Volume 120 Issue 9

SEPTEMBER 2020

LIMITED

EDITION

Published monthly by the Friends of Isabella Seniors for the Isabella County Commission on Aging

Friends of Isabella Seniors - 2200 S Lincoln Rd., Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 - (989) 772-0748 - isabellacounty.org/active living-newspaper

Isabella County Commission on Aging & Friends of Isabella Seniors

17th

Annual Golf Outing ~ Thanks to All

Thank you sponsors, donors, golfers, volunteers, Joe Recker and staff at Pleasant Hills Golf Club for making our 17

th annual Commission on Aging Golf Outing such a great success!

Proceeds will benefit Commission on Aging programs and services to area older adults.

Signature Sponsor

Bandit Industries, Inc.

Scoreboard Sponsors

Plunkett Cooney

Howard & Howard

Cart Sponsor

Alma Tire

Golf Ball Sponsor

General Agency Company

Friends Sponsors

Coyne Oil Corporation

MLT Trucking Inc.

Grafx Central Incorporated

Mt. Pleasant Agency

Valley Travel

Hole-in-One Sponsor

Christian Home Services Inc.

Food Sponsors

Howard & Howard

Contest Hole Sponsors

Krapohl Ford & Lincoln

James & Carol Wojcik

Hole Sponsors

Anonymous

Brenda Upton & Barb Frankenfield - In Memory of Katie Slack, Lorraine Stout, & Mary Beth Upton

Larry & Monica Davis

Green’s Towing & Recovery

JLH Enterprises

Pleasant Graphics INC

Clean Scene Laundromat X 2

The Village of Rosebush Manor

Other Donors

The Golf Center

Eagle Glen

Pleasant Hills Golf Course

Pohlcat Golf Course

The Pines

Isabella Bank and Trust

Tamaracks Golf Course

Currie Golf Course

McLaren Central Michigan

Tullymore Golf Resort

PepsiCo

Medilodge of Mt. Pleasant

Thank You

COA Executive Director’s Comments Happy September! It sure does not seem possible that we could already be approaching the fall season. It will certainly be a different fall than we have experienced in the past with college football leagues cancelling seasons and the uncertainty of high school sports as well. Students are getting back into the swing of their new schedules with some students learning in school and others from home. I just hope that all

stay healthy and are successful and comfortable with their new normal.

At the time that I am writing this, our facility, along with all Isabella County departments, still remains closed to the public. I wish that I could tell you how long this will last, or when we will be able to open back up, but I cannot. As a County, we are taking this day-to-day with guidance from the Central Michigan District Health Department. As soon as we receive clearance to provide public activities, we will be ready and so excited to do so! In the meantime, we continue to provide Home Delivered Meals, In-Home Services, and even have some of our fitness classes online.

We will continue to keep you updated of any changes. We are eager to be able to open our doors and see all of you hopefully very soon. We miss you! In the meantime, please know that we are here for you should you have any questions or needs – call us at our main line: 989-772-0748. We hope to see you soon! Take care!

Jennifer A. Crawford, M.S.A., COA Executive Director

Page 2 ACTIVE LIVING Volume 120 Issue 9 - SEPTEMBER 2020

Virtual Fitness Classes We are trying something new in offering some

virtual fitness classes with some of our instructors! All you need is access to the internet and a computer. These classes will be offered via Zoom. At this time, we have Tai Chi, Zumba Gold and Chair Yoga. If you are interested or have questions, please call (989) 772-0748 and ask to leave a message for Marcy or feel free to email me at mjerome@isabellacounty.org and I will get you the details of the classes. These classes will be offered free of charge. All participants must have a signed liability waiver on file before starting classes.

Tai Chi: Tuesday & Thursday at 10:00 a.m.

Zumba Gold: Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Chair Yoga: Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Virtual Support Groups Bariatric Support Group – meets monthly through

Zoom. Anyone interested in joining should contact the MidMichigan Health Surgical Weight Team in Alma at (989) 463-6699.

Adult Grief and Loss Support Groups – meets bi-weekly through GoToMeeting. Anyone interested in joining should contact Candice Woodfield, MidMichigan Home Care Bereavement Coordinator at (989) 633-1418 to get login details.

