I cycled into the village of Clinton Sunday morning, and it didn’t appear that there was much going on downtown…until I glimpsed two men down the street in a Clinton Fire Department truck wearing pink shirts and holding pink balloons.

Naturally, I was intrigued.

Jamie and Don, two of the bravest firefighters I know.

Jeff Jackson | Contributor

I had a hunch about what was going on, which was confirmed when we exchanged introductions and I got a closer look at those shirts. Sure enough, the firefighters were fundraising for breast cancer research. They told me to check out the activity at the fire station, where there was more information, and plenty of baked goods. (I would have gone there anyway, but that sealed the deal.)

At the fire station I met Kathy Reiser, one of four local women who will be participating in Michigan’s Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk this year. This event is a 60-mile walk over three days (20 miles per day) in locations throughout the country; the Michigan event will be held Aug. 17-19. In order to walk in the event, she told me, she needs to raise $2,300. This is the third year she will be walking, as captain of team Patti’s Pink Warriors.

“I’m passionate about this,” she said, as if there were any doubt.

Kathy Reiser, passionate walker.

Photo by Shelly Seay

Reiser is looking forward to this year's walk, although she admits it's a challenge.“That third day is the toughest,” she said, a sentiment I can confirm from my three-day weekend bike rides this month. She prepares for the event by walking regularly, with a training goal of at least 600 miles. And the passion for good causes runs in her family; her daughter-in-law will do a one-day 100-mile bike ride to support leukemia research.

According to the program website, 75 percent of the net proceeds raised by the 3-Day events fund national research and outreach programs, with the remainder funding local community and affiliate outreach programs. Komen came under some controversy earlier this year when it ended grants for Planned Parenthood breast screenings (a decision it has since reversed), but the women I spoke with didn’t voice any doubts about their support for the cause or the fundraising walk.

The other three women (Shelly Seay, Kristy Hall, and Becki Woerner) will be walking the 60 miles as team “Band-Aid Bandits,” assuming they meet the goal of raising $2,300 each. To them, breast cancer is personal; they are all walking in support of, or in memory of, family and friends who have breast cancer or have died from the disease. (The list for the Band-Aid Bandits team has 81 names.) They told me about the importance of getting screened so any cancer can be detected in its early stages where the chances of beating it are highest.

The firefighters I spoke with will not be walking, but they will be working the walk by helping to staff the aid stations and water stops. (As a marathon runner, I can attest to the love I have for the folks holding the Gatorade.) This is the first year they have supported the 3-Day. In addition to direct donations, they raised funds through sales of T-shirts.

They tell me that men wear these, too.

Jeff Jackson | Contributor

Sunday was the final day that the firefighters were holding their fundraising event in Clinton. According to the website, Shelly has met her goal, but Becki and Kristy still have a ways to go, as does Kathy, although she's confident she'll get there. If you’d like to support them, go to the website, and on the main page, click “Donate” and then, “Search for a Participant” or “Search for a Team.”

I won’t say whether I purchased a shirt during my visit, but you just might want to check out my personal blog in a couple of days. And the brownies were excellent.

Jeff Jackson is a runner, cyclist, and student of Aikido who writes the Fitness at 50 blog. His other interests include history, writing, and food (especially coffee, bread, and chocolate). He can be reached at jeff@fitnessat50.net.

Kay Brown with Evangelical Home Saline

Local rehabilitation services will expand and improve with the new Redies Center for Rehabilitation and Healthy Living. Kay Brown joined the program this past weekend to share this message. Kay is the director of admissions and marketing for Evangelical Home Saline, part of Evangelical Homes of Michigan.

Evangelical Home Saline acquired part of the St. Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital to allow them to greatly expand the size of their subacute rehabilitation services. The current rehab facility has just 22 beds. When the new Redies Center for Rehabilitation and Healthy Living opens in late summer or early fall, that number will increase to 54 beds, including 26 private rooms.

The new center will provide clients with subacute rehabilitation after they have been in the hospital, generally to help recover from orthopedic surgery. The center will have physical, occupational, and speech therapy as well a full spectrum of nursing care.

Kay is most excited they will have a pool and will offer warm water aquatic therapy. This is a low-resistance therapy program allowing clients that don't yet have the ability to undergo weight-bearing exercises to start therapy. This accelerates the whole therapy and recovery process.

The Redies Center will also offer Life Trails, taking therapy outside. There will be walking paths with different surface types, including wood chips, cement, and grass.

The center will also feature the Blossom Cafe, an internet cafe with outside patio seating, and open to the public. Clients will be able to easily order the exact type of food suggested by a registered dietician.

To hear our 13-minute conversation, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Kay or Evangelical Home Saline, call 734-429-9401 or visit the website evangelicalhomes.org.

Steve Bebber with Health Pro

Photos by Alan Caldwell

Our next guest explained why good hydration is so important. Steve Bebber is the owner of Health Pro and a health and wellness specialist. Steve's company is involved in a wide variety of health and wellness areas and has good success working with high school athletes to senior citizens.

Hydration is critically important because it affects every function in the human body. Steve shared how 75 percent of us are under-hydrated. We may drink when our body tells us we're thirsty, but being thirsty is a warning sign we are already under-hydrated.

Not all water is the same, much of it may have undesirable chemicals. With bottled water, Steve suggests making sure the bottle is a good quality plastic. Steve himself likes Perfect brand water, which is oxygenated and filtered 15 times. Drinking other liquids does provide hydration, but most water alternatives contain sugar or caffeine, which should be consumed in limited quantities.

We had a helpful discussion with Steve about good nutrition. Steve is a big proponent of organic choices, particularly if you can find certified truly organic fruits and vegetables. You don't want your fruit and vegetables to have been sprayed with chemicals.

Steve also believes in the value of high-quality supplements. For weight management, supplements can help with metabolism, increasing energy levels and promoting weight loss.

To listen to this 14-minute discussion, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Steve, you may e-mail him at healthpro@tc3net.com or call Health Pro at 734-646-1232.

Alan Caldwell and Sheila Doeden co-host Everything Elderly every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1290 WLBY. In their day jobs, Alan and Sheila co-own and co-manage Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. Both can be contacted at homecareexcellence@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.

The stinging nettle can be picked barehanded, but gloves are recommended.

Linda Diane Feldt | Contributor

Stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, season is coming to an end already. This weekend will be a great time to look for nettles and bring them home to eat or preserve. Delivering significant amounts of iron, calcium and protein nettles are a welcome spring food. Here is where to find them, and how to use them.

I last wrote about nettles two years ago in a column called "Stinging nettle is early this year."

They continue to gain in popularity, and local foragers have been selling them at The People’s food Co-op and also the Farmer’s Market. Since they are carefully wild harvested and picked by hand, they command a high price. You can pay that or go out and find them on your own for free.

Nettles like areas with high nitrogen in the soil, as well as moisture. You can find them in the sun, as well as a more shaded forest setting. Look for them along river banks, at the site of old barns and enclosures (the animals will have supplied lots of nitrogen) but also randomly in forests and fence lines.

I created a couple nettle patches by transplanting some plants along the bank of a lake, and they moved themselves into a more shaded and protected area where the burdock also grows. By repeatedly picking the top third of the plant and the new shoots, I can extend the season a bit.

Once the flowers are beginning to form or the stems become stronger and not easily snapped, it’s time to stop picking it. It's also time to stop when the plant is more thinned out in its growth and over three feet in height. It doesn’t taste as good, and some people have reported stomach upset eating nettles later in the season. Certainly by June, most nettle should be left alone to flower.

This week I happened upon a nice patch of nettles while walking in the woods. This bit of land has just been purchased, and I was helping the new owners learn about the medicinal and edible plants they now had access to. Close to the end of our walk through this 20-some acre woods, we found the nettles right along the path. I carefully snapped off the top eight inches or so of each plants, using my hat as a container.

I collected some nettles in my hat, and by the next day they were beginning to dry out. But they were still okay to cook and enjoy!

Linda Diane Feldt | Contributor

I wasn’t stung at all, but my thumb and index finger felt the “buzz” from the formic acid present in the stinging hairs. Gloves are recommended for picking nettles and handling them when you get them home. Once the plant is either dried, mashed, or cooked, it can no longer sting.

Nettles have a bit of a chewy texture and taste far more interesting than spinach, and I always feel happy and excited when I eat them.

Use them right away

Fresh nettles can be lightly steamed (about 15-20 minutes), boiled as a pot green, featured in soups or used as you might spinach or kale. If you do boil or steam them, save the water from the pot and drink that as well. It will have lots of nutritional value. There have been a number of recipes circulated lately for nettle pesto. I’ve tried a couple of them, and they don’t make me happy at all. The nettle flavor is odd, almost muddy, and I think it is a waste of a great tasting plant. I don’t recommend that use at all.

Freeze them to eat later

Bring water to a boil, dip the nettles in until they change color (less than 30 seconds) place in a freezer container once they are cool enough and freeze. While they are best used within six months or so, I’ve found nettles in the back of the freezer from two years ago, and they were still edible, though they had clearly lost some flavor in the process.

Dry them for an herbal infusion

Spread the nettles out on a screen, or bundle and hang, until perfectly dry. Store in a jar with a lid out of direct sun. Use within a year. To make the infusion, bring water to a just below a boil, use about one inch of the dried and crushed nettle in a quart jar used for canning, pour in the water, put a lid on it, and steep for three to eight hours or overnight. Drain and enjoy hot or cold.

The infused plant material will help your compost pile, and is especially valued in biodynamic gardening. The infused nettle is a particularly effective way to use nettles medicinally.

Nettles have a long history of medicinal use

Regular use of the infusion can help to strengthen the lungs and kidneys, an extract made from the leaves is helpful for burns, eating the plant or using the infusion provides a good source of iron for anemia, and for allergies use of the extract or infusion seems to benefit some people as it may decrease the histamine response. There is ongoing research into using nettle for prostate disease.

The literature and research on nettles is accumulating, with documentation of a number of positive responses in varied use. The dangers of using nettles are few. Eating the plant is similar to eating most vegetables.

Using the extract and infusion is also considered safe, although as with any herb there are possible interactions with any drug you may be taking. It can have a diuretic effect for some people, and can lower blood sugar levels.

This is one of my favorite plants, and it grows abundantly in our area. Finding and harvesting stinging nettles would be a great reason to get outside and explore this weekend.

