March & April 2020 TAKE THE HELM OF YOUR LIFE'S JOURNEY Page 4 LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE The Aging Mastery Program teaches you ways to master the golden years. Pages 5 - 6 TIME TO BE COUNTED 2020 is the year of the census. Be sure to be counted. Page 7 IS A SMART HOME FOR YOU? Page 8 SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING AT THE HELM Page 10 - 17 CHEERS TO VOLUNTEERS LEARNING TO LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE Page 20 THROUGH THE AGING MASTERY PROGRAM TRIBUTES & HONORS Page 22 PRODUCED BY THE HELM AT THE BOLL LIFE CENTER LIFE'S A JOURNEY. FIND YOUR WAY HERE. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chairman Doug Blatt LIFE’S A JOURNEY. Vice Chairman FIND YOUR WAY HERE. Prudence Cole-Klimisch Treasurer Serving seniors in the Grosse Pointes & Harper Woods since 1978. Richard Widgren Secretary 158 RIDGE ROAD, GROSSE POINTE FARMS, MI 48236 David Stephens PHONE: EMAIL: WEBSITE: TRUSTEES 313-882-9600 [email protected] Helmlife.org Gary Colett Our Staff Directory Judith Diebolt Kevin Grady, M.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR INFORMATION & ASSISTANCE EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT M.A. Hastings Peggy Hayes Chris Brown Margaret Cooper Michele Kemler 313-649-2101 313-649-2108 313-649-2109 Derrick Kozicki [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Marianne Langlois DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Molly French Susan Kopf Jane Lightfoot Lynda Altovilla 313-649-2110 313-649-2109 Gary Marowske [email protected] 313-649-2102 [email protected] Fred Minturn [email protected] CASE COORDINATION COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Catherine O’Malley VOLUNTEER SERVICES DIRECTOR Allie Short Karen Fontanive Carolyn Skaff 313-649-2113 Heidi Uhlig-Johnstone 313-649-2106 Pamela Stanton 313-649-2107 [email protected] [email protected] Randall Tallerico [email protected] MEALS ON WHEELS PAATS BUS TRANSPORTATION David Zmyslowski DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Katie Marquardt Lori Jones Peter Poulos 313-649-2124 313-343-2580 EX OFFICIO MEMBER 313-649-2104 [email protected] Call between 7:30 a.m. Robert Rader [email protected] and 2:00 p.m. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Peggy Hayes FREE NOTARY PUBLIC SERVICE: Call Lynda at 313-649-2102 to set an appointment. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ADVISORY BOARD John E. DeWald Deborah Kline Shane Reeside Peter Ahee Ann Disser Richard Levin Mary L. Shafer David Balle, M.D. Ted Everingham Robert Lubera John Vitale Pat Beard Charles Gabel Joe Lucido Jennifer Whitteaker Jenny Boettcher Steve Grob Kris Mestdagh Mary Wilson Bruce Bradley Robert D. Ihrie John Minnis Mark Wollenweber Bob Bury Tom Jenny Beline Obeid Walt Cytacki Jessica Keyser Ann Nicholson We thank our sponsors for their continuing support of The Helm publications. For information about advertising, to subscribe, or change your address, please call 313-882-9600. Advertisements in this publication are not to be considered endorsements. 2 | 313-882-9600 | HELMLIFE.ORG The Helm Life Journal The Helm Life Journal Contents March & April 2020 04 GREETINGS FROM THE HELM 05 ENJOYING LONGEVITY From the Executive Director The Aging Mastery Program helps 10 FUN & FRIENDSHIP 11 HEALTH & WELL-BEING A great way to meet and make friends. Workout with us or learn how to Plus, gourmet lunches daily! stay healthy and safe. 14 LEARN & GROW 16 SERVICES & SUPPORT Want to learn a new skill? Connect with the important resources Expand your knowledge with us. needed to live independently. 18 | MORE NEWS 20 | CHEERS TO VOLUNTEERS 22 | TRIBUTES & HONORS We’re the go-to resource for every older adult in the Grosse Pointes & Harper Woods. Everyone has different needs, interests and activity levels. We have something for everyone! NOW AT THE HELM The ABCs of CBD .............13 Chair Yoga .......................... 11 Mitten Mission .................10 Smart-TEK..........................15 Active Fit............................. 11 Chit Chat & Color Club ...10 Movies .................................10 Selling on eBay .................15 Aging Mastery Creating Confident Movie at the DIA .............. 11 Seated Full Body Program ..............................13 Caregivers ..................................13 No-Sew Fleece Blanket Workout ..............................12 Alzheimer’s Caregivers Elder Law ............................15 Making ................................10 Spring Serenade ...............10 Support ...............................16 Euchre Club .......................10 One-on-One Technology Tai Chi ................................. 