Join us at the COA Parking Lot

for

Drive-In

Root Beer

Floats! Wednesday, September 2

1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Drive through under the COA front

entrance canopy and staff will bring

your FREE Root Beer Float right to

your car! We ask that you do NOT get

out of your vehicle for any reason.

Our building remains closed at this

time, so NO entry will be allowed. Free

of charge!

2020 COA Craft Show Update We have made the tough decision to cancel our 2020

Craft Show. I have put a lot of thought in to this decision, unfortunately, with the magnitude of this event, there is no feasible way to put it on and keep safety number one. We hope to see you all back in 2021!!

Medicare Fraud Open enrollment for Medicare Advantage Plans and

Part D prescription drug plans begins next month. All Medicare eligible residents need to know the rules companies must follow to sell coverage in Michigan.

People representing Medicare plans or Part D prescription plans are NOT allowed to: • Ask for your Medicare, Social Security, bank account, or

credit card numbers over the phone unless it is needed to verify membership, determine enrollment eligibly, or process an enrollment request.

• Come to your home uninvited to sell or endorse anything. • Require you to speak to a sales agent to get information

about the plan. • Ask you for payment over the phone or online. The plan

must send you a bill. • Charge you a fee to process your enrollment. • Ask you to give names and phone numbers or addresses so

they can sell to your friends or family. • Ask you to sign the enrollment form before you’re ready to

join. If you are the victim of a predatory sales agent, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report suspected Medicare fraud.

Page 3 ACTIVE LIVING Volume 120 Issue 9 - SEPTEMBER 2020

Caregiver Support Corner

Caregiver Support Group is September 15 at 12:30 p.m. We will have a 60-90 minute gathering via Zoom. If you have a smart phone or any internet access, you can join this group. This group is a safe, confidential and supportive environment/community for caregivers to receive mutual support and ideas for helping one develop methods/skills in solving issues that arise during the caregiving experience. This groups helps affirm and care for you as a caregiver. Please call Mary Ellen Walsh at 989-772-0748 or email her at mewalsh@isabellacounty.org for the information to link to the group meeting every third Tuesday of the month at 12:30 p.m.

Dementia Society of America – is a wonderful resource that provides monthly 30-45 minute topics like: wandering, caregiver grief, memory cafés and much more. If you can’t “attend” when scheduled on the 1st Monday of the month at 11:00 a.m., you can watch the topics at a later time at dementiaunplugged.org. They are also a great resource for: Books/Publications, Newsletter, Authors, Library, Programs and Services.

What is a Memory Café – A Memory Cafe is a safe and comfortable space where caregivers and their loved ones can socialize, listen to music, play games, and enjoy other appropriate activities. They provide mutual support and exchange information. You can just go to www.memorycafedirectory.com/what-is-a-memory-cafe/

MSU Extension - offers various 4-6 weekly webinars on topics that can be helpful for caregivers. Check out their website from time to time to see what they are offering. https://www.canr.msu.edu/powerful-tools-for-caregivers/

What is Maria’s Place - At Maria’s Place they believe that activity and life-long learning are cornerstones for a fulfilling life. They are committed to guide caregivers to engage fully with those they care for in a meaningful and heartfelt way. Go to their website for free membership to access their resources. https://mariasplace.com/

And from Hospice Care of the Southwest on Communicating with Someone Who Has Dementia: Never Argue, instead Agree. Never Reason, instead Divert. Never Shame, instead Distract. Never Lecture, instead Reassure. Never say “Remember,” instead Reminisce. Never say “I Told You,” instead Repeat/Regroup. Never say “You Can’t,” instead do what they Can. Never Command/Demand, instead Ask/Model. Never Condescend, instead Encourage. Never Force, instead Reinforce.