Linda Diane Feldt is a local holistic health practitioner, teacher and author. You can follow her on twitter, visit her website, or contact her directly. “Wildcrafting Recipes: Loving and Eating Wild Foods” is available as a weekly subscription, check here for more information on any of her six books. The next free class on herbal wisdom is May 24, and the subject is introducing kids to foraging. Check with the People’s Food Co-op for more information.

Abbie Lawrence-Jacobson with Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

On the radio show this past weekend, we got educated about learning and discovered that talking about life insurance can be interesting and entertaining. Our first guest was Abbie Lawrence-Jacobson (LMSW, Ph.D.), program coordinator at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI).

OLLI is part of the University of Michigan Health Systems Geriatrics Center. OLLI allows older people to share a love of learning. Those 50 and over are eligible to participate in numerous programs.

Each year OLLI sponsors five themed lectures series, each six weeks long, with about 250 people attending each series. There are also 120 smaller classes/study groups, each with five to 25 people, covering an enormous variety of topics.

While the staff consists of Abbie and a finance coordinator and an administrative assistant, Abbie is very quick to give credit to their 130 active volunteers, "the heart and soul of OLLI." The volunteers fill numerous committees that come up with the ideas, recruit speakers and really shape the program. Plus they themselves actively participate in the lectures and class groups.

There are nominal costs to get involved. Membership is $20 annually, and the fees for the lectures and other events range from $8 to $35. The activities are held throughout the local community, including at the Turner Senior Resource Center, churches, residential facilities and the Clarion Hotel.

Importantly, there is much research on the benefits of learning in the later years, including improved health outcomes and delays in the progression of chronic illness and disability. But to most of the 1250 OLLI members, participation isn't about future health benefits, it's about finding purpose, excitement and camaraderie right now.

To hear our 13-minute conversation, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Abbie or the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, call 734-998-9351 or visit the website olliumich.org.

Freddy Rosenthal with Farm Bureau Insurance

Freddy Rosenthal and Paul Wagner joined the program to help us get educated about life insurance. Freddy is the owner of the Freddy Rosenthal Agency with Farm Bureau Insurance in Ann Arbor. Paul is a planning specialist with Farm Bureau. The discussion focused on how seniors can better protect their assets for their children and grandchildren.

Freddy and Paul frequently recommend a single premium whole life product. The premium is a one-time payment, using assets not required for living expenses. The objective is to minimize taxes and maximize what gets passed on to heirs. The single premium provides a significant death benefit (for a healthy 60-year-old male, a $100,000 premium has a $200,000 death benefit).

Paul Wagner with Farm Bureau Insurance

Photos by Sheila Doeden

Paul spoke of how long term care is becoming a bigger concern, as those that need care will likely need significant financial resources. Many companies have gotten into and out of the long term care insurance business. Adding a long term care rider to life insurance is becoming more prevalent. There are different options that allow advance access to portions of the death benefit if long term care is needed (referred to as an accelerated death benefit).

We learned that Farm Bureau started a long time ago with a pool of farmers that sought to reduce their financial risk. The organization grew and their products evolved with the times (with the advent of automobiles, they added car insurance).

To listen to this 13-minute discussion, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Freddy, Paul, or the Freddy Rosenthal agency, call 734-332-0599 or visit the website freddyrosenthal.com.

Alan Caldwell and Sheila Doeden co-host Everything Elderly every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1290 WLBY. In their day jobs, Alan and Sheila co-own and co-manage Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. Both can be contacted at homecareexcellence@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.

Dandelions are beautiful early strong hardy plants that benefit the bees and people!

Linda Diane Feldt | Contributor

Some things are worth repeating. Dandelions are valuable plants. Dandelions have medicinal use, and they have value as a nutritionally-dense food. They can taste great.

In the last few weeks, I’ve seen people working hard to dig dandelions from their lawns and had the chemical stench of weed killer overpower the fragrance of lilacs, lily of the valley and other flowers. This is a competition for air space that the flowers always lose.

Spending time and using toxic chemicals to eliminate a valuable plant is bizarre behavior, yet it is also what many people still feel compelled to do.

Conventional lawns are finally dwindling in this area, replaced by permaculture, small prairies, rain gardens, hardscaping and natural lawns that incorporate common weeds and a variety of plants, many of which are useful for food and medicine.

Are you concerned about the wild and domesticated bees? They are in trouble, and dandelions can help. Dandelions provide bees with an important source for food early in the year, and between other flowers. And if those flowers are poisoned, it eliminates a critical food supply and also carries that poison back to the hive, possibly damaging these sensitive and vital insects.

When I last wrote about dandelions, a number of the comments published and private were from people who like the look, the taste and the spirit of dandelions. I’m thrilled whenever I see a lawn with lots of dandelions. It means it hasn’t been poisoned, it looks lovely, and it is a source for potential harvesting for the people who live there.

I’ve written about the benefits of dandelions many times before. Here it is again.

The dandelion, Taraxacum officinale, was intentionally brought to the U.S. hundreds of years ago. A bitter green, the leaves can be used in salads, in stir-fries, as a pot green mixed with other vegetables or as a garnish on sandwiches — yep, even on your hamburger in place of lettuce. I blend them into homemade salad dressing.

I pick the flowers and shred them into salads (an entire dandelion blossom can be a little overwhelming for most people). Combined with violets, mustard flowers, red buds and other flowers, and it is a lovely little riot of color in your salad bowl.

Like other bitter greens, dandelions help stimulate digestion when eaten a few minutes before or during a meal. You can also use dandelion tincture for the same purpose. They contain more beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, than carrots.

The leaves are also high in calcium and other minerals, and antioxidants. They contain vitamin C and act as a mild diuretic. The leaves and roots also provide nourishment for the liver. And of course dandelion wine can be made from the flowers, which is also enjoyed as a digestive aid and a pleasant beverage.

All parts of the dandelion are edible at all times of the year. The leaves of most (but not all) varieties are more bitter midsummer and around the time of flowering. They are the most palatable in the spring and fall.

The roots are harvested in the spring and fall for their medicinal value and can be preserved in alcohol (I use 100 proof vodka) or in vinegar. The vodka makes a tincture, used a few drops at a time most commonly for the digestive help or for liver support. The vinegar creates a sort of pickle, the root can still be eaten for the flavor but the resulting vinegar is a mineral rich potion enjoyed for its bio-availabilty.

Please thank your neighbors who are allowing dandelions to grow unpoisoned in their yards, and try incorporating this valuable plant into a few meals.

For now, be careful were you harvest since so many dandelions are still being treated with chemicals that are harmful to you. And for the long term, ask how your yard can be useful — for wild life, for bees, for you and your family — rather than just ornamental.

Linda Diane Feldt is a local Holistic Health Practitioner, author and teacher. You can follow her on twitter, visit her website, and also subscribe to her on-line publications sent out weekly including “Wildcrafting Recipes: Loving and Eating Wild Foods”. Upcoming weed walks include one for Growing Hope May 13, The Chelsea Michigan Friend’s Center May 26, and an "independent" walk May 20. Contact Linda Diane for more details.

Wild party for my 50th birthday? Nah! The Holiday Hustle 5K for me!

Photo by Doug Jackson

Are you a baby boomer, age 50 or older, or about to hit that milestone number?

Congratulations! It’s a great time to be alive. In 1900, the average life expectancy was just 47 years. Today that number is close to 80, and it’s likely to increase further in the years ahead. What did (or does) reaching 50 mean to you? Has it changed your outlook at all? Have you made or do you intend on any lifestyle changes to help you make the rest of your life the best it can be?

Last December I joined more than 4 million Americans who turned 50 in 2011 (“late boomers,” as it were). I want to maintain a high quality of life for as long as possible, and I’ll go out on a limb and assume everyone else wants this, too.

And the prospects are excellent; these days there’s a greater level of nutritional awareness, plentiful options for exercise and physical therapy, and a preventive approach to health care with incentives from insurance companies to stay active and fit. And with the 50-and-over demographic segment expected to make up 45 percent of the U.S. population by 2015, our voices will be heard; if we want something bad enough, we’ll get it.

So are boomers taking advantage of the opportunities to improve their quality of life? Some sure are; the number of over-50 marathon runners continues to increase, and in a study sponsored by Humana, Inc. 75 percent of the respondents over age 50 reported exercising three or more times per week. But according to a New York Daily News article, about two-thirds of all boomers are overweight, with about half of those considered obese.

Clearly, not everyone is joining the party. I suspect many of you, like me not all that long ago, would like to be more active and lead a healthier lifestyle, but don't know where to start or don't think you have the time. In my mid-forties, I decided to make the time and start training, and “Fitness at 50” is the result.

It's all about the attitude! (Glamming prior to the Borgess Run for the Health of It! 5K last weekend.)

Photo by Rachel Jackson

• Run and bike a combined total of at least 2,500 miles (50x50)
• Run a 50K ultramarathon
• Take a 500-mile bike trip
• Attend 50 Aikido classes in one month (completed)
• Write a novel of at least 50,000 words

Now, I didn’t go from inactivity to all this overnight. But the good news is that improvement — even rapid improvement — can happen at any age. I began running seriously at age 46 and just four years later I am performing near the top of my age group. For a really amazing example, one guy I correspond with went from couch potato at age 52 to completing an Ironman triathlon at 55.

In future columns, I will be reporting on my adventures and discoveries from this year of celebration and the lessons I learn along the way. I’ll also be talking to other active people in their 40s, 50s, and older, sharing their stories about what they do to keep fit, what they enjoy about it, and what motivates them to keep going through the not-so-enjoyable parts. I hope at least a few of you out there will be inspired to join me in getting more active and getting or keeping fit. It's good for you!

This is good for me... (gasp!) This is good for me...

Photo by Rachel Jackson

Jeff Jackson is a runner, cyclist, and student of Aikido who writes the Fitness at 50 blog. His other interests include history, writing, and food (especially coffee, bread and chocolate). He can be reached at jeff@fitnessat50.net.

Bryan Kulcsar with Heartland Home Health Care and Hospice

There are wonderful health services available to seniors right in their own homes. Bryan Kulcsar, account liaison with Heartland Home Health Care and Hospice, shared this message on the radio program this past weekend.

