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Indigenous/ Native American Heritage Month 2023
November is Indigenous/Native American Heritage Month, where we pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans and Indigenous peoples. This is also an opportunity to bring awareness to the unique challenges Indigenous people have faced historically and in the present. It is important to recognize the lands we are on today were first inhabited by Native American tribes before being colonized by European settlers and to recognize the poor treatment of Indigenous peoples thereafter. Below are a few tools to help you engage and learn from this meaningful history and how you can be a supporter in the present.
Thankful for a Transition Home
Taylor suffered two strokes which resulted in his placement in a nursing facility. His guardian, Jim, was his friend first, taking on the role of legal guardian after his facility placement to help Taylor manage his affairs. Jim recognized that Taylor could live more independently, but had no place to go, so he began with a call to the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan.
Age Your Way: Navigating Open Enrollment
The world of Medicare/Medicaid can be an extremely confusing one. Each year, open enrollment occurs from October 15-December 7. This provides the chance for individuals to review and make changes to their Medicare Part D prescription plans and Medicare Advantage plans. Watch our latest Age Your Way video as we learn more about open enrollment and the MMAP program which is Michigan's free, unbiased resource for guidance.
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan Recognizes Family Caregiver Month
We applaud Governor Whitmer’s designation of November as Family Caregivers Month in Michigan. The designation of this month is intended to bring attention to public policy issues around family and informal caregiving, including addressing an aging Michigan population and a shrinking direct care workforce. To learn more about this initiative you can visit the link below:
KCSM Services Directory 2024
The 2024 Kent County Senior Millage Services Directory is now available!
Reframing Aging
October 7th was Ageism Awareness Day! We want to bring attention to the ageism that many older adults face in their lifetime and are using this as an opportunity to kick off our new series “Reframing Aging”. We’ll be taking a closer look at what we can do to change the narrative around aging and share stories from individuals in our community about their experiences.
2024 Community Needs Assessment
We're kicking off our 2024 Community Needs Assessment! Help inform and shape future services, programs, and advocacy in our nine-county region! This survey is available to take online or you can download a paper copy.
Age Your Way: Dementia Support
We're back with another Age Your Way video! Caregiving for a loved one with dementia can be an overwhelming experience at times. Dementia Friends Program Coordinator, Brandon Beck, talks us through his three-step approach to help make caring for a loved one more manageable.
Age Your Way- February 2023: How does funding work?
Our February Age Your Video is out now! AAAWM Executive Director, Kendrick Heinlein, joins Liz to discuss our various funding streams and our role in the administration of these programs that go to support seniors, persons with a disability, and their caregivers.
Age Your Way- January 2023: What is an Area Agency on Aging?
Introducing our new Age Your Way Video Series! We're excited to bring you a short video each month that covers services and supports to help you age with independence and dignity. This month's video covers this question "What is the Area Agency on Aging and how can it help?". Give the video a watch above to hear from Liz Barnett, our Outreach Specialist, and a special guest.
