Severe weather preparation is critically important to ensure the health and safety of older Michiganders, especially those who live alone. (Photo Courtesy, Adobe Stock)
From tornadoes and flash flooding to ice storms to snowpocalypses, Michiganders are no strangers to severe weather – but not all are always prepared for it. For older adults, especially those who live alone, proper planning is critically important.
Tom Muszynski, chief operating officer of Care Resources, a community-based program helping people 55 years and older, knows first-hand the level of prep that’s needed for this population. When the forecast is severe, he leads a thorough process of evaluating and prioritizing participants’ health and safety.
“We pull together our whole team, including physicians, nurses, social workers, home healthcare aides, bus drivers and more, to talk through the unique needs of every participant in our program,” Muszynski explains. “We consider who has urgent appointments they cannot miss, like dialysis, and then back fill from there to make sure every person has what they need.”
The team then works to get enough supplies and meals out to participants ahead of the storm and arranges for transportation as necessary. They think through any medical equipment that may need electricity and what backups, like oxygen tanks, can be in place in case of a power outage. Medications are delivered to make sure doses are not missed.
“The interdisciplinary team is the ‘secret sauce’ of our program with how well they know our participants and the breadth of experience they have to assist with a variety of health needs,” Muszynski notes. “Our participants and their caregivers take an active role in the process, too.”
Planning further in advance for harsh winter weather is equally important. Muszynski says now is the time to assess home safety needs like ramps, snow removal and HVAC tuneups, in addition to taking illness prevention measures with vaccine clinics and good hand hygiene.
“These are all things we regularly help our participants with,” he says. “As a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, we’re equipped to help with a wide range of services even during times of heavy snowfall and frigid temps.”
For those who are not eligible for the program, Muszynski says there are more community resources that can help.
“Kent County is rich in services for seniors through the Older Americans Act and Kent County Senior Millage,” he says. “Outside of Kent County, support is also available through Heart of West Michigan United Way and local commissions on aging.”
In addition to taking advantage of community resources and programs like Care Resources, Muszynski recommends preparing for winter by:
Creating an emergency kit with enough medication, food and water for multiple days.
Stocking your vehicle with a shovel, broom/scraper, blanket and flashlight.
Having a snow removal plan to maintain ice-free pathways.
Keeping your home well-lit during dark winter mornings and evenings to reduce fall risk.
Keeping warm indoors with a working furnace and weather-sealed windows and doors.
Wearing winter clothing and boots when outdoors to stay warm and dry.
Getting vaccinated and washing hands frequently to protect against seasonal illnesses.
Staying aware of weather alerts and forecasts.
Fully charging cell phones to stay informed and connected during power outages.
For more information on healthy and independent living for people 55 years and older, call 616-913-2006 or visit CareResources.org.
It’s important older adults – and those who care for them – take action each fall to help prevent severe complications that can come from contracting viral illnesses. (Courtesy, Adobe Stock)
While fall brings with it sweaters, corn mazes and all things pumpkin spice, it also marks a peak in respiratory virus illnesses.
As the new season begins, Care Resources Clinical Quality Manager Bethany Graham says now is a serious time to focus on illness prevention, particularly for older adults.
“Every year in the fall, we start seeing an increase in influenza and COVID in the U.S.,” says Graham, who oversees infection control for Care Resources, a community-based program that serves people 55 years and older. “Flu and COVID are viral illnesses that impact everyone differently depending on age and different risk factors.
“For our more frail, medically complex elderly population, these viruses can be really detrimental, so it’s important older adults – and those who care for them – work diligently to avoid illness each year.”
Medical professionals strongly recommend updated flu and COVID vaccines each fall to provide protection through the winter season when those viruses are more widespread in the community.
While the vaccines don’t fully prevent people from contracting the flu or COVID, Graham says they do significantly decrease the severity of symptoms and the risk of hospitalization – or worse – for vulnerable populations.
“Where grandkids and other family members may be sick for just few days and then recover, for unprotected older adults, getting the flu or COVID could result in hospitalization and severe complications like pneumonia or death,” Graham says. “Staying up to date on recommended vaccines can help prevent those complications. That is why older adults in particular should get vaccinated each fall.”
To help those who are hesitant to get vaccinated, Graham and her team work to educate the community about common myths.
“To be clear: You cannot get the flu or COVID from vaccines. That’s simply not how it works. It is not possible,” she says. “We also want people to understand that some side effects are completely normal and temporary – things such as soreness or pain at the injection site, fatigue, even a low-grade fever – it’s just your body reacting to the vaccine, which is a good thing. Side effects should only last two or three days at most.”
What else can caregivers of older adults be doing to help prepare for flu season? Graham says keeping open lines of communication about how everyone is feeling is key.
“First and foremost, get into the habit of talking about any symptoms they’re having,” she says. “If they are not feeling well, make sure they’re not going near loved ones – and the other way around.
“Get comfortable having discussions about illnesses and symptoms before visits to avoid contact with family members who are sick.”
As the holiday season nears, Graham urges everyone to take personal responsibility of not spreading any illness.
“If you are not feeling well, be honest about your symptoms and don’t visit grandma and grandpa,” she says. “It’s not worth the risk.”
If contact cannot be avoided, particularly for caregivers of older adults, Graham recommends wearing a mask.
“I like to remind people masks are not a COVID-specific tool,” she says. “If you’re not feeling well but need to be around a loved one, wearing a mask will decrease the risk of giving any illness to them and vice versa.”
Handwashing also is very important – especially after coughing or sneezing and before eating. Graham recommends “really ramping up hand washing even more than you might normally do” in fall and winter.
Actual hand washing with hand soap and water is best, but hand sanitizer is better than nothing – and sometimes easier in certain caregiver situations.
“If your loved one has dementia, offering hand-washing reminders can be really helpful,” she adds. “And just modeling it yourself, making it the norm.”
Additionally, Graham says to keep up with regular cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, bed rails and cane walkers.
Care Resources offers a variety of medical care and home health services, including vaccine clinics for participants, to help older adults stay healthy and independent. To learn more, visit CareResources.org or call 616-913-2006.
Erna Bajgoric gives a shot to Florine G. at the clinic inside the Care Resources day center in Grand Rapids. Participants like Florine can see primary care providers and receive treatment without having to schedule appointments or wait at the doctor’s office as part of the nonprofit’s approach to provide wrap-around care. (Courtesy, Care Resources)
Imagine having a medical need, and instead of enduring a long wait at urgent care or the emergency room, you visit a clinic where you’re seen within minutes. You’re diagnosed and then provided everything from an IV to wound care to lab work to meds and more.
You’re referred, as needed, to a social worker, therapist or any number of other health professionals. And you don’t pay a dime.
It’s not make believe.
You’re inside the clinic at Care Resources, a community-based program for adults 55 and older that promotes healthy, independent living and helps people avoid nursing home placement. It’s available to those who meet the nursing facility level of care established by the state of Michigan.
The clinic, located in Grand Rapids at Care Resources headquarters at 4150 Kalamazoo Avenue SE, boasts a medical team of seven primary providers, as well as a host of nurses, therapists and clinicians who treat participants on site and are equipped to address everything from hangnails to heart issues.
“We have a lot of resources right here at our fingertips,” says Nancy Baker, a registered nurse, clinic and day center manager, “and we’re able to serve them quickly and help them avoid trips to the ER.”
Laura Hall, a nurse practitioner and associate clinic director, notes: “They walk in, fill out a form and they’re seen often immediately by a doctor, a physician’s assistant or a nurse practitioner. A lot of our participants are amazed at the level of care – and the continuity of care.”
The Care Resources medical team collaborates closely with social workers, pharmacists, dietitians, transportation workers and others – all on-site – to make sure the participant is getting critical follow-up care as well.
Indeed, the entire Care Resources staff at the Kalamazoo Avenue address is trained to safeguard all its participants, many of whom visit the facility’s day center and spend time there eating, socializing and taking part in organized programs and activities like bingo and group games.
