Caregiver Insights

I became a caregiver for my husband Dixon in 2005 when he was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma. Here is my story. We had arrived at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and I was anxious. We had no friends or family in the area. We were to be there for six weeks for Dixon’s…

New Auction and Checkout Platform for Annual Heels for Meals & More

AgeWell Services of West Michigan is hosting its annual Heels for Meals & More event at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Trillium Event Center (17246 VanWagoner Rd, Spring Lake, MI 49456). This festive fundraising event helps raise funds critical to support older adults to redefine their age. Throughout the fundraising event, guests…

Identifying the Winter Blues vs. Seasonal Depression

The winter blues and seasonal depression (also known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD) are two different conditions. Knowing the difference can help a person feel better sooner. When the excitement of the holiday season is over, it is normal to feel a little sad. Decorations have been taken down, the house looks ordinary, fun…

Ways and Opportunities to Honor Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Fifteen years after Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, the King Holiday Bill signed into law in 1983 designated the third Monday annually in January a federal holiday in observance of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As shared by The…

Ways to Make Cooking Easier

We all face our own challenges. For some, cooking may be difficult. While some people may need a program like Meals on Wheels to help them get the nutrition they need, others may just need to make some adjustments to make cooking easier and safer in your home. There are many helpful ideas to make…

DTE Energy Holiday Meal: An Extra Special Year!

This was an EXCITING year for the annual DTE Energy Holiday Meal! The event took place on Thursday, December 15. After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic during which the utmost caution was used, we were able to host a more traditional holiday meal at nine Lunch & Activity Centers in Muskegon and…

Be Prepared for Emergencies!

It is that time of year in Michigan where snowy weather can hit hard, making it difficult for our staff and our drivers for our Meals on Wheels and Lunch & Activity Center programs to be on the road. There are times that AgeWell Services may have to close and we want you to be…

A Holiday Tradition at AgeWell: From our art studio to your home

One of our favorite holiday traditions at AgeWell Services is the beautiful holiday card we send out, with a picture on the front from one of our local artists at the Tanglewood Park art studio. The warm and inviting artwork that graces the front of this year’s card was painted by Robert C. Burns. About…

Establishment and Growth of the Aging Network Part 4 – Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and Conclusion

Founded in 1973, AgeWell Services of West Michigan’s mission invites adults 60 and older to redefine their age. We provide vital connections to keep one of our most vulnerable populations nourished, active, learning and living independently. In the first three blog posts of this four-part series, we learned about the Older Americans Act (OAA) and…

Giving Tuesday Impact

Since 2012, the Tuesday after the Thanksgiving holiday, known as Giving Tuesday, has been a unique community engagement tool for many organizations, including nonprofits, schools, universities, local businesses, foundations and more, around the world. Giving Tuesday was established at the 92nd St Y and its Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact in New York…

Red Flags: Identifying Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation

Guest post by SafeSeniors The financial, emotional, and physical costs of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation are high. For older adults, losses include their dignity, autonomy, good health, financial security, and in some cases, their life. For society, it’s both a social and economic issue – it reduces older adults’ participation in the life…

Help us Celebrate Art Program Instructor Joy Hulst – She is now a Published Illustrator

About Joy Joy Hulst is our Art Program Instructor at the Wellness Center. Joy has been painting for 50 years and went to Aquinas College where she studied art. She is a member of the Lakeshore Visual Artist Collective where one of their projects is to do pop-up shows in Muskegon and Grand Haven where…

Finding Discount Meals for Seniors

Food costs are up. They rose 11.4% from August 2021 to August 2022. That hits everyone hard but it is even harder for seniors on a fixed income. There are options available for West Michigan seniors to find discount meals. Senior Discounts at Local Restaurants When you are out at a restaurant, ask if there…

Establishment and Growth of the Aging Network Part 3 – Older Michiganians Act (OMA)

Founded in 1973, AgeWell Services of West Michigan’s mission invites adults 60 and older to redefine their age. We provide vital connections to keep one of our most vulnerable populations nourished, active, learning and living independently. In the first and second blog posts of this four-part series, we learned about the Older Americans Act (OAA)…

“Delivering Hope” Raises Funds for Seniors During a Season of Bounty

Maybe you saw a signed card at your grocery store. Maybe the cashier was wearing a pin that said “Ask Me About Delivering Hope.” Maybe you were asked to make a donation as you entered a store in exchange for a button. What exactly is Delivering Hope? Delivering Hope is a way for people to…

Benefits of Exercise for Seniors of all Ages – Yoga Spotlight

Sphinx, downward facing dog, tree pose, and cobbler’s pose. What do these words have in common? They are all poses that you may get to try when you experience a yoga class at AgeWell Services. What are the benefits of exercise for older adults in general, you may ask. According to the National Council on…

Bridging the Technical Divide: Safely navigating the good and the bad of the digital world

Guest post by SafeSeniors Technology has a good side. It can bring the world to your doorstep, keeping you connected to those you know and love, sharing news from around the globe, offering a convenient way to bank, shop, and even visit the doctor! Unfortunately, technology can also bring out those who want to do…

Pumpkin is for more than Pumpkin Spice Lattes

As the air begins to turn cooler, minds turn to sweatshirts, hayrides, apple picking and pumpkin spice everything. Pumpkins aren’t just for lattes, carving, or pumpkin pies. Pumpkins are actually the perfect superfood that can be enjoyed year round! They are one of the most nutritious fruits loaded with antioxidants and disease-fighting vitamins. What makes…

Establishment and Growth of the Aging Network Part 2 – Administration on Aging (AoA)

Founded in 1973, AgeWell Services of West Michigan’s mission invites adults 60 and older to redefine their age. We provide vital connections to keep one of our most vulnerable populations nourished, active, learning and living independently. In the first blog post of this four-part series, we learned about the Older Americans Act (OAA). OAA was…

Moving and Motivation: AgeWell Services’ Wellness Center Exercise Classes Provide Help After Loss

By Lorraine Kinnucan Get Up! Get Dressed! Get Moving! This is the message that Sytsema Funeral Home suggested to me after the loss of my husband, Jerry. That was a year ago, and I have been faithful to that commitment because I had to go on. A friend had been coming to AgeWell Services’ Tanglewood…