11 Ask the Physical French .................................14 Instruction .........................14 Tap Dancing .......................14 Therapist ............................16 Grief Support Group .......16 On the Gogh ......................15 Texas Hold 'em Poker ......10 Benefits of Hospice . ........13 Guided Meditation ...........12 Parkinson’s Support ........16 Thursday Book Club ........14 Bingo & Treats ..................10 Individual Nutrition PATH ..................................13 War Memorial Day Birthday Celebrations .....10 Counseling .........................13 PingPong & Trips..................................... 17 Blood Pressure Knitting for Charity ........10 Pizza Party .........................10 WCCCD Continuing Screenings .........................16 Line Dancing .....................14 Progressive Rummy ........10 Education ........................... 17 Body Alignment 101 .........12 Mah Jongg Club ................10 Rowing ................................12 Yoga ...................................... 11 Bunco & Pizza Party ........ 11 Master Gardeners ...........15 SAFE ....................................14 Zumba Gold Fitness .........12 Programming information REMINDER: Membership at The Helm costs $48 annually and is renewable one year from the date you sign up. Membership forms are available in our office. THE HELM AND PAATS Program pricing varies for members and nonmembers. There are programs OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED which are free for both members and nonmembers. To register for classes, FRIDAY, APRIL 10, IN if you have questions about costs associated with a class, or to obtain OBSERVANCE OF GOOD membership, call us at 313-882-9600. FRIDAY. Changes to class times and dates are sometimes necessary. Call 313-882-9600 or visit our website, www.helmlife.org, to confirm program details. March | April 2020 3 FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Can you imagine a community without The Helm? 60, we see the need for our programs and services continuing to grow and evolve. The Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods are rightly proud of their many fine amenities such as parks, or 42 years now, The Helm (under a variety of schools, libraries and other services. But a key names and in different locations!) has served amenity found in above average communities Fthe community’s older adult population, always includes centers like The Helm which provide with the goal of being a one-stop shop for an array of services for their older population that allow services that would “inspire and enable residents of residents to stay and thrive in the communities they the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods to enjoy the love. gift of longevity, living healthier and meaningful lives as they age.” With the name The Helm, we seek to Did you know The Helm is funded primarily by help citizens “take the helm” of their lives and live life donations from private individuals, corporations to the fullest. and foundations as well as modest program and membership fees? A full 77 percent of our budget Come to The Helm to expand your knowledge and comes from these sources. The remainder, only learn something new; enjoy fun and friendship; 23 percent, comes from federal, state and county exercise to stay healthy and safe; and get help and funding. Since many of our programs are offered support for yourself or a loved one. at little or no cost, we rely on the generosity of our Our building is a hub of activity for social interaction, supporters to help us keep our doors open, provide health and wellness programming, lifelong learning, the services and classes we do and continue to expand delicious meals and just plain fun for all ages! In and grow our offerings. 2019, we offered 2,583 classes, health screenings, Simply put, if these donations went away for any entertainment and social activities impacting more reason, most, if not all, of these services would simply than 17,600 people. Our volunteers delivered 23,031 disappear. meals through the Meals on Wheels program. Through the PAATS program, residents received With your continued support, and by working 19,200 rides to medical appointments, shopping together, we can continue to “take the helm” and and social activities. Our more than 400 volunteers provide the services and programs that help our provided 15,000-plus hours of their time for a value communities remain a great place to grow up and to the community of $382,640. Through one-on-one grow older! Medicare counseling during Open Enrollment, we helped area residents achieve $222,550 in direct savings on medical and drug programs. Peggy Hayes With a growing population of residents over age Executive Director 4 | 313-882-9600 | HELMLIFE.ORG The Helm Life Journal WHAT’S NEW & NOTEWORTHY Mastering aging ave you thought – really thought about – how you want to spend the next third of Hyour life? Many of us were taught how to be successful adults, but fewer learn how to age well. The catch is Americans are living longer than ever; the 76 million Baby Boomers have been given the physical activity levels, healthy eating habits, use of gift of longevity and now have to navigate these new advanced planning, and adoption of several