“Our day staff is really good at letting us know if something is changing or something is wrong with one of our participants,” Hall says. “We’re good at recognizing needs.”
At Care Resources, the aim is to “centralize care,” says Hall, although it doesn’t stop there. It includes being purposeful about communicating with participants’ guardians and caregivers as well, spending time on the phone to fill them in or inviting them to attend appointments to serve as a second set of eyes and ears.
Health care is also extended to participants in the comfort of their homes, where they can qualify for physical and occupational therapy, visits from a social worker or nurse, and help with anything from light housework to meal and grocery delivery – anything that eases their burden and helps promote a healthy lifestyle.
The clinic is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A primary care provider is on call evenings, weekends and holidays.
“The responsibility is on us to deliver their care,” Hall says. “And our goal is to always spend quality time with every participant. “So we’re never in a rush. And there’s never a wait.”
For more information about Care Resources, call 616-913-2006 or visit HERE
Diane Gaston knows what it’s like to be part of the so-called “sandwich generation” because she juggled a full-time job along with serving as caregiver to both her own children and her aging mother at the same time.
In her case, she embraced it all as acts of love and wouldn’t have changed a thing.
But for some of the estimated 40 million Americans who are unpaid caregivers to their parents – and sometimes their kids simultaneously – it can exact a toll on their physical and mental health.
There are ways to enlist help, including tapping into the resources of Care Resources, a Grand Rapids-based program for qualifying people 55 and older who want healthy, independent living options without being placed into a nursing home.
It’s open to residents of Kent and parts of Allegan, Barry, Ionia and Ottawa counties who meet state of Michigan nursing facility-level of care and are able to live safely in the community with assistance.
Participants can take advantage of a wide array of services provided at the Care Resources day center, which houses a full-service clinic and pharmacy. Participants can also access services in their homes and through a network of community providers – ultimately easing the burden experienced by adult children serving in that caregiver role.
“Our goal is to keep people out of nursing homes and in their own homes for as long as possible,” says CEO Tracey McKnight, noting 11 interdisciplinary services are made available to all participants – “everything from primary care to rehab services to help with transportation, nutrition, meds and much more.”
Gaston knows this firsthand, as she’s employed by Care Resources as a personal care attendant, specializing in providing showers to participants at the day center at 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.
She and her husband, Tim, have three children, two of whom still live with them in their Grand Rapids home. Their responsibilities increased a few years ago when Diane’s mother, Leola, grew more dependent, with Diane insisting that she not ever enter a nursing facility.
Eventually, Leola moved in with Diane and family. Diane maintains “I got frustrated with her medical condition (diabetes, dementia and kidney failure) but never my mother.”
When Leola, who worked many years in valet laundry at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, would fantasize she was still there and start sorting through her clothing, Diane knew enough to play along: “It was easier to be in her world than trying to take her out of it.”
Even with the challenges, Diane says she now has “treasured memories” of caring for her mother until the very end, taking solace in how she was beside her mother “when she took her last breath.”
Diane’s advice for others who find themselves part of the sandwich generation? “It doesn’t hurt to step away. Separate yourself from time to time and laugh or cry your way through it. If you’re dealing with dementia, realize that person is no longer who they used to be, and you may now have to treat them like a child, but always remember the love.”
If your loved one qualifies for a program like Care Resources, she says, consider the option, because it can reduce the toll exacted on those providing care, which is vital for one’s mental health.
Leola Gaston passed in May 2022. Even now, Diane can still see her, still hear her singing hymns like those she lifted up while a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Grand Rapids. And she can still sense her mother’s presence, just like all those years Leola spent raising Diane and three other children by herself, the result of Leola losing her husband in an automobile accident when she was yet a young wife and mother.
Diane’s mother’s journey was “a lot,” says Diane. But she was never overwhelmed into regretting her decision to care for her. In the end, Leola didn’t call Diane by her given name, but instead “that lady.”
Which was OK with Diane. As long as they were able to be together.
For more about Care Resources, call 616-913-2006, or visit careresources.org
Care Resources provides wraparound support services to assist older adults in maintaining their independence to avoid nursing homes. (Photo Courtesy, Care Resources)
Indeed, there’s “no place like home.” But when home becomes a difficult place to navigate, that’s when a partner like Care Resources can provide peace of mind — and they’ll come to your doorstep to make it happen.
“Our approach ensures that you’re going to be comfortable and safe in your home,” says Barb Scothorn, an intake, enrollment and home care manager at Care Resources, which provides wraparound support services to hundreds of qualifying adults 55 and older living in Kent and parts of surrounding counties.
With its headquarters and day center located in Grand Rapids at 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Care Resources offers in-home options that include medical care, prescription help, dietary advice, transportation needs, physical and occupational therapy and much more.
“Our goal is to help people avoid nursing facilities,” says Scothorn, who emphasizes that an entire team works as one to create the best-case solutions for participants, based on their specific needs and wants.
“Our participants tend to join for one of two main reasons,” she says. “One is to secure transportation to and from Care Resources’ Day center and to medical-related appointments addressing general health, dental and vision needs. The other is to lean on Care Resources to help participants safely remain in their own homes for as long as possible.”
Toward that end, Care Resources relies initially on medical social workers and registered nurses, who are typically the first to enter a home and make assessments. They then enlist other members of the team, who also weigh in with options to make living easier and safer for the participant.
Those might include:
Changing up the interior of the home to remove throw rugs, improve lighting, and clear rooms, walkways and stairways of clutter.
Performing light housework like washing clothes, dusting, vacuuming and cleaning bathrooms.
Throwing out expired food, arranging delivery of meals and advising on dietary needs.
Providing hygiene and other personal care.
Installing grab bars, raised toilet seats and other adaptive measures.
Care Resources also leans on a digital communication tool called “care.coach,” which enables participants and Care Resources staff members to “talk” with one another using avatars.
“We can use it for a variety of needs, even alerting a participant to when an aide is knocking at their door,” Scothorn says.
She acknowledges that some older adults are reluctant to embrace the technology, but those who learn how to use it rave about the support it provides and the extra measure of comfort and safety care.coach brings to the home environment.
Care Resources is a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, which is funded by Medicare and Medicaid. Participants and families who have Medicare or Medicaid pay no out-of-pocket expenses for PACE services, which promote healthy and independent living while working to prevent nursing home placement.
Scothorn and other experts agree that educating older adults – and legislators – about PACE is key. That’s why participants, staff and volunteers will join others in a rally at the state Capitol on Wednesday, May 22. Nearly 200 in total will gather in Lansing to talk with legislators about the value of PACE, how it benefits their constituents and how they can help expand services in Michigan.
“One of our ultimate goals is to provide services to such an extent that there are no gaps in home care coverage,” Scothorn says. “Life involves change. And when those changes affect the comfort and safety of older adults, we want those in need to understand we’re here for them.”
For more information on Care Resources, call 616-913-2006 or visit CareResources.org.
When it comes to coping and caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important at times to consider what you don’t say and do.
“People with Alzheimer’s live in a different reality once it advances,” says Paula Lett, social services manager at Care Resources, a Grand Rapids-based program for older adults that promotes healthy, independent living and helps prevent nursing home placement.
“In the beginning, they can be redirected, but as things progress, they’re stuck in a reality they’ve lived previously.”
The result can lead to extreme “agitation,” which can manifest itself in “getting upset, worked up and angry,” notes Ryanne Mondry, social services supervisor at Care Resources.
“That leads to confusion, miscommunication and misunderstandings.”
Stress levels can accelerate for both patients and caregivers. With Alzheimer’s expected to afflict nearly 13 million Americans by 2050 – the number now stands at some 7 million – it’s more important than ever to lean on education and advocacy for a disease that, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, is the fifth-leading cause of death among Americans 65 and older.
There are numerous strategies recommended for caregivers, including what Mondry says are telling “therapeutic white lies” to reduce stress in patients. For example, if a widower asks about seeing his wife, he shouldn’t be told she’s been dead five years, but instead that “she’s going to try to visit tomorrow.”
