By Alexandra Newman
“Oh, I don’t need you yet!” – A phrase I hear at almost every single community outreach event I attend on behalf of Area Agency on Aging.
While I don’t presume to know what your individual needs are, I believe that knowing what resources are available in our community, whether you need them or not, makes our community stronger.
Last week I attended Resource Wednesday at Mosaic Resale in Benton Township. The event is put on each week during the organization’s Feel-Good Fridge time where community members can come get food items free of charge. It’s an amped up food pantry where Mosaic CCDA is working to meet social, health and other needs all in one place.
Area Agency on Aging (AAA) will have a table at the event each fourth Wednesday of the month to connect with attendees and give them information about our various programs, but many great organizations are there each week.
During last week’s engagement, I spoke with a woman named Michelle who is in her 60s and lives in Benton Harbor.
Michelle told me that exact phrase, “Oh, I don’t need you yet!” She added she can still get around, has all her Medicare figured out, and isn’t really interested in volunteering.
When I mentioned “nursing home-level of care provided in the home” her eyes widened, “My sister might qualify for that. Our family has been talking about looking at nursing homes for her, but she wants to stay at home.”
Now that’s not a direct quote, but a paraphrase of what she expressed. I thought, “see, she did need us.” It’s always a tiny victory when I can get someone to relate our services to their own lives.
Another gentleman, Randy, stopped by my table and again, I got the “I don’t need help!”
I tried to keep him engaged for a bit longer when he mentioned his “sugar.” So, I mentioned our Diabetes PATH class and his eyes widened as well, “I need help managing my diabetes!”
He even pulled out his blood sugar monitor to show me how high it was at that moment. I handed him a flyer, discussed the class with him a bit more, he thanked me and went on his way.
I have hundreds of these interactions each year and I share these examples now because it’s never too early to plan on how you want to age or learn about resources so you can help your family, friends and neighbors.
Resources like our Info-Line for Aging & Disability, 800-654-2810, which is always free. Our aging specialists are standing by to walk you through your options when it comes to any community service you might need.
I also sometimes get the question, “what age do Area Agency on Aging services start at?”
My answer is typically that it depends on what your need is. Some programs start at 55, some at 60, Medicare Assistance is 65, and others, like our MI Choice Waiver program, start at 18. Many of our education and volunteer opportunities are available to all adults. And anyone who has a question about aging related services can give us a call on behalf of an older adult, person with disabilities or caregiver.
For those who might want to pre-plan for how they’re cared for as they age, we can do that too. Our aging specialists are available for paid consultations to go over your options and create a Custom Care plan for you.
“I make too much for your services!” We get this sometimes too. But whether you have no resources or lots of financial resources, AAA expertise is available to assist you in navigating issues of age or disability across the lifespan. From private-pay, cost sharing programs to Medicaid, we’re here to help.
Find us out in the community or give us a call at 800-654-2810 today.
The Generations Column appears each week in The Herald-Palladium.