Senior Nutrition Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency 3963 Three Mile Road, Traverse City, MI 49686 1-800-632-7334 www.mealswheelslove.org “Like us” at www.facebook.com/Meals on Wheels of Northwest Michigan

Dining Senior Style

March 2020

Editor

Dave Hagen Page 1 Serving Meals in

Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Wexford, Missaukee & Manistee Counties

Meals on Wheels

Years of Service

Traverse City

Mike Neibel 15 Yrs

Lisa Beauchamp 7 Yrs

Ann Brenner 6 Yrs

Jennifer Watkins 1 Year

Cadillac

Doug Clift 15 Yrs

Manistee

Jo Ellen Samsel 4 Years

Gary Smejkal 4 Years

Spotlight

Directors Corner with Lisa Robitshek

MARCH IS NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH

We join hundreds of Meals on Wheels programs across

the country in the annual March for Meals campaign.

March for Meals commemorates the historic day in

March 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a

measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965

and established a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years or older. Since

2002, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country have joined forces for the

annual awareness campaign to celebrate this successful public-private partnership

and garner the support needed to fill the gap between the seniors served and those

still in need. At Meals on Wheels of NMCAA, we hold our largest fundraiser at

Moomer’s Homemade Ice Cream on Saturday, March 21st. See enclosed flyer for

more details.

US CENSUS 2020 IS HERE!

Your voice counts! There are many reasons

why it is important for everyone to

participate in the 2020 US Census. It is safe

and does not take long to complete. Read

more about it here. Let us know if you

would like any assistance and we would be happy to help.

As always, please let me know if you have questions, concerns or comments.

Lisa Robitshek

Its Moomer’s Time

Saturday March 21st Once again we kick off the winter blues with our annual fundraiser at Moomer’s Ice Cream on North Long Lake Rd. in Traverse City. For the 7th Year, Moomer’s has supported the Meals on Wheels Program by donating the proceeds from every Sundae that they sell. This is an all day event, come out, see the staff & volunteers serve you up some great Moomer’s

Ice Cream.

For your generous & caring support of

the Meals on Wheels program.

March 2020 Page 2

Dining Senior Style Senior Meal Sites

GT County Wexford TC Senior Center (Monday-Friday) (231)947-5285 Manton (Monday-Friday) (231)824-6961

Fife Lake (1st & 3rd Wednesday) (231)879-4101 Harborview (Monday-Friday) (231)775-0831

Long Lake (2nd Thursday - seasonal) (231)946-2249 Kirtland Terrace (Monday-Friday) (231)775-9491

Kingsley “The Rock” (Wednesdays) (231)922-4911

Interlochen Redeemer Lutheran (Thursdays) (231)922-4911

Leelanau County Missaukee

Elmwood Twp. Hall (4th Thursday) (231)946-0921 Lake City (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) (231)839-4351

Empire ( Monday, Tuesday) (231)326-5790 Merritt Golden Agers (Thursdays) (231)328-4447

Northport (Thursdays - seasonal) (231)386-7902

Suttons Bay (Fridays) (231)228-2612 Manistee Manistee Senior Center (Monday-Friday) (231)723-6461 Onekama (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) (231)723-9647 Wellston (Tuesday, Thursday) (231)848-4564 Marilla (Wednesdays) (231)378-2399

Check your local site for times & dates.

Suggested Donation

Seniors (60+)= $3.00

Meal Cost

Guests & Non-seniors= $5.00

Grand Traverse County

Commission on Aging

520 W Front Street

Traverse City, MI 49684

Phone: 231-922-4688

Toll Free: 877-686-4688

Leelanau County

Senior Services

8527 E Government Center Dr

Suite 106

Suttons Bay, MI 49682

Phone (231)256-8121

Fax (231)256-8129

Director-April Missias

Asst. Director–Nancy Bergman

457 River St. Manistee, MI 49660

(231) 723-6477

Open 8am - 4:30pm, Mon-Fri

Lunch served at noon Mon-Fri

Missaukee County Commission on Aging | 1980 S. Morey Rd. Lake City, MI 49651 | 231-839-7839

