currents can be 50 feet to 50 yards or more wide. They can flow to a point just past the breaking waves or hundreds of yards offshore. You can sometimes identify a rip current by its foamy and choppy surface. The water in a rip current may be dirty from the sand being turned up by the current. The water may be colder than the surrounding water. Waves usually do not break as readily in a rip current as in adjacent water.

Moving at one to two feet a second, sometimes up to eight feet which is faster than any Olympic swimmer, a rip current can sweep even the strongest swimmer away from the shore.

According to both the “Respect the Power” and the National Weather Service websites, if caught in a rip current, try to relax. A rip current is not an “undertow” and will not pull you under. Do not try to swim against the current as this is very difficult, even for an experience swimmer. If you can, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current, then swim directly toward shore. If you are tired, tread water and float and call and wave for assistance. The current will carry you to the end or head of the current, where once rested you can swim back to shore.

Some other water safety tips:

1. Learn to swim.

2. Check with a lifeguard or with the park’s current conditions board before entering water.

3. Never swim alone.

4. Never dive headfirst into unknown waters or shallow breaking waves.

5. Piers are navigational structures and not designed as walkways, proceed at your own risk.

6. Do not jump or dive off pier structures.

7. Avoid piers when waves begin to spill over the pier surface.

8. To avoid rip currents, avoid swimming in areas that are discolored with sand and has a choppy or foamy surface.

9. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore (about 30-50 yards) to get out of the rip current before swimming to shore.

10. Protect yourself from the sun. Use sun screen.

New mental health facility slated for south of Wyoming

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, Local Business, , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


Earlier this month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (“MDHHS”) issued a Final Order granting Havenwyck Hospital, Inc., a subsidiary of Universal Health Services, certificate of need approval for 60 adult psychiatric beds, allowing Universal Health Services and Trinity Health Michigan, in a joint venture, to open a new freestanding inpatient behavioral health hospital in Byron Center, improving access to care for patients.

The new facility will be named Southridge Behavioral Hospital and will be located near Trinity Health’s current facility on 64th Street and Byron Center Avenue. Southridge Behavioral Hospital will accommodate up to 96 beds, including the 60 adult beds plus 24 geriatric beds previously approved by MDHHS. The new facility, to be located near the Trinity Health Medical Center in Byron Center, is anticipated to open in 2024. The hospital will employ approximately 170 full-time and part-time employees including physicians, nurses, therapists, mental health technicians, administration, dietary and housekeeping personnel.

“With CON approval of the 60 inpatient behavioral health beds, we are eager to start construction of the new hospital as expeditiously as possible,” said Diane Henneman, LCSW, Senior Division Vice President, Behavioral Health, UHS. “Trinity Health has a strong reputation as an anchor in West Michigan and we are thrilled to partner with them in bringing more accessible care to more patients – ultimately improving and saving lives.”

The design of the new hospital incorporates today’s modern, innovative, evidence-based care elements that focus on patient safety. Programming will be tailored to individual patient needs, with core psychiatric services and counseling supplemented by enrichment activities such as art therapy, music therapy, pet therapy and outdoor activity.

The new Southridge Behavioral Hospital will seamlessly tie into a growing network of affiliated behavioral health services in the area, including UHS-operated Forest View Hospital and Trinity Health Michigan’s new partnership with Network180 to open a Behavioral Health Crisis Center for the rapid availability of assessment services on a walk-in basis. Further, the new Southridge Behavioral Hospital will provide additional provider and patient choice in the market, specifically at an easily accessible location south of Grand Rapids.

“We look forward to working with UHS to enable the availability of more inpatient behavioral health options in our region,” said Matt Biersack, MD, President of Trinity Health Saint Mary’s. “It is a strategic imperative that we prioritize solutions for individuals in crisis presenting to local hospitals, including our Trinity Health emergency departments, as well as other referral sources. The new facility will be a receiving site enabling initiation of appropriate care, faster.”

In March 2022, an administrative law judge upheld an initial decision by MDHHS to award CON approval for development of the new behavioral health hospital. The Department issued the Final Order approving the project on June 6, 2022.

Support Sheldon House by donating your items for upcoming sale

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, How-To's, Non-Profits, West Michigan, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Clean and usable items may be dropped off on June 25 and 26 at 2929 Ottawa Ave. SW, Grandville. (Supplied)

Have some unwanted items that need a new home? Cherry Health is looking for gently used or new items for an upcoming community thrift sale in support of the Sheldon House, a program focused on breaking the stigma of mental illness.

Cleaned and usable items may be dropped off from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, June 25, and Sunday, June 26, at 2929 Ottawa Ave. SW, Grandville. Items that will not be accepted are mattresses, sleeper sofas, cribs/car seats, tube TVs, stuffed animals, and hazardous chemicals/waste.

If you are looking for assistance in cleaning out, Moxie Life Organizing, which is partnering with Cherry Health for the sale, offers serves from life consulting to full-service decluttering, organizing, and staging.

