Inside The Senior Alliance

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Manager at the Senior Alliance talks to Jennifer Frush, Executive Director for New Hope Center for Grief Support. They discuss the various problems and the situations that can cause those problems when dealing with grief. Everyone has a different way of grieving, and grief affects everyone differently. whether you're a senior, or younger or even a child. New Hope Center for Grief Support is a free advocacy and counseling organization that offers help for people who are grieving in many different ways. From support groups to individualized help to events and activities, New Hope can provide care for those who are grieving and feel like no one understands what they are going through. Great information! www.thesenioralliance.org. Produced by The Senior Alliance and Blazing Kiss Media. The post Inside The Senior Alliance – New Hope Center for Grief Support (Ep 56) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, talks to Amy Gotwals, Chief of Public Policy and External Affairs at USAging. They discuss in full the potential of the proposed budget cuts from the current administration in Washington, DC, and the effects these cuts will have on Area Agencies on Aging, as well as other services. Amy and Jason also discuss the severity of the proposed cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. They provide information on all the services that seniors and disabled people across America receive, and how the proposed cuts will hurt those communities. They also offer many ideas of how you can help advocate to prevent these cuts from happening and how to get a hold of your representatives and senators to tell them how you feel about these proposed cuts. Vital information! www.thesenioralliance.org. Produced by The Senior Alliance and Blazing Kiss Media. The post Inside The Senior Alliance – 2026 Federal Legislative Preview (Ep 55) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Manager at The Senior Alliance, talks to Renee Roederer, Senior Director of Programs and Community Care at The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan. They discuss how epilepsy affects those who have it, particularly among seniors, and many of the common misconceptions about epilepsy. For example, you can be diagnosed at any age with epilepsy, even if you have not had it before. They also talk about navigating the healthcare system, getting better accommodations for those living with epilepsy, and how to find support in Michigan for patients and their caregivers. Great information! www.thesenioralliance.org. Produced by The Senior Alliance and Blazing Kiss Media. The post Inside The Senior Alliance – Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan (Ep 54) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, talks to Dave LaLumia, Executive Director of Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan (4AM) Stephanie Hall, Assistant Director of Planning and Advocacy at AgeWays, AAA 1B, and Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Manager at The Senior Alliance. They discuss the upcoming 2025 Michigan Legislative Session in Lansing and the many issues that the various Area Agencies on Aging are going to be focusing on, such as funding for many of the programs that help and benefit seniors all over the State. They also talk about the changes that have been made to the various budget committees and the fact that much of the bills and issues that concern seniors have had no action in the Legislature. They also talk about how you can get involved, and who you can contact to help move things forward for seniors. Produced by The Senior Alliance and Blazing Kiss Media. The post Inside The Senior Alliance – 2025 State Legislative Preview (Ep 53) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at The Senior Alliance, is joined by Kat Hutton, Program Director at MiGen, and Kristin Holtz, Database Curator at The Senior Alliance. Kat talks about MiGen, its mission in supporting LGBTQ+ older adults, the unique challenges LGBTQ+ older adults face, and how MiGen works to address those situations. Kristen talks about how she and Kat collaborated to create Sip and Chat events through The Senior Alliance and the impact these events have had in helping to foster community and combat isolation among LGTBQ+ seniors. Important information! www.thesenioralliance.org. Produced by The Senior Alliance and Blazing Kiss Media. The post Inside The Senior Alliance – MiGen: Downriver Sip & Chats (Ep 52) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at The Senior Alliance, talks to Eric Hufnagel, Executive Director of Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. They discuss the history and mission of the Coalition Against Homelessness, some of the obstacles that older adults and seniors face in getting housing in Michigan, and some of the biggest misconceptions about homelessness. You'll also learn about the legislative work the Coalition is doing in Lansing to help change the laws regarding homelessness to make it easier to obtain housing and how you can get involved to help out with their work. Excellent information! www.thesenioralliance.org. Produced by the Senior Alliance and Blazing Kiss Media The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (Ep 51) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at The Senior Alliance, talks to Jim Mangi, Founder, and Director of Dementia Friendly Saline, an advocacy group in Saline, Michigan. Jim is also a Care Partner to his wife. They talk about how his personal situation inspired him to create Dementia Friendly Saline, which advocates for people living with dementia to help make their lives easier. We hear how a city or a community can become dementia-friendly, the programs and initiatives they implemented, and how to work with businesses, service providers, and residents to become more accommodating to those living with dementia. Great information!  