Category Archives: Health

Why socialization is important for aging adults

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


As you age, it can be difficult to be as socially active as you once were. You might find yourself making excuses or giving friends a rain check on social gatherings. However, this kind of social avoidance can lead to serious consequences for your physical and mental health. Take a look and see why socialization is so important for aging adults.

Why don’t seniors socialize?

It’s very common for seniors and older adults to avoid socializing at the same rates they did when they were younger. But why? For some, it’s because of the decreased mobility they have as they age. When it’s hard to drive or get in and out of vehicles, or if you need to use a walker or wheelchair to get around, going out and socializing becomes a demanding and laborious task.


In addition to struggling with mobility, seniors can find themselves having much less energy throughout the day and becoming exhausted quickly—making evening dinners and events tiring rather than invigorating. It also becomes more difficult to navigate unknown environments, so staying at home becomes a preferable option to going out. 


For some seniors, there are more than just physical barriers between themselves and socialization. As adults age, it can become more and more challenging to be emotionally available for family and friends. Seniors may be upset at their condition or frustrated in general, and want to avoid interactions and isolate themselves thinking that will be the better option. However, the opposite is often true.

Socialization lowers rates of depression

Depression is unfortunately a common mental health problem among seniors. Senior depression is usually brought on by the loneliness or guilt seniors feel when they isolate themselves as they age. Symptoms include:

  • Lack of energy & motivation
  • Feelings of sadness or despair
  • Difficulty sleeping (or sleeping much longer than normal)
  • Feelings of self-loathing
  • Sudden weight loss or gain
  • Slower movement & speech
  • Increased abuse of alcohol
  • Neglecting personal care (like showering, grooming, or eating)
  • Loss of interest in hobbies
  • Thoughts of suicide

While older adults who feel this way might not want to socialize, isolation always makes depression worse. Socialization provides opportunities to learn, converse, laugh, and be stimulated—all of which can make depression more bearable for seniors. Socialization can also decrease the odds of getting senior depression at all.


Remember, if you are at all concerned that you or a loved one is suffering from depression, get help and speak to a professional right away.

Socialization improves memory and can help prevent dementia

Over the years there have been countless studies that have linked a lack of socialization to an increased risk of dementia and other memory diseases. As adults age, it’s important that the brain remains stimulated and engaged. Socialization can help seniors maintain proper cognitive function by exercising their brains in different ways then it works while someone is alone.


In fact, a very recent study suggests that interactions with friends (who are not relatives) can decrease dementia risk by as much as 12%. Socialization decreases the stress on the brain that can slow down mental functions, and well as create a “reserve” of mental energy, all while promoting healthy behavior and interaction.


Want to learn more about dementia? Download the FREE eBook here!


It’s important that your brain doesn’t just sit in your head as you age, and socializing with others can challenge your cognitive thinking and functions in helpful ways that build brain strength and endurance.

Socialization makes seniors happier and healthier

It’s not just mental health that can be improved with socialization—it can also help boost your physical energy as well. Studies have made connections between lowered social activity and high blood pressure, and some new theories are suggesting that high rates of social interaction can lower the chances of osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular disease in older adults.


Most importantly, social interaction makes people happier. Seniors who are socially active are more likely to be physically active as well, and they are less stressed, have longer lifespans, and have greater self-esteem than seniors who are isolated. 

Social opportunities near you

There are plenty of ways for you to be social, or to help a loved one stay social as they age. Opportunities for socialization include:

Senior living communities like assisted living give people plenty of opportunities to grow socially without needing to find ways to leave home or travel to other locations. Because of the group environment and daily activities in senior living, there are plenty of ways to cultivate new relationships and meet people socially without dealing with stress.


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.





Exalta Health president resigns, interim president comes from board of directors

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Exalta Health provides health care to an underserved population at two clinics, one in the 2000 block of Division Avenue. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

After less than three months on the job, the president of Exalta Health — a south Grand Rapids healthcare provider to persons regardless of their employment, health insurance and limited financial ability — has resigned and the organization will now be led by an interim president.

Exalta serves residents of both Wyoming and Kentwood.

Exalta Health announced early this month that former Byron Center School District superintendent Dan Takens, who took over as Exalta Health president in early February “decided last week that he needed to resign for personal reasons and the board reluctantly accepted that resignation.”

Ed Postma. (Exalta Health)

Takens replaced Bill Paxton, who had retired. Ed Postma, a member of the Exalta Health Board of Directors and a former chair of the board, will take over as interim president as the board enters a new search process, according to supplied material.

Postma worked at Amway for almost four decades in international contract compliance, risk management and international business development, and he is presently a consultant with Cross Creek Consulting.

“Even in the midst of COVID-19,” Postma said in supplied material, “when we have seen fewer patients in person, it has been clear to me and to many others how important Exalta Health is to a part of our population that is often ignored.

“Not just our medical and dental services, but our behavioral and spiritual care services have been a lifeline to many. People know we are here for them, and we plan for that message to continue to come through loud and clear in this time of transition too.”

According to supplied material, in 2019, Exalta Health served 1,099 medical patients, 1,210 dental patients and provided just over 9,000 total services. Staff at the facility includes a medical director, a dental director, social workers, a chaplain and a variety of administrative positions. It also relies on more than 100 medical, dental and other volunteers annually to provide its services.

About 17 percent of Exalta Health patients have insurance, of which most use Medicaid, meaning insurance is just 4.2 percent of its revenue. “The donor community, including businesses, individuals, churches and foundations, helps cover the gap between what services cost and what patients can pay,” according to the Exalta Health statement.

Exalta Heath is located at 2060 Division Ave S. For more information visit exaltahealth.org.

Snapshots: WKTV healthy food stories you might have missed

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Food, Going Local, Health, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Upcoming Events

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces — just good food from fresh ingredients.”

Julia Child

Local farmer’s markets are open, opening

Among the announcements of cancellations and/or delays in programming comes some good news: many area farmers markets such as the Metro Health Farm Market and the City of Kentwood Farmers Market will open as scheduled. Get the latest news on when and where. Go here for the story.

A customers picks up a delivery from Green Wagon Farms at the Ada location of a local REKO market in early May. (WKTV)

Shop the Finnish way … Go REKO!

There are many models for consumers to “buy local and eat local” — home and community gardens, farmer’s markets, CSAs, farm stands — but a group of small, local producers are giving the European-bred REKO model a try, and doing so for many reasons. Go here for the story.

Eating the Mediterranean Way … wine anyone?

We always hear about the latest fad diet, but don’t we often wonder what really works? The Mediterranean diet, however, isn’t a diet so much as it’s a way of living. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

8 percent (longer life)

There are several studies that have been associated the Mediterranean diet with a longer life. One review conducted by Italian researchers on an overall population of over 4,000,000 showed that a diet can reduce risk of death by 8 percent. Source.

How resilient are your brain connections?

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Findings provide a target for drugs designed to support and maintain dendritic spine health. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


The conclusion of a recent study suggests possible new ways to prevent or slow the memory-destroying disease, Alzheimer’s, researchers said.


For the study, the researchers analyzed brain samples from patients at memory clinics and found that the presence of healthy dendritic spines (connections between neurons) provide protection against Alzheimer’s in people whose brains have proteins associated with the disease.


The findings, published in the Annals of Neurology, are the first of their kind, the study authors said.


“One of the precursors of Alzheimer’s is the development in the brain of proteins called amyloid and tau, which we refer to as the pathology of Alzheimer’s,” said the study’s lead author, Jeremy Herskowitz.


He’s an assistant professor with the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine’s department of neurology.


“However, about 30 percent of the aging population have amyloid and tau buildup but never develop dementia. Our study showed that these individuals had larger, more numerous dendritic spines than those with dementia, indicating that spine health plays a major role in the onset of disease,” Herskowitz said in a university news release.


Neurons, which are brain cells, are constantly sending out dendritic spines in search of other neurons. When they connect, a synapse—an exchange of information—occurs between neurons. This is the basis for memory and learning, the researchers explained.


“One obvious culprit in Alzheimer’s disease is the loss of dendritic spines and thus the loss of synapses,” Herskowitz said.


“This would impair the ability to think, so the assumption has been that those without dementia had healthy (dendritic) spines and those with dementia did not. But no one had gone in to see if that was true,” he noted.


Healthy dendritic spines could be genetic, or the result of beneficial lifestyle habits—such as good diet and exercise—which are known to reduce the risk of dementia, Herskowitz said.


The findings provide “a target for drugs that would be designed to support and maintain dendritic spine health in an effort to rebuild neurons or prevent their loss,” he added.


“This data suggests that rebuilding neurons is possible. And as we are better able to identify the increase of amyloid and tau early in the progression of the disease, even before symptoms arise, we might be able to one day offer a medication that can contribute to maintaining healthy dendritic spines in those with the Alzheimer’s pathology,” he concluded.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.

Born in Finland: Amid added desire for ‘farm to table’ consumer confidence, a new food delivery model begins

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Customers and an herb/flower vendor at the Ada location of a local REKO market in early May. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

There are many models for consumers to “buy local and eat local” — home and community gardens, farmer’s markets, CSAs, farm stands — but a group of small, local producers are giving the European-bred REKO model a try, and doing so for many reasons.

Yes, the direct producer-to-consumer financial model is good for sustainable agriculture businesses. And, yes, there is something about being able to see the fields and greenhouses where your root vegetables, or micro-greens, were grown.

But in the age COVID-19 and other concerns of food safety, of wondering how many hands have touched your food before yours, the Facebook-based sales model developed in Finland and mostly unheard of in the U.S. — pronounced “RA-ko” — also holds a certain attraction.

Karin Uebbing, of Byron Center’s Woodbridge Dairy Farm. (WKTV)

The model’s direct producer-to-consumer ordering and delivery system “shortens the (number of) hands that touch food, there is less of a line to get to your food,” Karin Uebbing, of Byron Center’s Woodbridge Dairy Farm, said to WKTV last week, at the opening day of a weekly delivery location in Ada. (The REKO also has a delivery location in Holland.)

Currently local vendors can be found at rekomarket.com, and the list includes bakeries and a local ice cream producer in addition to farms producing vegetables, meats, eggs, tea, herbs, honey, maple syrup, cornmeal, and even wool and locally-made compost — Jenison’s Wormies Vermicompost is a member.

“We are a pasture-based protein farm … meat and eggs, (our) milk is a heard-share. That’s a little bid different,” Uebbing said of her farm’s offerings.

Rebecca Henderson, farm manager at Ada’s Green Wagon Farms. (WKTV)

The driving force behind the new market concept, Rebecca Henderson, farm manager at Ada’s Green Wagon Farms, explained the system: Each week, small-scale, sustainable farmers and producers post available products to a public Facebook group, managing their own sales from their online stores. Then bags of food are brought to the drop-off locations for pickup.

And unlike many Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) groups, a membership is not required, and consumers can order one week and not the next, depending on what’s available.

“Right now we have a whole lot of leafy greens,” Henderson said to WKTV. “But we are about to get into the summer season, so pretty soon we’ll have summer crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers. But right now we have everything from kale to lettuce (and root crops from) beets to carrots to parsnips.”

History of REKO, in Europe and in Michigan

“Reko is a trade model that started in Finland about seven years ago, it is spread pretty widely across Europe,” Henderson said. “We first heard of REKO at the Northern Michigan Farm Conference in 2019 from Swedish farmer Richard Perkins.

A customers picks up a delivery from Green Wagon Farms at the Ada location of a local REKO market in early May. (WKTV)

“There are so many great things about REKO for the consumer, but for us, the presale market is efficient, eliminates wasted product we might have at the end of a slow day at the farmers market, and requires virtually no setup or tear-down.”

And, echoing Uebbing, there is a “producers’ hands to consumer’s hands” advantage.

“It produces a quick and easy transition between producers and consumers,” Henderson said to WKTV. “We have always enjoyed (a personal relationship between producers and consumers). We go to the farmers market year around. We see weekly, dedicated customers coming to us. We get to build relationships with those people.

“It is great for consumers to build that relationship with their producers. But, also, in light of everything that is going on, people care more and more where their food is coming from. There is a huge surge in local food right now. Consumers want to know their food is being handled safely. We have had this idea, to bring this Reko model to the local market, and there is no better time to do it.”

