By Danna Downing
Life rarely goes as planned. The longer we live and the more complex our living environment becomes, the greater the likelihood we will encounter surprises, both good and challenging. So, why bother planning? We make a plan because the exercise of planning helps us to:
- Think through the details,
- Understand what truly matters to us,
- Build a team of experts and resources for aging well,
- Reveal the risks we may face, and
- Find alternatives more quickly when the plan goes awry.
People over 60 years of age make up more than 25% of the population of Kalamazoo County. The odds are good that about 70% of us will need long-term care support of some type before we die. With assistance from the community, friends, and family, we are more likely to be able to stay in our homes longer. It’s the wish that most of us desire.
One of every four adults provides informal unpaid care, on average, $7,000 worth, to family and other loved ones. To do this, all caregivers will need to know how to access home-based services to support them in caring for an aging person. They will also benefit from learning about other types of long-term care support.
We are fortunate to have our own Area Agency for Aging in Kalamazoo County. We are also lucky to have a senior millage to share and leverage state and national revenues prescribed when the Older Americans Act was enacted in 1965. In addition, we have South County Community Services and Vicksburg Home Health Care, both senior millage-funded providers. They and other senior care specialists can help families access 45 unique services available to meet the top needs of seniors and their caregivers, here in Kalamazoo County. In 2023, 564 South County older adults benefitted from such services.
Take time today to check out the services such as emergency assistance, pantry shopping, transportation, and home safety help, which are available for seniors and caregivers at South County Community Services, located at 606 N Spruce Street in Vicksburg. Prepare and learn about many other older adult services by calling the Kalamazoo County Area Agency on Aging at 269-373-5173. You will also want to learn more about our new Active Aging Center, a joint project between South County Community Services and the Vicksburg United Methodist Church. The Active Aging Center will help seniors stay active and connected to the community. For details, contact Senior Services Outreach Coordinator, Brian Penny at 269-649-2901 or bpenny@southcountycs.com.
With each piece of helpful information about resources for older adults and their caregivers, you have begun your plan. You also have taken a major step toward being a better neighbor and friend to all the seniors you know and love. Add to that, critical conversations with family members and close friends and you are well on your way to better aging and increased peace of mind for future years.
In the coming months we will be sharing inspiring stories about local seniors and their caregivers. The goal is to help readers understand important issues in caregiving and how these families have been able to better help their loved ones embrace their later years.