The sale will be at the same location, 2929 Ottawa Ave., SW, on Wednesday, June 29, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday, June 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Half price items will be available starting at noon on June 30.

Sheldon House is a clubhouse model program that provides support, opportunity and resources to adults with mental illness in Kent County. With the help of personal staff, members attending Sheldon House have a place to feel accepted, needed and supported. Other benefits include gaining skills, obtaining employment, pursuing education opportunities and building a support system.

The upcoming sale proceeds will be used to support Sheldon House’s members who are aspiring to achieve their personal goals and contribute to the communities they live in. Cherry Health’s Sheldon House program is one of 47 Clubhouse Programs in Michigan and among hundreds of clubhouses worldwide. The accredited program provides strong outcomes, including improved physical and mental health, decreased hospitalizations, reduced incarcerations, greater employment opportunities, and increased overall quality of life for those living with mental illness.

For more about the Sheldon House project and the sale, visit the Sheldon House website.

Moxie Life Organizing helps turn this into…
…an organized space that looks like this.

Local group to host Black Men and Mental Health program

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Grand Rapids African American Health Institute will host a program about Black Men and Mental Health tonight. (pxhere.com)

The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute will host the second in a series of community conversations focused Black Men and Mental Health on Thursday, June 16.

The event is from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Center for Community Transformation, 1520 Madison Ave. SE. The program will look at such issues as systemic racism, policing, health inequities, complex trauma, and a myriad of other struggles. The series of community conversations will equip youth, families, community members and other key support systems with information on how to address these issues in the Black community.

Trained professionals will present information and teach need skills from a place of health, wholeness, and strategy to help participants put into action the change they want to see in their communities and homes.

To register for this event or future Community Conversations, click here. The third Community Conversation — Black Women and Mental Health — will be on July 21. For more information about the program, visit GRAAHI.com.

Kent County to restructure animal shelter, animal control operations

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Hard News, Health, Pets/Animals, , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

The Kent County Animal Shelter will become a stand-alone department answering directly to administration. (Supplied)

Following the nationwide best practices in animal welfare and public safety, Kent County has announced it will be restructuring its animal shelter and animal control operations.

On July 1, the animal shelter will become a stand-along county department report directly to the administration. It is currently under the Kent County Health Department. With that change, the animal control operations will be reassigned to a dedicated, special tailed team at the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.

“Best practices in animal welfare and animal control are Kent County’s top priority in restructuring these operations,” said Kent County Administrator Al Vanderberg. “We consulted subject matter experts and community members and commissioned extensive research into county-level animal shelter and animal control operations before recommending these changes. These decisions are data-driven and reflect nationwide best practices in animal welfare, as well as public safety.”

Kent County Animal Control

Animal control will be reassigned to the Sheriff’s Office because these operations are largely a function of law enforcement. The team will be led by certified law enforcement officers including a KCSO Enforcement Division lieutenant and two Enforcement Division sergeants who will oversee daily operations and staff. Staff will include a civilian animal control supervisor and civilian special deputies who will be supported by community outreach, media relations and training staff already at the Sheriff’s Office.

Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young

At a meeting on June 9, the Kent County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved recommendations from its Legislative and Human Resources Committee and Finance and Physical Resources Committee to create and fund the three full-time animal control unit supervisors at the Sheriff’s Office.

“For years, KCSO officers have worked cooperatively with Kent County animal control officers in response to calls and to carry out the law enforcement aspects of these operations,” said Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young. “With these changes, animal control operations will be led by sworn law enforcement officers trained to provide oversight and to protect due process in rapidly unfolding legal and civil rights matters.”

While the animal control officers will be civilian positions and will not have arresting authority, the certified Sheriff’s deputies in the animal control unit will have authority to make arrests when there is cause to believe a crime has been committed.

To prepare for these changes, the Sheriff’s Office is developing a new Kent County Animal Control Ordinance to replace the Kent County Health Department Animal Control Regulations that have been on the books for more than 20 years. Starting July 1, the new ordinance will apply anywhere in the county where local city, township or village ordinances are not already in place. Existing local ordinances will supersede the Kent County Animal Control Ordinance.

How and When to Contact Animal Control

If a Kent County resident encounters an animal emergency – an animal is attacking a person, or a pet is in immediate danger – they should call 911. Otherwise, residents should call the Kent County Sheriff’s Department dispatch at 616-632-7310 if they encounter a stray dog, in the case of a dog bite, or to report a suspected case of animal cruelty or neglect.

The primary focus of Kent County Animal Shelter will be the care and welfare of lost and abandoned animals. (KC Animal Shelter)

Kent County Animal Shelter

With the restructuring announced today, the Kent County Animal Shelter will maintain primary responsibility for the care, shelter and feeding of lost and abandoned animals in Kent County. The change in reporting directly to the administration will allow the Kent County Health Department to focus more exclusively on human health.