Mon - Fri 8AM - 4PM

(231) 775-0133 - Fax (231) 779-0677 info@wexfordcoa.org

714 W. 13th Street

Cadillac, Mi. 49601

Page 3 March 2020

Winter Dehydration Source: Blize Healthcare.com

Most of us are aware of the dangers of dehydration during the heat of summer, and how it can affect seniors. What some

may not know is that dehydration during the winter is very com-mon, and equally as dangerous. It’s important to be aware

of the subtle signs of cold weather dehydration. They are not as easy to spot as signs of dehydration in the summer, and

thus can turn deadly very quickly. When the weather is hot the body has a number of ways to send warnings about

impending dehydration, such as sweating. When the weather turns chilly some of the body’s natural warning signs shut

off. Irritability, or confusion may be a signs of dehy-dration. Other signs to look out for are dry mouth, headaches,

dizziness, heavy bags under the eyes, rapid heart-beat, dark urine, and fever. Resources: Environ-mental Nutrition

Newsletter; Hope Heart Institute.

Water Water comprises approximately 60 percent of your body weight, and affects every system in your body. It moistens the

tissues of your ears, nose and throat, and aids in the removal of toxins from your organs such as your liver and kidneys.

Simple acts, such as breathing, cause you to lose water each day; if you do not replace this nutrient, dehydration can occur.

MayoClinic.com recommends men consume 13 cups of water per day, while women should drink approximately 9 cups.

Each cup should contain 8 ounces, however, your needs may vary according to your level of physical activity or medical

conditions you may have. Seventy five percent of Ameri-cans are chronically dehydrated. In 37 percent of Americans the

thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mis-taken for hunger. Mild dehydration will slow a person’s metabolism as

much as 3 percent. A 2 percent drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math and

reading, and difficulty staying focused. Lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue. By Linda S. Eck Mills,

MBA, RD, LDN, FADA

Chair Exercises Exercise comes in many forms and varieties, including chair exercises. Chair exercises effectively assist elderly

individuals to exercise and move without putting undo pressure or strain on their bodies. Movement works to lubricate

joints and keep them flexible, strength-en and stabilize individual muscles and increase blood circulation. These exercise

and movement outcomes result in a decreased number of falls and an increased ability to better accomplish day-to-day

physical activities. Unless otherwise stated, perform these exercises on a straight-backed chair with your feet firmly on the

ground.

Toe Taps Keep the heels on the ground and bend the toes up toward the ceiling and back to the ground. To increase the range of

motion, sit toward the edge of chair with the legs straight and the heel touching the ground. In this position, point the toes

down towards the ground and then up towards the ceiling. Repeat these exercises eight to 10 times. This exercise

strengthens the muscles in the lower front and rear of your legs, which you'll use for numerous daily activities such as

climbing and descending stairs.

Shoulder Rolls Sitting tall in the chair, shrug both shoulders up toward the ears and slowly rotate them to the back, down, around to the

front, and back to the top. Repeat and switch directions, rotating them towards the front and around to the back. Alternate

directions 10 times. Performing this movement engages your shoulders and traps, which are essential to lifting objects.

Hand Squeeze Holding a ball in front of you, squeeze the hands together as if you're trying to get the air out of it, release and repeat 10 to

12 times. This exercise contracts the muscles in the chest and arms. To increase intensity, while slightly squeezing the

ball, push it straight out in front of you and then pull it back in to the chest. A slow, con-trolled movement will produce

better results. LIVESTRONG.com

March 2020 Page 4

Veteran Services & Support

Veteran Affairs (disability, pension, death

benefits, etc.)

1-231-995-6070

Grand Traverse County Chapter, disabled

American veterans (coordinates

transportation to VA medical facilities)

1-231-313-9357

V.A. Clinic (health care)

1-231-932-9720

Vet Center (PTSD, readjustment counseling)

1-231-935-0051

Supportive Services for Veteran Families

(Homeless Veterans)

1-844-900-0500

Please contact one of these service providers if you

or someone you know can benefits from any of these

resources.

FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES AVAILABLE! TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY CADILLAC, CHARLEVOIX, INTERLOCHEN, HONOR

FREE E-file for low and moderate income households! If your household earned less than $66,000 in 2019, you can file BOTH your Federal and State returns for FREE at MYFREETAXES.COM OR In-seat appointments available starting Feb 2020. Call 800.632.7334 to schedule an appointment

LEELANAU COUNTY RESIDENTS: Once again Leelanau County Senior Services is partnering with AARP to offer FREE Federal and State income tax preparation services. The AARP volunteers will be providing this services at the Leelanau County Government Center in Suttons Bay on a by appointment basis. These services are available to all seniors age 60 or older whose federal income tax returns income consist primarily of wages, interest, dividends, simple capital gains or losses and retirement income. Appointments are limited and filling fast. Call Leelanau County Senior Services to schedule your appointment 231.256.8121

MCCOA offers free tax help and tax preparation for residents of Manistee County, 60 years and older.

For information call MCCOA @ 723-6461.

Tax service will be available February 18th - March 26th. Appointment is required.

St Patrick’s Day is Tuesday March 17th

Question: What does Ireland have more of than anywhere else?

Answer: Irishmen!

Question: What baseball position do leprechauns play?

Answer: Shortstop!

Question: Why do you never want to iron a four-leaf-clover?

Answer: Because you don’t want to press your luck!

Question: What is Irish and sits on the back porch?

Answer: Paddy O’Furniture!

Question: Why is it impossible to ask a leprechaun to borrow money?

Answer: They are always a little short!

Question: What would happen if you crossed St. Patrick’s Day with

Christmas?

Answer: You would get St. O’Claus!

Impact Your Community

• The Census will impact decisions made about our communities for the next 10 years & beyond. • Local, state & federal governments, private businesses, public works, religious organiza-tions and others will all use data from the 2020 Census. • Being counted means you impact your community. • Michigan loses at least $1800 per person each year for every person not counted in the US Census. The federal government uses census numbers to allocate billions of dollars to states annually for community programs and services including health care services for the elderly, Medicaid and Home Delivered meals are just two programs that receive funding based on census data.

The 2020 Census Will Ask:

• Number of people in your household • Whether you own or rent your home

• Your phone number - Just in case the Census Bureau needs to contact you later.

For each person in your household: - Name

- Sex (Male or Female) - Age and Date of Birth

- Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin

- Race

- Relationship to the person answering the Census

What the 2020 Census Will NOT Ask

There are no questions about: - Citizenship Status

- Social Security Number - Bank Information - Political party or affiliation

If you are asked these questions by someone pretending to be from the Census, do not answer. This is not the 2020 Census.

Page 4 March 2020

Your Answers Are Protected

• By federal law, the Census Bureau cannot share your answers with any other government entity. • Your answers remain confidential and data is reported as a whole.

You have 3 Ways to Respond

1. Online

- You will receive an invitation by mail coming mid-March . The Census Bureau will not email you. - That invitation has a web address to go online and a unique ID for your home. - If you do not have that invitation, you will be able to look up your home address to respond online.

2. Phone

That invitation will also have a phone number.

3. Mail - If you have not completed the Census online, you will receive a questionnaire in the mail in early or mid-April. - You cannot request a paper questionnaire be mailed to you. It will come if you have not already responded. Some people will get it earlier. You will receive reminder postcards until you complete the Census. At the end of April, the Census Bureau will visit your home if you have not completed the Census. Complete the Census early to avoid additional mailings or a Census employee coming to your home. If you need assistance: - Several community organizations are hosting events or kiosks where you can get help completing the Census online. - They can help you look up your address. - If anyone is helping you complete the Census, they should read each question to you so that you can answer. The Census should capture your response.

Page 6 March 2020