For those recovering from a surgery or an illness, home health care provides skilled medical assistance from visiting registered nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. The care is generally covered by Medicare or medical insurance. To qualify, you need to be considered home-bound, meaning it's a taxing effort to get out of the house.

Hospice services are for those with a terminal condition with a prognosis of six months or less. Hospice care can also include massage therapy, music therapy and pet therapy. These services can provide a better quality of living to the end of life.

To take advantage of these programs, families should talk with their loved one's doctor. With the physician's written order, in-home care can usually start right away. The goals of Heartland's home care include making sure the patient understands his or her disease or condition, effective in-home treatment and reduced re-hospitalization.

Bryan spoke about how families can best evaluate different home care choices. One terrific resource is Medicare.gov. At this website, under the Resource Locator, click on Home Health Compare. From there, input your ZIP code and select the various agencies you would like to evaluate.

To hear our 13-minute conversation, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Bryan or Heartland Home Health Care and Hospice, call 877-329-1001 or visit the website hcr-manorcare.com.

Beth Adams with the Housing Bureau for Seniors

Photos by Sheila Doeden

The local senior community is getting revved up for the big annual event, Senior Living Week. Beth Adams joined the program to share all the details. Beth is the director of the Housing Bureau for Seniors and Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels.

This major event kicks off with the expo this Friday, May 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., at the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College. The expo is open to the public and is totally free. There will be almost 90 exhibitors, from senior residences to all sorts of local service providers that help the elderly.

Beth talked about the tremendous amount of information that can be quickly gained at the expo. It's a great opportunity to talk with professionals face to face and to get to know those that might be able to assist you or your family.

Besides the vendor exhibitors, the expo also includes four useful workshops. The workshops continue through the following week at various locations and include sessions on wellness, avoiding fraud, living with low vision, living safely at home, understanding care options, finances and many others. These workshops are presented by local industry experts who are there to help you get informed.

The other major part of Senior Living Week are the open houses of local senior facilities. There are 13 open houses scheduled from Saturday, May 12 through Sunday, May 20, representing a variety of independent and assisted living options. These are your chance to tour facilities and really get a feel for each community.

To listen to this 13-minute discussion, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Beth, the Housing Bureau for Seniors, or to learn more about Senior Living Week, please call 734-998-9339 or visit the website med.umich.edu/seniors/.

Alan Caldwell and Sheila Doeden co-host Everything Elderly every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1290 WLBY. In their day jobs, Alan and Sheila co-own and co-manage Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. Both can be contacted at homecareexcellence@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.

Late in 2009, a partnership group led by Washtenaw County Public Health (WCPH) applied for and received Michigan Department of Community Health funding to address health disparities in Washtenaw County. The grant is in the second year of a three- year cycle in which WCPH and its partners will address the social determinants (or social factors) that contribute to health disparities among the African-American community in Washtenaw County.

This pilot program will concentrate on the south side of Ypsilanti known as the Gateway Community (GC). The GC was chosen for the following reasons:

• Infrastructure (Parkridge Community Center; Hope Clinic; WCC Harriet Street Center; on the bus line; and churches)
• Demographics (i.e., high density of African-Americans in relatively small area)
• High-need area of the county

The Community Health Advocate (CHA) program is addressing three main social factors, and the CHAs were trained to serve 250 GC residents (in fiscal year 2012) in these areas:

• Healthier food access (e.g., fresh fruits and veggies)


• Access to government-sponsored insurance programs (e.g., Medicaid eligibility)


• Emotional/well-being support (e.g., self care between doctor visits, advocacy resources)

A best-practice intervention called Community Health Advocacy (CHA) that involves training lay persons to assist members of a community address the social factors (e.g., transportation, education, safe neighborhoods) that influence their health was developed.

• 12 trained Community Health Advocates (September 2011)
• Created a manual for CHA trainings
• CHA hours are noon-4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
• Established a CHA sub group (which includes four trained CHAs) that guides the functions and roles of CHAP

Parkridge Community Center (591 Armstrong, Ypsilanti) will be the main hub for the program (and the CHAs are present at GC events such as health fairs, farmers markets etc). We relied on our grant partners (listed below) to help identify our CHAs. Our criteria included:

• Lives or has lived in the GC
• Works in the GC
• Recieves or have received services from an agency located in the GC

GRANT Partners:

• The Corner Health Center
• Michigan Institute for Clinical Health Research (MICHR)
• Packard Health
• St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Neighborhood Family Health Center
• UMHS Program for Multicultural Health
• Washtenaw Community College
• Ypsilanti Health Coalition

For more information, contact Charles Wilson at wilsonc@ewashtenaw.org or 734-544-2981

***The Michigan Primary Care Demonstration Project has identified the CHA model as a best-practice intervention as well.***

Lindsay McCarthy talking about Senior Living Week

The big senior event of the year is almost here. Lindsay McCarthy joined the program this past weekend and gave us all the details on Senior Living Week. Lindsay is the marketing and events coordinator for Community Health Services with the University of Michigan Health System. She is busy these days helping the Housing Bureau for Seniors organize Senior Living Week.

This annual event kicks off with the Expo on Friday, May 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., at the Morris Lawrence Building at Washtenaw Community College. This is open to the public and is totally free. There will be more than 70 vendors representing all aspects of senior lifestyles and care for those more elderly.

A major part of the week are the workshops that begin at the expo itself. There are four workshops that Friday, about elder law and estate planning, staying independent at home, optimal rehabilitation and geriatric assessments. The workshops continue throughout the week at various senior communities in Washtenaw County. These are all conducted by experts in their fields and are a perfect time to get answers to your specific questions.

Another key aspect of the week are the open houses at local senior facilities. There are 13 open houses scheduled from Saturday, May 12 through Sunday, May 20, representing a variety of independent and assisted living communities. These are opportunities to tour the facilities and get a sense of the atmosphere of each community, as each one has its own character.

To hear our 13-minute conversation, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Lindsay, or to learn more about Senior Living Week, please call 734-998-9339 or visit the website med.umich.edu/seniors/.

Arlene Hsu with Brookdale Place Ann Arbor

Photos by Sheila Doeden

It's always fun to talk about food on the show and we had the opportunity as Arlene Hsu joined the program. Arlene is the executive director of Brookdale Place Ann Arbor. This community is located on Ann Arbor - Saline Road, across from the Main Street Busch's. They offer assisted living as well as memory care in their Clare Bridge program.

Arlene spoke about the importance of good nutritious food for seniors. Those more elderly still want to have great tasting food and it's also important to provide the nutrition they need.

Arlene's facility benefits from Brookdale's Culinary Institute of Arts in Chicago, where the chefs are trained in the specifics of cooking for their senior communities. The menus are developed by a geriatric physician, dietician, and a chef. This team ensures the Brookdale menus provide great taste with excellent nutrition.

There is also considerable local input into the dining at Brookdale. The residents provide weekly feedback, and there is a food committee that meets monthly. We particularly enjoyed hearing that residents may provide the chefs with favorite family recipes so they can enjoy a taste of their family past.

Arlene also shared how for those in Clare Bridge, with moderate to severe Alzheimer's/dementia, there are special considerations when it comes to meal times. The objective is reduced stimulation and a calmer atmosphere with simpler dining — as Arlene says, "setting up their residents for success".

Brookdale residents particularly love the comfort food — beef and mashed potatoes, and fresh vegetables. They buy local whenever they can, and fortunately there are an abundance of fresh choices right here in Michigan.

To listen to this 13-minute discussion, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Arlene or Brookdale Place, please call 734-327-1350 or visit the website brookdaleliving.com.

Alan Caldwell and Sheila Doeden co-host Everything Elderly every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1290 WLBY. In their day jobs, Alan and Sheila co-own and co-manage Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. Both can be contacted at homecareexcellence@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.

University of Michigan Associate Professor at the School of Social Work, Brad Zebrack, Ph.D., MSW, offers some valuable insight and advice about parenting with cancer in the video below, which recently aired on the PBS show A Wider World. Dr. Zebrack is a Hodgkin lymphoma survivor since 1985 and has devoted his career to studying the impact of cancer on families and young adults.

Additional resources:

In Ann Arbor, The Cancer Support Community of Greater Ann Arbor has programs for kids or teenagers who have a parent with cancer. Parents meet separately from kids to discuss their own concerns and share advice. Find more about the groups and see the May/June calender for meetings here or call Bonnie Dockham, program director, at 734-975-2500.

How to Tell Your Children About Your Cancer, from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Parenting With Cancer, a website created by Jen Singer, a lymphoma survivor and mother of two.

The Children's Treehouse Foundation provides tools for parents and support at hospitals throughout the country.

Helping Your Children Cope With Your Cancer, a collection of essays written by parents, their children and health care experts.

Betsy de Parry is the author of Adventures In Cancer Land and the producer of the Candid Cancer reports. Find her on Facebook, email her or follow Candid Cancer on Twitter.

Photo by Flickr user tuppus.

Washtenaw County Public Health's Environmental Health Division inspects all food service establishments in the county, including bars, restaurants, schools and seasonal vendors — about 1,110 facilities in total! Inspection results are now published monthly on AnnArbor.com.

Why do we inspect?

Inspections help to ensure that safe food is served to the public. Sanitarians (otherwise known as health inspectors) use the Michigan Food Law of 2000 and the 2005 FDA Food Code when doing the inspections and are looking for critical and non-critical food safety violations.

How frequent are inspections?

Routine inspections take place twice per year, or once per year if the business is only open seasonally. Routine inspections are unannounced. Environmental Health will initiate additional inspections if a foodborne illness or other substantial complaint is reported.

Each inspection is a snapshot in time, and conditions found at the restaurant are not necessarily the conditions that could be found in the restaurant at other times. Sanitarians ask many questions about the menu, operations and procedures to get the best possible idea of the day-to-day conditions of the restaurant.

Critical vs. non-critical violations

Sanitarians are looking for critical and non-critical violations during inspections. Critical violations can lead directly to food-borne illness and must be corrected immediately. Examples of critical violations include an employee not washing hands before preparing food, storing food at improper temperatures and a dish machine not properly sanitizing dishes.

Non-critical violations may not directly lead to food-borne illness but are important to the overall safety and sanitation of the facility. Non-critical violations must be corrected within 90 days of the routine inspection and include items such as employees not wearing hats or hairnets, not covering food during storage and dirty floors.