How the local REKO works

As explained by the local REKO’s promotional material: “For the consumer, (the model) brings market-shopping into the digital age, allows for planning and shopping to be done in the comfort of your own home — and accelerates the actual pickup time to a short weekly errand, instead of a half-day event. In the days of COVID-19, avoiding congested grocery stores, supporting local businesses, and finding a one-stop pickup for a variety of staple goods is particularly meaningful.”

Customers and vendors at the Ada location of a local REKO market in early May. (WKTV)

As witnessed at the Ada drop-off location last week, until further notice, REKO is et up for no-contact pickup, requiring social distancing and masks for all shoppers and producers. Pre-payment options are available, and desired, for most vendors.

Availability from producers will be posted weekly on the Facebook group for each drop-off location (Holland and Ada) as producers may not attend every week and require different order deadlines. Market shoppers must place their orders prior to the deadline and pick up their pre-packed orders within the short pickup window.

The two current REKO markets are Thursdays from 3-3:30 p.m. in Ada, at The Community Church, and from 12-1 p.m. in Holland, at the Holland Town Center and the hope is to continue the markets year-round.

“For us, I’m not trying to feed the world, I’m just trying to feed the community,” Woodbridge Dairy Farm’s Uebbing said. “It’s what allows us, as a farm, to stay in business. We are direct to the end-consumer. If I didn’t have them, we would not be here.”

Inner City Christian Federation expands family emergency shelter housing

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The kitchen and dining room of Inner City Christian Federation’s new homeless family housing unit suitable for a small family. (Supplied)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF), reacting to a need for more COVID-19 related family “stay-at-home” housing, announced this week that it has expanded its emergency shelter services with a recently renovated and opened 3-bedroom home in Grand Rapids immediately adjacent to its existing 5-unit emergency shelter, Family Haven.

According to supplied material, the new space was purchased from the City of Grand Rapids and allows ICCF to “serve and support additional families experiencing homelessness” during the current coronavirus conditions.
 

“Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our neighbors experiencing homelessness are facing even more challenging obstacles to finding stable housing. Adding to our capacity at Family Haven at a time like this was the right thing to do,” Ryan VerWys, CEO and President of ICCF, said in supplied material. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer another place in our community where entire families experiencing homelessness can stay together in a safe, clean, welcoming environment while they find permanent housing.”

The new housing unit is a 3-bedroom house suitable for a small family, according to supplied material. The exact street location was not made public.

Renovations were completed with “tremendous support” from local churches, businesses, and volunteers. New mechanicals, including a new furnace, were donated by a local distributor. Plumbing and HVAC work was donated by DHE in Hudsonville.
 

The home was furnished with “generous donations” from Huizen’s Furniture, Estate Sales Warehouse, Ada Bible Church, Covenant Christian Reformed Church, and Berean Baptist Church.

ICCF is the oldest non-profit affordable housing provider in the state of Michigan, according to supplied material. Active in the Grand Rapids area since 1974, ICCF serves more than 2,200 households a year through its programs and services. Program offerings include Family Haven emergency shelter, 439 units of affordable rental housing, newly constructed homes for purchase, homeownership education and financial counseling.

For more information visit www.iccf.org.

What is holistic care for seniors?

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


There are new advancements being made in medical fields everyday, which can mean great things for seniors who are in need of medical treatment. Even as scientific progress continues to make a significant impact, it’s just as important to meet the needs of a patient that go beyond medical care at the same time. A person’s physical, emotional, and mental states are just as important as their physical condition. 


So how do we meet those needs? Holistic care is an approach to healing that works to include all areas of a person’s wellbeing in their treatment plan. Most people are confused about what holistic care means and how it can apply to them — and in the case of seniors who need care, how it can improve their lives. Let’s take a look at what holistic care is and how it can apply to your loved one’s care plan. 

What is holistic care?

Holistic care is centered around a philosophy of healing the whole person. This means looking at a patient as a person first, not as a diagnosis or set of care needs. Holistic care takes into consideration other aspects of a person beyond the physical, including their feelings, emotions, and overall state of mind throughout their care journey.


In addition, holistic care tries to fix the cause of a condition instead of just managing the physical symptoms of sickness. Holistic treatments include not only the traditional remedies that you would receive from a regular doctor, but also different ways to help treat conditions that go beyond traditional medicine. 


Take, for example, migraines. If someone complained of migraines, a holistic medical practitioner would give the patient medication to manage pain just like most doctors. However, they would also look at what could be behind the headaches, such as a bad diet, poor sleep, or high stress levels. They would then suggest additional treatments for those factors, like a new diet plan, different habits for better sleep, or a massage or meditation course to help decrease stress.


Holistic care practitioners try to make patients feel dignified, respected, and heard by considering the physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual needs of a patient. Common examples of holistic care include:

Holistic care & seniors

As people age and become seniors, they generally find themselves struggling with more and more health problems. This can be incredibly difficult to handle, especially if pain is a daily symptom. Many seniors look to avoid having an overwhelming amount of prescriptions and medications, many of which come with serious side effects.


While the benefits of medical science have undeniably come a long way, it’s also important that seniors feel valued as people. Holistic care can be a great supplemental option for seniors who want to maintain their dignity, feel valued and respected, and have different options for treatments and pain management alongside traditional remedies. 


Holistic care can have additional benefits that make a big impact on seniors, including:

  • Opportunities for socialization
  • Healthy relationships with long-term caregivers
  • Cognitive development and maintenance
  • An increased sense of self-worth and self-respect
  • Staying independent for longer
  • Spiritual and religious comfort 

Seniors don’t want to feel like a burden on their caregivers, and a brusque attitude can make them feel as though they aren’t being valued as people first and foremost. Seniors with serious illnesses can quickly become depressed if they aren’t treated with compassion and respect. Therefore, it makes sense that holistic care can go a long way in helping seniors mentally, emotionally, and physically.



Kentwood parks system to expand with donation, purchase of 109-acre Christian Athletic Complex

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An athlete working out on one of the fields at the currently called Christian Athletic Complex, which will now become a City of Kentwood park titled Covenant Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood’s parks and recreation system is set to expand greatly as the City Commission last week approved the acquisition of nearly 109 acres of the property known as the Christian Athletic Complex .

 

Accord to a statement from the city, an anonymous donor gave a “substantial” gift to the Kentwood Community Foundation for the purchase of a parcel, located at 3402 36th St. SE, with the conditions it will be used by the city for park and recreational purposes.

Previously owned by the Christian Reformed Recreation Center, the property contains a golf course, softball fields, soccer fields and a clubhouse, as well as picnic pavilions and other outbuildings. The property will now be named Covenant Park and feature a dedication plaque from the anonymous donor’s family.

“In our ongoing planning for the next 50 years, we are always exploring ways we can improve the quality of life and expand both recreational and economic opportunities for our residents, visitors and our region,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “The strategic location and size of this property lend itself to our goals of continuously meeting the needs of our community and West Michigan. We are humbled by the opportunity this donation presents for us, underscoring that even in these trying times, good things are still happening.

“Our park and trail system is one of the true gems of our community. We are very grateful to the donor, the donor’s family and the Kentwood Community Foundation for this generous donation of the Christian Athletic Complex, which will allow the city to preserve the property as a valued recreational destination in Kentwood for generations to come.”

The property has frontage and access points both off Shaffer Avenue SE and 36th Street SE. It is bordered by industrially zoned property to the east and a mix of residentially zoned properties to the north, west and south.

 

Plans for development of the property and how it will be incorporated within the current park system will begin soon, according to the city statement. The city will include the property and its development in the master planning process. The City has updated its Parks and Recreation Business Plan and completed master planning all of its existing community parks in 2018.

Parcel split; soccer club gains home

As part of the agreement, the CAC property, which was originally one parcel of nearly 120 acres, was split into two. While the city will receive the 109-acre parcel, the remaining approximately 11-acre parcel will be donated to and owned by nonprofit soccer organization Midwest United Football Club for its continued operations for the next 30 years.

A sign seen from 36th Street at the currently called Christian Athletic Complex, which will now become a City of Kentwood park titled Covenant Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

According to the city’s statement, Midwest United FC’s mission is “to provide a quality soccer program that promotes the growth of, and the appreciation for, the game of soccer to kids in West Michigan.” The organization strives to promote the highest levels of sportsmanship, develop soccer skills and increase the understanding of the sport of soccer for their pleasure, with the possibility to play the game at the college level or beyond.

“Today, we are thankful for the generosity and faith a donor had in our organization and mission,” Midwest United FC General Manager Kristie Hollingsworth said in supplied material. “This faith and generosity provided an opportunity for Midwest United FC to call the property our true home and will allow new partnerships to form.”

History of Christian Athletic Complex

The Christian Athletic Complex has served a wide area of community needs over the years, including recreational activities for people of all ages and venue space for corporate events, meetings and open houses.

The currently called Christian Athletic Complex will now become a City of Kentwood park titled Covenant Park. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

According to supplied material, the organization was founded as the Christian Reformed Recreation Center shortly after World War II to provide an opportunity for Christian Reformed youth to participate in sports camps and summer sports leagues. Over time, it grew and developed into a larger Christ-centered organization providing outdoor space for youth and family recreation with more than 240 softball teams at its height and an 18-hole golf course.

“The CAC Board could not be happier placing this beautiful piece of land into the care of the City of Kentwood and Midwest United FC,” CAC Board President James Oppenhuizen said in supplied material. “As it became clear we were unable financially to continue to further our mission, we searched for someone who would continue using the land for outdoor youth and family recreation.

“Through the diligent efforts of an enormously generous donor, the City of Kentwood will be able to perpetually use the land for exactly that reason. Midwest United FC will also be able to continue and expand its top-notch youth soccer program.”

Know the warning signs of suicidal thoughts

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The sharpest rise in suicide rates has occurred among men aged 45 to 64 and girls aged 10 to 14. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Family, friends and acquaintances can play a key role in suicide prevention by being alert for signs and taking action to help someone who may be struggling, a mental health expert says.


Nearly 43,000 Americans commit suicide each year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. For the past two decades, suicide rates have been rising in the United States, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.


The sharpest rises in suicide rates have occurred among men aged 45 to 64 and girls aged 10 to 14, according to the CDC.


“There remains a lot of stigma associated with people who seek help for mental health, which prevents them from getting the assistance they need. We need to pay more attention to suicide prevention,” said William Zimmermann. He’s a clinician supervisor of New Jersey Hopeline, a suicide prevention hotline operated by Rutgers University’s Behavioral Health Care.


Many people mistakenly believe that suicides happen without warning. But most people who attempt suicide try to communicate their distress or suicide plans to someone, Zimmermann said in a Rutgers news release.


The problem is the suicide plans or thoughts may not be clearly stated, so asking direct questions about suicide can start the conversation and help-seeking process, he said.


Asking someone about suicide won’t put the idea in their head, Zimmermann said.


Warning signs of suicide attempts include increased substance abuse, anxiety, agitation, difficulty sleeping, dramatic mood changes, a feeling of hopelessness and being trapped, having no sense of purpose, social withdrawal, uncontrolled anger and reckless behavior.


If a person talks about wanting to hurt or kill themselves, threatens to hurt or kill themselves, or talks about looking for a method to kill themselves, get them immediate help or guidance by contacting a mental health professional or a suicide prevention hotline, Zimmermann said.


If you’re concerned about someone, ask them directly if they are thinking about suicide, Zimmermann said. He suggested saying things like: “I care about you. Some of the things you’ve said or done have made me wonder. Are you thinking about killing yourself?”


If they say they are considering suicide, don’t judge, don’t deny and don’t promise to keep it a secret, Zimmermann said. Get support for the person talking about suicide and for yourself, he said.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




As ‘stay-at-home’ eases, Kent County COVID-19 contact tracing — and community volunteer need — remains important

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Brian Hartl, supervising epidemiologist at the Kent County Health Department, talked to WKTV this week about the county’s Contact Tracing Volunteer program.

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

As Kent County, with the rest of Michigan, begins to come out of its “stay-at-home” COVID-19-limiting efforts, the county’s Health Department remains hard at work with efforts to identify and keep track of persons actively infected — and those possibly exposed to the coronavirus.

And a key element in the county’s contact tracing effort is its on-going Contact Tracing Volunteer program.

“It is really important to control the spread of infection, that is our main goal with this … prevention and control of COVID-19 in our community,” Brian Hartl, supervising epidemiologist at the Kent County Health Department, said to WKTV this week.