If they ask about the automobile they haven’t driven in the last year, things are apt to go more smoothly if they’re told “it’s in the shop for some minor repairs.”
Telling harsh truths might seem like the moral thing to do, but doing so can challenge the reality the disease has caused, and lead to traumatic episodes.
“It is generally best to redirect them than trying to make them remember what’s really going on, as that can really escalate things,” Lett says.
Lett and Mondry offer these additional tips for coping:
Ask the patient if they’re hungry, thirsty or tired. They might be unable to recognize basic needs.
Be aware of their blood-sugar levels.
Pay attention to their hygiene needs. Some with Alzheimer’s resist showering. Encourage a calming bath instead.
Try a change of scenery. Bring them into a quiet space. Take them for a walk or a drive. Play some music.
Lett and Mondry agree that caregivers also must understand that patients aren’t intentionally trying to be difficult in moments of increased agitation.
“Their brains have actually changed, and they sometimes become different people,” Lett says.
Mondry adds, “They can become more impulsive, engage in colorful language, and say and do things that are totally out of character.”
Both professionals agree it’s critical for caregivers to take care of themselves, too. Mondry compares it to the instructions given on flights where if the masks drop from above, capable adults need to put theirs on before assisting others.
“It’s easy to become burned out, and that can lead to unintentional neglect toward the person you’re supposed to be caring for,” Lett says. “Go for a walk, get enough sleep or join a support group.”
Mondry and Lett also suggest visiting a place like Care Resources, where there are wraparound support services for adults 55 years and older to give caregivers respite. Several team members have gone through comprehensive dementia care training developed by renowned dementia educator Teepa Snow to achieve a range of Positive Approach to Care® dementia certifications. These certifications allow staff to provide quality direct dementia care to participants, as well as and conduct ongoing dementia care training for other team members.
The organization’s day center at 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE invites participants to visit, enjoy a meal and socialize. Individuals may also be eligible for medical care, prescription help, dietary advice, physical and occupational therapy, transportation and much more. For more information, call Care Resources at 616-913-2006 or visit CareResources.org
Care Resources provides a number of services, including registered dieticians and nutritionists, to help participants make healthy life choices. (Photo Courtesy Care Resources)
By Care Resources
As adults age into their 50s and beyond, their nutritional needs change, so it’s important for that population to be deliberate in what and how much they ingest for optimal health.
That’s the word from registered dietitians and nutritionists like Patti Rozycki of Care Resources in Grand Rapids, one of countless professionals working to create awareness of proper nutrition, especially during March, when she and her colleagues celebrate National Nutrition Month.
For more than 50 consecutive years, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has been annually celebrating wise choices around food each March and the need to develop sound eating and physical activity habits.
Being nutritionally aware is arguably most important for adults 50 and older, since their needs are adjusting with age – needs tied to slowed metabolism, weakened senses, slowed digestion and challenges with medications and illnesses.
One of the keys, says Rozycki, is to avoid choices offering “empty calories” – things like juice drinks, sugary cereals, doughnuts and potato chips. The same goes for fried foods, caffeine, alcohol and high-sodium foods, all of which can affect quality of life.
Instead, choose more “nutrient-dense” foods packed with vitamins and minerals – think eggs, dairy, whole grains, fruits and vegetables – and lay off foods with added sugar, salt (sodium) or that are high in fat.
“Your nutrition profile should have variety,” she notes, “but make sure you’re making healthy choices.”
Those measures and more are put into practice daily for the adults served by Care Resources, where Rozycki has been in place for more than four years, serving participants 55 years and older who qualify for a wide host of services, including dietary advice.
With headquarters at 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Care Resources reaches out to hundreds of people in Kent County and parts of surrounding counties with a community-based program that promotes healthy, independent living to prevent nursing home placement.
In addition to recommending what foods to eat, Rozycki has these tips for older adults interested in healthy nutrition choices:
Be purposeful in what you purchase to eat. Make a healthy list and stick to it, avoiding impulse buys.
When traveling, plan ahead of time what and where you’ll eat. If possible, pack healthy snacks as an alternative to stopping for fast food.
Don’t overlook your hydration. You typically need water before you become overly thirsty. Dehydration can have a debilitating effect on your health.
Avoid fad diets and lose-weight-quick schemes. And be wary of supplements and what they claim to do.
At Care Resources, nutrition is just part of a comprehensive plan created individually for its participants, Rozycki says. If, for example, the goal is to lose weight, many factors go into the establishment of a plan, including health history, medications, exercise options and support from friends and family.
With obesity rates for Americans 60 and over at nearly 42% and rising, Rozycki says it’s more important than ever to eat healthier.
“It’s all about making the right choices.”
Nutrition counseling through a program like Care Resources can help older adults create a health plan that is tailored to individual needs. For more information, call 616-913-2006 or visit CareResources.org.
Care Resources Chief Operating Officer Tom Muszynski stands by a PACE 101 banner. Comprehensive clinical care is one of many services offered through the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. (Courtesy, Care Resources)
By Care Resources
Sometimes, it’s just a simple note.
But in it, Tom Muszynski finds inspiration that reassures him Care Resources, the community-based program where he serves as chief operating officer, is on the right track.
“I received a card recently from a family who said that without our program, their mother never would have been able to remain in her home during the last year,” he says.
A main reason? The fact that Care Resources and its caregivers adhere to something called the 11 disciplines, administered by professionals in 11 health-related fields who work together to treat not just a symptom, but the entire person.
With a day center located in Grand Rapids at 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Care Resources is part of a larger national entity called PACE, short for Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. PACE is committed to keeping adults 55 years and older with challenging health care conditions in their home by caring for their medical, physical and social needs.
The 11 disciplines of PACE focus on providing a day care center; and delivering primary care, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, social work, dietary services, transportation, personal care services and home care services to promote healthy and independent living and help prevent nursing home placement.
As COO the better part of two decades – and a health care provider nearly 35 years in all – Muszynski is well-versed in PACE and extolls its virtues to every employee.
“Really getting to know one another and our participants is tied to those disciplines,” he says. “Our holistic approach to care means everybody is collaborating on participant needs and going beyond the call of duty to support others.”
Each of the disciplines addresses a specific aspect of health and wellness, but the teams delivering those services are interconnected. This interdisciplinary group meets daily to plan tomorrow’s needs, based on what that day or previous days rendered. They assess risks, provide and oversee medications, encourage activity, provide transportation, guide dietary needs, address hygiene, provide post-surgical care and so much more.
With such a wide range of health care services, Care Resources is able to ensure participants get high-quality care in a timely manner.
A participant gets a vaccination. Comprehensive clinical care is one of many services offered through the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. (Courtesy, Care Resources)
“For example, if we have a person with a hurting shoulder, they don’t wait two months to see someone,” Muszynski says. “It happens within a day or two because of the diverse specialists and resources we have available.”
At Care Resources, it’s also important to bring family members in as part of the equation.
“We want to be aware of everything and everyone affecting a person’s health in order to develop a comprehensive care plan unique to the physical, mental, emotional and social needs of each participant,” he says. “We also want to ensure family caregivers have the support they need as their loved ones continue to age.”
Although not a discipline, Care Resources also is purposeful in bringing whimsy to the party to promote socialization and build community among participants.
“Our employees will dress up for holidays, put on barbecues and even stage a prom dance to create a fun and engaging experience for participants,” he explains. “And we’re always open to other ideas. It’s why we have a participant advisory committee to help us consider new and better ways to serve.
“We’re dedicated to positively impacting lives. That’s what we do.”
For more information about Care Resources and the PACE model of care, call 616-913-2006 or visit CareResources.org.
Care Resources participant Pat is working on a puzzle, one of many simple ways older adults can promote their well-being despite Michigan’s challenging winter months. (Courtesy, Care Resources)
By Care Resources
Mentally making the choice is the easy part.
It’s getting out of the recliner and onto your feet and into action that will test your resolve.