www.thesenioralliance.org. Produced by The Senior Alliance and Blazing Kiss Media. The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Dementia Friendly Saline (Ep 50) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at The Senior Alliance, talks to Erica Solway, Deputy Director for the National Poll on Aging at The University of Michigan's Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation or IHPI. They discuss the University of Michigan's National Poll on Healthy Aging, which is an initiative by the Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation (IHPI) that focuses on understanding health-related issues affecting Americans aged 50-80. The post Inside The Senior Alliance: National Poll on Healthy Aging (Ep 49) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance is joined by Nikki Hartley, Government Relations Assistant, and Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Assistant for The Senior Alliance. They talk about hunger and nutritional need amongst older adults in our community. This is what inspired The Senior Alliance to pursue the "Give Hunger a Holiday" effort, which supports our Holiday Meals Program and other initiatives. In Michigan, one in seven older adults struggle with food insecurity. The Senior Alliance wants Give Hunger a Holiday to help this year by raising funds to help provide meals. They also are looking for volunteers, and you can find out how to help in both ways throughout this episode, and you can also get more information at www.thesenioralliance.org. Produced by The Senior Alliance and Blazing Kiss Media. The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Give Hunger a Holiday (Ep 48) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of the Senior Alliance is joined by Dr. Kristine Ajrouch, Research Professor at the University of Michigan, and a member of The Senior Alliance Board of Directors. For over 20 years, her research has focused on Arab Americans in the U.S. with a focus on aging from the perspective of older adults in the metro-Detroit Arab-American and Muslim communities. Jason and Dr. Ajrouch discuss the new Census ethnicity classification for Middle Eastern and North Africans that will help research and studies on the needs of older adults in the United States and The Senior Alliance service area. They also discuss the characteristics and dynamics of the Metro Detroit Arab-American community and why it is unique, compared to other regions of the United States. They also talk about how aging and longevity have changed over the years and what The Senior Alliance and other Area Agencies on Aging can do to address the needs of aging minority populations, which have been underserved. Excellent information! www.thesenioralliance.org. The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Aging in Arab American Communities (Ep 47) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at The Senior Alliance, is joined by Art Gawronski, who is a volunteer with Meals On Wheels in Canton and Plymouth Michigan. They talk about how Art became a Meals On Wheels volunteer, and what the typical schedule is like for a Meals volunteer. Meals On Wheels delivers over three thousand meals each day across Western and Southern Wayne County, and volunteers like Art are the ones who make this happen. Emma and Art also talk about the need for more volunteers and how you can join Meals On Wheels as a volunteer. Great information! www.thesenioralliance.org. Produced by The Senior Alliance and Blazing Kiss Media. The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Volunteering with Meals on Wheels (Ep 46) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at The Senior Alliance, is joined by Toni Gingerelli, from the National Alliance for Caregiving. They talk about what the National Alliance for Caregiving is, and what kinds of services and support the NAC offers. You will find out about what a caregiver is, and how people become caregivers. We also learn about the latest survey of caregivers, and the changing demographics of age groups of caregivers, including how many more younger generations are having to become caregivers. They also discuss the advocacy work that NAC does on the Federal level to provide legislation and legal supports for caregivers around the nation, and how you can get involved in helping. Great information! thesenioralliance.org. Produced by The Senior Alliance, and Blazing Kiss Media The post Inside The Senior Alliance: National Alliance For Caregiving (Ep 45) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, which is the final episode of the two-part series, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance continues his conversation with Sandy Markwood, CEO of US Aging, the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies ...Read More The post Inside the Senior Alliance: Trends in Aging – Part 2 (Ep 1.44) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, which is the final episode of the two-part series, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance continues his conversation with Sandy Markwood, CEO of US Aging, the national association representing The post Inside the Senior Alliance: Trends in Aging – Part 2 (Ep 44) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, which is the first of a two-part series, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance is joined by Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging, the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging and ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Trends in Aging – Part 1 (Ep 1.43) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, which is the first of a two-part series, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance is joined by Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging, the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Trends in Aging – Part 1 (Ep 43) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at The Senior Alliance, is joined by Salli Pung, State Long Term Care Ombudsman. They discuss the role of the long term care ombudsman, how the program is funded, and how ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: State Long Term Care Ombudsman (Ep 1.42) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at The Senior Alliance, is joined by Salli Pung, State Long Term Care Ombudsman. They discuss the role of the long term care ombudsman, how the program is funded, and how they help senior adults. The post Inside The Senior Alliance: State Long Term Care Ombudsman (Ep 42) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, is joined by Dave LaLumia, Executive Director of Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan (4AM), and Katie Wendel, Director of Planning and Advocacy at Ageways and a member of ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: 2024 State Legislative Preview (Ep 1.41) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, is joined by Dave LaLumia, Executive Director of Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan (4AM), and Katie Wendel, Director of Planning and Advocacy at Ageways and a member of Silver Key Coalition, and Nikki Hartley The post Inside The Senior Alliance: 2024 State Legislative Preview (Ep 41) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski is joined by Chuck Jackson, Director of Wayne County Department of Senior Services. They talk about the nutrition program for older adults such as home-delivered meals – also known as meals on wheels, congregate meals ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: The Need for Meals-on-Wheels Volunteers with Chuck Jackson (Ep 1.40) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

