Page 6 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - September 2019 - 26-09

Page 6
Senior Times - September 2019
THE FLUID CONNECTION OF GENERATIONS – CAREGIVING
By: Julie Seifke
After making it through childhood, with the joys and bumps in the road, children become adults. About the same time, the signs that
their parents or grandparents are not getting
any younger are much more evident. Enter a new set of joys and challenges. What begins as being helpful turns into attempting to provide what they know would bring their loved one the most happiness. Meeting that challenge can be satisfying in it's own right.
the inner strength to find a way to do whatever needs to be done.
Individual personalities enmeshed in a fami- ly means there are many paths that can be taken as needs emerge and are met by children and grandchildren. The way Grandma likes some- thing done may be very different than the way Gramps suggests. The newfangled way younger folks accomplish something may be foreign to seniors. Suddenly, who knew so many things needed to be addressed? Tension offset by laughter makes these twists interesting and doable.
need to work out details about mounds of deci- sion-making and communicating decisions to the rest of the immediate family. What's funnier than two family members showing up to help with a need? Unless time was a precious com- modity no one wished to squander. Depending on which child or grandchild lives nearby, fam- ilies have conversations with a lot of give and take about who can offer any variety of needed support for mom or dad or gran or gramps.
Over-sharing is a thing. But under-sharing leaves people out and feelings can be hurt unintentionally. To make it more interesting, the siblings and parents of an elderly loved one also need to be shown consideration.
What about the next time? Comparisons
may be made between caring for a grandparent and then later a parent. Experience helps when decisions need to be made. The knowledge gained while caring for a loved one makes the next time, for the next relative, easier. However, the context is seldom the same. Dynamics are different when communicating and supporting other extended family members. Overtime, medical advances are made and the need to stay up to date is ever-present. Development of ill- nesses, even similar ailments, may not present the same set of challenges or progress at the same pace.
The landscape of caregiving depends great- ly upon which family member has the time
and interest and skill necessary to provide part or all of care necessary for the well being of their loved one. Perhaps, initially, the parent
or grandparent has a major role in determining who provides for whichever need. In time, a spouse or sibling or one of children may begin to facilitate those decisions. Soon one or more in the family becomes a hub of activity and information. Roles morph and then turn into new habits of taking care of finances or coordi- nating daily living at home or getting a handle on all things medical. Other family members may focus on social interactions or include hobbies regularly. Was there a road map for all this?!
In some instances adult siblings have a closer bond than parent and child. They must be kept in the loop.
Like dark chocolate, caregiving for a loved one in the end stage of life is bittersweet. Someone needs to provide care. Who is a bet- ter fit than a child or grandchild because the heartstrings between them and their parent or grandparent is such a strong bond. Together the memories can be relived. Each fleeting moment can be savored. Subtle nuances make commu- nication easier. When communication declines, just knowing what someone likes brings joy
Of course not. If more than one person is willing and able to provide care, then they
The unintended result can become a fluid connection of generations. Perhaps it is just the way God planned it when actions serve to inspire and model what caregiving can be... knowing the kids and grand kids will be the caregivers in the next go around.
What else might the ride entail? Oftentimes, a sibling or child will ease into caregiving by helping with one aspect of care. These range from driving and running errands together or keeping track of insurance and bill payment details or even attending doctor appointments together. About that time, due to the up close and frequent time with one another pushed aside needs are revealed. It may seem like nav- igating a hairpin turn when needs or medical developments come seemingly out of nowhere. But loving someone makes us dig deep and find
to both the caregiver and the one needing the special attention. The child or grandchild has the satisfaction knowing things are done the way the parent or grandparent needs them to be done. They also know that any instance may be the last time to honor their loved one with such service.
SENIOR DINING CENTERS
CITY
Hastings Woodland
Albion Battle Creek Battle Creek Battle Creek Marshall Tekonsha
Jackson Jackson Napoleon Spring Arbor
LOCATION
COA Building Eagles Club
FACILITATOR
Theresa Lancaster Leona Rairigh
PHONE
(269) 948-4856
(269) 367-4041
DAYS TIME
M-F 10am-2pm
M,W,F 10:30am-1pm
BARRY COUNTY
Delton
Faith United Methodist
Angela Soya
(269) 579-3918
M,W,T
11am-1pm
Nashville
Main St. Banqets
Jenny Burlison
(517) 213-9212
M-F
10:30am-1pm
Meals provided by Barry County Commission on Aging. A program sponsored by Barry County United Way.
BRANCH COUNTY
Coldwater
Coldwater Church of Christ
Alisha Carr
(517) 279-8249
M,T,Th,F
9am-1pm
Lunch Served at 12pm
Meals provided by Community Action Food and Nutritional Services. Funding sources AAA 3C, Branch County United Way, USDA, and private donations.
CALHOUN COUNTY
Albion
Albion Forks Senior Dining Center
Cynthia Rose
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Clarence Township Dining Center Bedford Manor Dining Center Lakeview 900 Territorial Dining Center Westbrook Place Dining Center Heritage Commons
Tekonsha Community Hall
Mark Rice Billy Castle Karl Hoard Michelle Dove Kitty Knoll
Senior Health Partners
(866) 200-8877 (866) 200-8877 (866) 200-8877 (866) 200-8877 (269) 558-6150
(269) 441-0948
M,T,W M,T,W,Th,F M,W,F M,T,W,Th,F T, Th
T
10:30am-1pm 10:30am-1pm 10:30am-1pm 10:30am-1pm 12-1pm
10am
Lunch served at 11:45am Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 11:30am Lunch served at 12pm
Senior Fit & Fun, Lunch after
Athens
Athens Lighthouse Community Center
Senior Health Partners
(269) 441-0948
Th
10am
Senior Fit & Fun, Lunch after
Battle Creek
Cherryhill Manor Senior Center
Constance Siegel
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W,Th,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Battle Creek
Springview Towers Dining Center
Eileen Worthington
(866) 200-8877
M,T,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 11:30am
Homer
Homer Presbyterian Church
Senior Health Partners
(269) 441-0948
T
10:30am
Senior Fit & Fun, Lunch after
Marshall
Marshall House Dining Center
Deb Trescott
(866) 200-8877
M,W,F
10:30am-1pm
Lunch served at 12pm
All sites have hot and cold meals. Meals provided by Senior Services SW MI. Funding by Calhoun County Senior Services, CareWell Services - AAA 3B, USDA, and private donations.
JACKSON COUNTY
Grass Lake
Grass Lake Food With Friends
Annie Lavergne
(517) 788-4364
T, Th
10am-3:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Crouch Senior Center
King Rec Center, Food with Friends Napoleon Township Hall
Spring Arbor Senior Center
Laurie Mead Laurie Mead Gail Jamieson
Shimone Glaspie
(517) 788-4364 (517) 788-4364 (517) 788-4364
(517) 750-1010
M,T,W,Th,F M,T,W,Th,F T, Th M,T,W,Th,F
8am-4pm 10:30am-1:30pm 10:30am-1:30pm
9:45am-1:45pm
Lunch served at 12pm Lunch served at 12pm Lunch served at 12pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Jackson
Park Forest
Laurie Mead
(517) 788-4364
M,T,W,Th,F
10:30am-1:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Michigan Center
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church
Laurie Mead
(517) 788-4364
M,W,F
10am-2pm
Lunch served at 12pm
Norvell
Norvell/Township Hall
Gail Jamieson
(517) 788-4364
M,W,F
10:30am-1:30pm
Lunch served at 12pm
To have your senior dining center added or changes to your listing, Call Sherii at (269) 979-1412 ext. 302 or Email: ssherban@wwthayne.com