My City January 2022

Valley Area Agency on Aging ALL THINGS SENIOR

ADVERTORIAL

T he Valley Area Agency on Aging (VAAA) is the go-to resource for any and all things senior-related. Incorporated in 1976 to serve the senior population of Genesee, Shiawassee and Lapeer counties, the VAAA has been the area leader in senior information and programming for nearly 50 years. With a mission to provide answers, action and advocacy on care for the elderly and disabled adults in an e†ort to sustain their independence and provide support to caregivers, the VAAA helps approximately 10,000 people per year through numerous programs and services. “One of our main goals is to keep seniors in their homes and keep them independent for as long as possible,” says President and CEO, Yaushica Aubert. e VAAA provides services for individuals 60 years old and older, disabled individuals 18 years or older, and their immediate caregivers. “We help anyone with any questions concerning seniors and the disabled, be it legal help, senior center locations, vaccinations,Medicare naviga- tion, transportation, bill-paying or anything else,” informs Aubert. If you are a caregiver who may be feeling “burned out” and need help or relief, the VAAA awaits your call. “We can provide options for caregivers to get the help they need. Give us a call – we are all things senior,” adds Aubert, “and the majority of our services are free of charge.” VAAA provides assistance with a range of services including assisted living placement, care management, home-delivered meals, legal services, home-to-home transitions, home adaptation and modi€cation, med- ical equipment training and utilization, personal care (grooming, dressing, housekeeping, etc.), transportation and support groups. e organization provides education in the areas of elder abuse prevention, caregiver training, cooking, art therapy, nutrition and exercise. If you are feeling lonely, the VAAA provides social opportunities such as the CHAAT (Chatting Helps Aging Adults

rive) program, RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program), health and exercise programs, and special events. “When someone calls the VAAA, we will ask a lot of questions in order to get all of the information we need to make sure we get you into the correct program or service,” says Aubert. “Next, we may send a nurse or social worker to your home to determine your exact needs and quali€ca- tions. Your coordinator will then arrange your service and continue to make sure your needs are met.” e VAAA will always be there for anyone who needs assistance. If you have questions of any sort concerning yourself or a senior family member, call VAAA and someone will be happy to assist you. For more infor- mation or an in-depth description of what VAAA can o†er you or your family, visit valleyareaaging.org. VAAA is federally funded but in need of monetary donations (100% of donations goes directly to programs) to help alleviate waiting lists, and needs volunteers to support their programming. If you are interested in volunteering, please call 810.239.7671 and talk to a representative. To donate, visit valleyareaaging.org and click on the “Donate Now” button. ® The staff at Valley Area Agency on Aging are the experts in senior independence and advocacy. Call 810.239.7671 for all things senior.