Dementia expert Jill Gafner Livingston will share her personal experience of becoming her husband’s caregiver and advice on tackling difficult behaviors and stress.

Gifted by the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B), the electronic cats and dogs bring their owners comfort and companionship by purring, barking, blinking, wagging tails and turning their heads.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – A grant given by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Vital Seniors Initiative will provide area Washtenaw County caregivers a bit of time to care for themselves. The $50,000 grant was awarded to the Area Agency on Aging 1-B and allows it to further help individuals who are taking care of friends, family and community members with dementia. The 6-bed licensed home in Ypsilanti serves individuals with dementia or who have a mild cognitive impairment diagnosis. While families of those with dementia will work with Memory Lane to establish admission, the Area Agency on Aging 1-B will pay for the care and service. Read: New program aims to connect Washtenaw County caregivers to individualized support

YPSILANTI, Mich. – On Wednesday, Nov. 18, seniors in Washtenaw County can pick up boxes of free food at a drive-thru event in Ypsilanti. From noon to 2 p.m., the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) will distribute approximately 400 boxes of food to community members age 60 and older. Recipe guides will also be included in the boxes to help community members create meals. Food for the event was secured through a partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Food Bank Council of Michigan and Gleaner’s Community Food Bank. Community members with questions can call AAA 1-B Information and Assistance phone line at 800-852-7795.

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. A nonprofit organization in Michigan wants caregivers in Washtenaw County to get the coaching and support that they need. Offered by Area Agency on Aging 1-B, the free Caregiver Coaching program aims to help new and experienced caregivers by providing coaching, a listening ear and vetted referrals and resources. People just look at themselves as oh Im just helping my mom, said Amy Smyth, the caregiver coordinator for Caregiver Coaching at AAA 1-B. Many resources, like support groups, happen during working hours but caregivers experience questions or crises outside those set times. Smyth said, based on Census data, there are around 58,000 family and informal caregivers in Washtenaw County; however, not everyone identifies as a caregiver, which makes it difficult for them to find support resources.