A few years ago the Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Dept. began an evaluation of the social and recreational programming at the Ann Arbor Senior Center in Burns Park. The strategic recommendations finalized in 2011 contain some interesting findings. With more than 30,000 people over 50 living in Ann Arbor, only 250 actively use the AASC, and most of them are over 70. Some reasons given for this are the many offerings this culturally rich area provides that mature adults participate in as well as the general good health and wealth the mature population who live here enjoy. Even the term “senior” is questioned because it’s a label many don’t care for.

On Friday, Sept. 23, 9-11 am, at United Way of Washtenaw, 2305 Platt Rd., the first public meeting of the Washtenaw Elder Justice Coalition will take place, sponsored by Neighborhood Senior Services and Blueprint for Aging. This new organization will work to engage and educate our community about the very real issue of elder abuse and neglect. The featured speaker is Ron Tatro, a nationally certified trainer on elder abuse issues and Director of Elder Abuse Prevention Services for Elder Law of Michigan, a non-profit organization. This event is free of charge.

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Almost 800 older persons and advocates from across the state will converge on the State Capitol on June 15, from 9:50 am to 2:00 pm, to celebrate our growing senior population and urge elected officials to make policies and budget decisions that are senior-friendly.

The theme for this fourth annual rally, Older Michiganians Day 2011, is The Senior WAVE – We Advocate, Vote, and Enrich Communities. Older Michiganians Day is named for the state law that earmarks state funding for older adult services and establishes the Commission on Services to the Aging and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA). The OSA and Commission oversee the network of sixteen Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). The state law makes approximately $30 million in state funds available for home delivered meals, adult day care, volunteer programs and other services each fiscal year.

Contact Ann Langford for more information and free tickets to this event by email at alangford@aaa1b.com or by phone at (248) 262-1282.

Within the next 8-10 years, 65 year old adults will outnumber children five and under for the first time in our history. The gap between retirement and death has significantly increased due to the general health and functioning of our senior population. As we live longer and face the financial, relational, and health factors often associated with longevity, effective coping strategies become increasingly important to the maintenance of creative, healthy lifestyles. Todd K. Favorite, Ph.D., Director of the UM Psychological Clinic, will help us explore these issues of our aging society and answer questions on Wed., June 8 at Malletts Creek Branch, 7-8:30 pm.

For the first time in history, this generation will devote more time to taking care of their parents than they did in raising their own children. One support organization, Children of Aging Parents, estimates that 54 million Americans are now involved in this type of care. We are not well prepared for these responsibilities, but we do our best. Eldercare mediators Zena Zumeta and Susan Butterwick will talk about ways to begin these important conversations.

Eldercare Mediation and Family Decision Making | Sunday, Feb. 6 | 2-3:30 pm | Malletts Creek