But when you consider that it’s your very health and welfare at risk, the team at Care Resources is in your corner and ready to encourage you in ways that keep you active during Michigan’s ch-ch-chilly and challenging winter months.
“With anything, it’s the first step out the door that’s the hardest,” says Garth Falkins, recreational therapy manager for Care Resources, a community-based program for people 55 and older seeking to remain in their homes.
“The key is to motivate yourself and remind yourself that you don’t want to just sit around and watch TV all day,” Falkins says. “We have programs in place at our day center, and also strategies to help people at home who want to promote their well-being.
“It helps to actually make a plan of what you might like to do, and that can grow into a long list, anything from jogging in place to doing some simple exercises to taking a walk – even if it’s just around the home or up and down a hallway or out to the mailbox and back.”
Even playing a board game, reading a book, going through your coin collection, scrapbooking or sorting photos will enhance your day more so than staring at the tube or taking another nap.
Falkins emphasizes how gathering with others for social interaction can help repel the seasonal doldrums and positively affect your mental and emotional health.
“COVID really demonstrated to us all how important it is to stay connected with others,” Falkins says. “Our programs provide the incentive to do that.”
For those who qualify, the day center at 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Grand Rapids lures with an array of activities that include bingo games, exercise options, crafts, music and much more. Transportation is available to and from clients’ homes. The center draws participants from Kent and parts of surrounding counties – 872 square miles in all.
Technology also can be your ally. Consider FaceTiming or Zooming a friend or relative. Or check out care.coach, a platform allowing you to talk to a friendly avatar to provide compassionate 24-7 psychosocial support.
Falkins says it’s important you try to stick with plans to stay active, and engage others in your quest to be healthy. Reach out to community centers, churches, schools, health clubs – anywhere people gather.
Falkins emphasizes that “getting older doesn’t mean you pull away.” On the contrary, he says, “people 55 and older are a lot wiser and have a lot more to give and to get from pursuing healthy options.”
In any case, “try to make the effort,” Falkins says. “Begin with baby steps, and build from there. In the long run, you’ll thank yourself for it.”
Learn more about Care Resources by visiting CareResources.org or calling 616-913-2006.
Recognizing when older adults in your life need help is the first step in getting them support that promotes healthy, independent living. (Courtesy, Adobe Stock)
By Care Resources
At some point, the one you love is likely going to need extra help with anything from doing the dishes to navigating stairways.
The question is, how and when do you know?
At Care Resources, there are people and programs in place to help you recognize the signs that changes are occurring, and how to help get the support they need.
“Everyone has their normal baseline, so what you’re looking for are changes to that,” says Amanda Oswald, an intake social worker with Care Resources, a community-based program for people 55 and older seeking to remain in their homes. “You have to look for clues.
“When someone is having trouble with what used to be a routine task, that’s when you might want to have a conversation. It can be about any number of activities.”
In the kitchen alone, says Oswald, there might be signs – scorched pans that signal a burner was left on too long, spoiled food in the refrigerator, a lack of food or stacks of unwashed dishes.
What you’re looking for, she says, is “anything out of the ordinary.”
Oswald suggests keeping an eye out for unpaid bills and bounced checks, sudden difficulty following a recipe, dirty laundry piling up as well as dents and scratches showing up on a motor vehicle.
Sometimes, the changes are a red flag signaling the onset of dementia or other physical or mental maladies.
“Maybe they’re out driving and can’t remember how to get somewhere,” Oswald says. “Or they’re having difficulty managing their medications, which we see a lot of – people who are running out of something too soon, or not getting refills.”
Oswald emphasizes that Care Resources – with a mission to promote healthy and independent living while working to prevent nursing home placement – is well-equipped to assist people whose challenges are increasing.
It provides an array of services at its day center at 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, and makes home visits to dozens of older adults every day of the week.
Oswald notes that some changes people go through are more obvious.
They may have trouble getting out of a chair or off the toilet or out of bed. They may be undergoing unintentional weight loss, or showing marks or bruises indicating they’re experiencing falls. Their personal hygiene may be declining. They might be avoiding contact with others.
A next step once you zero in on such changes? Have a conversation. Oswald recognizes that can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be as long as you avoid jumping to conclusions.
“Be respectful when approaching someone,” Oswald counsels. “Don’t let it be demeaning. Some of these changes signal the eventual loss of independence, and that can be life changing.”
Partnering with an organization like Care Resources – which provides services to those in Kent and parts of four surrounding counties – can provide interventions that help keep people in their homes.
The important thing, says Oswald, is to intervene “sooner than later,” and emphasize that your primary interest is that they’re safe and have the support they need.
Honoring its veterans is just one way that Care Resources – a community-based program for people 55 and over who wish to remain in their homes – utilizes its Grand Rapids site, which features a day center, clinic and pharmacy.
At Care Resources, veterans and other participants have access to a wide range of services, from physical, occupational and speech therapy, to daily meals and activities in the day center, to rehab and durable medical equipment, such as walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen and diabetic testing supplies.
Care Resources also makes daily home visits to nearly 60 men and women – veterans included – who are seeking ways to prevent being placed into nursing homes. Promoting healthy and independent living while working to prevent nursing home placement is the mission of the organization.
Care Resources values all the veterans they care for throughout the year. But on Veterans Day in particular, the organization takes the time to publicly salute the men and women who brought honor and dignity to the uniform they wore and to the flag they served.
For the last several years, Care Resources has hosted a ceremony during which the veterans in their care are showcased for the sacrifices they’ve made. A married pair of active-duty officers from the Michigan National Guard are only too happy to emcee the special event held every November at the organization’s day center at 4150 Kalamazoo Avenue SE.
This year’s program was held Friday, Nov. 10, and featured the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, remarks from Sgt. Maj. John Gebhard and the presentation of a pin and a commemorative coin to every veteran in attendance.
(Courtesy, Care Resources)
“We’re so thankful for them and it truly is an honor to let them know it, to show our appreciation,” says Sgt. Maj. John Gebhard.
His wife, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Krista Gebhard, adds: “We get to hear their stories, and make such important connections. It’s a great opportunity for us all.”
To learn more about Care Resources, visit CareResources.org or call 616-913-2006.
Pictured is Navy veteran and Care Resources participant Larry receiving a pin from Chief Warrant Officer 2 Krista Gebhard from the Michigan National Guard during a pinning ceremony. Seated nearby is Army veteran and Care Resources participant Wayne. (Courtesy, Care Resources)
By Care Resources
Care Resources values all the veterans they tend to throughout the year. But on Veterans Day in particular, the organization takes the time to publicly salute the men and women who brought honor and dignity to the uniform they wore and flag they served.
For the last several years, Care Resources has hosted a ceremony during which the veterans in their care are showcased for the sacrifices they’ve made. A married pair of active-duty officers from the Michigan National Guard are only too happy to emcee the special event held every November at the organization’s day center at 4150 Kalamazoo Avenue SE.
“We’re so thankful for them and it truly is an honor to let them know it, to show our appreciation,” says Sgt. Maj. John Gebhard.
His wife, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Krista Gebhard, adds: “We get to hear their stories, and make such important connections. It’s a great opportunity for us all.”
This year’s program is set for Friday, Nov. 10. It will feature the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, remarks from Sgt. Maj. John Gebhard, and the presentation of a pin and a commemorative coin to every veteran in attendance.
Honoring its veterans is just one way that Care Resources – a community-based program for people 55 and over who wish to remain in their homes – utilizes its Grand Rapids site, which features a day center, clinic and pharmacy.
Care Resources also makes daily home visits to nearly 60 men and women – veterans included – who are seeking ways to prevent being placed into nursing homes. Promoting healthy and independent living while working to prevent nursing home placement is the mission of the organization.
“We’re there to assist in every way we can,” says Jacky Achenbach, Care Resources’ home care scheduler. “That includes anything related to housekeeping, meal assistance, medications, the need for companionship and much more.”
The Gebhards, who volunteer for Care Resources, say the time they spend with veterans is priceless.
