News
Coronavirus (COVID-19) a Message from our Food Service Director
CLICK HERE for an update from our Food Service Director.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Curbside Meal Distributions
Curbside Update 6/3/2020
We do not have any future Senior Curbside Meal Distributions scheduled at this time. When the stay-at-home order went into effect mid-March, as an agency, we knew that we needed to do something to continue to get food into the hands of the vulnerable senior population of our community. With our Congregate Meal Sites no longer able to operate, along came the idea of Senior Curbside Meal Distributions.
We needed an efficient way to get meals out with the ability to practice social distancing with proper PPE. We absolutely did not think we would be doing this for 10 weeks. However, as the need for this service continued, we teamed up with community partners to expand the schedule. We can honestly say that we grew to love this "new norm". The weekly impact was noticeable not only by the number of meals that were being distributed but by the "thank yous" and the happy faces of participants as meal bundles were being placed in their trunks and backseats.
As we work on plans for the future, please know that whatever those plans may be, we are still feeding aging adults in Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa Counties. Our Meals on Wheels program continues to deliver meals every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and we are planning to return to our Congregate Meal Sites in some capacity.
To all of our community partners (volunteers, donors, site hosts) that assisted with Senior Curbside Meal Distributions in one way or another, "thank you" just isn't enough. Your selfless acts of partnership and volunteerism through these trying times will never be forgotten! One very special shout out must go out to the Muskegon YMCA Veggie Van team. We literally could not have pulled off these 10 weeks without you!
Another very special shout out to the AgeWell Services kitchen team. A team that continued to come in every weekday to prepare meals. Since March 16, the kitchen team (along with support from AgeWell Volunteers) made it possible for approximately 10,612 aging adults to receive 76,877 meals at home and on the curb!‼️
Please continue to check the AgeWell Services of West Michigan Facebook page and website for updates. We will always do our best to keep you informed! www.agewellservices.org
**If you or someone you know has limited access to food, please call 2-1-1. There are still programs that offer food distribution! **
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Latest Scam Information
CLICK HERE to view information on recent scams that have been targeting individuals during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - 3/16/2020
To: AgeWell Services Volunteers
FROM: Kris Collee, Executive Director
DATE: March 15, 2020
RE: Illness and Reporting of Travel
At AgeWell Services, we are taking a conservative approach to how we manage our volunteers and staffing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to taking all of the proper precautions to keep you safe and healthy, we also serve the population most adversely affected by the virus. This means we need to take additional precautions to keep everyone safe.
Effective immediately, you are not to report to your volunteer or paid job duties if you are experiencing any of the following emergency warning signs:
- Fever
- Difficulty breathing or Shortness of Breath
- Coughing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or unable to rouse
- Bluish lips or face
If you have traveled in the last week outside of Michigan, we would like you to report that to your supervisor. If you have plans to travel in the next two weeks, please also tell your supervisor. It is possible you may not be able to return to your responsibilities for a couple of weeks if you have or intend to travel.
Above all, your role as a volunteer is important to the infrastructure of our programs. This is why we have prioritized who will be able to receive services (rated in the importance of homebound seniors), canceled social gatherings of any size, and streamlined our operations to respond to a potential reduction in the workforce. At this time, AgeWell Services is only operating Meals on Wheels delivery and 51 clients on the Senior Transportation Program until further notice.
You must make the decision for yourself as to whether you continue driving/volunteering at this time. You are more at risk if:
- You are age 60 and older
- You have heart disease, diabetes and/or lung disease
Please consider staying home at this time. If you are slightly over the age of 60 but have none of the above health concerns, we may need you more than ever. Please let us know if you are able and willing to help more than your typical schedule.
If you need access to meal delivery on a temporary basis, please call our intake line at 1-800-442-6769.
Our best action is to take a proactive approach. Our people are our best asset. Please take care.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - 3/16/2020
Driftwood Café at Tanglewood Park:
Effective at 1:00 pm on 3/16, the Driftwood Cafe at Tanglewood Park will be closed until further notice.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - 3/13/2020
In an effort to keep participants and team members safe, AgeWell Services is minimizing risk by a reduction in service to our most vulnerable, home-bound seniors. At this time, the only programs maintaining operations will be Meals on Wheels (Home Delivered Meals), the Senior Transportation Program, and the Driftwood Café with limited hours.
Meals on Wheels/Home Delivered Meals:
All meals will be changed to frozen meals to streamline the kitchen and to be as efficient as possible. At this time, we are attempting to continue deliveries to all participants. If this changes, we will serve based on priority level. (We rank them on a priority 1, 2 or 3- 1 being the highest need, 3 being lowest-need). We will make every effort to at least serve priority 1 clients. We are sending emergency meals to all current home-delivered clients next week. If you know of anyone in great need of food due to mobility, food access or lack of support systems (60 or over), they can call our intake at (231) 755-0434 for service in Oceana, Muskegon, and Ottawa County. We will do our best to provide a frozen or shelf-stable meal.
Lunch and Activity Centers:
All congregate meal sites are closed as of Monday, March 16th until further notice. If any clients do not have any other resources for meals or food, have them call our intake number and we can potentially start them on home-delivered meals.
Senior Transportation Program:
Priority will be given to those on dialysis, cancer treatment, and cardiac treatment. We are asking that anyone with symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, fever) to cancel rides. All other rides will be canceled until April 6th. We do not have the capacity to help new clients at this time.
Wellness Center at Tanglewood Park:
Closed until further notice.
Senior Center Activities/Health Promotion Classes:
All activities canceled until further notice.
Driftwood Café at Tanglewood Park:
Open at this time with reduced hours. 8 am to 1 pm, Monday – Friday next week until further notice.
AgeWell AdvantAge Newsletter
The AdvantAge is a newsletter published quarterly by AgeWell Services. Information in the newsletter includes a letter from our Director, and membership information and pricing. A listing of Activities / Events, their descriptions, and calendars for the quarter are also included.Please Help Us Keep Your Records Up to Date!
Is your name and mailing address correct? Please contact Renee Sischo in our Wellness Office with any changes:Email Renee or call (231) 733-8643
AgeWell Enewsletter
Another way for our members and donors to stay up-to-date is to subscribe to our weekly Enewsletter. Here is a sample of the newsletter to browse.We respect your privacy and do not share our mailing list with third parties. The sign up form is available below.Subscribe to the AgeWell Enewsletter Here
AgeWell Annual Report
The Annual Report is published yearly by AgeWell Services. Information in the report includes a letter from our Director, a list of programs and services, a timeline of events throughout the year, success stories and a financial report.
Behind the Wheel
The Behind the Wheel Donor Newsletter is published quarterly by AgeWell Services. Information in the newsletter includes a letter from our Director, a "More Than a Meal" success story, a donor spotlight, our wish list and updates on our wish list.
