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Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors

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Published: Tuesday, 29 August 2017 12:25

The Sharonville Game Management Area near Grass Lake now includes 700 acres for exclusive use by people with disabilities for hunting and enjoying nature. Three accessible hunting blinds have been installed in the area and certified volunteer helpers are available on scheduled days to provide one-on-one assistance if needed. The program is managed by Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors (MiOFO), a collaborative partnership whose mission is to provide outdoor recreation opportunities to wounded veterans and others with disabilities.

A limited number of Tracked Wheelchairs are available for use at the Sharonville State Game Area and other areas with advance reservations. These chairs allow people with mobility impairments to travel through undeveloped areas that would not otherwise be easily accessible to them.

To learn more or inquire about availability of services and resources from events to individual outdoor opportunities contact Tom Jones by calling 734-612-6677, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit the MiOFO website.

Evidence-Based Workshops

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Published: Thursday, 24 August 2017 13:23
Region 2 Area Agency on Aging has a variety of Evidence-Based workshops to help people with Chronic Conditions live well and improve their quality of life: Diabetes PATH, Chronic Pain PATH, Cancer PATH, Chronic Conditions PATH, and Matter of Balance. Call us today with questions or to find out where and when a workshop will be held near you. Watch this video about these Well-Care Programs to learn more:

2017 Annual Report: CREATIVE AGING - Opening The Door To Health And Happiness

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Published: Friday, 11 August 2017 14:56
Older adults are living longer than at any other time in the history of humanity due to medical advances, improved health care, and access to better nutrition. Life expectancies for both men and women now reach well into the 80s and beyond. The U.S. Census 2016 population report estimates that Michigan is considered to be one of the oldest states in the nation with a median age of 39.7, two years higher than the national average.

With this substantial increase in lifespan, including many years lived during retirement, the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging (CSA) asked their State Advisory Council on Aging (SAC) to research creative aging and determine what opportunities are available to Michigan’s older adults to live quality lives. Not only do older adults want to fill this golden time with purpose, they are looking at ways to confront their mortality and review their accomplishments by asking these questions:

• What additional things can be accomplished?

• How can unfinished business be completed and unresolved conflicts be resolved during this second part of life?

• Where are organized activities and continuing education classes located that will improve old skills or help to learn and master new ones?

These questions are often asked beginning in midlife and continuing throughout the retirement years, with older adults ultimately seeking greater meaning in their life experiences. They realize they have gained considerable wisdom over time and believe it is important to share their knowledge and insights with their families and others, along with reminiscing about their life experiences. This report reviews what makes a creative aging program effective and lists existing programs that meet these criteria. The reader will find that many creative aging program links are strategically placed throughout the report to make it easier to access the information quickly via electronic devices. Some links are mentioned more than once as they are relevant to various sections of the report, and some organizations offer several different creative programs for older adults. Many creative programs are offered in each of the 16 Michigan AAA regions and some are listed in the report.

An online version of the report may be found here.