Page 18 - Senior Times South Central Michigan May 2023 - 30-05

Page 18
Senior Times - May 2023
GET MOVING WITH THE GRAND CHILDREN
By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher
You may know that my grand babies are a special focus in my life. Truth be told, they really aren’t babies any longer but there is something about switching to grand children that changes the conversation. Grand chil- dren can do so many more things than grand babies. Grand children are more mobile, they can share their hopes and fears, and their words are priceless!
bites, and cow manure on area fields. And so we learn more about nature.
We laugh. We learn. We love time together. And our mental health soars.
Spending time with my grand children is one of the most magical of times. All other cares are put on pause and my focus chang- es to making every moment count. And my mental health soars.
or when they learn new things. It’s amazing to see the expression of understanding a new concept on their faces. In April, we had our first wedding in the playroom. They brought in every chair they could find, each with a stuffed animal posing as a guest. One grand daughter wrote the script and performed the ceremony. The next dressed as the flower girl and then the bride. Interestingly, there was no groom. We punted. I was given the role
Grand children are a great motivator for me to stay active. I want to be able to keep up with them when they go running in the yard or swimming in the lake. I want to be able to attend every event I can whether it’s dance, gymnastics, soccer, school functions, or just plain ‘ole family fun. I don't’ want to imagine a day when I have to enjoy life with my grand children from the sidelines.
I could play ‘the queen’ for hours. It may require that I dress in ‘power shoes’ while brandishing a ‘scepter’ made from Tinker Toys and ‘ordering the castle guard to escort my princesses to the ball.’ On the other hand, I might be given the task of being the librar- ian and we will sit and read books, for a few minutes at least. It really doesn’t matter to me. And even if it did, the best part is that their focus changes from castles, to dance recitals, to building with blocks, to reading a book, to craft projects, to outside picnics, to flying a kite, to dollhouses, all while chang- ing from princess dresses to dance costumes and other outfits five times. And this all takes place in just ten minutes. Did I mention they are more mobile?
of photographer. It took over an hour to get ready for the event and five minutes to carry it out. (Shortest wedding ever!) And then we switched to making baby doll clothes.
What it means for me is to cherish the regular reminders that eating and living well are all worth it. Plenty of intentional movement and exercise for us means yoga, walking, or riding our bikes. Daily activi- ties inside and outside of the house and at work are also critical; there is great value in the household tasks beyond a tidy home... increased strength, dexterity, flexibility, and beautiful flower garden areas too.
My time with the grand children is truly their time, and they know it and love it too. Our time is special and without expectations, well unless we are completing a necessary school lesson. This week I learned new math strategies. Interesing. I love watching them experiment with using items in new ways;
Truth be told, not every moment is bliss- ful, but every moment is memorable. We have become avid bakers but not all the treats come out as expected. We eat them anyway. Sometimes we burn the pancakes, or Minnie Mouse looses an ear when we flip them. We eat them anyway and tell magical stories about how Minnie lost her ear. Every now and then they both want the same dress up outfit but we work it out. And now that we are going back outside again there will likely be a skinned knee or two, mosquito
Creating a strong body comes from eat- ing foods that will build a stronger immune system and reduce inflammation, getting fresh air, and enjoying plenty of exercise and movement to strengthen the way the body functions. For those with chronic conditions, it’s critical to manage them effectively or work to overcome them. You, along with your health care providers, can make the best food, movement, and medication choices for your specific circumstances.
Keep moving! You’re grand children are going to love it!
ORGANIZATION
Alamo Transportation
Alpha Medical Transport
Battle Buddy Mobility Transport
BC Go
Branch Area Transit Authority
Community Action Senior Transportation
Marshall Dial-A-Ride
Ready Ride Transportation
Senior Transportation, DC Services LLC
AREA
Calhoun & Jackson Counties
Battle Creek Area
Southern Michigan
Battle Creek Area
Branch County
Calhoun County- Albion
Marshall
Michigan
Michigan, Northern IN
SERVICE CONDITIONS
Door-through- Door Service
Ride Sharing
Curb-To-Curb
Origination To Destination
PHONE
(517) 494-0029
(844) 895-4809
(269) 719-2501
(269) 966-3474
(517) 278-5889 (269) 565-4144
(269) 781-3975
(616) 261-2400 (517) 677-9262
HOURS
M-F, 7am-5pm
By Appointment
Daily by appointment
M-F 6am-9pm,Sat 9am-5pm
Daily
M,T,W,F, 9am-2:30pm
M-F, 7am-6pm
By Appointment
By Appointment
COST
Bills Medicare/Medicaid
Arranged through individual health insurance plans; direct pay not accepted
Bills Medicaid
Cost ranges from $3 to $15, depending on miles traveled
Half Fare for Handicapped & Senior Citizens Over 60
$1 suggested cost share per ride, funded by Senior Millage
$1.50 one-way for seniors, 60+, disabled, children 5-12, $3.00 adults/children 13+
Contact for Rates $0.50/mile
NOTES
Must schedule more than 24 hours in advance
Will transport within the State when available. Veteran discount.
Additional passenger $3, call for additional restrictions
Weekly Subscriptions Available
Must schedule more than 24 hours in advance
Free on Wed for seniors, age 60 and over
10% Discount for Veterans Starting from Tekonsha
SENIOR TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES
Albion Marshall Connector
Marshall, Ablion
Curb-To-Curb
(269) 781-3975 or (517) 654-3000
M-F, 7:30am-5:30pm
$1 one way for seniors, 60+; disabled & children 6-12,
$2 adults/children 13+
Must have exact change, can receive tokens for future trips if you overpay
Area Wide Transportation
Southern Michigan
(269) 679-6999
Available 24 hours/ day
Bills Medicare/Medicaid
Rider responsible for any costs not covered
Battle Creek Tele-Transit
Battle Creek Area
Door-to-Door Service
(269) 966-3474
M-F, 5:15am-mid- night, Sat, 9:15am-5pm
$2 one-way for senior/disabled, Personal attendants ride free, $7 adults ($5 after 6:45pm)
Reservation Needed, 10 punch pass for $20, 20 punches for $40
Battle Creek Transit - Fixed Route
Battle Creek Area
Fixed Routes
(269) 966-3474
M-F, 5:15am-mid- night, Some Routes Sat, 9:15am-5pm
$0.60 seniors
Must have exact change, 12 punch pass for $6, 48 punches for $24
Community Action Senior Transportation
Calhoun County- Battle Creek
Origination To Destination
(269) 565-4144
M-F, 8am-4:30pm
$1 suggested cost share per ride, funded by Senior Millage
Must schedule more than 24 hours in advance
JTC Transportation Service LLC
Calhoun County Area
Within 150 miles
(269) 339-6928
Daily 6am-8pm
Wheelchair $45+$1.25/mile, Ambulatory $35+$1.25/mile after 20miles
Mobility 1 Transportation
Southern Michigan
Will Travel Out Of Michigan
(269) 430-5055
By Appointment
Can bill some Medicaid plans
10-15% Disc for ambulatory frequency
JNZ Transportation
Michigan
(517) 879-0978
7-days, 6am-6pm
Wheelchair $45+$2/mile, Ambulatory $30+$2/mile
Details subject to change.To have your senior transportation added or changes to your listing, Call Sherii at (269) 979-1479 ext. 2 or ssherban@scenepub.com.