“We’ve met veterans from World War II, as well as the Korean, Vietnam and Middle East wars,” John says. “These soldiers laid the foundation for the freedoms all of us enjoy today. But some didn’t get the same welcome home as others might have, so it’s a pleasure to recognize them on their special day.”
“No matter their role, they proudly served their country,” Krista notes. “And we think it’s important not just for those who served abroad, but also here at home.”
Both John and Krista are impressed by Care Resources’ mission to honor its vets.
“It’s a big day for them,” says John, “and Care Resources goes above and beyond caring for them, which is to truly honor them.
“There are certainly a lot of smiles, but a few tears, too. And every year, the honorees include a non-verbal veteran who just answers with a hug, which is heartwarming.”
At Care Resources, veterans have access to a wide range of services, from physical, occupational and speech therapy, to daily meals and activities in the day center, to rehab and durable medical equipment, such as walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen and diabetic testing supplies.
“Care Resources does a really good job in providing vets the resources they’ve earned,” Krista says. “They make sure they get the care they’re entitled to. I’ve heard stories of veterans coming into Care Resources and not even realizing they’re eligible for these services.”
Participants are at the center of all services. The organization creates a team to work with each individual. Together, they develop a comprehensive care plan unique to their physical, mental, emotional and social needs.
“It’s about making sure they’re taken care of,” says Achenbach. “It’s just so rewarding.”
To learn more about Care Resources, visit CareResources.org or call 616-913-2006.
Pharmacist Aaron Hoholik showing participant Carol a pill organizer for her medication. (Courtesy, Care Resources)
By Care Resources
greer@wktv.org
Everyone makes mistakes.
But when it comes to errors regarding the medications you take, the consequences can be serious or even deadly.
The good news is this: With attention to detail and being honest about how you use meds, it’s possible to safeguard yourself against blunders that can affect your health.
“Any kind of error can result in adverse effects,” says Aaron Hoholik, a clinical pharmacist with Care Resources in Grand Rapids. “That goes not only for prescription drugs, but over-the-counter products as well.
“In the pharmaceutical world, medication errors come in a wide variety – wrong medication, wrong dose, drugs with similar names, a drug not monitored correctly and even wrong patients receiving the drug.”
Be aware of drug interactions
He points out that mistakes also occur when patients aren’t aware of the risks associated with how a drug might interact with another they’re already taking, and that includes products labeled as “natural,” “herbal” or “supplemental.”
“One of my pharmacy school professors used to say that even arsenic is a natural product,” Hoholik notes.
When someone joins Care Resources, a community-based program for people 55 years or older, it’s crucial for them to share an accurate list of meds they’re taking, how often they’re taking them and where they’re getting them from.
“That’s a great way to start,” says Hoholik, emphasizing that such information can help medical providers like himself best serve patients going forward.
But it’s also vital that patients be honest in reporting how often they’re actually taking a medicine, since some people will intentionally or accidentally not take them as prescribed – anything from pain meds to insulin to what’s in their inhaler.
Taking a dose more or less often than a person is supposed to can result in adverse effects like low or high blood pressure, dangerous blood-sugar levels and more.
“We need to know exactly what they’re taking and how they’re taking it,” says Hoholik, “so they don’t experience any problems that are going to have them end up in emergency health care.”
Organize your medications
Of equal importance is organizing your meds, and there are a variety of ways to do so. While some people dispense meds from individual containers, many are resorting to “adherence packaging,” which relies on accurately marked pouches or blister packs to bundle meds so that patients get the right dose at the right time, every time.
“It’s becoming a common way to package meds for our patients,” he says of participants he’s been serving on behalf of Care Resources since 2009.
Additional tips on how to avoid errors include:
Never dump your old pill bottles into your new ones, even if the medication name and dose are the same.
Set alarms on your phone, an alarm clock or a smart device to help you remember to take your medications.
Call for a refill when you have about one week of medications left to avoid gaps in taking your medications.
Ask your pharmacist about getting all your medications lined up to fill on the same day each month.
Ask your pharmacist and primary care provider if there are ways to take your same medications, but with fewer daily doses (by combining medications, changing to extended-release formulas or other adjustments).
Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you notice you’re missing doses.
“Organizing your meds and taking them as directed is always a process,” Hoholik says. “Being honest and accurate is key. And it can make all the difference when it comes to being and staying healthy.”
Physical therapist Peter Vander Weide (right) is working with participant Anwar on steps in the extensive rehab gym at Care Resources. (Courtesy, Care Resources)
By Care Resources
It happens in the blink of an eye.
And before you know it, you’re part of the club to which nobody wants to belong: someone who’s suffered a fall.
At Care Resources, physical therapist Steve Vanderkamp knows only too well how quick and dangerous it can be for older adults living in their homes to incur falls, some of which land people in the hospital – or worse.
“It happens more often than people think, or would like,” he says, noting that people 55 years and older especially are more likely to suffer a fall because their capacities are diminishing – vision, reaction time, strength, flexibility and cognition.
Data from multiple sources confirms one in five falls results in a serious injury, and that yearly, some three million older adults visit U.S. emergency rooms to be treated for falls. More than 75% of falls occur at or close to home, but according to Vanderkamp, some of those can be avoided by taking preventive measures.
What follows are considerations he says can make all the difference:
Make the light right. Too many older adults don’t have adequate lighting in place, especially at night, when they’re prone to visit the bathroom. As an inexpensive safety measure, leave a light on, or use on a night light or motion-sensor light. Also, don’t travel dark areas where you might trip on clutter – books, magazines, toys, trash – where a well-placed light might otherwise illuminate.
Clear pathways. Again, rid pathways of clutter. Avoid decorating with throw rugs, which are likely to bunch up and cause a trip. And by all means, don’t lay electrical cords across travel areas. Instead, route cords behind furniture and secure them along walls.
Add safety measures to stairs and steps. Don’t skimp on strong stair railings, wherever you have steps. To differentiate stairs from landings, put some strong, brightly colored tape at those transitions.
Be mindful of beds and baths, too. Consider grab bars in shower and tub areas, and next to toilets. Invest in a bathtub bench that extends over the edge of the tub and onto the adjacent floor, so you can sit and pivot out of the tub. Using a hand-held shower head can make it easier to stay seated while showering. Resort to a non-skid rug to soak up water as you exit the tub or shower.
In the bedroom, keep a lamp handy next to your bed. And even though those satin sheets and sleepwear might feel nice, they can be slippery and contribute to a fall while attempting to stand.
Use walking aids. If you have poor balance, don’t be too proud to use a cane or walker, and keep it handy. “I talk to some people until I’m blue in the face about the need for them to use their walker,” Vanderkamp says. People often resort to risky furniture or “wall walking,” placing their hands there to assist in locomotion.
It’s also a good idea to assess your entire property – what’s risky in the garage or other outbuildings, as well as sidewalks, decks and anywhere else you walk. During winter, take extra precautions to keep walkways clear and dry of ice and snow.
As for ladders and step stools, use with extreme caution. Where you have cupboards, arrange it so items you use most often are between hip level and eye level, reducing your need to bend down or elevate yourself.
Assistance with fall prevention is a service provided by Care Resources as a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, which is funded by Medicare and Medicaid. If you’re worried about you or a loved one falling, call Care Resources at 616-913-2006 or visit CareResources.org to learn more.
Maria Goosen, CTRS leads seniors in a Tai Chi class at Care Resources (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
By Deborah Reed
deborah@wktv.org
Care Resources in Grand Rapids recently offered a tai chi class to Day Center visitors ages 55 and older as a way to promote healthy living.
“Tai chi is a form of exercise that originated in China and has become extremely popular throughout the world,” said Maria Goosen, a certified therapeutic recreational specialist (CTRS) who led the tai chi class. “It incorporates slow, simple, repetitive and low-impact movements that can be easily modified so that anyone can participate.”
