September marks National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to remember lives lost to suicide as well as raise awareness about this urgent public health crisis.
Suicide rates are on the rise among older adults, particularly men. In fact, in 2021 and 2022, people ages 75 and older had the highest suicide rate among all age groups, largely driven by males, according to a 2023 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
To learn more about how you can identify the risks and warning signs in someone you love, as well as the resources available through The Senior Alliance, check out our latest blog.
We are thrilled to honor Shanon Astin as our Star of the Month!
Here’s what her manager, Sarah, has to say about her:
“Shanon has been with our agency for a little over a year and has made herself known to be a phenomenal team player! Shanon works alongside Renee to order services for our program participants. Shanon, along with Renee, have been able to get the number of program participants in Waiver who are waiting for services down to a number that we saw pre-COVID. Currently, in the MiChoice Waiver Program, we have, on average, only 20 clients who are currently waiting for services, and this is a direct reflection of the incredible work that Shanon and Renee do! Shanon is extremely detail orientated, passionate about the work that she does and the clients that we serve, she is quick to learn, and she has outstanding computer literacy skills. Shanon is an incredible asset to not only our Support Specialist team but also the agency as a whole! Keep up the great work, Shanon!”
Likewise, here are words from her team partner, Renee:
“Shanon is a great partner and is always there for me. Her skills and knowledge have been a great asset. Her commitment and dedication are clear. She is truly a blessing, and her big heart is shown daily, professionally and personally. I’m grateful for her showing me what a strong partnership is. Thank you!”
From all of us at The Senior Alliance, thank you, Shanon, for all you do to make a difference at work and in our community!
In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of the Senior Alliance is joined by Dr. Kristine Ajrouch, Research Professor at the University of Michigan and a member of The Senior Alliance Board of Directors.
For over 20 years, her research has focused on Arab Americans in the U.S. with a focus on aging from the perspective of older adults in the metro-Detroit Arab-American and Muslim communities.
Jason and Dr. Ajrouch discuss the new Census ethnicity classification for Middle Eastern and North Africans that will help research and studies on the needs of older adults in the United States and The Senior Alliance service area. They also discuss the characteristics and dynamics of the Metro Detroit Arab-American community and why it is unique, compared to other regions of the United States. They also talk about how aging and longevity have changed over the years and what The Senior Alliance and other Area Agencies on Aging can do to address the needs of aging minority populations, which have been underserved.
As a part of our new website, we’re proud to also launch the Caregiving Haven, an online collection of tools, resources, and connections to empower caregivers and their loved ones.
As a part of the haven, we have collected a library of 50+ online classes and educational videos available on demand in partnership with GetSetUp.
These videos are designed to support caregivers with training, education, and self-care they need to be successful.
Videos cover a variety of topics, from health and wellness, food and nutrition, technology, fitness, and more:
Visit the Caregiver Educational Video Library.
Our nation’s aging population is growing rapidly, with more and more people living longer lives with less money available to them.
And today, with our nation experiencing the highest inflation rate in 40 years, the aging population is especially vulnerable.
Many count on Meals on Wheels to provide for their most basic needs.
Meals on Wheels volunteers are essential to caring for our community’s most vulnerable. Sign up now and help us make a difference in Wayne County.
Annual enrollment for Medicare Part D is a critical period from October 15 to December 7, 2023, during which aging adults and their caregivers can make changes to their Medicare plans or explore additional assistance programs to better suit their healthcare needs.
The holiday season is a time of joy, giving, and celebration, but unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers are more active than ever.
1 in 7 older adults in the U.S. struggle with food insecurity. On the holidays when traditional food delivery services are not available, aging adults in our community count on The Senior Alliance to provide a hot meal.
