Page 22 - Senior Times South Central Michigan June 2021 - 28-06

Page 22
Senior Times - June 2021 Grands
THE TIES THAT BIND
Gail Gallagher, Special to Senior Times
SUMMER FUN WITH THE GRAND KIDS
Summer fun with the grand kids is just another beautiful extension of being with your special little ones. The point is, is that it really does not matter what you do or where you go, just being with them is what counts.
The joy of being together is conta- gious; anything can be fun.
Family Taking Care of Family
The ultimate in retirement living, offering a unique combination of independent and assisted living units.
• Safe and Beautiful Community
• Independent and Assisted Living
• 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments/Rooms • Nutritious and Delicious Meals
• Scheduled Transportation • Extensive Social Activities • Housekeeping
• Pet Friendly
CARVETH VILLAGE • Family Owned and Operated
690 W. Main St., Middleville MI 49333 • (269) 795-4972 • www.carvethvillage.com
Day trips and outings always bring excitement to the kids. One of the most enjoyable times with my grand chil- dren was taking them to the airport and watching the planes come in. To see
to their faces as planes come in for a landing or take off is a thrill for them. It is also fun to see them get excited over the planes coming in from different countries. That’s an educational oppor- tunity in itself.
There are a million things you can do. Inside activities are great fun, but it seems most kids like the outdoors better where they can be themselves and not have to worry about being quiet.
Grand parents often take their grand children on fishing trips and that is
a real memory maker for most grand fathers and grand sons. What great bonding time that is!
BARRY COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING
Delton Faith United Methodist Church
(269) 579-3918 11:00am-1pm
Friendship Center Locations:
Hastings COA Building:
(269) 948-4856 Mon-Fri 10 am-2pm
Main St. Banquets:
Woodland Eagles Club:
(517) 213-9212 Mon-Fri 10:30am-1pm
(269) 367-4041
Mon, Wed & Fri 10:30am-1pm
• Home Delivered Meals. For homebound seniors that are unable to pre- pare meals, can receive delicious meals at home. Special diets available. • Senior Center Activities including line dancing, card making, beading,
cards, bingo, and many others.
• Senior Meal Choice Dining. Restaurant-based senior dining program. • Chore Service provides minor home repair for seniors.
There are many more activities and opportunities to volunteer your time and talents! Just Call Barry County Commission on Aging for more information.
320 West Woodlawn Avenue, Hastings, MI 49058 Phone: (269) 948-4856 | Fax: (269) 948-3336 E-Mail: bccoa@barrycounty.org | www.barrycounty.org
For inside interest and fun, children’s museums are a great choice. Start early so that they can take advantage of all the fun activities designed for different ages.
Summertime art classes are offered in many local communities and kids usually love to go, not only to enjoy the crafts offered but to meet new friends. Many places offer classes designed for both adults and children combined.
If grand parents have the kids for an extended length of time over the sum- mer, they can always provide fun things for them to do. Grand parents never run out of ideas. For example, after letting them play in the water sprinkler in the back yard, bring them in to bake cook- ies. While the cookies are baking and filling the house with that wonderful aroma, the children can be involved in a board game.
But it is not only for grand fathers and grand sons because my favorite summer memories are the times my grand mother went camping with us. We did not set up tents like most peo- ple. We slept under the stars! What a memory maker that was. The nights were as black as could be and the stars shone brighter than diamonds. I did not even mind the occasional mosquitoes.
On rainy days, grandmas always have several crafts ready to go. Painting rocks is fun, especially while looking for the best ones to paint. All the dif- ferent shapes and sizes give the kids a chance to be creative.
My grand mother would get up early and wake me. We would go down to the lake, sit in the boat and fish before anyone woke up. After that she would make breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon. For summer fun, I cannot think of anything better than that!
IMPLANTS $675
Eat Apples Again!
(No More Sticky Glue.)
Implants $ 675 Per Tooth (Does Not Include Crown)
Full Service Dentistry
WE CARE FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN
We Do Everything Dental Related (no referrals needed).
All Services Provided in a
PAINLESS Manner.
For patients needing dentures, or have poor fitting dentures, get implants and hold your dentures tightly in place.
DR. WEST
RIGHT CHOICE DENTAL
475 E. Columbia Ave., Suite #5, Battle Creek, MI 49014 (Lower level)
(269) 968-9923 rightchoicedentalbattlecreek.com
On bright sunny days, picnics are
an easy choice. You know grandma can always fix a basket of her own home- made goodies and find the perfect park nearby.
Maintain Independence
with Safe Driving Tips
By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher
Older drivers can be safe drivers. As you get older, you'll likely notice physical changes that can make certain actions – such as turning your head to look for oncoming traffic or driving at night – more challenging.
Driver safety requires more than understanding road signs and traffic laws, it includes maintaining your health as well.
you're feeling fine.
Consider your physical limitations
and make any necessary adjustments. For example, if your hands hurt when gripping the steering wheel, use a steer- ing wheel cover that makes holding and turning the wheel more comfortable.
Senses such as hearing and vision tend to decline with age. Be sure be checked regularly. Impaired hearing can limit the ability to hear an approaching emergency vehicle or train. Vision chal- lenges – such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration – can make it difficult to see clearly or drive at night.
You can improve driver safety by driving during the daytime, in good weather, on quiet roads, and in familiar areas. Limit distrations. Plan routes to avoid rush-hour traffic. Delay a trip
if the visibility is poor. Beyond road conditions, make sure you're in optimal condition to drive. You might need to adjust your vehicle or choose a differ- ent vehicle to better meet your needs.
Other things to consider include staying physically active improves strength and flexibility. In turn, phys- ical activity can improve driver safety by making it easier to turn the steering wheel or look over your shoulder while driving and parking.
Publisher’s note: If these tips still don’t give you the results you’re look- ing for it may be time to consider
other alternatives. If you become con- fused while you're driving or you're concerned about your ability to drive safely, or loved ones or others have expressed concern, it might be best to stop driving. Consider taking advan- tage of other local transportation options. Find a list of options on page 5 of this issue of Senior Times. Giving up your car keys doesn't mean the end of your independence. Instead, consider it a way to keep yourself and others safe on the road.
Work with your doctor to manage chronic conditions – especially those that might impact driver safety, such as diabetes or seizures.
Of course, it's equally important to know your medications. Many drugs can affect driver safety, even when