What if I have a complaint?

Environmental Health responds to general restaurant complaints as well as food-borne illness complaints. Please call our office at 734-222-3800 to file a complaint or to report a suspected food-borne illness.

March Inspection Summary Report:

Inspection Summary Report
Establishment	Address	City	Inspection Date	Critical	Non Crit.
A TASTE OF SOUL	97 SPRING STREET	YPSILANTI	3/12/2012	0	2
AFC SUSHI @ EMU	1200 OAKWOOD	YPSILANTI	3/22/2012	0	1
AHMO'S EXPRESS	2505 DEXTER RD.	ANN ARBOR	3/8/2012	0	1
AHMO'S GYROS & DELI	4001 STONE SCHOOL ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/15/2012	0	5
ALI BABA RESTAURANT	601 PACKARD	ANN ARBOR	3/12/2012	1	3
AMERICAN GRILL INC.	1450 HOLMES ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/27/2012	1	10
AMERICAN LEGION POST 322	320 W. MICHIGAN AVENUE	SALINE	3/16/2012	2	7
ANN ARBOR COUNTRY CLUB	4699 E. LOCH ALPINE DRIVE	ANN ARBOR	3/1/2012	3	6
APPLEBEE'S NEIGHBORHOOD GRILL & BAR	3819 CARPENTER ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/26/2012	0	2
ARBOR BREWING CO.	114 E. WASHINGTON	ANN ARBOR	3/5/2012	2	10
ARCTIC COLISEUM CONCESSION STAND	501 COLISEUM DR.	CHELSEA	3/8/2012	0	1
ARGIERIO'S RESTAURANT	300 DETROIT STREET	ANN ARBOR	3/21/2012	2	5
ASIA CITY RESTAURANT	2905 WASHTENAW AVE.	YPSILANTI	3/27/2012	5	16
AUBREE'S PIZZERIA & GRILL	8031 MAIN ST. SUITE 100	DEXTER	3/12/2012	6	6
AVI FOODSYSTEMS, INC (Jackson)	RECELLULAR 2555 BISHOP CR W	DEXTER	3/6/2012	0	0
AVI FOODSYSTEMS, INC (Jackson)	SHAR PRODUCTS(2465 S.INDUSTRI	ANN ARBOR	3/6/2012	0	1
AVI FOODSYSTEMS, INC (Jackson)	MEIJERS #173 5645 JACKSON RD	ANN ARBOR	3/6/2012	0	1
AVI FOODSYSTEMS, INC (Jackson)	NAGEL PRECISION 288 DINO DR	ANN ARBOR	3/6/2012	0	0
BACH ELEMENTARY	600 W. JEFFERSON	ANN ARBOR	3/20/2012	0	2
BARTON HILLS COUNTRY CLUB	730 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE	ANN ARBOR	3/16/2012	4	13
BATES ELEMENTARY	2704 BAKER ROAD	DEXTER	3/5/2012	0	0
BEARCLAW COFFEE COMPANY	2460 WASHTENAW AVE.	ANN ARBOR	3/28/2012	1	1
BIG OCEAN	334 S. FORD BLVD	YPSILANTI	3/1/2012	0	0
BIGGBY COFFEE	1741 PLYMOUTH RD.	ANN ARBOR	3/9/2012	2	2
BIGGBY COFFEE	539 E. LIBERTY ST	ANN ARBOR	3/9/2012	1	6
BILL'S, INC.	1292 E. MICHIGAN AVENUE	YPSILANTI	3/20/2012	0	1
BREWED AWAKENINGS CAFE	7025 E. MICHIGAN AVE	SALINE	3/16/2012	0	3
BRIDGEWATER BANK & TAVERN RESTAURANT	8452 BOETTNER	BRIDGEWATER	3/26/2012	1	5
BRUEGGER'S BAGEL BAKERY	709 N. UNIVERSITY	ANN ARBOR	3/13/2012	2	4
BTB CANTINA (BIG TEN BURRITO CANTINA)	1140 S. UNIVERSITY (2ND FLOOR)	ANN ARBOR	3/7/2012	0	1
BURGER KING	4885 WASHTENAW	ANN ARBOR	3/15/2012	2	6
BURGER KING # 519	823 E. MICHIGAN AVENUE	YPSILANTI	3/26/2012	1	5
BURNS PARK ELEMENTARY	1414 WELLS	ANN ARBOR	3/13/2012	0	0
C & C PIZZA	327 W. MAIN ST.	MANCHESTER	3/30/2012	0	1
CAFE OLLIE/MI GENERAL STORE	42 E. CROSS STREET	YPSILANTI	3/7/2012	1	4
CAFE ZOLA	112 W. WASHINGTON	ANN ARBOR	3/6/2012	1	11
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN	870 BRIARWOOD CIRCLE	ANN ARBOR	3/26/2012	1	3
CARPENTER ELEMENTARY	4250 CENTRAL	ANN ARBOR	3/7/2012	1	0
CENTRAL ACADEMY	2461 S. INDUSTRIAL HIGHWAY	ANN ARBOR	3/26/2012	0	1
CENTRAL ACADEMY ELEMENTARY	2455 SOUTH INDUSTRIAL	ANN ARBOR	3/26/2012	0	0
CHAN GARDEN	2265 W. LIBERTY	ANN ARBOR	3/14/2012	1	3
CHELSEA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL	775 S. MAIN STREET	CHELSEA	3/8/2012	1	4
Inspection Summary Report
Establishment	Address	City	Inspection Date	Critical	Non Crit.
CHELSEA COMFORT INN - BREAKFAST CENTER	1645 COMMERECE PARK DR	CHELSEA	3/5/2012	0	0
CHELSEA COMMUNITY CENTER	500 E. WASHINGTON	CHELSEA	3/26/2012	0	0
CHELSEA HIGH SCHOOL	740 N. FREER ROAD	CHELSEA	3/26/2012	0	0
CHICK INN	501 HOLMES ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/7/2012	0	3
CHINESE TONITE RESTAURANT	1127 S. MAIN STREET	CHELSEA	3/29/2012	3	8
CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL	858 BRIARWOOD CIRCLE, STE E130	ANN ARBOR	3/6/2012	1	1
CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL	235 S. STATE ST.	ANN ARBOR	3/8/2012	0	0
CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL #955	3354 WASHTENAW AVE	ANN ARBOR	3/9/2012	1	0
CITY LIMITS DINER	220 W. MICHIGAN AVENUE	SALINE	3/27/2012	3	6
CLAGUE JR. HIGH SCHOOL	2616 NIXON ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/13/2012	0	2
COFFEE HOUSE CREAMERY	3780 JACKSON RD.	ANN ARBOR	3/7/2012	0	3
COMET COFFEE LLC	16 NICKELS ARCADE	ANN ARBOR	3/13/2012	0	1
COMMON CUP THE @ ST. LUKE LUTHERN CHURCH	1511 WASHTENAW	ANN ARBOR	3/13/2012	0	1
CONCORDIA COLLEGE (ARAMARK)	4090 GEDDES ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	2	4
CONTINENTAL CANTEEN	ACH SALINE- LOC 3 K-1	SALINE	3/28/2012	0	0
CONTINENTAL CANTEEN	7700 MICHIGAN AVE	SALINE	3/28/2012	1	1
CONTINENTAL CANTEEN	ACH SALINE - LOC 7 R-5	SALINE	3/28/2012	0	0
CONTINENTAL CANTEEN - DEXTER FASTNER TEC	2110 BISHOP CIRCLE	DEXTER	3/1/2012	0	0
CONTINENTAL CANTEEN - MARTIN REA INTL	10501 HWY 52 -REAR LUNCHROOM	MANCHESTER	3/8/2012	1	0
CONTINENTAL CANTEEN - PROQUEST YPSILATI	699 JAMES L. HART PKY	YPSILANTI	3/1/2012	0	0
CONTINENTAL CANTEEN - THOMAS COOLEY LAW	3475 PLYMOUTH RD	ANN ARBOR	3/6/2012	0	1
CONTINENTAL CANTEEN- DEXTER FASTNER	2110 BISHOP CIRCLE EAST -MAIN	DEXTER	3/1/2012	0	1
CONTINENTAL CANTEEN- UPS YPSILNATI	540 S. MANSFIELD RD - BREAK AR	YPSILANTI	3/1/2012	0	0
CONTINETAL CANTEEN- MARTIN REA INT	10501 HWY 52 -FRONT LUNCH ROOM	MANCHESTER	3/8/2012	1	0
CONTINTENTAL CANTEEN - AA PARKS & REC	100 N. FIFTH ST	ANN ARBOR	3/1/2012	0	0
CORNERSTONE ELEMENTARY	7480 DAN HOEY ROAD	DEXTER	3/5/2012	0	0
COTTAGE INN PIZZA	520 S. MAIN STREET	CHELSEA	3/5/2012	0	7
COTTAGE INN PIZZA	3219 BROAD ST.	DEXTER	3/6/2012	0	6
CREEKSIDE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL	2615 BAKER ROAD	DEXTER	3/12/2012	0	1
CSTS DD COMERCIAL KITCHEN	2140 E. ELLSWORTH RD	ANN ARBOR	3/28/2012	0	1
CUBS A.C.	1950 S. INDUSTRIAL HIGHWAY	ANN ARBOR	3/13/2012	1	6
DELICIOUS DOGS @ LOWE'S	3900 CARPENTER RD.	YPSILANTI	3/28/2012	0	3
DIBELLAS OLD FASHIONED SUBMARINES	904 W. EISENHOWER PKWY	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	0	2
DICKEN ELEMENTARY	2135 RUNNYMEDE	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	0	2
DKY SUSHI	283 S. ZEEB ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/5/2012	0	4
DOGGONE MCCORMICK STFU	3195 W. MICHIGAN AVE	YPSILANTI	3/23/2012	1	0
DON'S VENDING SERVICE - JC PENNY	PENNYS AT BRIARWOOD	ANN ARBOR	3/26/2012	0	3
DROWSY PARROT MERCANTILE LTD	105 N. ANN ARBOR STREET	SALINE	3/2/2012	0	4
DWIGHT BEACH MIDDLE SCHOOL	445 A.D. MAYER DRIVE	CHELSEA	3/22/2012	0	0
EASTERN WASHTENAW MULTICULTURE ACADEMY	5550 PLATT RD	ANN ARBOR	3/20/2012	2	3
ELK'S FRONTIER LODGE #1681	1405 ECORSE ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/23/2012	0	5
EMU - INTERNATIONAL KITCHEN	900 OAKWOOD	YPSILANTI	3/14/2012	4	1
Inspection Summary Report
Establishment	Address	City	Inspection Date	Critical	Non Crit.
EMU CROSSROADS & HOYT CONFERENCE CENTER	HOYT CONFERENCE CENTER	YPSILANTI	3/7/2012	1	8
EMU EINSTEIN BAGELS	HOYT CONFERENCE CENTER	YPSILANTI	3/27/2012	1	4
EMU E-STREET GRILL / JUMP EXPRESS ESTRN	SELLERS DRIVE DC#2	YPSILANTI	3/29/2012	1	4
EMU ISLAND FOOD COURT	900 OAKWOOD BLVD.	YPSILANTI	3/14/2012	0	3
EMU PUMPERNICKEL'S	300 W. MICHIGAN (COLL BUSINESS	YPSILANTI	3/14/2012	1	5
EMU STARBUCKS	900 OAKWOOD BLVD.	YPSILANTI	3/22/2012	2	3
EMU SUNSET STRIP / BAKE SHOP	SELLERS DR DC #2	YPSILANTI	3/29/2012	0	1
EMU TACO BELL (SALSA GRILLE)	900 OAKWOOD BLVD.	YPSILANTI	3/22/2012	0	1
EMU UPPER CRUST (THE)	SELLERS DRIVE	YPSILANTI	3/29/2012	0	1
EMU WRAP IT UP / FRESHENS	SELLERS DRIVE	YPSILANTI	3/29/2012	1	2
ERICKSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	1427 LEVONA	YPSILANTI	3/30/2012	0	1
ESPRESSO ROYALE	1101 S. UNIVERSITY	ANN ARBOR	3/8/2012	1	1
ESTABROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	1555 W. CROSS STREET	YPSILANTI	3/27/2012	0	1
EVERGREEN ORIENTAL INC.	2771 PLYMOUTH ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/8/2012	1	7
EXPRESS FISH & CHICKEN	3015 E MICHIGAN AVE	YPSILANTI	3/22/2012	0	4
FAMOUS HAMBURGER	1739 PLYMOUTH RD.	ANN ARBOR	3/7/2012	1	4
FENDERS BAR & GRILL	18-20 WABASH STREET	MILAN	3/20/2012	0	2
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH	1200 N. ANN ARBOR STREET	SALINE	3/7/2012	0	2
FIVE GUYS BURGERS AND FRIES	311 S. STATE	ANN ARBOR	3/6/2012	0	3
FOOD ZONE CHINESE RESTAURANT	7023 DEXTER-ANN ARBOR ROAD	DEXTER	3/19/2012	1	3
FOREST SCHOOL	1706 ECORSE ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/30/2012	0	3
FOREST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER	135 S. PROSPECT ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/26/2012	0	0
FOREST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER - CAFETERIA	135 S. PROSPECT		3/12/2012	0	0
FORSYTHE JR. HIGH SCHOOL	1655 NEWPORT ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/15/2012	0	2
FULL HOUSE INC	57 ECORSE ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/12/2012	0	2
GANDY DANCER	401 DEPOT STREET	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	0	6
GOLDEN EGG	2660 WASHTENAW	YPSILANTI	3/20/2012	0	7
GRATZI	326 S. MAIN STREET	ANN ARBOR	3/23/2012	1	7
GREAT WALL CHINESE RESTAURANT	2128 WHITTAKER ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/1/2012	0	3
GREEK LIFE FOOD SERVICE LLP	50 E. NORTH TERRITORIAL ROAD	WHITMORE LAKE	3/15/2012	1	6
GRIZZLY PEAK BREWING CO.	120 W. WASHINGTON	ANN ARBOR	3/21/2012	2	10
GUI LIN	711 W. MICHIGAN AVENUE	SALINE	3/8/2012	1	2
HAABS RESTAURANT	18 W. MICHIGAN AVENUE	YPSILANTI	3/1/2012	2	7
HAIFA FALAFEL	4584 WASHTENAW AVE STE 2	ANN ARBOR	3/2/2012	2	5
