December Newsletter- AAAWM Updates

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A huge thank you to all those who had a hand in putting COVID-19 Care Kits together for local older adults! These care kits were made possible by the Michigan Aging and Adult Services Agency, the donation of items from Blue Cross Blue Shield, and bottles of glue from the Storehouse. Our amazing partners helped with distribution to clients and our staff handled the assembly of over 2,000 care kits! We know that these care kits made a difference for seniors in our region and that would not have been possible without the contributions of many. We so appreciate your support!

Read More About the COVID Care Kits

Guest Post: Paula Detwiller, Writer/Editor, Behavioral Health (BHDDA) Liaison to MDHHS Communications Office

Do you find yourself feeling anxious, sad, or hopeless because of the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, you are not alone. In a poll taken at the end of June, nearly half of U.S. adults reported their mental health had been negatively impacted. Emotional distress can be especially acute in older adults who live alone or are socially isolated. That’s why a team of behavioral health professionals at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), with the help of federal grant dollars, created the “Stay Well” counseling line—a phone number you can call any time of the day or night to talk to a trained crisis counselor about your COVID-19-related distress.

By now, you are likely tired of being home. We’ve had an unprecedented year with the COVID-19 pandemic that has left us all spending more time at home than we ever have before. Add in the winter weather we’re now experiencing, forcing us inside for long stretches of time, and we’re probably all feeling a little stir-crazy and drained. So what can we do to make this unique winter a little more bearable?

Here are a few tips!

COVID-19 vaccine news is, of course, exciting, but with that comes a new batch of scams to be aware of. The Federal Trade Commission put together the helpful infographic below on how to avoid them. You can also read more about their recommendations here.

If you'd like to learn more about scams and other elder abuse topics, you can request a virtual presentation from the Kent County Elder Abuse Coalition at www.protectkentseniors.org or call 616-456-5664.

Save the Date: Upcoming Events

Virtual Family Caregiver Support Group
Tuesdays | 10:00 - 11:00 am via Zoom
See the flyer here!

Virtual Advocates for Senior Issues Meeting
Friday, January 15, 2021 | 10:00 am via Zoom
Learn more!

Virtual Family Caregiver University: Emotional Health During COVID-19
Tuesday, January 26, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:30 pm via Zoom
See the flyer here!

Virtual Webinar: All About AAAWM
Thursday, February 25, 2021 | 10:00 am via Zoom
Stay tuned for further details!

Did you miss our recent Family Caregiver University
"Community Resources A to Z" two-part series?
You can now watch the recordings here!

Registration required for all virtual FCU classes:
Email: registration@aaawm.org or call: 616-222-7032

Read the issue!

Our mailing address is:

3215 Eaglecrest NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Phone: 616-456-5664

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Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan · 3215 Eaglecrest Dr. NE · Grand Rapids, Mi 49525 · USA