The Kent County Health Department (KCHD) is currently seeking contact tracing volunteers to work with the department’s staff “mitigating the community spread of the virus and in supporting patients with a suspected or confirmed infection,” according to supplied material.

“We are really looking for someone who is comfortable with talking with people,” Hartl said. “Really, that is our main criteria, the prerequisite, that you feel comfortable talking with people on the phone. I think if you have some sort of science or health care background, where you are comfortable talking about health concerns, or infections, that is an added bonus.”

While volunteers will be asked to use their own home computers and personal phones, they will be give training, including “sensitivity training.”

“Training is obviously necessary, to help them understand what this is all about,” Hartl said. “Anytime you are talking about someone’s health, you have to understand that this in confidential. Sometimes people get concerned with charing their information with a stranger from the health department. And so confidentially is important. Some of these calls can get sensitive, and emotional.”

And always of great help are persons of diverse cultures and languages.

“We are seeing a high burden (of infections) in populations who are non-English speaking here is Kent County,” Hartl said. “So, individuals who are from those populations, who can speak those languages, are of great need at this point and would be an amazing benefit to this endeavor.”

County’s contact and isolation protocol

Hartl also detailed the KCHD’s overall process of “prevention and control of COVID-19” in Kent County.

“When we get a positive case of COVID-19, our investigators will contact that individual by phone to do that interview, an investigation,” Hartl said. “That investigation includes when their symptoms started, what types of symptoms they had, where they may have picked up the virus, if they have an idea. And then we ask a lot of questions about who they came into contact with 48 hour prior to their getting their symptoms, up to the point we are talking to them.

“We want to make sure all the individuals who may have been exposed to the persons who is sick are identified,” he said, adding that the focus of the questions are “high-risk exposures” to the sick individual.

“We get a list of those contacts, and we, in turn, contact them and ask them about their health to see if they have symptoms yet or if they are well. And then we recommend those individuals do a 14-day quarantine period from the last time they were exposed … periodically, our contact tracers call those individuals to make sure they are asymptomatic, and make sure they are still abiding by the quarantine recommendations. On the 14th day … we would release them from that quarantine.”

Hartl said it is also part of the protocol to “contact the (active) patients every couple days, just to make sure they are doing well and their symptoms have not gotten worse, and to make sure those individuals are isolated. … those individuals are isolated for a period of at least 10 days to make sure they are symptom free … and they can be released from isolation.”

For more information on the Kent County Contact Tracing Volunteer program, visit accesskent.com/health or email pamela.brown@kentcountymi.gov.

Study: Active body shapes agile mind

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Physical activity is one of the leading factors in determining brain health in middle age and later years. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Want to reduce your risk of dementia? Take care of your heart.


That’s the takeaway from a new study that suggests good heart health in middle age could lower your odds for problems with thinking and memory later in life.


The study included nearly 7,900 British adults who did not have heart disease or dementia at age 50. Over an average 25-year followup, 347 cases of dementia were diagnosed among participants. Average age at diagnosis: 75.


After taking other factors into account, researchers linked a higher score at age 50 on seven healthy habits outlined in the American Heart Association’s “Life Simple 7” with a lower risk of dementia later in life.


The Life Simple 7 assesses smoking, diet, physical activity, fasting blood sugar, blood cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index (a measure of body fat based on height and weight).


Dementia rates were 1.3 per 1,000 person years among participants who had high scores on heart healthy habits, compared to 3.2 per 1,000 for low-scorers, according to the study published recently in the BMJ.


A better score at age 50 was also associated with higher overall brain and gray matter volumes in MRI scans 20 years later.


Though the study could not prove that heart-healthy living actually caused dementia risk to drop, the researchers said their findings support public policies to improve heart health in middle age. They pointed out that dementia is a progressive disease that can start 15 to 20 years before symptoms appear.


“Our findings suggest that the Life’s Simple 7, which comprises the cardiovascular health score, at age 50 may shape the risk of dementia in a synergistic manner,” the study team wrote. “Cardiovascular risk factors are modifiable, making them strategically important prevention targets.”


The lead author is Severine Sabia of the French National Institute of Health in Paris and University College London.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



Anxious? Distressed? You’re not alone

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Hundreds of thousands of Americans live with serious psychological distress. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Dennis Thompson, HealthDay


More Americans than ever before are stressed, depressed and anxiety-ridden, and many are unable to get the help they need, a study suggests.


An estimated 8.3 million American adults─about 3.4 percent of the U.S. population─suffer from serious psychological distress, an evaluation of federal health data concluded. Previous estimates put the number of Americans suffering from serious psychological distress at 3 percent or less, the researchers said.


“Mental illness is on the rise. Suicide is on the rise. And access to care for the mentally ill is getting worse,” said lead researcher Judith Weissman. She’s a research manager in the department of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.


This increase is likely a lasting after-effect of the Great Recession that began in late 2007─a stress-filled time that caused long-term emotional damage to many Americans, Weissman suggested.


Many people psychologically affected by the Great Recession haven’t been able to get the help they need, either because they can’t afford it or because their condition hampers their ability to seek out treatment, she said.


As a result, hundreds of thousands of Americans live with serious psychological distress, an umbrella term that runs from general hopelessness and nervousness all the way up to diagnosable conditions such as depression and anxiety, Weissman explained.


“The recession seemed to have pushed the mentally ill to a point where they never recovered,” she said. “This is a very disturbing finding because of the implications of what mental illness can do to a person in terms of their ability to function and their life span.”


The study included national health data from a survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 35,000 households nationwide participate each year.


The investigators found that between 2006 and 2014, access to health care services deteriorated for people with serious psychological distress, compared to people without emotional distress.


Comparing self-reported psychological distress symptoms across nine years, the research team estimated that nearly one in 10 distressed Americans in 2014 did not have health insurance that would give them access to a psychiatrist or mental health counselor.


In 2014, people with serious psychological distress were nearly three times more likely to experience delays in getting professional help due to insufficient mental health coverage than people without serious distress, the study findings showed.


Approximately 10 percent of people with serious psychological distress could not afford to pay for their psychiatric care in 2014, up from just under 9 percent in 2006.


The economic turmoil caused by the Great Recession struck at the heart of the American dream, rattling some to their core, Weissman said.


“Earning and sustaining a living is getting harder for people, especially for men,” Weissman said. “The loss of jobs could mean there’s a loss of community and a loss of role as wage earners and providers.”


Dr. Harsh Trivedi is president and CEO of Sheppard Pratt Health System, a Maryland mental health provider. He said constant noise from the internet and social media likely serve to amp up people’s anxiety and angst.


“In the past, you may go out and meet with your friends and talk about something, but when you got home you’d go to sleep,” Trivedi said. “The difficulty now is you can’t really turn things off. We don’t necessarily have downtimes to recharge and get our bearings straight again.”


Weissman pointed out that psychologically distressed people already struggle to deal with the health care system, and on top of that there are national shortages of mental health professionals.


And, Trivedi added, the ongoing debate over the Affordable Care Act isn’t doing distressed individuals any favors.


“If you are in a more distressed state, how easy is it for you, from a psychological perspective, to seek care?” Trivedi said. “If the overall market is shifting, and you are more psychologically distressed, how are you going to have the faculties to keep track of your access to health care?”


Weissman said insurance companies should pay for mental health services, which need to be more fully integrated into primary care for people.


“We need to increase access to care for the mentally ill,” she said. “We also need to put trained psychiatrists and mental health providers within the primary care setting. If you have linkages of care within primary care, then the mentally ill patient can be helped even if they’ve come in for some other reason.”


The study was published in the journal Psychiatric Services.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Local ‘mutual aid’ group advocating for Wyoming, Kentwood renters in COVID-19 financial hardship

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Two members of the Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network (GRAMAN), working recently to provide grocery deliveries to households in need. (Supplied/GRAMAN)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network was formed recently in response to the COVID-19 crisis to offer direct neighbor-to-neighbor help to “neighbors in need” in the Grand Rapids area, specifically the cities of Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, and Walker.

Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network (GRAMAN) spokesperson Raina Cook told WKTV the group’s initial focus was to “provide grocery deliveries to households every day and provide financial assistance to marginalized people.”

But the group also recently joined a statewide effort to advocate for renters in COVID-19 financial hardship, and also joined the new local La Luncha fund to support “under-documented” and “mixed-status” families who are Kent County residents — an effort which has already gained financial backing from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

The graphic of Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network (GRAMAN). (Supplied/GRAMAN)

“GRAMAN is made up of volunteers who feel pulled to help members of the community who are struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis,” Cook said to WKTV. “Our giving circle is comprised of marginalized individuals who make decisions as to who we are able to give financial assistance to. This ensures that groups who have been affected by social disparities are prioritized.

“As a group of neighbors helping neighbors rather than a non-profit entity, we rely solely on contributions from the community and volunteer efforts. To date we have received over $50,000 in contributions that will go directly back to the community.”

Cook said Wyoming and Kentwood residents who want to request assistance can do so by filling out a form at  tinyurl.com/GRAMAN-Financial.

Cook added that before filling out the form, they are asking people to check to make sure whether someone in your household has already done so.

“If you have already completed this form, regardless of what was requested or offered, you do not need to fill it out again. If you have already been in contact with a member of our team, please reach out to them,” according to GRAMAN. “Due to the high volume of requests we are currently receiving, it may take a few days for us to get in touch with you. In the meantime, we suggest checking out this list of resources we’ve compiled” at tinyurl.com/GR-Resources.

Working with La Lucha fund

In late April, eight community organizations, also acting in response to COVID-19, established the La Lucha Fund, a fund that will grant short-term emergency aid to undocumented, under-documented and mixed-status families in Kent County — families who are not eligible for unemployment, CARES Act relief or other government support.

“La lucha” means “the struggle” or “the fight” in Spanish.

The La Lucha Fund is a collaboration between Movimiento Cosecha, the Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network, the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, the Latino Community Coalition, Latina Network of West Michigan, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and West Michigan Latino Network.

“We developed a partnership when La Lucha fund started in order to address the needs of thousands of under-documented folks in the Greater Grand Rapids area,” Cook said. “We had already been taking and meeting requests for groceries and cash for the under-documented — the folks working on La Lucha fund consulted with us and built off of our systems to create the system for La Lucha fund.”

Working to support renters under financial stress

Also in late April, a Michigan statewide group including Detroit Renter City, Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network, Together We Are Safe, Lansing Tenants Union, Greater Kalamazoo Area Renters Union, and No Rent MI called upon Lansing leaders to consider the suspension of rent, the extension of the moratorium on evictions, and a moratorium on all utility shut-offs.

  

“This grassroots coalition of tenant organizations are seeking to highlight the precarious situation that Michigan tenants find themselves in and the failure of the State to seriously address the looming housing and public health crisis in the age of COVID-19,” a press release from the group stated.

“We are working … to advocate for renter protections during the COVID-19 crisis and recovery period,” Cook said. “GRAMAN has aligned itself with these groups because we share the same goals in regards to making sure people are able to stay in their homes when so many other things are uncertain.”

The focus of the action is persons unable to afford rent — and facing homelessness — due to a slow unemployment filing process and the inability to gain assistance from other government programs. According to other media reports, Michigan unemployment claims have passed 1.2 million, with 81,000 new unemployment claims the last week of April.

In an earlier statement, Cook said “in Grand Rapids, landlords have been pressuring tenants to pay their rent and threatening them despite the current eviction moratorium” in Michigan.

“There is a statewide moratorium on evictions through May 15, but that is not sufficient,” Cook said to WKTV. “Undocumented individuals, for example, are not eligible for the stimulus payment. Many Michigan residents have been unable to receive unemployment benefits, as the unemployment agency is seriously overwhelmed. People are struggling to feed their families right now, and a rent freeze would give them some relief during this unprecedented crisis.”

Cook said GRAMAN is currently compiling information from renters with the goal of building a tenants union that would help renters support one another. She said Grand Rapids area renters can fill out a form to aid in that effort at tinyurl.com/twastenantsupport.

Additionally, No Rent Michigan is calling for the immediate suspension of rent collection and elimination of past-due rent as well as an extension of the eviction moratorium to 60 days after the end of the current state of emergency, as well as a moratorium on utility shutoffs, Cook said. And there is a petition is circulating to urge state lawmakers to enact these measures at https://tinyurl.com/mipetition.