HANA RESTAURANT	1346 E. MICHIGAN AVENUE	YPSILANTI	3/7/2012	0	4
HARVEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	1155 CAMPUS PARKWAY	SALINE	3/13/2012	0	1
HARVEST MOON	5484 W. MICHIGAN AVENUE	YPSILANTI	3/12/2012	2	5
HERITAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	290 WOODLAND DRIVE	SALINE	3/23/2012	0	1
HIDDEN DRAGON	15 W. MICHIGAN AVENUE	YPSILANTI	3/26/2012	3	10
HIGH POINT CENTER	1735 S. WAGNER ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/19/2012	0	2
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS	1540 COMMERCE PARK DR.	CHELSEA	3/6/2012	1	1
HUNGRY HOWIE'S	1874 WHITTAKER ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/13/2012	0	2
Inspection Summary Report
Establishment	Address	City	Inspection Date	Critical	Non Crit.
HURON HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA	2727 FULLER ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/26/2012	1	4
ICHIBAN JAPANESE STEAK HOUSE & SUSHI BAR	4641 WASHTENAW AVE	ANN ARBOR	3/15/2012	2	6
IORIO'S, LLC	522 E. WILLIAMS ST.	ANN ARBOR	3/6/2012	0	2
IZZY'S HOAGIE SHOP	1924 W. STADIUM BLVD	ANN ARBOR	3/12/2012	0	3
JAMAICAN JERK PIT	314 S. THAYER	ANN ARBOR	3/6/2012	1	4
JAMES L. CRAWFORD LODGE #322	220 SUNSET BLVD	ANN ARBOR	3/2/2012	2	4
JET'S PIZZA	978 E. MICHIGAN AVE	SALINE	3/15/2012	0	0
JOLLY PUMPKIN CAFE & BREWERY	311 S. MAIN ST.	ANN ARBOR	3/19/2012	0	9
K & C SUSHYA JAPANESE RESTAURANT	1235 S. UNIVERSITY	ANN ARBOR	3/15/2012	0	2
KP'S CATERING (PSI CHI FRATERNITY)	620 S. STATE ST.	ANN ARBOR	3/19/2012	0	0
LAB	505 E. LIBERTY STE 300	ANN ARBOR	3/1/2012	0	5
LAS FUENTES MEXICAN RESTAURANT	350 N. MAIN ST.	CHELSEA	3/22/2012	0	3
LEO'S CONEY ISLAND	6889 STATE ST.	SALINE	3/15/2012	5	7
LIBERTY ATHLETIC CLUB INDOOR SNACK BAR	2975 W. LIBERTY	ANN ARBOR	3/5/2012	0	3
LITTLE PORKY'S - WHITMORE LAKE	52 BARKER RD	WHITMORE LAKE	3/7/2012	2	2
LIVE AT PJ'S / GOODNITE GRACIE	102 S. FIRST STREET	ANN ARBOR	3/1/2012	4	8
LUCA'S CONEY ISLAND	309 E. MICHIGAN AVENUE	YPSILANTI	3/8/2012	2	6
LUCKY KITCHEN	611 E. UNIVERSITY	ANN ARBOR	3/21/2012	0	5
MANCHESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL	710 E. MAIN STREET	MANCHESTER	3/14/2012	1	0
MANGIAMO ITALIAN GRILL	107 W. MICHIGAN AVE	SALINE	3/14/2012	1	9
MARCO'S PIZZA #56	1752 PLYMOUTH ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/15/2012	1	3
MARCO'S PIZZA (ANGA LLC)	4068 PACKARD	ANN ARBOR	3/9/2012	0	4
MARK 4 LOUNGE	1180 S. MAIN STREET	CHELSEA	3/30/2012	0	2
McDONALD'S	2675 PLYMOUTH ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/13/2012	1	1
McDONALD'S #11359	1070 HURON RIVER DRIVE	YPSILANTI	3/15/2012	0	1
MCDONALD'S #3990	3811 CARPENTER RD	YPSILANTI	3/9/2012	0	3
McDONALD'S #7790	101 BAKER ROAD	DEXTER	3/2/2012	0	3
MILL CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL	7305 DEXTER-ANN ARBOR	DEXTER	3/12/2012	0	1
MODERN VENDING SERVICE	PET SUPPLIES PLUS	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	1	0
MODERN VENDING SERVICE	SESI LINC MERC 3990 JACKSON	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	0	1
MY FAVORITE CAFE	107 N. ANN ARBOR STREET	SALINE	3/23/2012	1	6
NEW CHINA	6889 STATE RD., STE D	SALINE	3/2/2012	1	5
NEW GRACE APOSTOLIC TEMPLE	2898 PACKARD	ANN ARBOR	3/7/2012	0	0
NORTH CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	699 MCKINLEY STREET	CHELSEA	3/13/2012	0	0
NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	912 BARTON DRIVE	ANN ARBOR	3/15/2012	0	1
OLGA'S KITCHEN	454 BRIARWOOD CIRCLE	ANN ARBOR	3/27/2012	0	1
OLIVE GARDEN # 1110	445 E. EISENHOWER PKWY	ANN ARBOR	3/7/2012	0	2
PANDA HOUSE	229 N. MAPLE RD.	ANN ARBOR	3/19/2012	2	10
PANERA BREAD #1105	1773 PLYMOUTH RD	ANN ARBOR	3/19/2012	0	8
PANERA BREAD #874	903 W. EISENHOWER PKWY	ANN ARBOR	3/15/2012	1	7
PITA PIT	615 E. UNIVERSITY SUITE A	ANN ARBOR	3/19/2012	0	0
PIZZA HUT	3045 CARPENTER ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/14/2012	1	5
Inspection Summary Report
Establishment	Address	City	Inspection Date	Critical	Non Crit.
PIZZA HUT	2407 WASHTENAW	YPSILANTI	3/5/2012	1	3
PIZZA PINO EATERY	221 W. LIBERTY ST.	ANN ARBOR	3/19/2012	3	3
PLEASANT RIDGE ELEMENTARY	229 PLEASANT RIDGE	SALINE	3/9/2012	0	1
POWELL'S PUB	625 N. HURON	YPSILANTI	3/27/2012	2	10
QUARTER BISTRO	300 S. MAPLE ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	2	11
QUIZNO'S SUBS	3584 PLYMOUTH ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	0	2
RAJA RANI INDIAN CUISINE	400 S. DIVISION	ANN ARBOR	3/7/2012	3	3
RED LOBSTER #260	2420 CARPENTER ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/20/2012	0	6
SAICA	1733 PLYMOUTH ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/12/2012	0	3
SALINE HIGH SCHOOL	1300 CAMPUS PARKWAY	SALINE	3/22/2012	0	2
SALINE HIGH SCHOOL "THE HIVE"	1300 CAMPUS PARKWAY	SALINE	3/13/2012	1	6
SALINE MIDDLE SCHOOL	7190 N MAPLE	SALINE	3/8/2012	0	4
SAMOSA HOUSE	1785 WASHTENAW	YPSILANTI	3/1/2012	1	4
SAN FU ORIENTAL CUISINE	625 S. MAIN STREET	ANN ARBOR	3/21/2012	2	10
SATCHEL'S BBQ LLLC	3035 WASHTENAW AVE	ANN ARBOR	3/15/2012	3	6
SCARLETT JR HIGH SCHOOL (Vending)	3300 LORRAINE	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	0	0
SCOREKEEPERS	310 MAYNARD/P.O.BOX 8260	ANN ARBOR	3/15/2012	2	3
SEOUL GARDEN RESTAURANT	3125 BOARDWALK	ANN ARBOR	3/13/2012	0	8
SHARON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - HALL	19980 PLEASANT LAKE RD	MANCHESTER	3/22/2012	0	1
SHERATON -ANN ARBOR	3200 BOARDWALK	ANN ARBOR	3/12/2012	0	4
SINBAD KONEY ISLAND	2563 ELLSWORTH ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/22/2012	0	9
SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA	2552 N. MAPLE RD	ANN ARBOR	3/14/2012	1	3
SLAUSON JR.HIGH SCHOOL	1019 N. WASHINGTON	ANN ARBOR	3/27/2012	2	4
SMARTY CATZ	16 N. HURON STREET	YPSILANTI	3/29/2012	1	3
SODEXO - INTERFIRST CITIGR 1B	6300 INTERFIRST	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	0	0
SODEXO - INTERFIRST CITIGR 1C	6300 INTERFIRST	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	0	0
SODEXO - INTERFIRST CITIGR 1D	6300 INTERFIRST	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	0	2
SOTTINI SUB SHOP	1525 WASHTENAW AVE.	YPSILANTI	3/13/2012	0	3
SOUTH MEADOWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	335 PIERCE STREET	CHELSEA	3/21/2012	0	0
ST. ANDREW CATHOLIC CHURCH	910 AUSTIN DRIVE	SALINE	3/9/2012	2	5
ST. JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM	5301 E.HURON RIV *for temp	ANN ARBOR	3/26/2012	0	0
ST. JOSEPH MERCY HEALTH SYSTEM	5301 E.HURON RIV *for temp	ANN ARBOR	3/26/2012	0	0
ST. MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH	14200 E OLD U.S. 12	CHELSEA	3/29/2012	0	3
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH-PARISH HALL	5671 WHITMORE LAKE ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/8/2012	2	8
ST. PAUL UNITED CH OF CHRIST	122 W. MICHIGAN AVENUE	SALINE	3/14/2012	0	2
ST. PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL	495 EARHART ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/21/2012	0	0
ST. THOMAS PARISH HALL	530 ELIZABETH STREET	ANN ARBOR	3/13/2012	1	3
ST. THOMAS SCHOOL CAFETERIA	540 ELIZABETH STREET	ANN ARBOR	3/13/2012	0	2
STERLING SERVICES - DAVCO	1600 WOODLAND - REAR OF BLD	SALINE	3/29/2012	1	1
STOCKWELL'S BREAKFAST & LUNCH	108 ADRAIN ST.	MANCHESTER	3/14/2012	0	2
STONE SCHOOL CAFETERIA	2800 STONE SCHOOL ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/14/2012	0	1
SUBWAY	3384 WASHTENAW	ANN ARBOR	3/6/2012	1	2
Inspection Summary Report
Establishment	Address	City	Inspection Date	Critical	Non Crit.
SUBWAY	1094 HURON RIVER DRIVE	YPSILANTI	3/7/2012	0	3
SUBWAY #5076	2868 WASHTENAW	YPSILANTI	3/5/2012	0	3
TAQUERIA LA FIESTA	4060 PACKARD RD	ANN ARBOR	3/22/2012	0	2
TASTY GREEN CAFE	100 N. 5TH AVE, STE 125	ANN ARBOR	3/2/2012	0	0
TIM HORTON'S	760 S. HEWITT ROAD	YPSILANTI	3/21/2012	2	8
TMAZ TAQUERIA	3182 PACKARD RD	ANN ARBOR	3/14/2012	2	6
TOTAL VENDING - COMCAST OF AA	5775 INTERFACE DR. - #2	ANN ARBOR	3/28/2012	0	0
TOTAL VENDING - DAPCO	2500 BISHOP CIRCLE E -	DEXTER	3/28/2012	0	0
TOTAL VENDING - HATCH	570 CLEVELAND - #2	CHELSEA	3/28/2012	0	0
TOTAL VENDING - HATCH	635 E INDUSTRIAL - #1	CHELSEA	3/28/2012	1	0
TOTAL VENDING - MACDEE	13800 LUICK	CHELSEA	3/28/2012	0	0
TOWER INN CAFE	701 W. CROSS STREET	YPSILANTI	3/1/2012	0	7
TOYOTA TECH CENTER - ARAMARK	8777 PLATT RD	SALINE	3/6/2012	1	2
TOYOTA TECHNICAL CENTER	1555 WOODRIDGE	ANN ARBOR	3/7/2012	0	1
U OF M HILLEL FOUNDATION	1429 HILL STREET	ANN ARBOR	3/19/2012	0	1
UGLY MUG CAFE, YPSILANTI	317 W. CROSS STREET	YPSILANTI	3/1/2012	1	6
VETERANS ICE RINK & SWIM POOL	2150 JACKSON ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/20/2012	1	3
WASHTENAW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY	7200 MOON RD	SALINE	3/15/2012	1	2
WENDY'S @ EMU	900 OAKWOOD	YPSILANTI	3/30/2012	1	5
WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL	105 N. MANSFIELD	YPSILANTI	3/1/2012	1	6
WHITE CASTLE MICHIGAN #26	3953 PACKARD	ANN ARBOR	3/30/2012	1	2
WHITMORE LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	1077 BARKER ROAD	WHITMORE LAKE	3/7/2012	1	2
WHITMORE LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL	8877 MAIN STREET	WHITMORE LAKE	3/19/2012	0	0
WHITMORE LAKE TAVERN	9839 MAIN STREET	WHITMORE LAKE	3/14/2012	2	11
WINES ELEMENTARY	1701 NEWPORT ROAD	ANN ARBOR	3/15/2012	0	0
WOODLAND MEADOWS ELEMENTARY	350 WOODLAND DRIVE	SALINE	3/9/2012	0	1
WURST BAR (THE) (THEO DOORS INC)	705 W. CROSS STREET	YPSILANTI	3/7/2012	4	9
WYLIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL	3060 KENSINGTON	DEXTER	3/5/2012	1	3
ZAL GAZ GROTTO	2070 W. STADIUM BLVD	ANN ARBOR	3/13/2012	2	1

