Join Michigan's Caregiver Coalition / New Book about Black Family Caregivers

Issue 42

Featured

Join the Conversation to Help Caregivers across Michigan

A grant from the national Changing the Care Conversation program is funding a new caregiving coalition focussed on the needs of caregivers. The Coalition is an initative of the SE Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative and will be a supportive network and resource for caregivers throughout the region.

To succeed, it needs YOUR VOICE.

Goals are to:

Address the needs, challenges, and barriers identified by family caregivers.
Increase access to social support and community-based resources.
Highlight the impact of cultural diversity on caregiving.
Engage and educate the public about family caregiving.

Click the red button below for additional information or to join the coalition.

Caregiver Coalition Interest Form

Events & Activities

Website, Workshops & Trainings

Opting for End of Life

Ten states now permit Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) — why do patients request to end their lives early, and how do medical providers make sure they mean it?

Esmé Deprez father texted her to say, "He was ready to die, and he needed my help." His statement wasn't a surprise. At age 75, Ron Deprez had endured a gradual decline from a progressive and inevitably fatal neurodegenerative disease known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.

He had told his children that after considering his options he chose to pursue a medically assisted death. Under Maine's Death With Dignity Act, he obtained consent from his physician and agreement from his family. MORE

Services & Info

Dementia caregiving expert Jill Gafner Livingston shares her inspirational story of personal caregiving and offers tips and tools for caregivers of loved ones with dementia. Free handbook included.

Hartland: In-person

Friday, June 2, 2:00- 4:00 pm

Hartland Senior Center

Virtual, via Zoom

Wednesday, June 14, 6:00 -8:00 pm

Clinton Township: In-person

Wednesday, August 9, 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Macomb County Office of Senior Services

Free transportation and respite care may be available for in-person sessions. Ask when registering. Advance registration required below or call (833) 233-2200.

Need help as a caregiver?

And you live in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair or Washtenaw County . . . call AAA1-B at (800) 852-7795

Find University of Michigan events for persons with dementia and their caregivers in this Calendar List. Click on the name of the event listed to learn more or to register.

Participate in Research

Memory & Alzheimer's Disease Study

This study seeks to determine how the ability to learn and remember new associations between concepts is related to risk for Alzheimer's disease. The study needs adults age 65 to 89 years old with no memory or thinking concerns. Participation involves a 60-90 minute virtual visit and a brief questionnaire to be completed before the study visit. Participants receive $20.

More Information

Questions? Email: Kylie Kadey at kylie.kadey@wayne.edu or 313-577-9260

Measuring Dementia Caregiving Styles

Our goal is to develop a questionnaire that can quickly understand how caregivers approach dementia-related care and use this information to tailor supports and services to each caregiver’s unique needs.

We are looking for unpaid caregivers currently providing some form of physical assistance, emotional support, or financial assistance for a family member or friend who has a doctor’s diagnosis of an age-related dementia.

Participation involves a 75-minute survey with the option to complete a 20-minute follow-up survey. Participants receive a $30 gift card for the first survey plus $10 for the second survey.

Contact sophia.tsuker@wayne.edu or call 313-355-3557.

Full Flier

Voice Care:

Communication and Technology Use

in Older Adult Care Networks

Researchers at the University of Michigan are recruiting older adults (ages 65+) and their unpaid caregivers (18+) to participate in a two-part research study. In this two-part study, participants will be asked to (1) give feedback on a newly developed voice technology in a 45-minute session and (2) use the technology in their homes over a 4-week period.

Participants will receive up to $130 for participating. No experience with voice technologies is required.

If interested, please complete this brief survey (bit.ly/vcscreen).

Questions? Email: VoiceCarePrototype@umich.edu or leave a voicemail at 734-615-1299.

Safety & Health

Michigan Guide for Family Caregivers

Find an advocate, connect with Medicare/Medicaid programs, research caregiving help, check if you qualify for benefits -- it's for Michigan residents and its all available in the Michigan Resource Guide for Caregivers from AARP.

Have you been scammed, exploited, had your identity stolen or otherwise been a victim of financial fraud?

Call LaToya Hall @ 313-664-2608

SAFE Can Help

Successful Aging thru Financial Empowerment (SAFE) provides free financial coaching to older adults and caregivers to help them manage money securely and accurately. If you've been a victim of fraud or exploitation, let SAFE work with you to recover your money. Help is safe, confidential and free.

Are you vulnerable to financial exploitation?

Take our quick survey HERE to learn your risk