How to get involved with GRAMAN

For more information about the Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network, or to get more involved, persons can email the group at grmutualaid@gmail.com — and they say they would “especially love help with intake and coordination.” Also, donations to the mutual aid fund can be made at tinyurl.com/GGRMutualAid.

Kent County mobile COVID-19 hotspot health screening app now available in Español

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The survey, now in both English and Spanish, asks: Are you experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms or not? (KCHD website)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Kent County’s Health Department’s Keep MI Healthy online screening application, which help health officials track potential COVID-19 hotspots, is now available in Spanish.

The app, which the county describes as a “secure, anonymous, web-based survey” was originally launched in English on April 13 and “provides health officials with valuable data that could potentially identify future COVID-19 ‘hot spots’ in Kent County.”

“Our ability to respond to this pandemic depends upon timely, accurate, and multi-sourced data,” Adam London, Kent County Health Department director, said in supplied material. “The information gathered through this survey will provide us with an additional layer of data to make strategic decisions on how we use our resources.”
 

The survey, now in both English and Spanish, asks: Are you experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms or not? To complete the survey, residents will be asked to answer four personal identification questions including year of birth, gender, county, and zip code.

All data will be kept confidential and housed in a secure database, according to the health department. Under licensed agreements, health care professionals, hospitals, and local health departments will have access to the anonymous data to learn more about the community’s health in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID- 19.

To complete the survey, go to keepmihealthy.org/ and click “Get Started!” … or “Emperezar!” in Spanish.

Upon completion, residents can optionally provide their mobile phone number to receive a daily text reminder to take the survey. By taking the survey daily, it will ensure health officials are making decisions based on the most current information available.

To learn more, review the frequently asked questions document at keepmihealthy.org/faq.

The application was designed by local technology developer OST.

The prudent pyre

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A bonfire adds a warm, welcoming glow to any graduation party. Just make sure the atmosphere is calm, not raucous and reckless. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Robert Preidt, HealthDay


Bonfires are a popular way to celebrate big events among teens, but they’re at risk for serious burn injuries, an expert warns.


“The only guaranteed way to prevent bonfire burn injuries is to not have a fire in the first place,” said burn surgeon Dr. Arthur Sanford, of Loyola Medicine in Maywood, Ill. “But if you do decide to have a fire for a prom, graduation or other occasion, there are simple ways to minimize the risk of burns.”


Check the weather and cancel the bonfire if high winds are forecast, he recommended in a Loyola news release. Clear all brush from the area and make a fire pit. Keep a bucket of water and garden hose close by.


Newspaper and small kindling provide the safest way to start a fire. If you decide to use charcoal lighter fluid, seal the container after use and keep it well away from the fire. Do not put lighter fluid on a fire after it’s started, Sanford said.


And, he added, never use accelerants such as gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene, and never spray aerosols or throw canisters or fireworks into the fire.


Keep the bonfire at a manageable size, no more than about four feet square, Sanford advised.


Everyone should stay a safe distance away and never horse around near a fire, he said. No one should drink alcohol.


Always put the fire out completely before you leave. Stir the ashes and douse them thoroughly with water. Sanford said Loyola’s burn center has treated numerous patients who suffered burns after accidentally walking on hot ashes.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


After month offline, and recycling piling up at home, county recycling center back in operation

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Recycling at Kent County’s recycling center will resume May 4. (Note: this file photo shows a worker prior to newly instated safety protections and equipment). (Supplied/KCDPW)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Kent County Recycling Center in Grand Rapids, which closed to all inbound loads of recyclables March 27 to limit exposures to COVID-19 to Kent County staff and workers, will come back online Monday, May 4, the Kent County Department of Public Works announced April 30.

Not only was the main recycling center — where household recyclable material is accepted, separated and processed for other uses — not accepting any recyclables but Kent County’s South Kent and North Kent transfer station were not as well.

Starting Monday, the main downtown center and the North Kent center will now be accepting household recyclables, although neither facility will be open on Saturdays at this time, according to the Department of Public Works (DPW) statement.

The DPW statement also acknowledged that dutiful recyclers were finding their bottles, cans and papers piling up.

So DPW is “celebrating” the restart by inviting recyclers to post photos of the recyclables they’ve been storing while the drop-off sites have been closed, tagging #returnofrecycling on Instagram or Facebook, or sending an email to recycle@kentcountymi.gov.

The Kent County Department of Public Works’ Recycling Center in Grand Rapids is coming back online, and so people can resume recyclables pick-up and drop-off. (U.S. Army)

“We thank residents who have stored their recyclables during the shutdown for their patience and commitment to recycling and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills,” Kristen Wieland, DPW communications manager, said in supplied material. “We encourage anyone with recyclables piling up in their garages to begin putting them out at the curb for collection now that we’re operating again.”

The DPW, in the statement, urged residents with stockpiled materials to recycle to follow the established guidelines for recycling in Kent County, which are available in the recycling guide on its website. (A graphic of which is shown below.)

If residents have been storing materials for recycling in bags or other containers, they are asked to remove all materials from bags before dropping them off or placing them in a recycling cart. If residents use a recycling drop-off station, they are reminded to keep 6-feet of distance between themselves and other recyclers.

“We’ve heard countless stories from dedicated recyclers who have been holding on to their recyclables and now have overflowing garages,” Wieland said. “I’m sure people are excited to get some of their space back, knowing their recycling is going to get processed and put back into new products.”

In addition to worker safety, the shutdown was necessary due to disruptions in recycling markets for processed materials. As other manufacturing processors shut down their facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kent County DPW’s ability to get recyclables to processors and end-users was constricted.

But Kent County DPW has now confirmed material sorted at the recycling center will be accepted by processors.

Early in March, the Recycling & Education Center received upgrades to its paper sorting equipment. These upgrades will improve the quality of paper sent to paper mills and will significantly reduce the daily maintenance time spent keeping the screens clean. The upgraded equipment also helps to keep workers safe by avoiding tangles that forced equipment shutdowns in the past.

The Kent County Department of Public Works provides municipal solid waste disposal services to ensure the effective removal, storage and disposal of residential and commercial solid waste. Additionally, Public Works operates the Kent County Waste-to-Energy Facility, an electrical generation facility. More information about the Kent County Department of Public Works facilities is available at reimaginetrash.org.

Spotlight on maternal depression

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Having a ready list of friends and family to help out can make all the difference for new moms on those overwhelming days. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Samantha Kauffman, Spectrum Health Beat


There’s no shortage of official and unofficial celebrations throughout the year, with different days and months designated for this cause or that.


Some days feel like marketing vehicles as much as cultural celebrations, such as national donut day or national taco day.


Other celebrations are rooted in promotions of careers or important social or medical causes, such as national nurse’s week and autism awareness month.


The organization Postpartum Support International has designated the month of May maternal depression awareness month.


In previous posts on this topic, we’ve explored tips for new moms and touched on possible ways family members and friends can help as new moms adjust to life after childbirth.


There’s little doubt that Mother’s Day played some role in choosing May as national maternal depression awareness month.


The campaign encourages people to share stories and seek help when they’re feeling down.


According to Postpartum Support International, untreated depression is the No. 1 complication in pregnancy and about 1 in 7 moms experience postpartum depression, but only about 15% seek treatment. The organization also feels that many new moms aren’t asked about how they are feeling emotionally.


I can say with confidence that at Spectrum Health family birthing centers, moms take a postpartum depression screening before they leave the hospital and often another at their postpartum follow-up visit.


The postpartum period from birth until the baby is about 3 months old is often considered the fourth trimester—essentially still part of the pregnancy period.


In those few short months, a mom’s body is still adjusting from a pregnant state to a non-pregnant state.

Here are some things new moms can do after having a baby:

Lifestyle focus

  • Take time for naps or occasional rest breaks. It’s not always possible to sleep, but if baby is sleeping, take that time to do something for yourself—read a book, watch a movie, take a bath or whatever you enjoy.
  • Don’t set high expectations for yourself for a while. I like to tell patients in class to think of their Top 3 things they need everyday, then pick one and share with their spouse. That one thing is the goal for the first two weeks.
  • Set limits with visitors so they don’t overstay their welcome.
  • Create a list of things that family, friends and others can do to help out.
  • Get outside for a short walk. Just a little basic exercise outside can really help you feel better.
  • Be open about how you feel with your partner.
  • Don’t compare yourself to others—especially on social media.
  • Expect to have some good days and some bad days.

Nutrition goals

  • Eat every few hours. Healthy food choices impact how we feel.
  • During pregnancy, consumption of foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids can help alleviate postpartum depression symptoms.
  • Your body mass index, or BMI, can affect anxiety and depression. One study showed that overweight women were at risk of elevated anxiety and depression at both four months postpartum and 14 months postpartum. (Interestingly, BMI wasn’t noted to affect anxiety levels during pregnancy.)

Seeking help

  • Look for support from family and friends. Avoid anyone who discourages or seems to bring you down.
  • Keep your postpartum appointment with your provider and call with any concerns that arise.
  • See if there is a postpartum depression group or mood disorder support group in your community.
  • Remember that dads can also experience postpartum depression symptoms—so be sure to keep an eye on dad’s mood, too.

Focus on baby

  • Strengthen your bond with your baby with skin-to-skin contact. This benefits both mom and baby—and dad, too.
  • An infant massage is great for bonding. It has been shown to decrease postpartum depression symptoms.
  • Smile, sing and talk to your baby regularly.

If you feel you have postpartum depression, you should call your OB provider.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


Kentwood parks and rec offers live and virtual ‘stay at home’ activities including fun 14-day Challenge

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The list of ideas of activities which people can do on your own or with the whole family from the comfort of their home include a unique 14-day Challenge. (Kentwood Website)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

During the statewide “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, the City of Kentwood’s Parks and Recreation Department’s recreation coordinators have put together a list of activities, videos, websites, and other resources for families to utilize — to “stay active for both physical and mental well-being.”

A Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department member offers a video on a simply fun cooking idea. (Kentwood Website)

The list of ideas of activities which people can do on their own or with the whole family from the comfort of their home include a unique 14-day Challenge that begins simply with everyday household tasks but graduates to planting a garden, practicing yoga and cooking for — if not with — kids.

“Like other parks and recreation agencies across the country, the City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department has worked quickly to transition programming to a digital format,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said to WKTV. “There has been a great deal of collaboration on ways we can all continue to serve our communities while adjusting to the new normal.

A yoga class to be done at home. (Kentwood Website)

“We’ve developed a resource hub, where people can explore our virtual programs as well as other activity ideas we’ve discovered on one easy-to-use webpage. … All activities are simple things people can do from the comfort of their homes.”

The list of activities is available on the city’s website at kentwood.us/virtual. They are also also sharing some of their virtual programs on the Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page.

Of particular note is the 14-day Challenge, though which participants can win a $5 gift certificate which can be used towards a Kentwood Parks & Recreation program.

To participate, according to the department’s website page, persons should simply take pictures each day of their challenge completion. At the end of the 14 days, submit the photos to erecreation@kentwood.us. Participants are also encouraged to share their photos in the comments on the department’s Facebook page each day. Those who comment with a photo will be entered to win a free City of Kentwood 5k race entry or a $10 gift certificate for parks and recreation programs. 

“We can’t wait to see your photos!” program information states.

May 5 local school funding vote in Wyoming, Kentwood to be a ballot process unlike any other

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A sign at the City of Wyoming City Hall informs people intending to drop off absentee ballots for the May 5 local school district funding votes. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Michigan’s, and so both Wyoming’s and Kentwood’s, voting process for the upcoming May 5 local school funding proposals may — or may not — be foreshadowing how the hugely important 2020 election cycle will  play out in August if not also in November.

But one thing for sure, the Kent County voting process, put in place in the aftermath of current COVID-19 restrictions and Michigan Secretary of State directives, will be unlike any the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood city clerk’s offices have ever seen.

The bottom line, according to the Kent County Elections Office, is that registered voters within the precinct boundaries of two local school districts with funding measure requests — Kelloggsville Public Schools and Godwin Heights Public Schools — should have automatically received absentee ballot applications.

(For more information on the Kelloggsville Public School District funding request, see a WKTV story. For more information on the Godwin Heights Public Schools funding request, see a story by our media partner School News Network.)