A Letter to Commission on Aging In response to the ever evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the CMU School of Music will not be able to welcome senior community members to our building this fall for our annual Morey Senior Outreach Concert. However, we are working diligently to make sure that music remains alive and that our students have the opportunity to continue creating art and music together. While we cannot invite live audience members to our events this fall, I’m happy to announce we are launching a weekly live-streamed recital series, Live from Staples! These recitals will be streamed every Thursday evening starting at 7:30 p.m. via Facebook Live on our Facebook page, facebook.com/CMUMusicSchool. On Thursday, August 27 at 7:30 p.m. our first virtual event, A Prelude to a Season, kicks off the new academic year with a carefully curated playlist of pre-recorded performances; featuring our Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Lab 1, in addition to several student soloists and chamber groups. I hope that your participants and your readers are able to join us virtually for our music events this fall. More information about our live-streamed recitals can be found on our website at music.cmich.edu and on Facebook. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Best, Kristin Pagels Director of Music Events School of Music, Central Michigan University 989-774-3738 / pagel1kp@cmich.edu

Community Resources for Food Update Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, 621 S. Adams, Mt. Pl., provides sack lunches 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Salvation Army Service Center, 1715 S. Mission St., Mt Pleasant. Make an appointment by calling 989-773-4663 for daily food distribution. The Salvation Army Service Center also provides utility assistance and other services when funds are available.

Weidman Storehouse Food Pantry food distribution, 6000 S. Main St. in Weidman, Tuesdays 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., 989-644-3148, Serving: Broomfield, Coldwater, Deerfield, Gilmore, Nottawa, and Sherman Twps.

CCN Food Pantry provides Drive-By Distribution at Strickler Center, 1114 W. High St., Mt. Pl., on Wednesday, September 9 and 23 at 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; plus Saturday, September 12 and 26 at 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Individuals without transportation can call 989-863-4449 with your name, address, phone number, and family size, and I-Ride will deliver a box to you curbside.

Max & Emily’s Bakery Café, 125 E. Broadway, Mt. Pl., People Helping People, please Request PHP Meal, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., 1 per person each Sunday, no documentation is required. SUNDAYS ONLY.

REAP Food Pantry in Rosebush, 989-433-2957, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, 4079 E. Vernon Rd., Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., clients may visit 2x per month and must provide a valid driver license. Must reside in one of the following zip codes: 48878, 48858, 48622, 48632, 48893, 48617.

St Vincent de Paul Parish Food Pantry, 168 E. Wright Ave., Shepherd, open on Friday afternoons, but call 989-828-5720 on Wednesdays between 10:00 a.m. to Noon to set up an appointment.

The Potters House Food Pantry, 5346 E. Deerfield, is open from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the 3rd Sunday of the month. (September 20). Please provide a valid driver license.

Little Downtown Pantry at First United Methodist Church, 400 S. Main St., Mt. Pl., open daily Noon to 5:00 p.m. in west entrance on Washington St. Please wear mask and only one person/family at a time.

GreenTree Co-op Little Free Food Fridge outside the store, 214 N. Franklin St., Mt. Pleasant. Open 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. GreenTree also participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program. For every $1.00 you spend in the store on produce purchases, you will receive a $1.00 coupon to be used on your next visit.

Pickard Street Citgo, 910 E. Pickard St., Mt. Pleasant provides $.99 meals for kids that include a sandwich, fruit, milk, juice, or fountain pop from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Seniors Free Home Delivered Meals for individuals currently NOT enrolled in another food assistance program:

https://newmibridges.michigan.gov/s/request-meal-delivery-reassurance?language=en_US

Page 4 ACTIVE LIVING Volume 120 Issue 9 - SEPTEMBER 2020

Rural Older Adult Mobile Care (ROAM) Bringing the doctor’s office to your home!

NO COST or LOW COST alternative to

your primary health care

You may qualify if you are:

• 60 years or older

• Living in Isabella, Clare or Gratiot County

• Without a primary care physician OR

• Having trouble getting to doctors’

appointments OR

• Repeatedly visiting the emergency room

Medical Services provided:

• Preventive services such as screenings and

immunizations

• Direct patient care such as primary care

check ups and chronic disease

management

• Patient and caregiver education such as

medication management and disease

management

• Some routine blood tests e.g. for diabetes

and cholesterol

If this care is right for you please contact

Myra at 989-774-7026 or email her at

ROAM@cmich.edu.

For more information visit us online at:

http://med.cmich.edu/ROAM

CMU College of Medicine

Page 5 ACTIVE LIVING Volume 120 Issue 8 - August 2020

Voting Is Power. Use It I know what you’re thinking, I’m just one person, my

one vote doesn’t affect anything. Does my vote really count? In a word, YES! In a democracy, everyone has a voice in how government works at the national, state, and local levels. Sometimes your voice may be expressed indirectly through elected officials. At other times your voice is expressed more directly, as when you vote for funding libraries and schools.

