February is Senior Independence Month. Senior Independence Month was established in the 1800s when the Industrial Revolution was sweeping across America, disrupting traditional social, and family networks. Today, we celebrate it as a way to honor seniors, recognize their contributions to society, and support their independence.
Creating an environment where older adults are encouraged to remain living in, and engaging in, their community is a benefit not only to them, but to the entire community. Aging in place allows our elders to stay connected to their family, friends, neighbors, and the cultural communities they identify with. Likewise, our communities benefit from the richness and diversity of a multi-generational population where young and old can learn and benefit from each other.
A recent "Home and Community Preferences Survey" conducted by AARP reported that 77% of adults 50 and older want to remain in their homes for the long term. It is not surprising that the vast majority of older adults want to age in place if they are able to – isn’t that what you would want for yourself and the elders in your life? More than half of the people who participated in the AARP survey acknowledged that they would need some home modifications and/or in-home support to remain living at home. Milestone Senior Services is here to help people meet those needs and remain healthy and safe at home.
The programs Milestone provides are designed specifically to support the needs of seniors who want to remain living at home in their community. Our services include home delivered meals, home repair and accessibility modifications, MI Choice Waiver, and several programs that create social connections for seniors. The majority of our services are grant-funded and are offered at no cost to our clients. If you or someone close to you is in need of services to help them remain living safely at home with good health and an improved quality of life, call us and find out how we can help: (269) 382-0515.
How will you celebrate Senior Independence Month? Here are a few suggestions of ways you can create independence and we can help your get there!
- Do a Home Safety Assessment – take a close look at your home environment for safety issues such as loose handrails, unsafe stairs, slippery floor surfaces, smoke and CO2 detectors, the need for a grab-bar. Make a list and start making improvements – Milestone’s Home Repair & Accessibility services can help with many of these tasks!
- Learn a New Skill – attend a workshop or and online class to learn a new skill or hobby. Learning new things is a great way to keep your mind sharp – check out the online classes on our website
- Make a New Friend – or reach out to an old friend. Companionship is very important an many older adults experience isolation. Our Senior Companion Program can connect you to someone to visit with either in person or over the phone.
- Volunteer – If you have too much time on your hands and want to give back to your community, volunteering is a very rewarding experience. Our Volunteer Services team has an opportunity waiting for you!