While applying for absentee ballots, and using them, is the “preferred” voting means May 5, “each jurisdiction is required to have one polling place open where individuals can vote in-person,” Robert J. Macomber, Kent County Chief Deputy County Clerk,  said to WKTV. “It won’t be a typical polling place as it would operate on election day normally.

“Anyone who walk-in on election day will be given a ballot and an envelope to put it in and it will be grouped in for counting with those that voted absentee prior to election day.  It’s essentially in-person absentee voting.”

And it is up to local clerks, such as the city clerks of Wyoming and Kentwood, to receive and county the absentee ballots on election day — including the ones dropped off at or walked into the clerk’s on that day.

A voting day unlike any other

This voting process “is certainly different, because all ballots will be processed as an absentee ballot,” Kentwood City Clerk Dan Kasunic said to WKTV, whose office has posted specific May 5 voting process information on the city’s website.

And while both Wyoming City Clerk Kelli A. VandenBerg and Kasunic will be busy on that day counting ballots, VandenBerg also hopes to have few people actually needing to walk in to register and/or vote.

“We have seen a steady stream of ballot requests and a return of voted ballots,” VandenBerg said to WKTV. “While ‘day of’ voting is an option, we are strongly encouraging voters use the absentee process as much as possible.

And extension of the existing City of Wyoming drop off (and usually drive-up) city business customer convenience, the city clerk will now collect absentee ballots via a drop box. (WKTV)

“We have received guidance from the (state) Bureau of Elections and we continue to working closely with both county and city staff to ensure we have a safe election for voters and workers. … Anyone entering a public building will need to have a mask, so we will be prepared to address that. One feature we look forward to is a new drop box that will allow voters to drop off ballots without having to leave their vehicle.”

VandenBerg also pointed out that “While some voters have experience with absentee voting, this concept is new to many others. I often hear concerns from voters about whether absentee ballots are counted.  And absentee ballots are absolutely counted. They are not held in case there is a tie, they are counted each and every time.

For Spanish language voters, a sign at the City of Wyoming City Hall. (WKTV)

“Also, I would ask that voters have patience if they do need to visit city hall on election day. My staff and I want to help any and all voters who wish to vote, but we also want to do so while maintaining safety for everyone.”

She also urged voters to check their registration status at mi.gov/vote, where they can verify registration, view a sample ballot and check the status of their absentee request.

Highlights of Kentwood’s voting process includes confirming that “All registered voters in Precincts 1-4-5 (Kelloggsville Schools) have been mailed an application for an absentee ballot,” according to the city website page.

Also, the registration process, if absentee ballot requests were not received, include the person wishing to register prior to the May 5 election day should make an appointment at the city clerk’s office and provide proof of residency.

In person voting — dropping off absentee ballots — and voter registration on May 5 will be at Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave SE, with the office open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. After registration, voters will be given absentee ballots to fill out and hand back — but “in person interaction will be conducted in adherence to social distancing and health safety measures,” according to the city website page.

The inner path to an outer glow

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If it’s great skin you’re after, make healthy food and hydration a priority. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Irene Franowicz, Spectrum Health Beat


Yes, some women can thank their genes for that youthful glow. But they don’t have the market cornered on smooth and seemingly ageless skin.


Those of us who haven’t been genetically blessed can still glide into our 40s, 50s and 60s with soft, dewy skin.


Vitamin-infused creams and lotions can certainly improve skin and hair, but if you really want to look great, you have to start on the inside.


The truth is, the right foods will not only help you feel great, they’ll also help you get beautiful locks and a glowing complexion.

8 essentials for better skin:

Water

Water is essential to providing moisture and suppleness to skin. It helps transport nutrients to all our cells—skin, hair and nails—and it’s a natural lubricant for our joints.


You should drink about half your body weight in fluid ounces each day. (So, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink about 75 ounces of water.)


If you’re feeling bloated, you may be retaining fluid from too much sodium. Drinking water flushes away excess sodium and aids in weight loss by removing excess water weight.


Want to add a refreshing flavor to your water? Add in a slice of lemon, lime or cucumber, or try my favorite: chopped fresh pineapple and fresh strawberries.

Vitamin A, beta-carotene

Think green vegetables, orange vegetables and fruit.


Vitamin A is an antioxidant that helps maintain and repair tissues in the body. It provides moisture for eyes, skin and epithelial cells that cover or line all our body parts, externally and internally.


Beta-carotene winners: sweet potatoes, mangoes, butternut squash, apricots, broccoli, collard greens, spinach and kale.


The options are without limit: Try some mango salsa. Toss a handful of baby spinach into your smoothie. Roast some butternut squash. Roast some sweet potatoes with olive oil. Enjoy a broccoli salad with cranberries and sunflower seeds.


You can make healthy substitutions, too. Instead of fries with your burger, trade them for baby carrots and broccoli with a spinach dip.


Just a tip: Traditional, store-bought spinach dip is laden with mayonnaise, so instead use thawed, drained and chopped frozen spinach to make it greener and healthier.

Vitamin C

The American Academy of Dermatology says vitamin C can be highly protective against sun damage. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties help reduce skin damage caused by free radicals, a harmful byproduct of sunlight, smoke and pollution.


This vitamin also promotes production of collagen, which acts like tissue cement to help keep skin from sagging.


Excellent sources include strawberries, blueberries, mangoes, tomatoes, bell peppers and citrus fruits.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E helps keep skin smooth, healthy and younger looking. It’s an antioxidant much like vitamin C, as it counters the effects of sun exposure. It’s also used topically as a cream and lotion to soothe dry skin.


Great sources include hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ and avocados.

B complex vitamins

A deficiency in B vitamins can cause dermatitis—an itchy, scaly skin reaction. Sources of these vitamins include bananas, eggs, oatmeal, whole grains, lentils and cereals.

Seafood

Seafood has good fats—essential fatty acids and omega-3—which help reduce inflammation in the body. These may also help reduce wrinkles.


The best types of seafood are salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel and sardines. Try adding a seafood meal twice a week. It’s as easy as a tuna fish sandwich for lunch and grilled teriyaki salmon for dinner.

Get calcium

What do milk, yogurt and soy have in common? They’re high in calcium, which makes them great not only for your skin, but for your bones and nails.


Yogurt also has probiotics that aid in digestion. It’s a great way to add protein and calcium to your smoothies.

Mediterranean staples

Don’t avoid fat just for the sake of your waistline. Eat the Mediterranean way and include plenty of olive oil, flaxseed, avocados, nuts and seeds.


Many women have dry, flaky skin because they don’t eat enough good fats—essential fatty acids. Fat is needed to absorb fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, D, E and K.


Enjoy some guacamole, serve olives on your appetizer tray, enjoy almond butter on your whole grain toast topped with banana slices, and top your yogurt with almonds and sunflower seeds.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.


EK’s Red Storm Robotics, ‘volunteer community’ make face shields to support COVID-19 frontline workers

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, Community Health, Education, Going Local, Health, Kentwood Public Schools, Local Faces, Tech Trends, WKTV Projects, ,
Some of the Red Storm Cares face masks were delivered to CareLink, fo them to use when dealing with customers. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

To say that the students in East Kentwood High School’s Red Storm Robotics program are ‘industrious’ would be a high-tech understatement. But the lessons they learn about robotics design and manufacture are only part of the curriculum.

Faced with a hiatus of the program in the light of COVID-19 school and social restrictions, one parent volunteer and Red Storm student looked around, saw a specific need for front-line medial workers, and realized they and the Red Storm community could be part of the solution.

A great first day. (Supplied)

The result, as of late last week, was the production and delivery of more than 1,200 protective face masks and ear guards (a comfort device for face masks) — at not cost to the users. The results are also another lesson for the Red Storm students about real-world applications for high-tech imaginations.

“It became clear early on that there was a shortage of PPE (personal protective equipment) in Michigan,” Trista Vandervoord, a mentor for the middle school program and parent to Red Storm student Ethan, said to WKTV. “We knew people were 3D printing PPE, and as a robotics team we have multiple 3D printers. It was an easy way to do our part. We borrowed five 3D printers from our robotics space, set up a print farm in the basement, and got to work. Once we identified the need, we felt we had to help if we could.”

The persons being helped include health care workers and other essential “front line” staff, almost all of them local in West Michigan but a few sent as far away as Tennessee.

A team effort to ‘do something good’

Trista and Ethan Vandervoord, getting a milestone delivery ready.(Supplied)

Trista and Ethan, an East Kentwood sophomore, started the project in early April by 3D printing themselves but also setting a community project with a dedicated website, a user request and distribution system, donation requests, and getting our drop site at the Kentwood Public Schools Administration Building.

Then the “Red Storm Cares: Operation Face Shield” 3D print army came charging in.

“More than a dozen Red Storm Robotics students are involved in a safe way, by punching holes in the transparencies, delivering face shields, writing emails to request support, writing thank you notes to our generous donors, and spreading the word,” Trista said. “It is a true team effort.”

The scope of production; shown are the ear guards (a comfort device for face masks). (Supplied)

The team effort is a coordination of volunteers, headed by team members of Red Storm Robotics, who are coordinating the effort independent of one another physically, “but united in spirit and drive to do something good,” according to supplied material.

“We are primarily providing face shields, which are composed of a 3D printed headband and a transparency sheet,” Trista said. “We have a 3D print army of individuals and robotics teams all over West Michigan who are printing in their own homes or businesses.

“To date, we have provided 1,200 face shields and 1,200 ear guards … and receive more requests each day. We have provided to hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, group homes, court bailiffs, pharmacists, community food distributors, COVID-19 test sites, and more.”

Some of the Red Storm Cares face shields were delivered to Rite Aid Pharmacy for use of the frontline workers. (Supplied)

The list of local places where the face shields have been put to good use include Cherry Health, Rite Aid Pharmacy, CareLinc Medical Equipment and Supply, and Pilgrim Manor Senior Living.

While their focus is in West Michigan, they also sent five to doctors at University of Tennessee Medical Center at Knoxville, “due to special request from a friend,” Tristia said.

The production lines; the supply chain

As with any Red Storm Robotics project, there were so initial design and production work to be done.

Ethan Vandervoord. (Supplied)

“We are using five 3D printers … and they are in production around the clock (literally),” Ethan, who is in his fifth year with Red Storm Robotics, said to WKTV. “We are using a tested shield design from Operation Face Shield Ann Arbor, who got us started in this effort. My dad is our technician, and he has learned a lot about 3D printing through this project.”

The project’s “top need now” is for additional members to join our 3D print army, Trista said. “We have filament, we just need people to turn it into useful items using their 3D printers. Beyond that, we have an Amazon Wish list at redstormcares.com for the community to purchase filament and transparencies for this project.”

The Wish List items are mailed directly to the home shop, and they also have a material donations drop site at KPS Administration Building, 5280 Eastern Ave. But, Trista stressed, no cash donations can be accepted.

For more information about Red Storm Cares: Operation Face Shield, visit their website or their Facebook page.

10 foods that boost energy and build endurance in seniors

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Food, Health, How-To's, Senior Living,
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


As older adults continue to age, it’s critical that they eat foods with nutrition to boost their energy levels and build their endurance. Without enough energy, physical and mental health can begin decline. In order to get that much needed energy boost, here are 10 foods that provide multiple health benefits for seniors.

1. Nuts

Nuts are full of healthy fats and proteins that give seniors nutritional energy. The amino acids in nuts can also help rebuild and strengthen muscles, which is great for simple stretching and exercising. 

Walnuts

Walnuts have plenty of fiber for seniors, and can be eaten on their own as a snack or in salads, deserts, and other dishes. Their high calorie count will also help provide seniors with all-day energy.

Almonds

The carbs and fiber in almonds are complicated and are broken down slowly, which provides energy throughout the day rather than all at once. This makes nuts a great pick-me-up with a long-lasting effect.

2. Berries

As with nuts, berries can be a quick snack that taste great and have many added health benefits that seniors can take advantage of. 

Blueberries

Blueberries are full of antioxidants, which not only provide immune-boosting effects, but can help protect muscles from weakening over time. Blueberries also have water packed into them, which keeps seniors hydrated and energized.

Strawberries

Strawberries have a lot of the antioxidants found in blueberries, along with vitamin C and healthy sugars that fight fatigue and slow inflammation in the body.