A tranquil environment
Maria Goosen, CTRS, leads a Tai Chi class (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
The small exercise class took place in a room that featured a screen portraying peaceful nature scenes, low lighting, and soft music.
“Tai chi is often referred to as ‘meditation in motion’ because it focuses on your breath as well which helps to clear your mind,” said Goosen. “This allows for a multitude of emotional benefits such as decreased stress, anxiety and depression and enhanced well-being.”
Slow stretches gradually progressed into a sequence of tai chi movements that participants were able to complete sitting or standing, whichever was most comfortable to them.
Goosen says the benefits of tai chi are lengthy: improved balance, improved strength, improved hand-eye coordination, improved sleep quality, increased blood circulation and decreased risk of high blood pressure.
“It is a research-based intervention that has the capability to improve health in older adults,” said Goosen.
That is critically important to Care Resources, a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE®, which is funded by Medicare and Medicaid. The innovative community-based program for people 55 years and older promotes healthy and independent living while working to prevent nursing home placement.
The tai chi class is one of dozens of programs offered each month to participants.
Seniors warm up their muscles before a Tai Chi class at Care Resources (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
Goosen helped physically guide participants’ movements if asked, but urged them not to do any tai chi moves that would cause pain. “Listen to what your body is telling you,” said Goosen.
The tranquil atmosphere of the class was sporadically broken by soft laughter over participants’ self-proclaimed “creaking bones” and lack of coordination.
“Your bodies appreciate when you move them,” Goosen told the participants. “Be thankful and grateful for all that your body does.”
Bingo…and good friends
Pamela Miller, a tai chi class participant, has been coming to Care Resources five days a week for the past four years.
“I’ve got a lot of pluses about this place,” said Miller with a firm nod when asked if she enjoyed coming to the Day Center.
Playing Bingo, singing with “Diane the Shower Lady,” shopping in the Bingo Room, spending time with friends, and singing karaoke are only a few things Miller enjoys while at the Day Center.
Pamela Miller, a regular at the Care Resources day center, has made close friends during her visits (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
And Miller’s definition of enjoyment is simple: “All I want is a good card to play Bingo.”
Miller has also forged lasting relationships and good friends at the Day Center, one being a gentleman who recently passed away.
Miller and her friend sat beside each other for years, looked out for each other, and went to events together before he died. Miller was thankful that her friend’s wife contacted Miller so she could go to his room and say goodbye before he passed.
“I know I’m not the only one who misses him,” said Miller.
Another good friend loves to paint, and Miller enjoys watching her create works of art.
Comfort and encouragement
Also very important to Miller is talking to the military veterans who come to the Day Center and offering comfort when she can.
“I’m there for them,” said Miller. “I see how they suffer. And they have suffered a lot.”
When asked what Miller’s favorite thing to do is at the Day Center, she answered without hesitation: “Encourage other people.”
Care Resources offers a day center, clinic and pharmacy in its 36,000-square-foot building at 4150 Kalamazoo Ave SE that provide a wide range of health care services as well as opportunities that promote socialization, build community and offer respite to caregivers.
Participant Janice smiles as she looks at produce growing in a raised garden bed. As a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, Care Resources utilizes a holistic approach in developing a comprehensive care plan unique to the physical, mental, emotional and social needs of each participant.(Courtesy, Care Resources)
By Care Resources
“If you don’t use it, you lose it.”
So says Garth Falkins, a recreational therapy manager for Care Resources, addressing not only the services Care Resources provides older adults at its Day Center at 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, but also what activities it can help those same participants enjoy in their own homes.
Care Resources is a community-based program for qualifying adults 55 years and older that promotes healthy independent living – physically, socially and emotionally – to help prevent nursing home placement.
“Our ultimate goal,” says Falkins, who’s been in place at Care Resources since 2006, “is to keep people at home and provide health and wellness options to them and their families throughout their lifespan. While they may end up in skilled nursing care, our goal is to keep them out for as long as possible.”
So, what does that look like?
Exercise: A physical or occupational therapist might develop in-home exercise routines for participants to do alongside therapy or restorative programs in the Day Center. These might include stretches and other activities designed to improve flexibility, range of motion, cardiovascular health and handling the daily affairs of living.
Nutrition: Care Resources provides access to dieticians who can provide education on balanced diets and eating habits within their homes. This may include tips on how to purchase and prepare food to improve the nutritional value of meals.
Socialization: Care Resources assesses social needs and abilities within the home in order to make recommendations about out-of-home social opportunities available through the Day Center or other community sources. Technology also can be used to provide in-home activities such as listening to music or audiobooks, playing digital games and more.
“Our interdisciplinary team clinicians go in and assess a person’s need, and we go from there,” Falkins says. “We cover all the disciplines: physicians, therapy, nursing, dieticians, nursing and social work, to name a few.”
That includes communicating with participants by video chat, or setting them up with others who have like interests and are able to connect digitally.
“We want to increase their activity levels, and there is no limit.”
Falkins also notes that health and wellness goals are established early on, during the standard intake process that helps the organization gauge participants’ financials, their living conditions – “anything that helps us create a unique program specifically tailored to their needs” – taking into account beliefs, physical abilities, cognition, emotional needs, medical needs, etc.
“From a social standpoint, we rely on our assessments to build our Day Center calendars and activity programs for when participants visit us, but also look at potential interventions that we can add or put into their home to continue to socialize and enjoy high quality of life,” Falkins says. “This can include arts and crafts, experiences revolving around horticulture, religious activities, movies, music and more.”
Falkins stresses that Care Resources employees work as a team to accomplish this, relying on one another to take note of things a person enjoys, then “work together to create the best plan and programs to meet a person’s needs.”
The result?
“In the end, our participants are experiencing an increased sense of belonging,” Falkins says. “We’re enhancing their mental health as well as their physical health, and improving quality of life for them and for their loved ones.
“We’re bringing healthy alternatives into an environment they know to be comfortable and safe. In doing so, we’re keeping them happy and healthy in their homes, a place all of us want to remain for as long as we possibly can.”
More information about Care Resources is available at CareResources.org.
Edna (from left without masks), Verna and Ellie, residents in adult foster care, tackle a holiday craft project with help from Fran, one of the residence aides who provide wrap-around services. (Photo courtesy, Care Resources)
By Care Resources
West Michigan offers a wide range of housing and care options for older adults. Determining the best fit can be difficult decision.
Year after year, surveys show the majority of adults prefer to remain in their own home and in their community as long as possible, rather than in a nursing facility. These wishes are in line with the goals of Care Resources, a community-based program that promotes healthy and independent living for people 55 years and older in West Michigan.
As a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, Care Resources provides services tailored specifically to the needs of individual participants to help them avoid hospital or nursing home placement to the greatest extent possible.
While the organization’s ultimate goal is to keep participants living independently, there are circumstances where other options must be considered. That’s where housing alternatives like adult foster care and assisted living come in. These residential settings can provide an enhanced level of care for individuals who cannot live alone but want to avoid nursing facility placement.
To help meet the needs of participants in these situations, Care Resources partnered with Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) to open adult foster care homes in 2022 for qualifying participants. The three homes on Kalamazoo Avenue, all adjacent to Care Resources, can house a total of 30 residents with staff working three shifts to provide support at all hours.
Annie, a resident in adult foster care, celebrates her birthday with Priscilla, one of the Care Resources residence aides who provide wrap-around support services. (Photo courtesy, Care Resources)
“Residence aides are on-site around-the-clock to help serve meals, monitor medications and provide any other one-on-one attention that may be needed,” Care Resources Social Services Manager Paula Lett said. “Our wraparound support services – doctors, therapists and social workers – also come directly to participants in the homes to provide specialized care.”
The homes aredesigned just like a regular house with bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen and common area where the residents can socialize. There’s also a small gym area for physical therapy and exercise.
“It’s an intimate setting with a personal home-life touch,” Lett said. “The participants enjoy meals together and really get to know the staff there – it becomes like a small family.”
While residents can live in the homes permanently, short-term respite stays of one to two weeks are more common.