Nicole Frei, MD

As April winds down, the warm weather ahead isn’t the only thing we should be thinking about. This week is National Infant Immunization Week, which is a great time to consider some of the benefits that come from vaccinating your infant, or to start a dialogue with your child’s health care provider.

Based on my experience as a pediatrician, and also from excellent resources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outlined below are five reasons to vaccinate your infant.

Immunizations can save your child’s life. Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children have been eliminated completely, and others are close to extinction — primarily due to safe and effective vaccines.

One example of the great impact that vaccines can have is the elimination of polio in the United States. Polio was once America’s most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the country, but today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the United States.

Vaccination is very safe and effective. Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors and health care professionals. Vaccines will involve some discomfort and may cause pain, redness or tenderness at the site of injection, but this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort and trauma of the diseases these vaccines prevent.

Serious side effects following vaccination, such as severe allergic reaction, are very rare. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.

Immunization protects others you care about. Children in the U.S. still get vaccine-preventable diseases. In fact, we have seen resurgences of measles and whooping cough (pertussis) over the past few years. In 2010, the U.S. had more than 21,000 cases of whooping cough reported and 26 deaths, most in children younger than 6 months.

To help keep those who cannot be vaccinated safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not only protects your family, but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to others in the community.

Immunizations can save your family time and money. A child with a vaccine-preventable disease can be denied attendance at schools or daycare facilities. Some vaccine-preventable diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. In contrast, getting vaccinated against these diseases is a good investment and usually covered by insurance. For those without insurance coverage, the Vaccines for Children program provides vaccines at no cost.

Immunization protects future generations. Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that killed or severely disabled people just a few generations ago. For example, smallpox vaccination eradicated that disease worldwide. Your children don’t have to get smallpox shots any more because the disease no longer exists.

By vaccinating children against rubella (German measles), the risk that pregnant women will pass this virus on to their fetus or newborn has been dramatically decreased, and birth defects associated with that virus no longer are seen in the United States. If we continue vaccinating now, and vaccinating completely, parents in the future may be able to trust that some diseases of today will no longer be around to harm their children in the future.

For more information about the importance of infant immunization, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

Nicole Frei, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician practicing at IHA Pediatric Healthcare - Arbor Park. Dr. Frei has special interest in growth, development, and caring for children with special needs. IHA Pediatric Healthcare - Arbor Park is located at 4936 W. Clark Road, Suite 101, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Dr. Frei can be reached at 734-434-3000. For more information or to read more posts on the IHA blog please visit www.ihacares.com.

Dr. Steven Yarows with IHA Chelsea Family and Internal Medicine

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a very significant health issue, but one that can be controlled easily and inexpensively. We heard that message from Dr. Steven Yarows on the show this past weekend. Dr. Yarows is a specialist in hypertension with the IHA Chelsea Family and Internal Medicine office.