3. Whole grains

Healthy carbs like whole grains have complicated cellular structures that take time to break down during digestion, which provides a constant source of energy throughout the day. Switching from unhealthy carbs to whole grains is a small step that has lasting health benefits.

Oatmeal

The rumors are true—oatmeal is good for your heart! A bowl of oatmeal in the morning can give you much-needed energy throughout the day, as well as providing fiber and protein that seniors need to build their endurance.

Quinoa

Quinoa, which is more of a seed than a grain, is packed full of healthy carbs and protein. It also helps build and repair muscles, which helps seniors maintain their muscle mass and mobility as they age.

4. Sweet potatoes

Rather than white or yellow potatoes, give sweet potatoes a try! Sweet potatoes have much more nutritional value than other potatoes, even though the “sweet” in the name might imply otherwise. The sweetness actually comes from the complex sugars and carbs that give seniors energy and encourage them to exercise and build muscle mass.

5. Greek or plain yogurt

Plain or Greek yogurt provides a big boost of energy with healthy proteins and fats. Rather than the sweetened versions that add lots of sugar, unflavored yogurt gives you lasting energy. You can add some fruits or berries to get natural sweetness if you need!

6. Bananas

As most people know, bananas are high in potassium. What isn’t as well known is what potassium helps to balance hydration and deliver energy. In addition, bananas have anti-inflammatory properties that help seniors build endurance and heal torn muscles faster. 

7. Beans and lentils

Beans and lentils are high in a number of vitamins and minerals, such as zinc, iron, and magnesium. Replenishing minerals can help seniors maintain blood sugar levels, which in turn helps provide a constant stream of energy.

8. Water

While water is a drink, not a food, it is still one of the best things seniors can have to boost energy and build endurance. Without proper hydration, muscles won’t be able to function properly and seniors can easily lose both strength and mobility over time from dehydration.


If drinking water isn’t your thing, then take a look at some other ways you can get your daily dose of hydration.

Senior health tips for hydration

9. Seeds

Seeds are another example of a healthy snack that can give seniors a quick boost of energy and build endurance.

Chia Seeds

The slower you naturally digest food, the more steady your energy levels will be throughout the day. That’s why seeds that are high in fiber like chia seeds are a great high-energy snack. 

Pumpkin Seeds

Like chia seeds, pumpkin seeds have a high fiber content that helps regulate digestion throughout the day. You can easily make your own pumpkin seeds at home by baking them in the oven with a little salt.

10. Avocados

Avocados provide some of the healthiest natural fats found in any food item. Healthy fats are used as energy, rather than unhealthy fats which are stored by the body. Seniors can take advantage of the energy provided by avocados to motivate themselves to exercise and move.


Seniors need to find the energy to move, stretch, exercise, and socialize as they age, or they face serious health consequences. Rather than losing independence, eat the right foods and stay healthier for longer!


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



The 7 best retirement hobbies for creative types

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Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


After retirement, you might discover that you have more time on your hands than originally expected. In order to fill that time, many seniors start exploring new hobbies and activities. But many common activities like golfing, traveling, and fishing aren’t geared towards seniors who would rather stay at home than go out.


Luckily, there are plenty of senior hobbies that don’t need a lot of time, money, or physical capability, and can take place in your own living room. Retirement offers a perfect opportunity to learn new skills, so take a look at these seven different retirement hobbies that are perfect for creative types.

1. Painting and drawing

Creating artwork like paintings and drawings is an activity that has almost no limitations on what can be created. From watercolors to acrylics to oils to charcoals, there are countless mediums of art, so you can find the perfect one that works best for you.


Local community centers typically have plenty of art classes that are great for beginners. These also provide seniors with a new way to get out of the house and socialize with others. Whether you go big with canvases and materials or keep it simple with a few pencils and paper, painting and drawing can help you feel relaxed and calm while helping you build your artistic skills.

2. Crafting

Crafting is another example of a creative activity that doesn’t require a lot of mobility or physical effort, and it includes all kinds of hobbies such as:

  • Jewelry making
  • Needlework
  • Beadwork
  • Scrapbooking
  • Knitting
  • Soap and candle making
  • Crocheting
  • Creating home decor items

Crafting can also be a way to make a little extra money after retirement. Going to craft shows or selling your items online can be a fun way to earn some extra cash while exploring a new activity and meeting plenty of new people.

3. Cooking

There are almost an unlimited number of ways to learn new cooking skills, from looking at old family recipes to watching cooking shows to swapping ideas with friends. There’s so many recipes out there that everyone from the most basic beginner to seasoned experts can find something new to work with.


Cooking also provides seniors with a way to take control of their health, explore different cuisines, and share meals with others. Whether you’re gaining a few basic cooking skills or perfecting your talents, retirement is a perfect time to explore new cooking opportunities. Looking for some great beginner recipes to get started with? Click the link below to try some healthy options!


15 Easy and Healthy Recipes

4. Pottery

Pottery is an often overlooked but incredibly satisfying hobby. It typically requires a significant amount of time, which makes it a perfect creative outlet for retired seniors who can now afford to dedicate the necessary hours to create ceramics. 


Like many other crafting opportunities, pottery gives seniors a chance to earn some additional income by selling their wares either online or at festivals and craft shows. Pottery can create useful items like bowls, plates, and vases, or fun home decor items and abstract art pieces. 

5. Woodworking

If you like a hands-on approach to retirement hobbies and want to try something a little out of the box, then woodworking might be the best option for you. While getting the right tools can be an expensive up-front cost, woodworking is a wonderful creative outlet that your friends and family might not have seen before.

6. Gardening

If you think that all gardening involves kneeling down in the dirt and having to perform back-breaking labor, then you would be wrong! Gardening can take place out of doors in flower beds, but it can also be adapted to meet a senior’s needs, especially if getting up and down is difficult. 


Container gardening is a great way to get enjoyment out of planting and growing your own flowers or vegetables without having to perform as much physical labor. Raised containers like planters, baskets, and pots can help you protect your back health, and can take place both indoors and outdoors. 

7. Writing

As you age, you might discover that there are many things you want to record and preserve for posterity. Or you might have some creative ideas that you want to explore through writing. Either way, there’s never a better time to start than today!


Writing can include everything from novels to poems to short stories, as well as everything in between. If you are looking for a good place to start, then consider reminiscence writing as a way to help you connect to past events while providing helpful therapeutic results. 


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



The upside to milk

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Those with dairy in their diet have a lower risk of diabetes—possibly because they’re eating less refined, low-fiber carbohydrates, according to one study. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Len Canter, HealthDay


Dairy foods have been getting a lot of attention from researchers in recent years, notably from studies done both jointly and separately by scientists at Harvard and Tufts universities.


They looked at the relationship between full-fat dairy and the risks for heart disease and diabetes.


A 3,000-participant study found that people who included dairy fat in their diet had a lower risk of diabetes. One theory for the link is that people who skip or limit dairy might compensate by eating more refined, low-fiber carbohydrates, which can increase diabetes risk.


A study that followed more than 200,000 people over several decades looked at the relationship between dairy fat intake and heart disease.


It found no increase in heart disease risk among people who ate dairy fat, although the risk was lowered when calories from dairy fat were replaced with calories from plant-based fats or whole grains—24% when they were replaced by polyunsaturated fats and 28% when replaced with whole grains.


On the other hand, the risk went up by 6% if those calories went instead to foods with other types of saturated fat, like red meat.


A third piece of research reviewed nine studies that looked specifically at butter—another source of saturated fat—and its role in heart disease, diabetes and all causes of death.


The analysis found that while plant-based fats are healthier, small amounts of butter aren’t likely to hurt you.


What might you do with all this information? The familiar bottom line is moderation.


While it’s still healthier to cook with olive oil, for instance, you can indulge in a pat of butter on your hot whole-grain cereal or an ounce of cheese on whole-grain bread or, perhaps best of all, a serving of full-fat yogurt and a cup of berries.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




Aging and loss of independence: How assisted living can help

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, Senior Living,

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


There are parts of aging that we don’t like to talk about, including the loss of independence that many older people face. It’s difficult to see our senior loved ones struggle with things that used to come easy to them, but it’s even harder for them as they have to face the idea that they can no longer take care of themselves alone.


Helping a loved one accept their new situation often involves a conversation about moving to a place where they can receive aid for the things they can no longer do themselves. With bleak images of nursing homes often popping into mind, this option is incredibly unappealing to many seniors. However, a perfect balance between independence and assistance for your senior loved one can be found in assisted living.

What does loss of independence look like?

Losing independence looks different in each senior as they age, but there are three main ways elderly people begin to notice a loss of independence.

  1. Physical—As seniors age they lose strength and mobility, making housekeeping chores, getting out of bed, walking around their residence, bathing, and dressing difficult to do alone.
  2. Mental—Losing cognitive function makes it difficult for seniors to remember appointments, medication schedules, when they last ate, and other personal care tasks.
  3. Social—When a senior can no longer drive or move easily, they often find themselves isolated and unable to engage socially with others, which can have long-term effects on their mental health. 

As a result of losing independence, seniors can feel depressed, angry, guilty, ashamed, or afraid. Seniors can also become confused about why they are losing their independence and either act out or isolate—neither of which are healthy reactions. 


The most common of these feelings is depression, which can often go unnoticed in seniors. It’s important to get your loved one help if they are showing signs of depression, which include:

  • Loss of interest in socializing and activities that used to interest them
  • Changes in weight & appetite
  • Lack of motivation
  • Neglecting personal care (bathing, dressing, taking medications)
  • Decline in cognitive functions
  • Self-loathing

Another common reaction is extreme guilt or shame. Seniors can feel like their inability to care for themselves is their fault, or they might feel ashamed that they need help in parts of their life that they had control over when they were younger. 


Every senior is going to react differently, so be aware of the different types of feelings that your loved one might exhibit during this difficult period in their life, and work with them to address the negative feelings that they have. 

What can you do?

The best thing you can do for a loved one struggling through the process of accepting their loss of independence is to be patient. Your loved one may not understand their own feelings, so don’t add to their stress with your frustrations. Keeping a level head and remaining calm can go a long way.


Visit with your loved one regularly and encourage them to ask for help when they need it so you can understand what their needs are. Offer rides to get them out of their house or apartment and to places where they can socialize with others. If you are working as a temporary caregiver, remember to take your own health into consideration so you don’t burn out, causing more difficulty. 


Another one of the best things you can do is encourage your loved one to move to a community that can give them both the help they need and encourage their own independence. 

Assisted living and senior independence

Assisted living can be a great solution for seniors who need help in certain areas of their lives, but want to maintain their independence as well. Most communities create a plan with your loved one to provide needed services, but allow independence in the other areas of your family member’s life. Common services include: 

  • Medication management
  • Meals and snacks
  • Help with mobility and movement
  • Bathing, dressing, and personal grooming
  • Housekeeping and laundry
  • Medical services for different levels of care needs

In addition to assistance with these types of tasks, assisted living communities also provide socialization opportunities that your loved one wouldn’t find with in-home care or a family caregiver. Rather than remain confined to a single room, assisted living communities are designed to get seniors interacting with each other and participating in fun activities. 


Communities like Vista Springs are designed with independence and luxury in mind, and we look forward to giving your senior loved one every opportunity to maintain control over their lives while offering assistance with the things they do need help with. Click the link below to learn more about what makes Vista Springs different, or subscribe to our blog to get the latest information on all things assisted living!


Reprinted with permission from Vista Springs Assisted Living.



Snapshots: The kind of (good) news we need right now

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Health, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, Travel, WKTV Projects

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“My mother is an incredibly beautiful woman who has laughed at every single thing my father’s ever said. At a young age, my brother and I understood that if you can make girls laugh, you can punch well above your weight class.”

Seth Meyers (From whom we stole the headline!)



Love in the time of coronavirus

April is a big time for weddings and like many couples, Melanie Bork and Bradley Wernette were looking forward to their special day on April 17 in Petoskey, Mich. However, one uninvited guest — COVID-19 — crashed the party before it could even get started. Go here for the story.



Boardman Brown, on stage at a July 2019 Wyoming Concerts in the Park. (WKTV)

A summer concert, from your ‘stay at home’ couch

The members of Boardman Brown, a West Michigan band that lit a little musical bonfire at a Wyoming Concerts in the Park summer series gig last summer, are working their way through the COVID-19 restrictions just like everyone else — at home. Go here for the story/videos/on-demand concert.