They talk about the nutrition program for older adults such as home-delivered meals - also known as meals on wheels, congregate meals, and liquid meals The post Inside The Senior Alliance: The Need for Meals-on-Wheels Volunteers with Chuck Jackson (Ep 40) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO at The Senior Alliance, is joined by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Head of the Elder Abuse Task Force, Scott Teter, to discuss the work done by the Elder Abuse Task Force for ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Elder Abuse Task Force with Attorney General Dana Nessel & Scott Teter (Ep 1.39) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

They discuss the new abuse reporting forms and how it improves communication with law enforcement over issues of suspected elder abuse in long term care facilities. They also talk about scams that are prevalent during the holiday The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Elder Abuse Task Force with Attorney General Dana Nessel & Scott Teter (Ep 39) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

        In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, is joined by David Linden of the Michigan Medicare Assistance Program. They talk about the services that MMAP offers older adults, what kinds of Medicare coverage ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: MMAP Open Annual Enrollment with David Linden (Ep 1.38) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

They talk about the services that MMAP offers older adults, what kinds of Medicare coverage programs exist, and how MMAP can help older adults save money on Medicare The post Inside The Senior Alliance: MMAP Open Annual Enrollment with David Linden (Ep 38) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at The Senior Alliance, talks to Courtney Walsh, Program Manager of Hearken at The Senior Alliance. Hearken is an advocacy service that deals with seniors who are feeling social isolation and ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Hearken with Courtney Walsh (Ep 1.37) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

Hearken is an advocacy service that deals with seniors who are feeling social isolation and loneliness and connects them with services that can help The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Hearken with Courtney Walsh (Ep 37) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at the Senior Alliance, talks to Chelsi Rhoades, Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at Generations United, a national nonprofit group that helps support grandfamilies and kinship families. They talk about what ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Grandfamilies and Kinship Families with Chelsi Rhoades (Ep 1.36) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

They talk about what a grand family or a kinship family is, and how Generations United works to bring generations together instead of isolating them. In the United States, there are more than 8 million children living in households that are headed by grand-parents. The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Grandfamilies and Kinship Families with Chelsi Rhoades (Ep 36) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist with The Senior Alliance interviews Rodlescia Sneed, Assistant Professor of Gerontology at Wayne State University. They talk about her work with aging adults, especially those who have been incarcerated and then ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Aging and the Justice System with Rodlescia Sneed (Ep 1.35) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

Some of the issues are the lack of understanding that seniors who have been released from the justice system have a much harder time getting services, housing, and even jobs, once they get back into society The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Aging and the Justice System with Rodlescia Sneed (Ep 35) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, talks with Dave LaLumia, Executive Director of the Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan, aka 4AM. They discuss the fiscal year 2024 budget that was just passed in Lansing, ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Fiscal Year 2024 State Budget Review with Dave LaLumia (Ep 1.34) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