“I like to explain it as a little bit of tune-up for those going in for respite,” said Kelly Malski, a social worker at Care Resources. “Participants get extra TLC, start taking their meds properly and get stronger while also giving their caregivers a break. It’s amazing what getting a temporary amount of this level of care can do for caregivers and participants alike. It can have an all-around positive impact.”
Lett and Malski shared other common scenarios for utilization of the housing:
Hospital discharge: Participants coming out of a hospital stay who need a higher level of care or closer medication monitoring in order to transition from hospital to home.
Unplanned, immediate need for support: Caregivers who are experiencing an emergency and have a sudden need for a safe place their loved one can go for proper supervision and care.
Families going on vacation: Families who are unable to take their loved one with them on a trip and cannot find coverage for in-home support while they’re away.
So, how do caregivers know which housing alternative is right for their loved one?Participants of Care Resources can simply connect with their care team to start the conversation. For those not in the program, Malski recommends examining the situation from a few angles.
“If you’re at the point where you think your loved one should be placed into a nursing facility, it may be time to find out whether a program like Care Resources can help provide other solutions for keeping them in the home longer,” Malski said. “That could be a matter of increasing in-home care, visiting a day center more often, providing therapies or accessing other services.
“If you’ve felt you’ve exhausted all those options, then a housing alternative may be the best choice to avoid needing permanent placement in a nursing facility.”
To find the right fit, individuals can start with a call to Care Resources at 616-913-2006 or find more information online at CareResources.org.
As a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, Care Resources provides wraparound support services funded by Medicare and Medicaid to help people like Debra live a healthier and more independent life. (Courtesy, Care Resources)
Care Resources, a community-based program for people 55 years or older, enjoys being a lot of things to a lot of people, but for Debra, it transformed her life.
“I am,” she says with a hearty laugh, “a different person.”
Born and raised in Chicago, Debra, age 72, never knew her mother, who died while giving birth to her. She was raised by her father and a grandmother, staying in Illinois until she was about 20, working after graduating high school as a cashier in a grocery store.
She attended college for a couple of years, while simultaneously raising three children as a single mother. Her son and both daughters served in the United States armed services – the Army, Navy and Air Force, to be precise.
A self-described “people person,” Debra loved the give-and-take that came with working in retail jobs, and later, as a maid in hotels.
“I got to meet people from all over the world,” she recalls. “I so enjoyed listening to different languages being spoken.”
She moved to Michigan when her father purchased property here, moving to a small town outside of South Haven, where her children attended school and later launched their military careers.
After retiring and moving to Grand Rapids in 2019, she became ill with disorders she says were never properly diagnosed.
“I couldn’t really move hardly at all,” she says. “I couldn’t do anything for myself, and relied on my two daughters to wash me, to feed me.”
She suffered a bad fall from her bed, prompting her son-in-law – an employee at Care Resources – to insist she be seen by the organization’s medical team.
It was a transforming decision, giving her access to comprehensive health care services funded by Medicare and Medicaid.
“They came right to my house and did everything they had to do to assess me,” she said. “They got me a wheelchair. They got me a special bed.”
With these support services, Debra’s health improved markedly, to a point where she became able care for herself and control her daily affairs of living.
“I went from not walking, to a wheelchair, to a walker, to walking on my own,” she says proudly. “I did the therapy, the exercises – everything they told me to do.”
Today, she’s a regular at Care Resources’ headquarters on 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE in Grand Rapids, which features a day center, clinic and pharmacy. She boards the organization’s transportation bus to get there, and spends her time connecting with friends, playing Bingo, crafting and enjoying meals, among other activities.
Looking back, Debra credits Care Resources with putting her on the road to independence and keeping her in her own home rather than a nursing facility. That’s a hallmark of Care Resources, which provides medical care and a wide array of home health services to more than 300 participants in Kent County and portions of Allegan, Barry, Ionia and Ottawa counties.
“Did they change my life?” asks Debra. “They surely did! I was down and out and didn’t want to go anywhere or see anyone or do anything. But they wouldn’t let me stay down. They helped and encouraged me, cheered me up and never gave up on me.
“If it weren’t for them, I would not be walking today.”
Debra is still reeling from her first visit ever to Michigan’s Capitol building in Lansing, where she helped raise awareness of Care Resources as a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE, organization. Debra was one of several participants who shared personal stories with legislators about the impact of PACE on their lives.
To other older adults in West Michigan seeking ways to improve their lives, she suggests they visit Care Resources and “just come watch what they do; they’re like little bees buzzing around because everyone is just so eager to help others.”
To learn more about Care Resources and PACE services, visit CareResources.org.
Julie Dekam, a medical assistant supporting the Care Resources nursing team, obtains a blood sugar reading from participant Dora in the clinic. (Courtesy, Care Resources)
Nancy Baker and Barbara Scothorn share a single mission as nurses: keeping seniors out of hospitals and nursing homes.
That mission is at the heart of their employer’s approach to health care. Both work for Care Resources, an innovative community-based program for people 55 years and older that promotes healthy and independent living for residents of Kent County and portions of Allegan, Barry, Ionia and Ottawa counties.
“We always know the nurse’s primary role is education,” explained Baker, who serves as clinic and day center manager for Care Resources. “Often a provider can be talking to a participant, but it’s really the nurse who can help them understand how to manage their diabetes or COPD.”
Scothorn agreed, adding: “Nurses are there to work with a participant and help them meet their goal, which is staying in their home and out of the hospital. It’s a partnership. We work with participants and their families to provide wrap-around services that supplement what they are able to do. Families play a huge role, and we take them into consideration in our planning.”
Scothorn serves as manager of home care and intake enrollment for Care Resources, which is a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, or PACE®. Funded by Medicare and Medicaid, PACE services require no out-of-pocket payments for those who meet income requirements.
Care Resources offers a day center, clinic and pharmacy in its 36,000-square-foot facility in Grand Rapids that deliver a wide range of health care services as well as opportunities that promote socialization, build community and offer respite to caregivers. The nonprofit also provides home health services, including family and caregiver support, home care services and rehab and durable medical equipment, such as walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen and diabetic testing supplies.
All of this support, Baker and Scothorn know, is critical in keeping participants safe at home. They listed a host of reasons why people 55 years and older often wind up needing acute medical care:
Worsening medical conditions that go unnoticed when loved ones aren’t around.
Poorly managed medication, including skipped or doubled doses.
Unobserved changes to breathing, blood pressure or weight that signal larger health issues.
Poor nutrition and dehydration, which can cause a cascade of other health issues.
Social isolation, which can lead to rapid or steady decline in physical and mental health.
“My nurses in the clinic are great on triage and assessment,” Baker said. “They complement the work of Barb’s nurses and home health aides, who play a vital role in seeing what patients go through every day and addressing issues before they become problems.”
Baker and Scothorn highlight simple things loved ones can do to ensure older adults can be safe at home, including:
Ongoing education to help better manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes, or disease progression for illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and heart failure.
Medication assistance, such as setting up pills in a med box or med wheel so it’s easier to keep track of daily doses.
Home safety checks, such as removing throw rugs to prevent falls and installing grab bars instead of towel racks.
Meal preparation, such as stocking their freezers with meals they like and to improve their nutrition.
Transportation support to ensure they can get to their medical and other appointments.
Social support and a safe place to go during the day, such as the Care Resources day center, for stimulation and engagement – and to give caregivers a needed break.
“These are great steps to help older adults stay healthy and remain in their homes,” Scothorn said. “Nurses can provide an additional layer of support. We are often the first to notice changes and issues – we’re trained to watch and take action to help community members age safely in place.”
An activity area in one of the day centers operated by Care Resources. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
“There is nothing like coming home, putting your key in the door, and opening it and smelling your smells and understanding where you are…and feeling comfortable. We all want that. We can help make that dream come true longer,” said Veronica Horsley-Pettigrew, Community Outreach and Marketing Supervisor at Care Resources.
