13th Annual Benefit 9-Ball Pool Tournaments

It's that time again! This year the volunteers from Hillman have expanded into a 2nd Atlanta location. Come and join the fun!


Pool Tournament Schedule for 2010:

Feb 21 - Know Good Pub & Grub - Atlanta
Feb 28 - Atlanta Eagles - Atlanta
Mar 7 - Hoppe's Hut - Lachine
Mar 14 - Avalon Bar - Hillman
Mar 21 - Hi Way Inn - Hillman
Mar 28 - Chauncey's - Hillman

All Pool Tournaments begin promptly at noon
Cost is $5.00 per player and includes lunch
Single or Double Elimination depending on the number of players registered

Wild Game Dinner & Pool Tournament
April 11 - Hillman Senior Center - Hillman
Pool Tournament starts at noon
Dinner served at 3:00pm
Cost is $10.00 per person (pool participation optional)

Included in the fun:
Cash Bar
Barrel of Booze Raffle
50/50 Raffle
Prize Balloons
Chinese Raffle
Silent Auction

Join us for fun and support a great cause - helping families in northern Michigan!

Greeting Cards Available

The Alpena Office has handmade, quality greeting cards available. Cards cost $3.00 each and $2.00 from the sale of every card goes directly to the Northern Michigan Region. Give your friends and loved ones a unique, special card this year and support our organization at the same time.

Birthday
Anniversary
Sympathy
Thank You
Get Well

Stop by during regular business hours (9-5, M-F) and pick up a supply today!

CREATING CONFIDENT CAREGIVERS WORKSHOP

Creating Confident Caregivers

A program for family members caring for a loved one
suffering from dementia and/or memory loss.

About the program -

Creating Confident Caregivers utilizes the Savvy Caregiver Program, a university tested program for family members caring for a loved one with dementia at home. Two hour sessions are held once a week for six weeks and lead by dementia care specialists. This program provides participants with information, skills and attitudes to manage stress and increase effective caregiving skills.

Free Respite Care -

Care for your family member with memory loss can be provided free of charge so you may attend the sessions.
*Ask for details when you register.*

Classes Offered -

Attend FREE!
2 hour session once a week
for six weeks

Classes being held
Day & Dates: Monday
February 1, 8, 15, 22 & March 1, 8
Time: 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Location: THE FRIENDSHIP CENTER OF
EMMET COUNTY
Address: 322 Anderson Road
Petoskey, MI 49770
To register contact Alzheimer’s Association at (231) 929-3804

This program is supported, in part, by the U.S. Administration on Aging through its Alzheimer’s Disease Supportive Services Program, (#90AE0322) and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging.

Continuing Research May Lead to Treatment in the Future

Results released from an EMF study conducted in Florida have shown some promising reactions with mice. EMF (electromagnetic fields) of the same type as those emitted by cell phones have shown positive results in mice genetically bred to display Alzheimer's like symptoms. At the same time, no negative effects from the EMF were found.

That's the encouraging part!

Now the cautionary part; not all studies in mice have transmitted to useful treatments in humans. It's a step in the right direction, but only a step. We need more testing and more studies to validate the results found in this one.

Your contributions are helping us support more research! If you haven't given in awhile, if you've been putting it off or just overlooked it during the busy holidays, please consider a donation to help us start off the New Year. We greatly appreciate it!

Alzheimer's Association
526 W Chisholm St
Alpena, MI 49707

--- or ---

Alzheimer's Association
1040 Walnut St
Traverse City, MI 49686

Alzheimer's Association Annual Report

Here in northern Michigan we are one piece of a much larger pie. The National Alzheimer's Association released it's Annual Report for 2009. There is a lot of good stuff in this report, it's worth the read and you can find it here.

Besides the usual "what happened in 2009" stuff, the report also shows how efficiently the organization is using the money you have given. To be clear, 70% of what you donate to our local offices stays right here in northern Michigan to continue to assist and educate families in our area. The other 30% is sent on to the national organization. This is how we are all helping to find the cure.

We hope that 2010 will bring the medical break-through we're all working towards!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

From the staff:

We wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy time this holiday season.

Cold Weather is Here

It's time to think about cold weather safety for our seniors. Older adults can lose body heat fast. Thinking ahead can stop problems before they happen. Here are some easy things you can do.

Indoors:

1) Set thermostats at 68 degrees or higher (shut off unused rooms to save on the heat bill)
2) Keep throws or blankets handy, on the back of chairs and the couch
3) Wear layers of clothing, even inside, a t-shirt or long johns will help
4) Wear slippers or shoes

Outdoors:

1) Wear a hat and a scarf, we lose a lot of body heat from our head and neck areas
2) Wear layers of clothing for more insulation
3) Avoid going out on very windy days if possible

Signs of Hypothermia:

1) Cold hands and feet
2) Puffy or swollen face
3) Pale skin
4) Shivering (but if severe, there may be no shivering)
5) Slow or slurred speech
6) Acting sleepy
7) Being angry or confused

If you suspect someone of hypothermia, call 911 right away. Keep in touch with elderly loved ones. With a little vigilance we can avoid problems this winter.