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Indigenous/ Native American Heritage Month 2024
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.
National Family Caregiver Month
Caregiver.org defines family caregiving as "any relative, partner, friend, or neighbor who has a significant personal relationship with, and provides a broad range of assistance for, an older person or an adult with a chronic or disabling condition. These individuals may be primary or secondary caregivers and live with, or separately from, the person receiving care." Help us recognize the dedication of family caregivers this month!
Helpful Tips for Open Enrollment
The world of Medicare/Medicaid can be an extremely confusing one. Each year, open enrollment occurs from October 15-December 7. This process can be overwhelming—how do you know which option is the best fit for you? Here are a few tips for navigating the open enrollment season.
Over $24 Million In Funding Set to Positively Impact West Michigan Older Adults
The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is pleased to announce the approval of the 2025 fiscal year allocations for both Kent County Senior Millage (KCSM) and Older Americans Act (OAA) funding which begin today, October 1, 2024. These funding sources provide a wide variety of services across the nine-county region for older adults, persons with a disability, and their caregivers emphasizing independence and allowing seniors to stay engaged in their communities.
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan joins the Hispanic community in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 to October 15.
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan Releases Needs Assessment Findings
In January 2024, the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) completed a Community Needs Assessment for the nine counties in the Planning and Service Area (PSA): Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola. This assessment, by design, investigated the experiences and identified challenges of older adults in the region using primary and secondary data.
3 Ways Assistive Devices Help to Increase Independence
Change is a part of life and as human beings grow and evolve, so do their needs. In some seasons of life people benefit from the use of assistive devices. An assistive device is designed to assist a person in completing a particular task. These devices range from tools like hearing aids to power wheelchairs to sophisticated systems like eye-tracking software. Assistive devices empower users by enhancing mobility, communication, learning, and overall independence.
Bridging Generations: The Benefits of Intergenerational Programming
In today’s society it's common for people to be grouped together based on their age. From school-aged children to college students to working adults to seniors these groups are often based around a life stage. However this separation causes people of all ages to miss out on the benefits of intergenerational programming which offers a refreshing and beneficial approach to community building.
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.
