Page 17 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - August 2018 -25-08

Diabetes Cooking Classes Held At Forks Senior Center And The Albion Food Hub By: Luann Summers, Executive Director, Forks Senior Center
Kinship Korner
By: Paulette Porter, Marketing/Outreach Coordinator, CareWell Services SW
Senior Times - August 2018
Page 17
Family Enrichment Center
415 S. 28th Street Battle Creek, MI 49015
Sharon Dewey, Kinship Coordinator Email: SDewey@fecfamily.com
Ph: (269) 660-0448
Fx: (269) 963-0160 www.Fecfamily.com
Questions for the new kinship care- giver to ask the caseworker:
• Who has legal and/physical custo-
dy of the children?
• What rights and responsibilities
does legal and/or physical custody
give?
• May I be involved in developing
the service plan? May I have a
copy?
• Will the children or I have to go to
court?
• Will someone from child welfare
visit my home on a regular basis?
• What are the requirements for me
and my home?
• Are the requirements different if
the children are only here tempo-
rarily?
• What services are available and
how do I access them?
• Are there restrictions on the meth-
od of discipline I use?
• What financial assistance is avail-
able and how do I apply?
• Am I eligible to become licensed
for foster care and receive foster
care payments?
• Will daycare be paid for?
• Will I receive transportation help
for medical appointments?
• Will transportation be provided so
children can remain in their same school?
These are not the only questions that will come up for kinship caregivers.
The Family Resource Center will help with on-going support by offering:
Kinship Support Group
August 7
Westlake Presbyterian Church 415 S. 28th St., Battle Creek
Brown Bag Luncheon
PARC – Adoptive Parents Augugst 9
Westlake Presbyterian Church 415 S. 28th St., Battle Creek
Parenting Series & Respite Art activity for 6-12 year olds
To be announced.
Contact Tammy Skidmore
(269) 601-8510
John Ball Park Zoo Tickets
Contact Tammy Skidmore (269) 601-8510
We can help with diapers, food boxes, clothing, and referrals. Call (269) 660-0448.
Forks Senior Center and the Albion Food Hub recently hosted two diabetic cooking classes. The first class took place on July 7, 2018, at the Food Hub located at 112 E. Erie Street in Albion. The second class was presented July 9, at Forks Senior Center located at at 101 N. Albion.
The free classes featured Bronson Battle Creek’s Chef John Long and dietician Tina Guajardo. Those in attendance received a recipe kit, supplies, and a goodie bag. The Albion Health Care Alliance, Albion Community Foundation, AmeriCorps VISTAs, Bronson Battle Creek, and the Albion Farmer’s Market also collaborated to offer these classes.
“Last year we offered our first Diabetic Cooking Class and had to turn people away. This year
we offered two and had great participation at both sessions. Of course now folks are asking for another class.” shared Forks Senior Center Director Luann Sommers.
Laura Overholt, Director of the Albion Food Hub, shared that “Diabetes affects almost every family and we need to learn how to use fresh healthy foods for better health. These classes were offered as part of a grant from the Albion Community Foundation’s Healthy Youth/Healthy Seniors Fund as well as funding from the Albion Health Care Alliance.”
Alfredia Dysart-Drake, Program Associate for the Albion Health Care Alliance shared, “We are excited about this opportunity to partner with others in presenting
a cooking class and offering nutrition education that will
benefit those trying to manage their diabetes. Making good food choices is important to all of us in keeping our health on track.”
Everyone who attended said they left having learned at least one new thing and they would recommend the class to others. People shared that they wanted
to learn to eat better and cook in
a more healthy way. Attendees enjoyed the presentation on portion control and even received a special demonstration plate that will help them in making better portion control decisions. All in
all it was a great class. People
had fun. They had a healthy
snack and they left with good information, resources and kits to make the vegetable frittata they saw demonstrated and were able to taste in class.
variety of EBPs, including Matter of Balance, Diabetes Personal Action Towards Health, and more. To learn more about these programs, contact CareWell Services at (269) 441-0980.
Heritage Commons is a partnership between Calhoun County Senior Services, Oaklawn Hospital, CareWell Services Southwest, and the City of Marshall.
What Are Evidence-Based Programs?
By: Cathleen Knoll, Senior Center Manager, Heritage Commons
Evidence-Based Programs (EBPs) offer proven ways to enhance health and prevent disease among older adults.
Each program is backed by solid research. EBPs are based on a study of the effects or outcomes of specific interventions or model programs. They demonstrate reliable and consistent positive changes in important health- related and functional measures. In simpler terms, if you follow
the guidelines of the program, you will have an improvement in your health. This is a big deal! People always wonder if programs work. These programs do work! There is solid research and independent studies behind evidence based programs. If you follow the program model, they are likely to produce positive outcomes for participants.
Heritage Commons Senior Enrichment Center offers a
The MI Choice Waiver Program
Nursing homes used to be the only choice for older adults or disabled persons who needed help caring for themselves. Today you have options.
One program run by CareWell Services Southwest, the local Area Agency on Aging, is the MI Choice Waiver Program. Through this program, eligible adults,
18 and over, who meet income and asset criteria can receive Medicaid-covered services
like those provided by nursing homes, but can stay in their own home or another residential setting.
You will work with a nurse
or social worker to develop
a person-centered plan made especially for you or your loved one. Services that are available to you include:
• Community living supports
• Respite services
• Adult day services
• Home modifications
• Non-medical transportation
• Home Medical supplies and
equipment
• Personal Care
• Chore services
• Personal emergency response
systems
• Counseling
• Home delivered meals • Training in a variety of
independent living skills
• Supports coordination
• Community transition services
CareWell Services Southwest is the local MI Choice Waiver agency, covering Barry,
Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. To find out what services may be available to you, call CareWell Services at 1-800-626-6719. We’re here to help!
PROMOTING HEALTH INDEPENDENCE CHOICE