A virtual walk in Australia’s Outback

The most iconic element of Australia’s Red Center, Uluru is sacred to the indigenous Anangu, who finally succeeded in having hiking banned on the rock late last year. But even walking around the perimeter (which is still allowed) is a staggering experience—particularly at sunrise or sunset, when the rock takes on a preternatural glow. Go here for a virtual tour video.

Fun fact:

883

… and each with at least one bad joke!

The current total number of Saturday Night Live eposides. Trivia bonus fact: On the very first episode of SNL, host George Carlin comes down from the balcony and discusses the differences between football and baseball, using the language associated with each sport. See Carlin’s monologue here.

Want to get fit? You’re never too old

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living, ,
In your later years, it matters less what type of movement you choose—it’s all about the fact that you’re up and moving. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By American Heart Association, HealthDay


As people age, physical activity still needs to be part of the game plan for living a healthy, happy life—and experts say it’s never too late to get active and build strength.


“We try to tell people the body can still adapt and it can still improve,” said Barbara Nicklas, a professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.


Those who engage in more occupational or leisure time physical activity have a lower risk of disease and death—and the health benefits of movement can extend to all ages, Nicklas explained in an editorial in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.


Nicklas cautions against placing all “older adults” who are age 60 and up into one category. Rather than basing exercise and activity goals on age, they should be geared to one’s “physical functional status.”


“What can the person do?” she said. “Not everybody is the same.”


Whether you’re 65 or 85, or a runner, a tennis player or perhaps someone who has difficulty getting around, one constant remains: the importance of moving.


“Any time you can incorporate more movement throughout the day, it is good,” said Nicklas, who urges “starting where you’re at and doing what you can.”


The U.S. Health and Human Services Department and the American Heart Association recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity or a combination of both, as well as muscle-strengthening activity.


For those who have been living a sedentary lifestyle, walking is the best way to begin getting physically active, Nicklas said. She suggests going with a friend or enrolling in a walking program like the one her university offers. It adds accountability, a social component and safety, to guard against falls.


Using a “walking tool,” such as a cane or walker, if it’s needed, can help you stay active, Nicklas said.


“Slow and steady—the tortoise pace—is better than the rabbit pace when you’re starting out or starting over,” she said.


Resistance or strength training—through free weights, weight machines, pushups or pull-ups—can help with range of motion around joints and improve muscle mass, muscle strength and bone strength. It can help in the ability to perform everyday activities, improve balance and may reduce the risk of falls.


Fred Bartlit, 87, proves the point that chronological age isn’t the determining factor when it comes to strength and feeling young.


A former U.S. Army ranger, Bartlit always had been physically active. He also was an avid skier and golfer. As he reached his 50s, at the urging of his future wife, he intensified his workouts and began strength training at a gym.


Today, the Colorado attorney and author said he is stronger than when he was in the Army at age 22. In addition to practicing law, he makes it his mission to inform older adults about battling sarcopenia, the loss of muscle with aging.


“Our bodies, they’re crying out for physical activity,” he said. “And now the world is sedentary.”


For someone as active as Bartlit, strength training helps him ski challenging mountains trails with his 58-year-old son and 16-year-old granddaughter.


Multiple scientific studies point out that building strength is important in performing everyday activities and in avoiding or managing chronic disease.


Bartlit suggests working with a trainer at first, if possible, and trying to fit in strength training three times per week.


“You have to create habits,” said Bartlit. “It’s about living a full life. It changes the way you think, the way you feel, your confidence in doing things.”


Boosting physical activity and strength helps aging adults do the things they want to do in daily life—and that can be motivating, Nicklas said. It may be as simple as going to the grocery store on your own or having the energy to take grandchildren to the park or to a soccer game.


Older adults are disproportionately affected by conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, with 80% of people over 65 having at least one of those chronic conditions, according to the National Council on Aging.


But even though some health setbacks may occur with advancing age, they don’t have to completely derail an exercise plan. “This is just reality and it’s going to happen,” Nicklas said.


“Steady improvement” should be the aim, she said. “The body is still capable of adapting.”


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.




State offers a way to help shut-in seniors with food needs through a ‘virtual food bank’

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Food, Health, Local Food, Senior Living,
A new virtual food bank has been set up to support senior food needs, and donations are being accepted. (Public Domain)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Feel like you want to support seniors in your community while maintaining a social distance from one of the most at-risk COVID-19 populations? A new virtual food bank may be just what you’re looking for.
 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Aging and Adult Services Agency and the Food Bank Council of Michigan announced this week the creation of  “virtual food bank” raising money to provide food boxes to seniors who are staying home to protect themselves from COVID-19.

Michigan residents can make monetary donations on the virtual food drive website to buy food for the project.

Kent County seniors who need extra support at this time can now sign up for assistance, including meal delivery, delivery of non-perishable food items, and daily wellness-check calls by contacting the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan.

The Area Agency on Aging of West Michigan said to WKTV, following the state announcement, that information on local food resources is available at aaawm.org/article/an-update-on-food-resources.

Each of the virtual food drive boxes is filled with 33 food items that provide for 22 well-balanced, nutritious meals, according to supplied material. Each box contains breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes for seniors who are food insecure. A donation of $28 pays for an entire box containing food such as chunk white canned chicken, green beans, peanut butter and low-sodium diced tomatoes. Boxes are distributed from local food banks through Area Agencies on Aging and delivered by volunteers.

“Michigan’s aging adult population is especially vulnerable to COVID-19,” Dr. Alexis Travis, director of the Aging and Adult Services Aging, said in supplied material. “It’s critical that seniors stay home, but they also need healthy food.”

The Michigan National Guard is packing the first 10,000 boxes at Gleaners’ Community Food Bank’s warehouse in Pontiac. The Food Bank Council is routing the boxes to Area Agencies on Aging across the state, but more food is needed to feed seniors.

“The COVID-19 pandemic poses unprecedented additional barriers to food access,” Dr. Dawn Opel, of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, said in supplied material. “This program is an example of how we are creating innovative food distribution models to bring food to people where they are—to alleviate household food insecurity and to prevent the spread of the virus for those without transportation and other supports.”

State of Michigan reports: expanded COVID-19 testing, with new location assistance

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COVID-19 testing, including drive-thru test stations, will be available to more people after Stat of Michigan action this week. (U.S. National Guard)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.

We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from Monday and Tuesday, April 13-14 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.

State expanding COVID-19 testing criteria, access 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Monday it is expanding testing criteria for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) to include individuals with mild symptoms, and has published a COVID-19 test site finder at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus to help Michiganders locate a testing site near them.

“Expanded testing is needed to learn more about how COVID-19 is spreading in our state,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, said in supplied material. “We want to make sure people know that if they have symptoms, they should work with their medical provider to be tested.”

Michigan’s testing priority criteria now includes: hospitalized patients, symptomatic healthcare workers and expanded list of “patients in congregate facilities with symptoms,” including those at:

Long-term care or elderly living facilities.

Jails or prisons.

Homeless shelters.

Residential foster care facilities.

Other group living settings.

Read the entire release here.

Other April 13-14 releases, listed by headlines and with links, include:

Michigan National Guard to support Sparrow Hospital’s COVID-19 efforts

(State of) Wyoming business misleads consumers about face masks for sale

State offers business taxpayers some May delays in payments to state

Michigan Strategic Fund assistance expands availablity of business, community support

MDHHS announces expanded aid to persons with mental health needs 

USA Masters Games in Grand Rapids postponed to 2021, but state games still possible

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The USA Masters Games 2020 will still be coming to Grand Rapids, just in 2020. (Historic Public Domain photo)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

                                        

The USA Masters Games and the State Games of Michigan, the organizers for the 2020 USA Masters Games originally scheduled to be held this June in Grand Rapids, jointly announced this week the postponement of the games to 2021.

At the same time, however, the State Games of Michigan organizers said it was still possible that some of the planned state games would take place later in the year.

The national games had previously been scheduled for June 19-21 and June 26-28, but will now be held June 24-27, 2021, still in Grand Rapids — and still set to be called the “2020 USA Masters Games”.

“On behalf of the USA Masters Games, and our Grand Rapids Host Organization, the State Games of Michigan, we want to emphasize that our number one priority is the health and well-being of all participants in the USA Masters Games,” Hill Carrow, CEO of the USA Masters Games, said in supplied material. “With that objective in mind, and given the great uncertainty and concern surrounding the current worldwide coronavirus pandemic, it has been determined that it is in the best interests of the safety of Games athletes for the Games to be postponed for one year.”

As far as the name of the games … “We’re following the example of the International Olympic Committee,” Carrow said. “When they decided to keep it the ‘2020 Summer Olympic Games’ in 2021, we said to ourselves, ‘That’s a good idea’, so we are doing the same thing with the USA Masters Games.”

The local sponsors of the national games are also still committed to the event, and the State Games of Michigan leaders are still hopeful their signature games can be held this year.

“As one can imagine, rescheduling a large 24-sport event is a major undertaking, and we will collaborate closely with the (USA Masters) Games rights-holder and our great local event  partners as we transition to these new dates,” Mike Guswiler, President of the West Michigan Sports Commission in Grand Rapids, said in supplied material.

 
Eric Engelbarts, who serves as the Executive Director of both the State Games of Michigan and the Local Organizing Committee for the 2020 USA Masters Games, also discussed the status of the state games in the announcement.

“First, I want to assure participants in the 2020 State Games of Michigan, that those games are not being postponed, but the timing of the sports competitions are all in flux now as we shift the schedule and location of events to dates, likely throughout the summer, that will hopefully allow this year’s events to take place,” he said in supplied material. “ … We ask for patience as we work through the large number of details while our … staff is having to work remotely under state and local government lockdown restrictions.”

For more information on the USA Masters Games, visit usamastersgames.com . For more information on the State Games of Michigan visit StateGamesofMichigan.com.

Programmed to pack pounds?

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The genetic traits that helped our ancestors battle food scarcity could today be contributing to excess weight and related illnesses. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Serena Gordon, HealthDay


It’s not easy maintaining a healthy weight. Even when you manage to drop a few pounds, they often return.


Why would the body seem to encourage obesity?


New research suggests the answer lies far back in human evolution, with an anti-starvation mechanism that primes the body to store fat.


The key to this mechanism is a protein dubbed “RAGE,” according to New York University scientists working with mice. They believe RAGE evolved to help keep ancient humans from starving when food was scarce.


But today, in times of plenty, there’s a glitch at work: RAGE is produced to combat the cellular stress caused by overeating.


The protein seems to mistake this stress as similar to starvation, and so it switches off the body’s ability to burn fat. The result: fat becomes easy to accumulate, but tough to shed.


Still, there’s a silver lining to all of this, the NYU team said, because the research might lead to anti-obesity drugs.


“Our thinking is that RAGE is targetable. When we put mice with no RAGE expression at all on a high-fat diet, they ate the food but were not becoming obese,” explained study author Dr. Ann Marie Schmidt, from the NYU School of Medicine.


And a lack of RAGE appeared to be safe, at least for mice.


“When you totally delete RAGE in mice, they have normal reproduction and no problems with cognition,” she said.


The researchers hope that because RAGE seems to be active just during times of metabolic stress instead of during everyday functions, taking it away won’t create problems.


But don’t pin your hopes on a RAGE-deleting drug just yet.


Schmidt was quick to note that any such drug is a long way off yet because the research is currently in mice. Findings from animal studies don’t always translate to humans.


Still, Schmidt said the potential is exciting.


In addition to limiting the body’s ability to burn fat, RAGE also may contribute to inflammation throughout the body. So, along with taming obesity, it’s possible that removing the RAGE protein might help with some of the inflammatory consequences of obesity, such as diabetes, cancer, hardening of the arteries and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the researchers.


Dr. Michael Wood, medical director for bariatric surgery at the Detroit Medical Center’s Harper University Hospital, said the study was interesting, although very early.


And, Wood said, “obesity is a very complicated problem, and I think these findings are an oversimplification.”


But Wood noted that it’s possible the RAGE protein plays a role in excess weight. It’s just not likely the only factor in the development of obesity.


“I don’t think there’s one switch or any one thing that can solve this complicated issue. There’s no magic bullet for obesity,” he said.


