Last night, Rethinking Dementia, Accelerating Change received WOOD TV's "Caring for Community" Award! Rethinking Dementia was started by Holland Home and 16 community partners to work on improving the lives of people affected by dementia through promoting better access to quality supports and services through innovative community collaboration.

Osteoporosis is often called the "silent disease" because it is symptomless.  People may not even realize they have osteoporosis until it has advanced to the point where their bones are so weak that a sudden strain, bump, or fall causes a hip to fracture or a vertebra to collapse.  The estimated cost of osteoporosis and related fractures is now approximately 14 billion dollars annually.

Dr. John Mulder, director of the Trillium Institute, appeared before a hearing in the House Subcommittee on Health, a part of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, on combating the opioid crisis. 

Holland Home’s Fulton Manor campus is Holland Home’s oldest—105 years—having replaced the original Holland Home that stood on the corner of Michigan Avenue and College Street.

Aging brings changes that may make your current home difficult to navigate or potentially unsafe.  Enter technology—what is being called smart home technology is making it possible for people to stay in their own homes and remain independent longer than ever before.

The saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” isn’t true—It’s never too late to learn.  “Learning across the entire lifespan is incredibly beneficial,” said Dr. Suzann M. Ogland-Hand, a clinical geropsychologist in Grand Rapids.   

One of the greatest joys of getting older is the arrival of grandchildren.  And nothing is more fun than spending time with them when they visit.  Following are a few tips to make your visit as mutually enjoyable as possible.

“Many people find that being with someone who has experienced a loss makes them uncomfortable,” said Janet Jaymin, director of bereavement services for Faith Hospice and a certified grief counselor.  “It’s a reminder of our own mortality, and we don’t want to think about it.” 

Change is never easy, and the older a person gets and the more set in their ways, the harder it becomes.  One of life’s biggest transitions is going from being independent and living in your own home to moving an assisted living facility. Many seniors view this as the last move of their life, the final chapter, and that knowledge can bring sadness and depression.  There are ways, however, that you can help ease this transition for your parent or loved on.