Page 15 - Senior Times South Central Michigan April 2023 - 30-04

Social Engagement Plays an Important Role in Maintaining Independence
By: Stacy Wines, CEO, CareWell Services SW
Kinship Korner
Senior Times - April 2023
Page 15
Family Enrichment Center Regional Resource 3 Team Sharon Dewey
Foster Care Navigator
Email: SDewey@fecfamily.com
Ph: (269) 660-0448 www.Fecfamily.com
When children are removed from their home and placed with relatives by CPS it is often without much warning or time to prepare. For those of you who work, this can cause a lot of stress. This month we offer steps on applying for childcare.
Children placed in your home by CPS will automatically qualify for childcare benefits regardless of fam- ily income if there is need. DHHS defines “need” as both parents work- ing, attending school, or job training. Sometimes graduate programs and certain job trainings do not qualify. It is best to double check with your worker to make sure.
Applying for childcare benefits can be confusing especially if you have never had to apply for benefits before.
To apply for benefits, access an online application through MiBridges: https://www.mich- igan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339- 71547_73804---,00.html.
One tip I would encourage you
to do when applying to help move the process along is to indicate the application is for a foster child and even documenting in the notes sec- tion that says, “We automatically qualify for childcare because the application is for a foster child and qualification is not based on income but on need.”
Payments to the childcare provider are retro-active. It is best to apply for childcare as soon as you have a child placed with you, so they are able to approve it ASAP. DHHS
has up to 30 days to respond to your application once it is completed and submitted. Once approved, payments will be paid directly to your child- care provider (this includes any back payments).
You will also need to submit a provider verification in order for the provider to receive payments.
If you need help in finding a childcare provider you can check out: https://www.greatstarttoquality. org/.
Make sure when selecting a day- care that you discuss any costs with the childcare provider up front. The higher the provider is rated the more DHHS will pay out. Most likely you will still have a co pay that you will be required to pay out of pocket on a weekly or monthly basis. Some providers will work with you until payments kick in and others will ask you to pay the full amount up front.
The Family Enrichment Center will help daycare emergencies at the Take-A-break Child Care Center. Please call (269) 660-0449 to inquire about available openings.
Independence is something that we crave at every stage of life, including as we age into the later stages of life. At CareWell Services, one of our main focus areas is promoting independence for seniors. One of the ways we can do this for our loved ones as their abilities and needs change is to consider what supports or assistance we can provide to help them remain as independent as possible.
puzzles, crafts, dancing, exercise, gardening, billiards, educational lunch and learns, book clubs, and more are offered at senior centers.
While it’s important to have tough conversations with aging loved ones before it’s too late, many well-meaning relatives overreact to initial warning signs and limit independence more
than is required. Before you
take over Dad’s financial life or move Aunt Sue into a nursing home, make sure you understand the severity of the situation and react accordingly. Even though they may not be in a position to do everything on their own, it is important to make sure they have as much independence as possible to keep them happy and healthy as long as possible.
or other group participation. Sometimes you may have to bring the community to your aging loved one.
Calhoun County is fortunate to have the Kool Family Community Center in Battle Creek, Forks Senior Center in Albion, and Heritage Commons Senior Enrichment Center in Marshall. Barry County aging adults can find a variety of activities and programs at the Barry County Commission on Aging.
Social engagement plays a significant role in independence. To age successfully, it is helpful for older adults to maintain their social engagement. This may be in their community, among family or friends, or within their church
I often hear folks say how they wish they could find activities for their loved ones
to have more social interaction.
I quickly suggest their local senior center is a great place to interact with others. Card games,
I remember as my mom battled cancer, the weaker her body became, the less she was able
to maintain social engagement outside of the home. At that point, more people came to visit her
It is important to make an effort to engage your aging loved one in their favorite activities to help them maintain independence. This may require you looking differently at how to approach certain activities. Whether it’s going for a stroll, planting flowers, or paying bills, be creative in how you approach them to assist your loved one in doing tasks they enjoy.
at her home. Other than going to the doctor, Mom was pretty much homebound at that point. While she had less socialization due to lack of mobility and transportation, those who visited her did help her maintain social engagement.
It is a difficult balance to help your loved one maintain their independence as they age while keeping them healthy and safe. You may be asking yourself what can be done to help preserve their independence. Call us! We’re here to help. CareWell Services has trained resource specialists to assist you in working through the maze of aging while maintaining independence for your loved one.
Caregiving Support for Those Caring for a Loved One with Dementia
By: Linda Frost, Dementia & Caregiver Outreach Coordinator, CareWell Services SW
Receiving a dementia diagnosis for a loved one can
be overwhelming and scary
as the person responsible for providing care. There are a
lot of considerations, from understanding the changing needs of your loved one to arranging all the necessary support.
series, we will be talking about Care for the Caregiver. This class will take place on Wednesday, April 26 from 6-7:30pm. During this session we will help you better understand dementia, the different types, and symptoms. We will also discuss the journey of becoming a caregiver for a loved one experiencing dementia, the change in relationship, identifying the strengths of
other parts of your life, sharing caregiving responsibilities, understanding the physical and emotional effects of caregiving, and how to take care of your own health. We will also provide additional resources to help you on your caregiving journey.
CareWell Services is here
to help! Our Dementia Series, hosted in partnership with the Willard Library, offers support, information, and resources for family members, friends, and caregivers as they care for their loved one with dementia.
You will leave the class with information and resources to help you care for your loved one and yourself well!
In the April session of the
This session will also emphasize the importance of balancing caregiving with the
Visit CareWell Services’ at www.carewellservices.org to learn more about our other caregiver support programs.
your loved one as their abilities change, and the importance of communication.
To register for Care for the Caregiver, please call CareWell Services at (269) 966-2450.
PROMOTING HEALTH INDEPENDENCE CHOICE