Make Holiday Magic!
by Sharon TerHaar, Executive Director, AgeWell Services of West Michigan
Presents for the holidays aren't just new robes, wallets and gift cards to a favorite eatery. For many people in the community a special present would be a visit, a smile, bringing their mail in or shoveling their stairs.
These are gifts delivered by Meals on Wheels drivers to over 1000 older adults in three counties. Each and every day they touch someone's life and make holiday magic all year long.
People receive Meals on Wheels for many reasons. It could be illness or chronic diseases that limit strength, mobility and cooking ability. It could be lack of transportation or money for food. We know the meals and the daily visit keep them healthier, safe and independent in their homes. Chances are someone in your neighborhood gets a visit and a meal. We deliver reassurance to older adults and their families.
What can you do to help this holiday season?
- Check on your elderly neighbors, especially over the holidays.
- Invite them over for a dinner or bring them some leftovers.
- Shovel their driveway when you do yours.
- Call a neighbor to just say, "Hi."
- Thank a Meals on Wheels driver.
- Volunteer or make a donation.
- Call us if someone needs services.
Deliver some Holiday Magic!
Sharon TerHaar is executive director of AgeWell Services of West Michigan at 560 Seminole. To find out about Meals on Wheels and other programs for seniors in this area call (231) 755-0434 or 1-800-442-6769, or visit agewellservices.org or tanglewoodpark.info.
Dignity and Respect for Pets
by Jodi Clock, Clock Timeless Pets
Did you know 63% of U.S. households own a pet, 83% of those households refer to those pets as their "kids" and call themselves "mommie and daddy" and our household is no different.
Last month Clock Timeless Pets hosted our fifth Blessing of the Pets and this month marks our official re-branding.
Timeless Pets, initially, was launched when our funeral home was asked to host a memorial service for "Charlie," a lab who had died. Shortly after Charlie's tribute, Deputy Eric Rideout's K-9 dog "Kane" died and we were also asked to hold a service to honor Kane's life and professional accomplishments.
Being a pet lover and advocate, I clearly saw the need for a different value offering for pet parents other than what vet clinics have to offer. What's eye opening is that many pet parents really don't know what happens to their furry or feathered child after they say goodbye, nor do they ask. They just assume that their trusted advisor knows what to do and will handle it.
I find irony in the concept that a profession that is committed to the health and welfare for animals, to the point of assisting with one of the kindest acts of love, "euthanasia," is also the expert in the final end of life care for your pet.
In the human world doctors specialize and refer out. They don't ever recommend a funeral home, disposition (burial or cremation), nor tell you how much you should spend. A reputable vet clinic will make a referral for your pet's healthcare if it's out of their expertise, why not pet death care?
The majority of the vet clinics work with a cremation provider in Grand Rapids, who has a pet route -- not same day removal. Some vet clinics don't have cold storage. Many vet clinics receive a kickback for this service. Because this is death care -- people don't know what they don't know.
At Timeless pets we are able to make the removal within 24 hours. We only do private cremations. Our crematory is now local. A family can now witness the cremation if they desire. Clock Timeless Pets is a certified member of the Pet Loss Professional Association (PLPA) and in pet grief care.
We are end of life professionals who treat your pet with the same dignity and respect as humans, we are not a pet disposal business.