Senior Services on BI Special Comm Mtg 1/19!

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CVX Commission on Aging
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 1:06 pm
Location: 218 West Garfield Charlevoix, MI 49720
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Senior Services on BI Special Comm Mtg 1/19!

Post by CVX Commission on Aging »

Join us for this Special Community Meeting. Come listen, learn and share your thoughts and ideas! (Coffee and cookies provided :D!)*

PLEASE NOTE: Schedule permitting, this meeting will be live-streamed by BI News on the Net! *Coffee and cookies will not apply...

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Dawn George
The Commission on Aging,
Serving Seniors of Charlevoix County.
Pam Grassmick
Posts: 637
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:07 pm
Location: Beaver Island

Thank You!

Post by Pam Grassmick »

A special thanks to Ann Partridge and Judi Meister for arranging the COA/Senior Services meeting with the Executive Director, Shirley Gillespie. The islanders that attended were respectful and passionate about preserving senior services for our elders. We were able to share the lessons learned from Maine islands related to Aging in Place. What we found out at the meeting was that the Charlevoix County Commissioners had scheduled a meeting with Shirley Gillespie for today to discontinue senior home care/personal services to the island. More of that meeting can be seen on News on the Net. Bill McDonough made some quick calls to County Commissioners who agreed to give the island more time to develop a senior safety net plan. Beaver Island sends more than $75,000 to Charlevoix in COA taxes which more than covers current care levels. The median age of islanders is 10 years older than the rest of Charlevoix County and we are unable to share services due to our geographic isolation. We need to protect care for our elders so that they are assured that they can receive care on the island. Aging in Place is an important economic issue for the Beaver Island community. COA identified that more individuals need to ask for services which are provided on a sliding income scale. Please contact Ann Partridge (448-2022) to discuss the need for services related to home cleaning, meals, personal care, and more for those over 60. Nancy Ferguson is our Commissioner for COA (231)547-2285 and Shirley Gillespie can be reached at (231) 237-0103 or toll free (866) 428-5185.

Let's keep COA involved on the island to ensure that our elders are able to stay in their homes on the island.
McGrass
Pam Grassmick
Posts: 637
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:07 pm
Location: Beaver Island

Post by Pam Grassmick »

Please be aware of a phone contact change for our Commissioner Nancy Ferguson's. Her phone number is 231-675-8696.
McGrass
Pam Grassmick
Posts: 637
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 4:07 pm
Location: Beaver Island

Update on Island Senior Services

Post by Pam Grassmick »

An update on the Charlevoix County Commission on Aging (COA) senior services situation on Beaver Island:

Following our recent meeting with Shirley Gillespie, Executive Director of the Charlevoix County Commission on Aging, our in-home caregiver has been reduced to part time status and the arthritis exercise classes have been cut from 3 times a week to 1 time a week. Beaver Island was given one month (about 3 weeks remaining) to increase the demand for in-home services or COA in-home services may be cut totally. The only way to increase demand is to let those over 60 in our community know that COA in-home services are just a phone call away.

Islanders are an independent lot and "aging in place" has largely been dependent upon assistance from relatives and close friends. But our demographics have changed. Our island population is older-10 years older on average than most of Charlevoix County, with roughly 31% over the age of 70. And many of us no longer have children living on the island that can assist in our care to "age in place". However, all of us pay taxes to ensure that elder-care in-home services are available throughout Charlevoix County through the Commission on Aging.

When COA's caregiver was first introduced to the island's elders (and I mean my parents), we had the difficult discussion with them of how to help them stay independent within their home. We told them COA services would help them remain safely in their own home. "Give it a two week trial". Well, COA's caregiver wiggled her way into their hearts and allowed them to receive COA services and care at home. Many studies have shown that the ability to remain in one's home significantly increases longevity and quality of life.

Due to the amount of tax funding sent from each island property owner, we are equally due services to allow our elders to safely remain on Beaver Island. The cost of COA services is based on a sliding-scale determined by income, and is a great "deal" as the taxes collected offset the cost of in-home services. Most island elders don't need full-time services. Some of the services COA provides deals with assistance for daily tasks such as light housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders, providing nutritional meals, and personal care.

So, just what is needed from each person over 60 to prevent the losing of our hard-fought COA services? No one wants to admit that we need help, but if we don't utilize COA services, they may no longer be available to anyone on the island, including our friends, relatives, and neighbors. Individuals require different amounts of help. Help keeps COA services for Beaver Island. If you feel that you could use some help-or know of someone over 60 who could-and would like to check on potential services available from COA, it is as easy as a phone call. Please contact Ann Partridge, Charlevoix County Commission on Aging, Beaver Island Site Coordinator: 448-2022 or Shirley Gillespie, Executive Director of Charlevoix County Commission on Aging: 231-237-0103 or 866-428-5185, or Jean Kinsley, COA Advisory Board Island Representative: 448-2856.

A couple of pertinent articles from the Maine trip related to their island experiences with senior services and "aging in place":

http://www.islandinstitute.org/working- ... conference
http://www.islandinstitute.org/resource ... ge-place[b][/b]
McGrass
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