by Pat Gray, MiCAFE Community Partner Liaison The idea of presenting people you love with gifts is as old as the human race. The idea of exchanging gifts at Christmas time originated in the Bible, when three wise men traveled to deliver gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn baby Jesus. Shepherds in the fields also came to give gifts to the newborn … Continue reading My Christmas Gifting
by Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney The Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors receives many calls each week regarding caregivers. There comes a time in many people’s lives when they are unable to take care of themselves and may need to seek the help of others. It may be as simple as having someone come in and help prepare meals or go food shopping. Or, it … Continue reading Caring for a Loved One – Five Questions to Determine if you are a Caregiver
by Michael Wendel, Administrative Specialist Many seniors are not required to file a tax return due to their income status. Yet, seniors can still be eligible for Michigan tax credits, such as the Homestead Property Tax Credit or the Home Heating Credit, which can be filed separately from a tax return. By not filing for these credits, seniors could be missing out on these and other assistance credits, which otherwise could help reduce … Continue reading 3 Considerations for Seniors this Tax Season
by Christopher Jackson, J.D., Communications Coordinator Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Established as a day of service in 1994, the day is meant to reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. through a national day of service across the country. Dr. King recognized the power of service. He famously said, “Everyone can be great because everybody can serve.” … Continue reading Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
by Jennifer Blanck, National Council On Aging Call Center Team Leader During Christmas 2014, I was nervously in charge of our first annual Adopt-A-Family campaign at ELM. This campaign turned out to be a great success and it felt good knowing ELM was giving back to the seniors in our community, whom we strive so hard to assist. This year, we chose to continue this tradition with me leading … Continue reading ELM’s Second Annual Adopt-A-Family
The Step Forward Michigan Program was established to help people in Michigan who are having trouble keeping up with their mortgage payments or property taxes. The Step Forward Michigan Program is ending soon! HRCMI, a program of Elder Law of Michigan, Inc., has helped Michigan homeowners apply for and receive over a million dollars in Step Forward funds. Now is the time to act before this … Continue reading Time is Running Out to Apply for Step Forward Funds
by Karen Flores, J.D., Hotline Attorney Growing up, I was fortunate to have experienced a close relationship with my maternal grandparents. My maternal grandmother was the quintessential old-fashioned grandma who wore flowered print dresses which were always covered with an apron she sewed herself. She helped operate the family farm in Gratiot County and spent her days cooking large meals, baking Czech pastries known as … Continue reading A Foster Grandparent Program
by Alexis Ringman, Project Administrator June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month. LGBT Pride Month celebrates diversity, acknowledges the LGBT community, and commemorates the history of the LGBT social justice movement. According to the Administration On Aging, experts estimate between 1.75 and 4 million LGBT Americans ages 60 and over live in the U.S. and anticipate that number will increase. June is a … Continue reading Aging and the LGBT Community
by Kathryn Larlee, J.D., Hotline Attorney This post is part four of a series of blog posts discussing the importance of senior independence in our communities. Part one can be found here, part two can be found here, and part three can be found here. The first three parts of this series focused on the seniors and the benefits of maintaining independent living and being able to … Continue reading Senior Independence – Support for Caregivers
by Kathryn Larlee, J.D., Hotline Attorney This post is part three of a series of blog posts discussing the importance of senior independence in our communities. Part one can be found here and part two can be found here. So, you are getting a little older. The body is just not what it used to be….it is little slower, a little less steady. The mind sometimes just … Continue reading Senior Independence – The Psychological Benefits of Aging in Place