Dr. Yarows explained that when your average blood pressure is too high, your body gets worn down. Uncontrolled hypertension is the most common cause of strokes and can also cause heart attacks and kidney disease. High blood pressure is generally caused by genetics.

We talked about the two numbers that indicate your blood pressure. The first number is the systolic number (when blood is being pumped away from the heart). The second is the diastolic or rest phase. Dr. Yarows indicated that at home your blood pressure should be less than 130/85, while at the office (where you are likely not as relaxed), blood pressure should be less than 140/90. For those over 50 years old, the top number is the most important.

The good news is that hypertension is easily and inexpensively controlled. There are more than 120 drugs used to control high blood pressure.

Dr. Yarows strongly recommends a home blood pressure machine to self-monitor how you are doing. He likes the fully electronic machines which are very accurate, durable and reasonably priced at $50 to $70. It's important to have the right cuff for your arm size to get an accurate reading.

Dr. Yarows encourages recording and tracking your blood pressure, and has a simple spreadsheet to help with that task — click HOME BP GRAPH.xls to download. Place dot points on the graph to visually see how you are doing.

To hear our 14-minute conversation, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Dr. Yarows or the IHA office in Chelsea, call 734-475-8677 or visit the website ihacares.com.

Kendra Kerr with Gray Hair Management

Photos by Sheila Doeden

Kendra Kerr joined our conversation next. Kendra is the area representative for Gray Hair Management. This is a networking group and a coaching service, primarily helping experienced business professionals in a career transition and looking for a new position. These people want to make networking connections and may also need assistance with interviewing skills and resumes.

Kendra started her Entrepreneur's Source business five years ago and got involved with Gray Hair Management as an effective way to make people aware of business ownership opportunities.

The Gray Hair Management group meets the second Wednesday of each month, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the Sandler Training office at 501 Avis Drive in Ann Arbor.

Besides the opportunities to meet and network with other local business people, the monthly meetings also feature speakers on useful topics such as how to use LinkedIn, and how to volunteer for nonprofit boards.

The real benefits come outside the meetings, when participants connect and have meaningful discussions to better understand each other's experiences and career objectives. Kendra stated that 85 percent of all job offers come from networking, not from want ads. She emphasized the need to get out and meet people and tell everyone you know you are looking for a job.

We talked about Kendra's Entrepreneur's Source. She helps people research and purchase franchise businesses. Many people are tired of the corporate world and want to do their own thing, and franchises provide that opportunity. She has many local success stories including Sharon Ragland-Keys, who started College Nannies and Tutors a couple years ago and has been very successful.

To listen to this 13-minute discussion, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Kendra, Gray Hair Management, or sign up for the next meeting, please call 734-369-6145 or visit the website grayhairmanagement.com.

Alan Caldwell and Sheila Doeden co-host Everything Elderly every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1290 WLBY. In their day jobs, Alan and Sheila co-own and co-manage Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. Both can be contacted at homecareexcellence@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.

Kathy Gillaspie with Fairfax Manor

Kathy Gillaspie from Fairfax Manor joined us on the show this past weekend. Kathy is the activities and marketing director at this local assisted living community.

Fairfax is an independently-owned and operated facility located just north of Ypsilanti in Superior Township, next to a nature preserve. Their care services are exclusively for elderly folks with dementia. Kathy emphasized how dementia is not always due to Alzheimer's disease; it may be caused by Parkinson's disease, a stroke or many other medical issues.

Kathy works hard to keep their residents busy and engaged in life, although at a pace each individual is comfortable with. She organizes a couple activities for each morning, and for each afternoon, and, as Kathy said, "You never know exactly how it will work out, so there is always a plan B, plan C, ... to plan Z."

Activities provide mental stimulation, and may involve music or even pets. They will start gardening soon, to help everyone get outside more.

Kathy offered advice for families looking at senior facilities. Many properties are referred to as "assisted living", but you may need to ask questions to understand exactly what is offered. You should make certain the needs of your loved one are fully met.

The real key is to ask lots of questions and get educated. Visit different communities; you want to make sure your love one is comfortable and that it feels right.

Fairfax Manor works with the Area Agency on Aging 1-B for the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver program, which can potentially provide additional financial resources to help pay for care.

To hear our 13-minute conversation, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Kathy or Fairfax Manor, call 734-483-6662 or visit their website fairfaxassistedliving.com.

Karen Hague with Boomer Solutions

Photos by Sheila Doeden

We next welcomed Karen Hague. Karen is a geriatric social worker, licensed with a master's degree, and the owner of Boomer Solutions, her counseling/therapy private practice.

Karen has a broad background that allows her to provide comprehensive counseling to mid-life adults and those older. Prior to starting Boomer Solutions, Karen worked with the University of Michigan Health System Turner Geriatric Clinic, as a medical social worker and geriatric care manager. She also teaches social work with the elderly to graduate students at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.

Karen works with many adults that currently provide care for their parents (and are trying to take care of their own lives as well). Most are daughters in their mid-to-late 40s or older. People come to Karen feeling totally overwhelmed.

As part of her service, Karen really understands and knows local resources that can help and connects her clients with the appropriate services. Karen says, "Success is helping people navigate these transitions and come out the other side feeling more empowered."

Karen stressed the importance of understanding normal aging, and particularly what it is not. Normal aging is not dementia, disease, chronic illness, and depression — these conditions are not part of what happens normally.

It's equally important to know that really good help is available. Even if you are highly educated and highly accomplished, it is okay and even encouraged to ask for assistance. To locate help, Karen likes the website caremanager.org, a terrific place to find qualified care managers in your area.

Karen's services are generally paid for by Medicare and other major insurances. Service can also be provided in private homes or facilities.

To listen to this 13-minute discussion, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Karen or Boomer Solutions, please call 734-395-0343 or visit the website boomersolutions.org.

Alan Caldwell and Sheila Doeden co-host Everything Elderly every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1290 WLBY. In their day jobs, Alan and Sheila co-own and co-manage Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. Both can be contacted at homecareexcellence@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.

Medical providers often tell their patients to eat better to prevent or manage conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and overweight. But what happens when they know their patients struggle to eat healthy foods because of cost or a lack of grocery stores in their area?

Providers at “safety net” clinics are keenly aware of the barriers that can make their medical advice for healthier eating difficult or impossible for their patients to follow.

Enter the Prescription for Health program. Funded by the Kresge Foundation and coordinated by Washtenaw County Public Health, the program connects local health clinics to local farmers’ markets to improve patients' access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Last summer, 311 low income patients from five local safety net clinics participated. Many of these patients suffered from at least one chronic condition and had difficulty affording food.

A variety of health care providers — nurses, social workers, physicians and patient advocates — helped implement the program at the five participating clinics. Many said it gave them an important tool to pair with nutrition education for their patients trying to eat healthier with limited financial resources.

Most of the time you get this “blank” look and people say they can’t afford it [fruits and vegetables], but this meant no excuses.

—Clinic Staff Member

Participating clinicians wrote “prescriptions” for their patients based on food insecurity, chronic disease risk and interest. Patients received coupon books to take to the farmers’ market and exchange for tokens to buy fruits and vegetables. At the farmers’ market, patients also had the opportunity to consult with a registered dietitian and received recipes featuring in-season produce.

Staff at the collaborating clinics reported that the program was easy to use and personally rewarding. Many described the importance of offering a “tangible” benefit to help support dietary change, which often "doesn't happen easily." One physician said that “[There is] a common misperception that farmers’ markets are for the wealthy,” and this program helped debunk that myth.

Best of all, the program had a positive impact on patients' health. The average daily consumption of fruits and vegetables increased by nearly one cup per day from pre- to post-program (mean=0.7, p<.001). Overall, 96 percent of participants interviewed after the 2011 season said visiting the farmers’ market helped them or their family members eat more fruits and vegetables, and 98 percent said they were likely to visit the market in the future.

Eligible Prescription for Health patients were also connected to other farmers’ market programs for customers with low income such as Double Up Food Bucks and Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) of food stamp benefits.

More details about Prescription for Health are available online

Special thanks to Washtenaw County Public Health’s clinic and farmers’ market partners: Neighborhood Family Health Center, Packard Health, The Corner Health Center, New Hope Outreach Clinic, the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market and Westside Farmers’ Market.

For more information, contact Jenna Bacolor, PFH coordinator, at bacolorj@ewashtenaw.org or 734-544-2969.

Jessica Lewis with Heartland Health Care Center

We welcomed Heartland Health Care Center to the radio show this past weekend. We were privileged to host two of their directors — Jessica Lewis is the admissions and marketing director and Cyndi Waitz is the rehabilitation director. Their facility is located at 4701 E. Huron River Drive, next to the St. Joe's Hospital campus and across from Washtenaw Community College.

Jessica spoke of their focus on post-acute medical and rehabilitation services. Most of their patients are coming out of the hospital after a surgery, after a stroke, or are recovering from a debilitating illness. Heartland provides physical, occupational and speech therapy, as well as nursing care. The goal is to get folks back home, living safe and happy in their own residence.

Cyndi Waitz with Heartland Health Care Center

Cyndi emphasized how they want to help people reach their maximum potential, to not just return home with a quality of life similar to before they went to the hospital, but to return home with an improved quality of life. The center has 37 full-time therapists providing care seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., to fit the care requirements and schedule of their residents.

Cyndi spoke about their GPS tool (Goal Plan for Success) that allows patients to visually track their progress. Patients can check off what they have accomplished on their way to being discharged safely to their own home.

When comparing rehab facilities, Jessica spoke of the importance of outcomes — how do patients respond to the care and rehab. Heartland is proud that of the 1,181 patients they took care of last year, 99.5 percent could manage their own care at discharge ("complete or quite a lot").

To hear our 13-minute conversation, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Jessica, Cyndi or the Heartland center, call 734-975-2600 or see their website hcr-manorcare.com.

Carol Kamm with Encore Online Resale

Photos by Sheila Doeden

We then welcomed our good friend Carol Kamm, who helps people with their stuff! Carol is the owner of Encore Online Resale which specializes in selling other people's things on consignment through the online eBay service.

Carol works with lots of seniors and their families, especially those that are down-sizing. The grown children usually don't want all their parents' excess belongings. Yet many things probably have significant value and that's where Encore Online Resale can help.