This year the citizens of Michigan will vote for PRESIDENT, SENATOR, and US CONGRESSPERSON. The individuals you elect will be your voices in determining national legislation and policies that affect such things as International Trade, Social Security and Medicare.

We will also elect a STATE REPRESENTATIVE who will be your voice in determining legislation and policies that affect our state, such as road repair and school funding. Locally we will elect COUNTY, TOWNSHIP, CITY OFFICERS AND COMMISSIONERS as well as members of BOARDS OF EDUCATION. Those officials will be your voice in determining local issues, such as zoning, ordinances, and school policy.

Prepare To Vote Are you registered to vote at your current address?

Do you want to request an absentee ballot? You can register to vote, check your voter registration status, request an absentee ballot and find answers to all your voting questions at the MICHIGAN VOTER INFORMATION CENTER, mi.gov/vote . If you don’t have access to the internet, call or visit your city or township clerk for assistance.

Be An Informed Voter By now you should know how important your vote is.

You should also know how important it is to be an informed voter. Information about candidates and ballot initiatives should be obtained from an unbiased source. The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government.

LWV publishes a nonpartisan Voter Guide. The Michigan State League asked national and state candidates to respond to questions on pertinent issues. LWV Mt Pleasant Area asked County, City, Union Township, and Mt Pleasant Public Schools Board of Education candidates to respond to questions that reflect local concerns. Paper Guides will be available mid to late September. The Voter Guides can be viewed online by visiting Vote411.org.

Vote If you choose to vote absentee, return your ballot

as soon as possible. If you choose to vote in person, polls will be open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. Mt Pleasant City Clerk: 989-779-5361 Union Township Clerk: 989-772-4600 x 229

Virtual Health Fair We have decided to move forward with a “Virtual

Health Fair” format this year. The health and safety of our participants, staff, and vendors is our number one priority and we have decided that there is no way to safely put on such a large in-person event. Therefore, throughout the month of September, we will be sharing different resources, fliers, brochures, etc. from local organizations that typically take part in our Health Fair. So if you don’t already, please like our Facebook page and follow along! Stay safe and healthy and we hope to see you all back in person soon!!

Gladys Shanteau Gladys Shanteau is one of our wonderful Senior Companion volunteers, coming on board with the program in April 2019. Gladys serves throughout Isabella County with in-home clients from Shepherd all the way to Barryton. Gladys started out volunteering for COA by delivering meals to homebound seniors and saw those that had a real need for a visitor. She loved chit chatting with everyone that

she brought meals to and wished that she had more time to stay and visit. After learning about the Senior Companion Program, Gladys did not hesitate to get started. Gladys spends time with seven in-home clients each week. Sometimes Gladys drives them to the grocery store or to their medical appointments. Other times they may go out to lunch or simply just visit together. Gladys likes to call these her play dates because it is so much fun getting to know new people! She has stepped into the role of Senior Companion seamlessly and is doing a tremendous job. She is always smiling and her easy-going personality has allowed her to make meaningful connections with others. Gladys is making quite an impact for seniors in her community. Thank you, Gladys, for your dedication to Commission on Aging and the Senior Companion Program!!!

Friends of Veterans Memorial Library

Book Sale Friday, September 11 and October 9

1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the VML Loading Dock

Rain or Shine!

Page 6 ACTIVE LIVING Volume 120 Issue 9 - SEPTEMBER 2020

Something to See & Somewhere to Go Virtually Online Museums Paris Museum: http://parismuseescollections.paris.fr/en

Smithsonian Museums: https://www.si.edu/exhibitions/online

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H24SCzF7P0

Musee de Louvre: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmKeRxvxwM&feature=youtu.be

The National Gallery London: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnvDWSzPoRY

US Space and Rocket Center: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qe5RqyMNhc

Online Zoos/Nature/Places San Diego Zoo live cams: https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams

EarthCams: https://www.earthcam.com/

Yellowstone National Park virtual tours: https://nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm

Monterey Bay Aquarium live cams: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams

Great Wall of China virtual tour: https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china

Adventure Journal animal cams: https://www.adventure-journal.com/2020/03/if-youre-stuck-inside-might-as-well-enjoy-this-list

-of-animal-cams/

Zonta Club of Mt Pleasant

Rummage Sale Fri. & Sat. September 4 & 5

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 122 E. Grand Ave,

Mt Pleasant Something for Everyone!

