In this edition:

AGING WITH ATTITUDE

African American Seniors in Southeast Michigan tell their stories as part of Storycorps Griot Initiative

"I take vision loss day by day, and my days are better than ever": Stories and Videos on new AFB Senior Website

The Zimmers: World's oldest rock band performs the Who's "My Generation" (Warning: contains profane language and gesture)

Meet the Zimmers

OF INTEREST

Senior Housing Awareness Week (SHAW) Organized by Blueprint Partner Housing Bureau for Seniors a Success

The Blueprint was proud to sponsor and create opportunities for partner participation in SHAW's annual events addressing the housing needs of seniors. 

The following Blueprint partners took part in the SHAW expo and a day of presentations on fostering self-sufficiency and expanding housing options for seniors:

Ann Arbor Transportation

  Authority (AATA)

Washtenaw Public Health

HelpSource

Neighborhood Senior Services

SJMH Senior Health Clinic

ON THE HORIZON

Blueprint for Aging Senior Summit (Fall 2007)

Aging with Attitude Community Art Exhibition (March 2008)

ADVOCACY RESOURCES

Information Sheet on "Money Follows the Person"

Sample Letter Supporting "Money Follows the Person"

Sample Letter Against "Money Follows the Person"

Contact Information for State and Federal Legislators

Senior Advocates of Washtenaw Presentation

SAW Member Josh Ard explains "Money Follows the Person"

Betty, Peter, and Carl Baird of

Ann Arbor and Royal Oak 

Elmer Sheldon of Ypsilanti

Building community with healthy, independent,

          and honored seniors.          

Senior Advocates Educate Public on Paying for Long-Term Care

The Senior Advocates of Washtenaw (SAW) held the second presentation in their educational series "How Will I Pay for Long-Term Care?" on May 14 as part of Senior Housing Awareness Week.

Over 40 people attended the event, enjoyed refreshments, and participated in an interactive discussion highlighting long-term care payment options for people with varying incomes and levels of insurance coverage.  Justine Bykowski of the Housing Bureau for Seniors led the discussion, and attendees shared their questions and stories. 

Elder-Law Attorney Josh Ard and SAW Co-Chair Roger Spooner followed the presentation with a discussion of "money follows the person," an innovative plan to allow Medicaid funds to be used for in-home and assisted living services as well as nursing home care, giving seniors more choices about where to live.   

See side panel for more photos from the

Senior Advocates of Washtenaw Presentation on May 14. 

Ard and Spooner encouraged attendees to contact their legislators on issues they care about, and, if interested, to join the Senior Advocates of Washtenaw (SAW).  A nonpartisan group led by older adults, SAW gives seniors the tools they need to make informed decisions and to advocate on public policy issues that affect their lives. 

The Senior Advocates of Washtenaw will host a community forum with State Representative Rebekah Warren on June 25 at the Washtenaw County Library Learning Resource Center (see below).  All are invited to attend this free public forum. 

If you are interested in learning more about SAW or would like to submit a question for Representative Warren, please contact

Jean Borger at jborger@csswashtenaw.org or (734) 712-0548.

Blueprint Events

Aging with Attitude: A New Stage of Life

Tuesday, May 22, 2007
12:00-1:30 p.m.
Turner Senior Resource Center
2401 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI

Learn to expand your knowledge, explore your creativity, and enhance your experiences.  Speakers (including Core Leadership Team Member Sherry Marcy) will discuss a variety of quality-of-life

retirement strategies.

Call 734-998-9353 to register.

Community Forum with State Representative

Rebekah Warren

Monday, June 25, 2007
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Washtenaw County Library Learning Resource Center (LLRC)
4135 Washtenaw Avenue at Hogback Rd.

(entrance off of Hogback)
Ann Arbor, MI

Come ask questions and share your concerns. 

Representative Warren, a member of the House Senior Health, Security, and Retirement Committee, will discuss current issues and pending legislation affecting seniors.

Click here to download flier. 

All events are free and open to the public.

What Is the Blueprint for Aging?

The Blueprint for Aging is a diverse coalition of community members and representatives from over 40 public, private, and nonprofit organizations who have actively worked for over five years to help Washtenaw County become more responsive to its older residents.

Our vision is of a community that encourages the highest degree of health and independence for seniors—a place where people of all ages live, work, and thrive as full and valued citizens.

To achieve this goal, the Blueprint collaborative has developed four major initiatives:

Aging in Place:

Improving the services essential to living well

Senior Leadership:

Utilizing the skills and wisdom of older adults

 Technology Innovation:

Using technology to work more efficiently

Foundation Building:

Creating an elder-friendly community

Learn More

For more information about the Blueprint for Aging, visit our website at www.Blueprint.For.Aging.org, or contact us at (734) 712-0548.