“Our mission hasn’t changed. We remain keenly focused on reuniting pets with their families and finding safe and loving new homes for animals when needed,” said Kent County Animal Shelter Director Angela Hollinshead. “We value the assistance that many community leaders and animal welfare agencies have provided in support of that mission and of the animals in our care over the past several years. We look forward to working with these leaders and organizations to formalize and increase community support in the months ahead.”

Following the restructuring, County administration and the animal shelter will explore the possibility of establishing a foundation and “friends group” to increase financial and volunteer support for the shelter.

LPGA chaplain set to visit Marge’s Donut Den Wednesday

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Recreation, Religion, Sports, Upcoming Events, , ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Cris Stevens, the chaplain for the LPGA

As the Meijer ladies Charity Classic gets underway this week, the Mr. Sid’s Wednesday Afternoon Video Series will have LPGA Chaplain Cris Stevens as its guest this Wednesday.

Stevens has served as the chaplain for the Ladies Professional Golf Association since 1982 and will be sharing stories from her role in the LPGA and how she counsels, supports, and ministers to the world’s best professional golfers. She will present her program on Wednesday, June 15, at 2 p.m at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW. 

Tom Sibley, one of the organizers of the Mr. Sid’s programs, noted this is the second time that Stevens has visited the group. Stevens stopped by last year just before the Meijer LPGA Classic.

The daughter of Sid Lenger (who the group is named after), Lavoone Ritzema, had met Stevens while she worked with the LPGA and invited her to speak. Stevens presentation was so popular that organizers decided to invite her back.

The program begins at 2 p.m. at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW. There is a hymn sing at 1:45 p.m. The program is free.

Coming up for the Mr. Sid’s Wednesday Afternoon Video Series will be USS Silversides Museum Executive Director Peggy Maniates on July 20. and Grand Haven Musical Fountain Engineer and Board Member Terry Stevens on Aug. 17. 

Navigating grief around Father’s Day with planning, support and connection

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Our Cities, Recreation
People Attending Self Emmanuel Hospice’s grief support services are open to anyone in the community. (Adobe Stock/Supplied)

By Emmanuel Hospice

In our commercial world, we’re subjected to displays of gifts, candy and cards for weeks ahead of a holiday. With technology today, there are even targeted ads on our phones and social media platforms that show us memories from past celebrations.

For someone struggling with grief, these aren’t always friendly cues to prepare for the holiday. They can be triggering reminders of how a loved one isn’t here anymore.

“We know significant dates like anniversaries, birthdays and holidays can be a challenge for those grieving the loss of an important person in their life,” says Merrin Bethel, a bereavement coordinator with Emmanuel Hospice. “Holidays like Father’s Day and Mother’s Day can be especially difficult after the loss of a parent.”

Parents are often the first to love and care for all of us. It can be painful mourning that unique relationship with someone who has known you since you came into the world. Around days dedicated to honoring parents, there can be multiple, conflicting emotions.

“You may be angry at the world for celebrating a day that highlights just how much the person you love is missing from the picture, all while wanting to be a part of the laughter and joy around you,” Ashley Huisman, another Emmanuel Hospice bereavement coordinator, explains. “Remember it is OK to feel more than one thing at once and none of these feelings are wrong. Give yourself the space to ride the roller coaster of emotions the day may bring.”

Quite often the anticipation of the day can be worse than the day itself. To help prevent anxiety, Huisman recommends making a plan A, B and C – or as many as you need – to find a sense of peace that whatever happens, you’ll be ready.

“Take a good inventory of yourself, your emotions and what you need out of the day,” Huisman says. “Maybe plan A is to be with friends and family, sharing memories and participating in planned activities. Maybe plan B is leaving the gathering early or skipping a part of the day all together because being with others may be a bit overwhelming.”

Acknowledging the day with a remembrance activity is another healthy way to cope.

“It’s common for people to wonder if the holiday should even be celebrated or observed after the loss of a loved one and what that should look like,” Bethel adds. “We invite people to do whatever feels best for their family.

“It’s great if you want to get birthday cake on your dad’s birthday or go out to dad’s favorite restaurant on Father’s Day. It’s healthy to continue finding ways to stay connected with a person we’ve lost.”

After the loss of a loved one, it’s also important to find support in family, friends and sometimes even the help of a professional to navigate what you’re experiencing.

“If possible, find a friend or other supportive person you can talk to honestly about the day,” Huisman says. “Let them know when you are having a hard moment or when you want to share a memory. Remember, you are not alone.”

For more information on coping with grief, Emmanuel Hospice is hosting topical three-session workshops through end of August. Held at 401 Hall St. SW in Grand Rapids, the in-person grief support events are free and open to anyone in the community regardless of whether they have a prior connection with the nonprofit or hospice care.

The organization also provides individual support to anyone who has suffered a loss. For more information or to RSVP for a workshop or group, email EHBereavement@EmmanuelHospice.org or call 616.719.0919.