They discuss the fiscal year 2024 budget that was just passed in Lansing, and what the funding looks like for Senior Programs that are overseen and implemented The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Fiscal Year 2024 State Budget Review with Dave LaLumia (Ep 34) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at The Senior Alliance talks to Matt Phelan, Public Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Alzheimers Association of Michigan. They talk about the work that the Alzheimers Association of Michigan does, ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Alzheimer's and Dementia Advocacy with Matt Phelan (Ep 1.33) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

They talk about the work that the Alzheimers Association of Michigan does, the differences between Alzheimer's and Dementia The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Alzheimer's and Dementia Advocacy with Matt Phelan (Ep 33) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Emma Case, Planning and Advocacy Specialist at the Senior Alliance, talks to Ayana King, Founder and CEO of Maximum Communications, a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultancy group. She is also a member of the Senior Alliance Board ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Ageism 101 with Ayana King (Ep 1.32) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

Emma and Ayana talk about ageism and how it affects seniors, both mentally and physically. Ayana also discusses how to respond to issues of ageism The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Ageism 101 with Ayana King (Ep 32) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, talks with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. They talk about the role of the Attorney General in Michigan and how her office connects with Seniors on important issues. They also ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Attorney General Dana Nessel Discusses Her Elder Abuse Task Force (Ep 1.31) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

They talk about the role of the Attorney General in Michigan and how her office connects with Seniors on important issues The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Attorney General Dana Nessel Discusses Her Elder Abuse Task Force (Ep 31) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, talks to Amy Gotwals, Chief, Public Policy and External Affairs of U.S. Aging. Jason and Amy discuss the entirety of the Older Americans Act, why the Federal Government decided to ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: The Older Americans Act with Amy Gotwals (Ep 1.30) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

Jason and Amy discuss the entirety of the Older Americans Act, why the Federal Government decided to create it, and how each section of the Act The post Inside The Senior Alliance: The Older Americans Act with Amy Gotwals (Ep 30) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, talks to Amy Gotwals, Chief, Public Policy and External Affairs of USAging. Jason and Amy discuss the upcoming Legislative sessions in Washington, DC, and how issues for seniors and older ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: 2023 Congressional Outlook with Amy Gotwals (Ep 1.29) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

Jason and Amy discuss the upcoming Legislative sessions in Washington, DC, and how issues for seniors and older Americans are going to play out in the next two years The post Inside The Senior Alliance: 2023 Congressional Outlook with Amy Gotwals (Ep 29) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, talks to Dave LaLumia, Executive Director of Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan (4AM), and Katie Wendel, Director of Planning and Advocacy at AAA 1-B and facilitator of the ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: 2023 State Legislative Preview with Dave LaLumia & Katie Wendel (Ep 1.28) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

They discuss what might lie ahead in the upcoming Michigan Legislative session regarding older adults and aging policy. Learn about what committees are important in regard to older and disabled adults bills The post Inside The Senior Alliance: 2023 State Legislative Preview with Dave LaLumia & Katie Wendel (Ep 28) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance talks to Tracey Rowans, staff attorney at Neighborhood Legal Services. They discuss some of the services Neighborhood Legal Services offers including the Elder Law and Advocacy Center, preparing and organizing ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Neighborhood Legal Services with Tracey Rowans (Ep 1.27) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

They discuss some of the services Neighborhood Legal Services offers including the Elder Law and Advocacy Center, preparing and organizing documents, such as estate planning, power of attorney The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Neighborhood Legal Services with Tracey Rowans (Ep 27) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, talks to Dr. Peter Lichtenberg, Director of the Institute of Gerontology and the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute at Wayne State University.  Dr. Lichtenberg discusses his work in the field of aging ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Dr. Peter Lichtenberg on Gerontology and Combating Financial Abuse (Ep 1.26) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

In this episode, Jason Maciejewski, CEO of The Senior Alliance, talks to Dr. Thomas Jankowski, Board Chair of The Senior Alliance. Dr. Jankowski is also the Associate Director of Research at The Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University.  Jason and ...Read More The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Future of Aging with Dr. Thomas Jankowski (Ep 1.25) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.

Dr. Lichtenberg discusses his work in the field of aging and the various experiences he has had, his creation of Successful Aging thru Financial Empowerment (aka the SAFE Program) for seniors to protect them from financial abuses The post Inside The Senior Alliance: Dr. Peter Lichtenberg on Gerontology and Combating Financial Abuse (Ep 26) appeared first on The Senior Alliance.