Dinner plate with pasta, meat, and vegetables.

Putting Food on the Table for the Holidays

By Nicholas Goodman, MiCAFE Network Specialist For many, holidays in December bring joy and excitement. For those living on a fixed income, the social expectations for providing meals at family gatherings can be stressful and overwhelming. Here are some resources to make this time of year less anxiety-inducing: Feeding America has a network of food banks in the southern lower peninsula. You can search by … Continue reading Putting Food on the Table for the Holidays

Woman smiling in the produce aisle.

ELM Joins National Campaign to End Senior Hunger

When it comes to eating a healthy diet, millions of Americans 65 and over face a double whammy: a fixed income, and rising food costs. Nationally, adults aged 65+ have an average annual income of $46,627, and they spend more than $5,500—or nearly 12%—on food. Additionally, this year those who rely on Social Security received just a 0.3% increase in their Cost of Living Adjustment. … Continue reading ELM Joins National Campaign to End Senior Hunger

Hands reaching up.

The Psychological Impact of Poverty on Seniors

by Kathryn Larlee, J.D., Hotline Attorney “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m sixty-four?” The Beatles, in their Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album in 1967, asked this question, half in jest. However, this question has significance for many adults staring down the road at their later years of life. Unlike the Beatles’ song which envisions a later life with grandchildren … Continue reading The Psychological Impact of Poverty on Seniors

Update on the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE)

In August, we posted about the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE). As highlighted by our post, the new ABLE accounts were not expected to be available for a year. Yet, on November 1st, the State of Michigan launched its the ABLE program and enrollment is now open. The ABLE program allows families and individuals to fund a special savings account for certain people with … Continue reading Update on the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE)

Side view mirror with traffic reflected in it.

Tips and Resources for Aging Drivers 

by Dawn Kepler, Project Administrator Older adults (age 65 and up) comprise just under 20% of all drivers licensed in Michigan, and this number is projected to increase. Similarly, recent Michigan vehicle crash data reveals that older adult crashes are also increasing, up to 45,864 in 2015 from 36,997 in 2006. Older drivers were more likely than other age groups to engage in the following crash … Continue reading Tips and Resources for Aging Drivers 

Windows with fencing.

Helping One Senior at a Time

by Gay Nell Jenkins, MiCAFE Network Partner Liaison  I first met Ms. H when I went to her home to complete her SNAP application. Ms. H., a homebound senior in her mid-seventies, has multiple health issues that she is being treated for. Her home is located in a blighted area of Detroit and when you turn onto her street, you can see blight and overgrown grass … Continue reading Helping One Senior at a Time

Senior woman in wheelchair with younger woman crouching next to her and smiling.

Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE)

by Jadranko Tomic-Bobas, Managing Hotline Attorney Individuals with disabilities face significant challenges and obstacles in life. Employment and living independently are among the major challenges. Further, individuals with disabilities can only have a limited amount in assets at any given time in order to maintain eligibility for certain safety-net programs. Therefore, a disincentive to work and more importantly to save exists in the system.   The … Continue reading Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE)

Couple at a diner smiling at each other.

National Senior Citizens Day

by Karen Flores, Hotline Attorney On August 19, 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5847 establishing August 21 as National Senior Citizens Day declaring “For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt salute.” Senior Citizens Day is not a national holiday, but rather a day to honor and support our seniors … Continue reading National Senior Citizens Day

Large pile of carrots, tomatoes, and other produce.

SNAP Facts!

by Lyndsy Gamet, MiCAFE Outreach and Training Coordinator Let’s talk about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Are you one of approximately 142,000 Michigan Seniors who participate in the program? If not, let me give you a few facts about it, and how to find out if you are eligible. 1) The SNAP program was designed to help individuals to obtain an adequate diet, while meeting … Continue reading SNAP Facts!

Horse in a coloring book

Adult Coloring 

by Pat Gray, MiCAFE Community Partner Liaison From afar, I have been admiring Ms. Spencer, 84 of her mental stability. Recently, I asked her how she keeps mentally sharp. She stated last year she was watching a TV home shopping show and they were advertising Adult Coloring for seniors. She states it struck her interest. Subsequently, she ordered the Adult Coloring Book and the rest was … Continue reading Adult Coloring