A 2021 AARP Home and Community Preferences Survey showed that 77 percent of adults 50 and older want to remain in their homes for the long term, a number that AARP noted has been consistent for more than a decade.
As noted by the National Library of Medicine, culture plays a role in shaping individuals’ attitudes toward elder care. Asian cultures have emphasized family elder care at home and as a result, 50 years ago the Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly or PACE was created.
In 1994, Michigan became one of the first pilot programs and today, the state has 14 PACE programs at 21 centers and nationwide, there are 273 sites in 32 states.
“We are committed to our participants,” Horsley-Pettigrew said. “We are an aging society, and we need to take care of each other.”
Growing Interest Creates a Growing Demand
The second PACE program to launch in the state of Michigan was Care Resources, which has been helping to keep West Michigan seniors out of nursing homes since 2006.
The “Four Seasons” art was created by staff and participants. It took almost two years and was made entirely of crayons. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
A community-based program for people 55 years or older, Care Resources provides comprehensive care to the senior citizens of Kent County, as well as portions of Allegan, Barry, Ionia, and Ottawa counties, while promoting healthy, independent living and helping prevent nursing home placement.
Care Resources has grown over the years. In 2018, to meet expansion needs, the organization renovated the former John Knox Presbyterian Church, 4150 Kalamazoo Ave. SW, with the express purpose of caring for the aging community of West Michigan.
“We are the glue,” said Tom Muszynski, chief operating officer of Care Resources. “Overall, we are their case managers. We always look to family first, because family generally wants to know what is going on and be a part of it, but if there is no family available, then we take that piece of it too.”
Since opening its Kalamazoo Avenue headquarters in 2019, Care Resources is looking to expand yet again, having almost doubled its service area in November 2021 due to an ever-increasing need for care of local senior citizens.
In 2022, Care Resources served 374 participants, provided 3,048 meals, distributed 702 activity bags, traveled 349,569 miles transporting participants, and totaled 36,554 home care hours for an average 46 months of participant care.
Interest in PACE programs continues to grow with some discussion of adding more programs in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula and expanding into the Upper Peninsula, where there currently are no programs.
Locally, interest in Care Programs has increased with Muszynski stating there are plans to open a second location in Grand Rapids with Care Resources planning to seek federal and state approval at the end of June.
‘Bingo’ and More
Care Resources provides transportation with a fleet of 20 vehicles; an on-site physician, medical clinic, and 2,200 square-foot pharmacy; vision, dental, audiology, and foot care services; laundry and shower facilities; an extensive therapy gym; and grocery shopping services.
Also at its Kalamazoo Avenue location is a fully-staffed day center, which currently serves about 100 participants at various levels. There are various activities, such as stretching programs, classic car shows, and visiting animals along with two outdoor courtyards, a meditation room, and a walking trail.
“Our goal is to really treat people with dignity, but to also get them up and moving,” said Muszynski. “The building is specifically designed to be spread out, so they have to get up and move a little bit.”
The highlight, however, is Bingo.
“They can purchase items at our Bingo store,” Muszynski said as he opened a room lined with shelves and stacked to the brim with an assortment of items. “Fun items, as well as items they can’t get with their Michigan Bridge Card.”
Eligibility
Care Resources PACE eligibility requirements include being 55 or older, meeting the nursing facility level of care, being able to be safe in their home with PACE services at the time of enrollment, and qualifying for Medicaid according to PACE Medicaid requirements.
The Care Resources therapy room. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)
“When they first enroll in the program, they have to be deemed safe in the community with PACE services,” said Muszynski, adding he encourages people to think about when they might need PACE services and strive toward early identification. “PACE is not crisis intervention—there is a process to get into the program. With Medicaid, it could be 30 days or so because we can only enroll on the first of the month. Without Medicaid, it could potentially be a couple of months.”
Muszynski also said to remember that there are several factors that qualify people for skilled nursing, and that it is not always an extreme of going from a hospital to a bed-ridden state. It could include a myriad of things from forgetfulness to treatment such as feeding tubes or dialysis.
Horsley-Pettigrew agreed that having a medical assessment completed is vital before making long-term decisions on care. “It could simply be coordination of care and medication that is needed, and that person may not need to be put in a nursing home,” said Horsley-Pettigrew. “The coordination of care and the proper medication really keep away some of the seriousness of (issues) escalating.”
Continuing to Build Awareness
One of the benefits Muszynski said he has seen in Care Resource participants is a sense of belonging.
“They get involved in our program, and people who weren’t even getting dressed are now getting dressed and doing their hair because they are coming to see their friends,” he said. “It really allows them to get involved in the community and get out of the house.”
One of the the Care Resources’ vehicles. (WKTV./D.A. Reed)
Muszynski and Horsley-Pettigrew are continually meeting and working with state legislators to keep them educated on the benefits of PACE programs. In May of 2022, the PACE Association of Michigan (PAM) hosted its Day at the Capitol in Lansing, allowing PACE staff and participants to share their personal stories about how the program is impacting their lives.
“We’ve got some real champions in Lansing,” said Muszynski. “That’s part of (our) success in Michigan, is the support of the state. It’s phenomenal.”
To find out more about the Care Resources PACE program, visit Care Resources PACE. Volunteer opportunity inquiries at Care Resources can be directed to Karen Altom at 616-913-2036 or karen.altom@careresources.org.
Two days a week Kentwood resident Beverly Artlip, 82, would visit the Care Resources PACE (Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly) day care program, meeting up with friends, participating in activities, and checking in with staff.
That all abruptly ended when the governor’s executive Stay Home, Stay Safe order went into effect on March 24. Artlip’s connection to the world became the television and her activities centered more on reading.
That was until the phone rang a few weeks ago and a friendly voice from Care Resources PACE asked how she was doing.
“It is very comforting to know that someone cares and that they are concerned,” Artlip said.
What started as welfare calls to check on its nearly 250 elderly program participants has become what Care Resource PACE staff refer to as “happy calls,” where staff reach out to the members simply to chat.
“You talk to them about different things,” said Sue Pence, a transportation coordinator for Care Resource PACE, who joined the team to help make the “happy calls.” “You talk to them about different hobbies, what they are doing and how things are going.”
For Pence, the calls also have provided an opportunity to connect with those in the adult daycare program, where she worked before she became a transportation coordinator.
“It is nice to be able to reconnect with people I have not talked to in awhile,” she said, adding that some of the conversations can be pretty funny.
“There was one person who had this bird and it kept pooping on everything and she was talking about making it diapers and then we started talking about if you could even make diapers for a bird,” Pence said with a laugh adding others have asked about her finding a man for them — preferably a millionaire.
Care Resources is a community-based program with the PACE program being federally and state funded. The PACE program is designed to keep residents within their community for as long as possible, helping residents with medical and emotional needs. During the Stay Home, Stay Safe order, the “happy calls” provide a way for staff to check on the overall medical and emotional needs of each of its participants.
“Many of these people don’t have family or a connection into the community so this is a way for them to feel connected and, secondly, we are family to them,” Pence said.
Pence estimates that she makes about 15 to 25 calls a week, adding that the entire staff makes about 400 to 600 calls a week. The average call is around 35 minutes. “Sometimes it is shorter because the person just wants to check in and other times it is a little longer,” Pence said, adding that some of the people she will call two to three times a week.
Artlip said she receives about four calls a week, all from different people which makes it fun.
“We talk about different things,” she said. “It is just plain nice to have somebody to talk to.”
Care Resources PACE staff member gets ready to deliver activity packets to program participants. (Supplied)
Along with the calls, Care Resources PACE also has been providing activity packets filled with puzzles and word searches, which Artlip said have been a nice break in her routine.
And while receiving the calls and packets are nice, Artlip said she can’t wait to get back to the center to see her friends, but as a former nurse, Artlip also recognizes the need for caution as the world deals with COVID-19.
Pence agreed she too can’t wait to see all the friendly faces as well, since now through those “happy calls” they have a few stories to share and laugh about when they do get the chance to have that face-to-face meet up again.