Page 7 ACTIVE LIVING Volume 120 Issue 9 - SEPTEMBER 2020

IN MEMORY OF

ACTIVE LIVING DONORS

COA DONORS

For Food with Friends

Lorraine Boyce

SERA Chapter #20

Orlin Curtis

SERA Chapter #20

For Louise Plachta Fund

Louise Plachta

June Powell

In Memory of…

Erma Cameron

Clayton & Carol Garrett

Wayne Cole

Jean Cole

Cathy Cotton

Clayton & Carol Garrett

Orlin Curtis

SERA Chapter #20

Gloria Farnan

Dale & Jeanette Gatehouse

Donna Huffman

Clayton & Carol Garrett

Earl Koch

Clayton & Carol Garrett

Conrad Lantz

Jean Cole

Floris Maeder

Clayton & Carol Garrett

Linda McDaniels

Clayton & Carol Garrett

Valerie Mears

Jean Cole

Norma Oakley

Clayton & Carol Garrett

Bonnie Jean Pung

Dale & Jeanette Gatehouse

Mary Todink

June Powell

June Zingery

Joe & Beth Bryant & Family

Joyce Seeley

Nelda Gilmore & Jan Kuhn

Gold Key Volunteer Program

Jani Ruyts

In-Home Services

William Hill – DME Use

Richard & Nancy Beckwith Kathryn I. Blizzard Hilda Calkins George Jr. & Diana Clapp Jean Cole Marvin & Beverly Cole Sandra Cooke Herbert & Marilyn Deromedi Lois Doerr John A. Frisch Bill & Carol Griffin

Richard & Janice Harless Eileen Jennings Dolores Cluley-Lockwood Robert Lyon Mark & Janice Mogg Tim & Sue Murphy Bill & Wanda Odykirk Gary Ouvry Allan Tucker Gladys Walker

Remembering Our Loved Ones Active Living offers a way to honor those special people in your life with a Memorial or Honorarium Listing. If you would like a memorial or honorarium included in the October issue we need to receive the information by September 10.

Active Living Deadline Each issue of Active LIVING is printed and mailed to our readers well before the first day of each month. In order to complete the entire process we need to receive information for submission by the tenth day of the prior month. Please understand all articles submitted are subject to editing for content and space restrictions.

Thank you everyone for your

generous donations.

Sunflowers always turn in the direction of light because they instinctively know it’s a source

of strength and renewal. Take a lesson from the

sunflower and look for the light in your world.

Eleanor Brownn

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The Friends of Isabella Seniors organization is operated exclusively for charitable purposes, within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to encourage and assist with the provision of programs and services for older adults in Isabella County operated in cooperation with the Isabella County Commission on Aging.

Suggested contribution to Active LIVING: $20.00 per year helps to cover the costs of producing and mailing the paper. A great way to remember when to send your donation is to send it on your birthday each year.

Address Changes: Active LIVING is mailed under a nonprofit automated mail rate and will not be forwarded with a notice to the post office.

Please notify COA office using the delivery form at left each time you request a change to assure we record changes correctly.

For Delivery of

Please check: ☐ New Subscriber ☐ Renewal Contribution: $ ___________

☐ Change of Address (Please attach a label with old address)

☐ Temporarily Away Stop Date________ Restart Date_________

Temporarily Away - Address New Subscriber or Change of Address

______________________________ ________________________________

Full Name Full Name

______________________________ _________________________________

Address Apt. No. Address Apt. No.

______________________________ ________________________________

City Zip City Zip

Phone_________________________ Phone___________________________

E-mail_______________________________________________________________

Send to:

Friends of Isabella Seniors (COA) Please make checks payable to:

2200 S. Lincoln Rd. Friends of Isabella Seniors

Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858

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From the CDC ~ Know How COVID-19 Spreads : • There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

• The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

• Through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

• Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Monitor Your Health Daily. Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

• Everyone should wear a mask that covers your mouth and nose in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

ACTIVE LIVING Volume 120 Issue 9 September 2020