Access Summer 2015

Vol.17, No.2
Exciting programs for older adults
Pages 4 & 5
Your Link To Community Resources
A Publication of The Area Agency on Aging 1-B Summer 2015
Serving the counties of Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St.Clair and Washtenaw
AAA 1-B Honors Local Leaders For Dedication to Older Adults
Each year, the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) selects leaders in their field who are going above and beyond to positively impact the quality of life for older adults and adults with disabilities in southeastern Michigan. On May 15, 2015, the following individuals were honored for their contributions at the AAA 1-B’s Annual Community Meeting:
Screening Tool Helps Protect Vulnerable Seniors
Tim Wintermute
Former Executive Director of the Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation
Sandra K. Reminga Lifetime Achievement Award
Tim Wintermute was presented
with the Sandra K. Reminga Lifetime Achievement Award for his strong leadership of The Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation and his dedication throughout his career to increase access to affordable housing for low income seniors, particularly through his work in New York City and Washington, DC. He was instrumental in developing creative programs, such as the Hannan Center for Lifelong Learning and the Ellen Kayrod Gallery of Art, empowering older adults with engaging, educational
activities. Wintermute is a member of many national and local organizations and was a past chair of the Michigan Grantmakers in Aging, an affinity group of the Council of Michigan Foundations and Grantmakers in Aging.
Honorable Rick Snyder
Governor, State of Michigan
Public Service Leadership Award
Governor Snyder was awarded for his unprecedented leadership in addressing the challenges of an aging population and concern for the most vulnerable older adults in his State of the State Address and budget messages. He called for Michigan to become a no wait state for in-home services for
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According to a MetLife Mature Market Institute survey, Americans, age 65 and older suffered financial losses to a tune of $2.9 billion dollars in 2010 due to financial fraud and scams. That equates to one in 20 older adults who became a victim of financial abuse and in a third of the cases the perpetrator was a friend, neighbor or family member.
Such was the case for Leo when his wife passed away last March and one of his sons moved in. Shortly thereafter, Leo placed his son on a joint bank account. Then the pair met with an attorney to sign quit claim deeds to four of Leo’s properties. Over a five month period, more than $100,000 disappeared from Leo’s bank account. Fortunately, his other son who lived out of state realized that something was seriously wrong and contacted adult protective services (APS). Legal action ensued against the son who financially exploited his father.
Numerous studies conducted within the past five years have found that older adults are particularly vulnerable due to: a) a large net worth, b) cognitive impairments that affect decision making skills, and/or c) psychological vulnerability.
Advocates from the Area Agency on Aging 1-B (AAA 1-B) have been working diligently to combat this problem. According to AAA 1-B Director of Research, Policy Development and Advocacy Jim McGuire, “Advocates
were able to secure Governor Snyder’s support for a package of elder abuse prevention bills that passed during the last legislative session.”
In fact this spring, the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee approved bills SB 49 and SB 50 that will make Michigan tougher on perpetrators by increasing fines and sentencing guide- lines for crimes against older adults.
A few years ago, the AAA 1-B Advisory Council investigated how the issue of financial fraud and exploitation impacts vulnerable older adults. Chaired by Peter Lichtenberg, Ph.D., ABPP, director of the Institute of Gerontology, the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute and founding director of Wayne State University’s Lifespan Alliance, the
ad hoc study resulted in a series of protective measures which included the first national study of fraud and the
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Inside This Issue
Ask the Expert ........................................3
Wish list of exciting programs
and services for older adults ..................4
Older Michiganians Day (OMD)
2015 and Calendar of Events ..................8
Area Agency on Aging 1-B
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