Carol's process is simple but very complete. First, they research the potential value of the belongings you would like to sell. To make it worth everyone's time, Carol's company would like goods to have an expected value of at least $75.

The items are then photographed and listed for auction on eBay, usually for one week. Once sold, the company handles the receipt of payment and the shipping of the item. Then you get a check from Encore, generally for 60 percent of the purchase price.

Carol shared that many families with too much stuff immediately call the junk hauler. They may be throwing away a lot of money. Carol never minds being called and asked to get involved; the research is free.

She also hates for valuable things to be thrown away when someone out there might be looking for just that item. It's wonderful for seniors to see their stuff going to others who really want it and will treasure it as they once did.

Carol also works closely with thrift shops like Kiwanis helping them achieve higher value for their donated goods, and also in turn providing these shops with items that aren't appropriate for eBay but that are perfect for a thrift sale.

To listen to this 13-minute discussion, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Carol or Encore Online Resale, call 734-761-6187, or visit their website encoreonlineresale.com.

Alan Caldwell and Sheila Doeden co-host Everything Elderly every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1290 WLBY. In their day jobs, Alan and Sheila co-own and co-manage Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. Both can be contacted at homecareexcellence@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.

public domain photo from Wikimedia Commons

Spring has officially begun, and with it comes tasty fruits and vegetables and the opportunity to diversify your workout!

One great way to take advantage of the spring season is to enjoy spring produce. Some popular spring fruits include all types of berries. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are all colorful, nutritious, and easy to prepare.

Berries provide antioxidants to keep us healthy and prevent disease and cancer. For example one cup of tasty strawberries contains over 100 mg of vitamin C! Some simple, healthy ways to enjoy berries this spring include mixed into yogurt or light ice cream and blended with bananas and low-fat milk to make a smoothie.

Some of the best vegetables in spring are artichokes, asparagus and beets! Healthy options for preparing these vegetables include steaming, baking or even eating them raw. There are even some easy vegetable swaps to take advantage of those tasty in season vegetables. If you like arugula, try watercress, or if you like baby spinach, try baby bok choy, and if you like onions try scallions. These swaps provide different, rich nutrients to your diet.

Spring is also a great opportunity to spend more time outside, which allows you to change up your workout routine. Changing up your routine is good for your muscles and your mind. It helps to keep you motivated and engaged in your workouts.

Biking, walking and running are perfect exercises that allow you enjoy the outdoor benefits of spring weather. Check out a park or garden and explore the budding plants on run or walk.

Spring is also a great time to sign up for a fitness challenge or set a goal. Deadlines for an event are great motivators, especially when you have a training plan to follow!

Melissa Gerharter MS, RD, CSSD is co-owner of Joust Strength and Fitness of Ann Arbor. She is also a part time lecturer at Eastern Michigan University. She can be reached at melissa@joustfitness.com.

Anne Lawrence - Collector of Clothesline Memorabilia

Anne Lawrence is a collector of clothesline memorabilia and a wonderful guest on the program this past weekend. Anne collects anything and everything related to clotheslines. Why would someone become so involved in a seemingly mundane subject? For Anne, "it's really about nostalgia, about simple things, about happy memories".

Several decades ago, Anne came across a photograph of her mom in front of her laundry and clothesline, and she looked so happy and peaceful. That photo brought back so many warm fond memories for Anne.

One thing led to another, and Anne began to collect clothesline-related items. She has great fun talking to other people about clotheslines, especially talking to that older generation of people that remember what it was like to hang clothes outdoors. It amazes Anne how people always have wonderful stories they want to share.

At this point, Anne has amassed a "mini museum of clothesline artifacts". She collects physical objects as well as any reference to clotheslines in all forms of media (books, articles, advertisements, movies). Anne especially loves the personal stories about clotheslines that people have sent her — usually written long-hand on real paper.

Anne has done many presentations ("The Love, Lure, and Lore of the Clothesline!") and hopes to schedule many more. Having heard her program at University Living recently, I can say she is very interesting in person, and has plenty of fun stuff to share.

Politics seems to be everywhere, and it's even in the world of clotheslines. National Hanging Out Day is this April 19. This event is to promote the use of clotheslines and increase awareness on the current legal restrictions on clothesline use.

Listening to Anne talk, it was hard not to smile. To hear our 13-minute conversation, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Anne, call 734-369-4841, or e-mail her at clotheslines@comcast.net.

Walt Garff with Genworth Financial

Photos by Sheila Doeden

Joining us next, Walt Garff represents Genworth Financial and is a district leader specializing in long term care insurance. Having had the opportunity to get to know Walt, he is a true expert in his field. He is not the stereotypical insurance sales person. His first objective is to educate folks on long term care insurance, so people can make informed, smart decisions.

As Walt describes, long term care is a risk in our modern aging society. We are used to purchasing insurance for our home, auto and health, and long term care now represents a similar risk.

Long term care insurance protects financial resources, but also importantly it may protect family relationships as well. While the grown children may be available to take care of mom or dad, they may not want to take on that very significant responsibility.

Everyone needs a plan on how this care will be provided. Is there family willing and able, or will outside services or senior facilities be part of the plan?

Those considering this insurance should have discretionary income to pay the premiums. You also need to be in reasonably good health to qualify.

In the insurance world, long term care is a relatively new product. Many companies that initially got in the market have already exited. The payouts were greater than predicted, and the situation was better for consumers than for the insurance companies.

The companies in the market today have a much better understanding of the risk; they have been at the business for many years, and will likely be in this business to stay.

To listen to this 13-minute discussion, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Walt, please call 734-747-7036, or you may e-mail wgarff@comcast.net.

Alan Caldwell and Sheila Doeden co-host Everything Elderly every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1290 WLBY. In their day jobs, Alan and Sheila co-own and co-manage Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. Both can be contacted at homecareexcellence@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.

June Smedley with University Living

June Smedley, the fitness program director at University Living, visited the radio program this past weekend. We learned more reasons why taking care of yourself has to include physical exercise. University Living is an assisted living senior community that really understand the benefits of physical activity.

June focused on her experience with their residents who have memory impairment. She has seen personally how exercise has helped these people almost immediately. The aerobic activity helps because of the increased circulation to the brain. The coordination required for exercise promotes additional mental stimulation.

While there are lots of equipment choices for exercise, June favors the Nu-Step machines for their residents. It’s easy to get on and off, it’s simple and safe, and easy to use on your own (and it’s built by an Ann Arbor company!).

Assisted living communities have evolved so much, they are not the nursing home facilities where our grandmothers may have lived. June talked about all the fun and interesting activities at University Living.

Many older adults aren't taking good care of themselves living alone at home. They may also be isolated with minimal companionship. At a senior community, families can ensure their loved ones get proper care and enjoy the benefits of social interactions with fellow residents.

June encourages families to visit senior communities and experience what they are really like. Ask about the activities offered, the quality and variety of activities is important. It's really neat that June’s mom has lived at University Living for almost two years. She seems really happy there, and June said she loves the Nu-Step.

To hear our 13-minute talk, click the audio link:

To get in touch with June or University Living, call 734-669-3030, or visit their website univliving.com.

Dr. Terra Merrill with Eastern Michigan University

Photos by Sheila Doeden

Dr. Terra Merrill joined us next on the show. Dr. Merrill is a professor of Music Therapy at Eastern Michigan University. Music is an allied health profession and music therapists are board certified. Music therapy addresses “a whole range of holistic needs — physical, emotional, cognitive, and social”.

Dr. Merrill is such a wonderful advocate for music emphasizing the many benefits it provides. She talked about the science available now supporting music therapy. MRI scans show how music stimulates and increases brain activity. To optimize the benefits it's best to be actively involved and play an instrument.

Studies also show that just listening to music has social and mood benefits and reduces stress. Dr. Merrill encourages people to bring music into their lives, especially the music of their preference, music you know and enjoy.

She spoke of a group she is working with that has Parkinson’s disease. Just last week she played music they all knew, and it clearly helped all their physical movements and they all sang along.

Dr. Merrill brought her guitar to the studio and treated us to some live music. Speaking of familiar music, she played Sonny and Cher’s “I Got You Babe”, and even had us singing along, definitely a first for our show. She is quite the talented singer and guitar player, clearly very useful in her profession.

More recently Dr. Merrill has been using musical chants in her musical therapy, and she played an example. These are repetitive affirmations that are easy to sing along to. She asks her patients to sing whatever they want to, what is relevant to them.

To listen to this 13-minute discussion, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Dr. Merrill, call 734-487-0198, or go to the website emich.edu/music/therapycenter.

Alan Caldwell and Sheila Doeden co-host Everything Elderly every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1290 WLBY. In their day jobs, Alan and Sheila co-own and co-manage Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. Both can be contacted at homecareexcellence@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.

Photo by Flickr user kerryvaughan

When my mother was in her mid-sixties, I found her new habit of giving away possessions morbid. She had plenty of life left, I asserted to my siblings. What was the rush?

Now at the same age, I find myself with a thirst for decluttering. Almost weekly I set out a bag for Purple Heart or Easter Seals. I crave clean, organized closets, drawers and cupboards.

The accumulation — years have passed and now all the extra stuff I no longer "need" — feels like a burden. My responsibilities have changed. The family has grown by grandchildren, great nieces and nephews. It's the next generation's turn to build nests. I'm delighted to pass along curtains, towels and gently-used clothing and furniture.

As I declutter my home, I am claiming new territory, more space. I let go of the worn out baggage of the past and look forward to the future. My body is changing and with it, different demands for its care — more time spent exercising, stretching, researching and cooking healthy foods.

It’s an exciting time — long walks appreciating the beauty of nature and the loving network of family and friends I’ve created. The "extras" require more care than I want to give. They need to be dusted, repaired, and stored properly. I’m done moving them from my closet to the garage to the attic. I'd rather be outside kicking a soccer ball with my grandsons.

Susan Scott Morales is a meditation teacher, retired psychotherapist, published poet, novelist, and community contributor to AnnArbor.com and blogger on redroom.com. Her articles appear regularly on Huffington Post Healthy Living. Reach her at susanmmorales@yahoo.com or visit her website: susanscottmorales.com or fan page: https://www.facebook.com/susanscottmorales.writer.