Right now, if someone wants to lose weight, they have to commit to lifestyle changes, Wood said.


And, that’s true even if someone has weight-loss surgery. He added that the most significant change comes from eating fewer calories. Exercise is a healthy habit, but only a small component of weight loss.


The study was published online recently in the journal Cell Reports. Funding was provided by the American Heart Association, the U.S. Public Health Service and the American Diabetes Association.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.



County health department launches home screening app to spot COVID-19 hotspots

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Going Local, Health, Local Business, Our Cities, ,

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

In an effort to obtain information to track potential COVID-19 hotspots in Kent County, the county health department today launched a new web-based survey for residents — keepmihealthy.org.

The “secure, anonymous, web-based survey” — which does not required an app download — will provide health officials with “valuable data that could potentially identify future COVID-19 ‘hot spots’ in Kent County,” according to the announcement.

“Our ability to respond to this pandemic depends upon timely, accurate, and multi-sourced data,” Kent County Health Department Director Adam London said in supplied material. “The information gathered through this survey will provide us with an additional layer of data to make strategic decisions on how we use our resources.”

Local technology company OST, which started in Grand Rapids in 1997 but now has a worldwide footprint, actually came to Kent County with the idea.

“We would like to thank local technology developer OST for turning this community health screening concept into reality,” London said. “Without being asked, they identified a need, reached out to us and other community partners, and quickly developed an easy-to-use and effective screening tool.”

The survey questions are simple — as simple as “Are you experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms or not?”

To complete the survey, residents will be asked to answer four personal identification questions including year of birth, gender, county, and zip code.

All data will be kept confidential and housed in a secure database, according to the announcement. Under licensed agreements, health care professionals, hospitals, and local health departments will have access to the anonymous data to learn more about the community’s health in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID- 19.

To complete the survey, go to keepmihealthy.org/ and click “Get Started!”

Upon completion, residents can optionally provide their mobile phone number to receive a daily text reminder to take the survey.

“By taking the survey daily, it will ensure health officials are making decisions based on the most current information available,” according to the statement.

To learn more, review the frequently asked questions document at keepmihealthy.org/faq.

A Spanish version of the application will be released shortly.

State of Michigan reports: COVID-19 history project started; medical insurance to cover costs

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Hard News, Health, Politics, Volunteers,
In future Michigan classrooms, the age of COVID-19 will be studied by all age groups. A new Michigan History Center program seeks to collect stories to tell. (U.S. Army)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The State of Michigan, like most governmental agencies, puts out press releases to media sources on a wide-range of issues almost daily. Some are important for the public to know; some are just routine governmental business. Some make the news and some do not.

We at WKTV have decided that in these times of COVID-19, of often-filtered news, we’d let the state departments say what they want to say to the pubic a little more directly. Following are links to State of Michigan releases from the Easter Sunday holiday weekend, April 9-12 — with a little emphasis given by our staff on what we found interesting.

Michigan History Center seeks public input for COVID-19 pandemic project 

The Michigan History Center has announced a new collecting initiative that gives residents the opportunity to share stories that reflect their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, for the benefit of future generations.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a critical moment in history, and the Michigan History Center is committed to documenting — through objects, archival materials, stories and experiences from diverse Michiganders — how the coronavirus is affecting Michigan residents in the workplace, at home, in communities and in many other settings,” an April 11 press release states.

The first phase of the three-phase collecting initiative is active right now. It offers a web-based platform for people to share and donate photos, videos and audio files that document their daily lives during this emergency— all of which will be considered for preservation in the Archives of Michigan’s collections.

Read the entire release here.

Michigan health insurance providers to waive COVID-19 patient costs

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) announced that the state has received agreements from nearly all of the state’s health insurance companies to waive cost-sharing, including copays, deductibles, and coinsurance for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and treatments. The Whitmer Administration and DIFS had worked with insurers to waive these costs.

Consumers with these individual and group health plans will not be charged cost-sharing for coronavirus-related medical treatment, such as primary care visits, laboratory testing, emergency room visits, ambulance services, and FDA-approved medications and vaccines for COVID-19 when they become available.

Read the entire release here.

Other April 9-12 releases, listed by headlines and with links, include:

MDHHS issues statement about April 12 reported COVID-19 case and death counts

MDHHS details COVID-19 testing prodedures, announce more drive-thru locations

State, Mason County acts on Community Action Agency for violating Stay Home, Stay Safe Order

New resources to help unemployed workers resolve technical Issues with claims

National Guard distribute medical equipment during COVID-19 response

Governor Whitmer creates Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities

Part of the solution: Feeding America WM, National Guard, Woodland Mall join forces to distribute food

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Hard News, Health, Local Food, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Senior Living, Upcoming Events, Woodland Mall, , ,
Feeding America West Michigan’s mobile food bank operation is working with Woodland Mall and the Michigan National Guard to provide Mobile Food Pantries for those facing hunger. The weekly food distribution is open to the public but aims to serve unemployed service industry workers. (Feeding America WM)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

There has always been hunger in the Wyoming and Kentwood area — and across the region, state, country and world, in fact. And there is a long list of groups big and small working to be part of the solution to the problem.

From the City of Kentwood’s Little Free Pantry to the Kent County Community Action, from local school districts to Wyoming’s United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) and a score of other area churches and other private non-profit organizations, many groups have done their part and continue to do their part in this time of a COVID-19 unemployment surge.

Feeding America West Michigan is providing weekly Mobile Pantries in Woodland Mall’s parking lot. The Michigan National Guard is helping to distribute the food each week. (Feeding America WM)

The most far-reaching single group, however, is Feeding America West Michigan, which with the aid of the Michigan National Guard and Woodland Mall began weekly food distribution at the mall April 1.

The next Woodland Mall mobile pantry food distribution, from Feeding America’s Service Industry Workers Mobile unit, will be Wednesday, April 15, at 4 p.m., at 3195 28th St., Kentwood.

“Hunger is not new,” Molly Kooi, communication manager for Feeding America West Michigan, said this week to WKTV. “Before COVID-19, 1 in 8 people in our 40-county service area faced hunger. Now, many more people are in need of food assistance due to unemployment, school closings and a variety of other factors.”

Feeding America West Michigan (WM), part of Feeding America’s nationwide network of food banks, not only collects and directly distributes food but also works with many religious and non-profit groups. And they have some sobering statistics about the impact of COVID-19 on the food assistance need.

“We’ve seen a 235 percent increase in people searching for food assistance on our website,” Kooi said. “We’ve seen a 50 percent increase in the amount of food requested by our partner agencies. We’re spending $100,000 each week to keep up with the increased demand for food.”

The new distribution site at Woodland Mall is just one part of the group’s efforts, and one part of a much wider spectrum of emergency food providers. In the Wyoming and Kentwood area alone, food pantries supported by Feeding America include the East Paris Community Food Pantry, located at At-Tawheed Islamic Center and Mosque, on East Paris Avenue; Faith Reformed Church Food Pantry, on 44th Street SW; and Family Network, also on 44th.

What to expect if you’re seeking assistance

The first step for persons seeking food assistance — especially persons new to the system such, maybe recently out of work and seeking to support families — could be the regional Feeding America WM webpage FeedWM.org/findfood, Kooi said.

 

Feeding America West Michigan is working with Woodland Mall and the Michigan National Guard, to provide  weekly food distribution at the mall parking lot in Kentwood. (Feeding America WM)

“There they will find a map making it easy for them to locate our partner agencies (red icons) and mobile food pantry sites (blue icons) near them,” she said. “If they don’t have access to the internet, they can call 2-1-1 or our office (616-784-3250) for assistance.”

And how does a person new to the system qualify and register for food assistance?

Some traditional food pantries have income limits, some have geographical limits and most have visit frequency limits (say, once a month). However, many may be changing how they are doing things due to COVID-19, Kooi said.

“I would tell a neighbor in need to first locate a food pantry near them and then reach out to that pantry’s director, or search their website, to learn what the requirements are,” she said.

Feeding America WM’s mobile pantries are hosted by organizations such as churches or schools, and provide fresh produce and other food to those in need, farmers’ market style, Kooi explained. All attendees are required to fill out a form asking for basic information like household size.

“Anyone in need can attend mobile pantries at any time and no one is turned away,” she said. “Due to COVID-19, all mobile pantries are providing drive-thru service at this time.”

Woodland Mall food distribution part of large network

The new mobile food pantry at Woodland Mall is a prime example of diverse organizations working together.

During the recent COVID-19 crisis, Feeding America has gained assistance from the Michigan National Guard at various locations including at the Woodland Mall mobile distribution.

One reason for the National Guard assistance is that Feeding America WM’s regular volunteer force, often older retired persons, has been directly impacted by safety concerns and stay-at-home orders.

But the local work is just a small part of the scope of Feeding America WM’s food bank collection and food distribution work.

Feeding America West Michigan currently owns 30 trucks, that drove about 418,000 miles in 2019, according to the organization. (Feeding America WM)

The food bank currently owns 30 trucks, that drove about 418,000 miles in 2019, according to the organization. So many trucks and trips are needed because of the way our the organization works: “We reclaim safe, surplus food from farmers, manufacturers, distributors and retail stores, and then distribute it to more than 800 partner agencies throughout West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula,” they state in supplied material.

Typically, more than 100 mobile food pantries are held each month across our 40-county service area. More than 99 percent of the donated food collected and distributes comes from large-scale food donors, with a small amount from community food drives.

Feeding America WM also delivers thousands of pounds of various food items to fixed food pantries and other hunger-relief agencies each month.

Where to go for support, to be part of the solution

For a complete list of Feeding America West Michigan’s mobile food pantries planned Kent County visits and locations, visit here.

 

For a map showing not only the locations of the mobile food pantry visits but also Wyoming and Kentwood partner locations, visit here.

To make a donation or offer support to Feeding America West Michigan, visit here.

For information about the Kent County Community Action food distribution program, visit here.

5 ways to relieve the stress of caregivers

3-bottom, Community Health, Health, How-To's, Senior Living
Courtesy Vista Springs Assisted Living

By Vista Springs Assisted Living


When caring for a loved one, the process can be both a rewarding and stressful experience. It often involves shifting family dynamics, financial changes, and an increased workload. Because of this, it is not uncommon for caregivers to experience increased feelings of stress and burnout. Without support, these feelings can lead to emotional and physical problems like heart disease and depression.


To avoid these issues, it’s important to recognize the need for help and support to relieve some of the stress. Here are some practical ways to accomplish this:

1. Ask for help

Caregivers often find themselves taking on too much and not wanting to burden others with our responsibilities. However, this common problem can quickly lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and helpless. Speak up and let family and friends know that you need some assistance.


Additionally, when someone does offer to provide help, don’t be afraid to accept it. Keep in mind that this also means having to relinquish complete control of the situation, which can be challenging.

2. Take breaks

Busy caregivers often don’t have much leisure time to themselves. However, not making this element a priority could be counterproductive in the long run. If necessary, dedicate this time in a calendar and ask someone to help fill in for you (see the paragraph above and ask for help with this item) and take the time to rest from the list of caregiver responsibilities. After this rest time, energy and focus will be improved, increasing attitude and productivity.

3. Make health a priority

When a caregiver fails to make their health a priority, that will ultimately result in not being able to provide the level of care their loved one needs. Getting enough sleep, eating healthy, regular doctor visits, and exercise are essential components that keep a caregiver feeling great and energized.

4. Find support

Depending on the situation, caregiving can become a lonely place. But that doesn’t have to be the case, as there are many other caregivers out there that are dealing with similar situations and they can become an excellent resource. There are also support groups available (both in-person and online) that focus on discussing and listening to others’ who know and understand what caregiving entails. These groups can provide comfort from those feelings of lonesomeness as well as education and insight on care and specific diseases.

5. Accept the situation

It is easy to find ourselves in a trap of feeling frustrated or mad about the caregiving situation, continuously asking why something like this has happened. That energy is being wasted and doesn’t help improve caregiving abilities. Instead, try to accept the situation and use it as a tool to build personal strength, depth, and understanding.


In conclusion, when stress and burnout set in, it puts the caregiver at risk of not being able to provide adequate care. That impacts both the caregiver and the person being cared for. The bottom line is that managing the health and well-being of a caregiver is equally as important as making sure a family member takes their medication and gets to their doctor appointments on time.