Digital Care Log Packets: Retrieving e-signatures

Important Update: Digital Care-Log Packets

Throughout the month of September, some caregivers will be receiving a new message from us! We’re making an important change to gathering our care-log packets that have missing signatures from past shifts. These care-logs will be sent to you digitally, rather then receiving large packets in the mail. This will help us stay organized, reduce paper use, and make it easier for everyone to submit records on time.

As part of this transition, we will now be asking the caregivers to use these digital packets to collect and turn in any past care-logs. We will do so by sending a message to the appropriate caregiver or the carevier who provides the most service, followed by an email that will contain the PDF you will have your clients sign. The signature box will be at the bottom of the document, and will require the client to type in their name and initials. Once your signature is added, and the clients signatures are collected you may completed the document as guided. Once finished, the document will automatically return to our office for us to submit. It’s very important that these are completed and returned promptly.

There will be a small amount of clients that will require us to have caregivers use the former paper packet system. If that clients ends up being one of yours, we will inform you.

Please know that if care-logs are left unsubmitted, it creates extra work for our team and may result in added steps or consequences down the road. By turning everything in now, you’re helping us keep the process smooth and ensuring our clients records are accurate and up to date.

We appreciate your cooperation and your continued commitment to providing excellent care. Together, we can make this new system a success — and save everyone a lot of extra work in the long run.

Healthy aging Month

This month we turn our focus to the healthy aging for all, so we can take the right measure to care for ourselves and others the best we can.

With the encroaching fall, it’s a good time to remember how cold weather or a dreary season can affect people differently. Especially those who find themselves with limited mobility or with little contact with others. Below are a few tips to help prepare and conquer the end of summer blues.

How Autumn Can Impact Mental Health for Seniors
One of the main culprits of seasonal mental health challenges is the decrease in sunlight, which can affect sleep patterns and mood. Known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this condition can hit seniors especially hard, leading to feelings of fatigue or even mild depression. Additionally, with cooler temperatures and fewer outdoor activities, it’s easy for feelings of loneliness to set in.

One keyway to address mental health challenges in the fall is through companionship, and Seniors Helping Seniors® in-home care services can make a world of difference. For seniors who may struggle to maintain their routines or feel isolated during this season, a caregiver provides not only support but also connection. We also encourage small, consistent efforts to stay engaged—it can make all the difference during the fall months. Scroll down to discover a few simple mental health boosting ideas you can incorporate into your fall routine this year.

Ways for Seniors to Stay Active and Connected in the Fall

Stay Physically Active
Even as temperatures drop, physical activity is key to maintaining mental well-being. Daily movement—whether it’s a walk through the neighborhood, indoor stretching, or light yoga—releases endorphins, boosts energy, and reduces stress. For seniors who may find it hard to stay motivated, an in-home caregiver can offer gentle encouragement, lead simple exercises, or join them for outdoor walks.

Connect with Loved Ones
Social interaction is vital for combating feelings of loneliness, especially during the fall when shorter days can limit outings. Regular phone calls, video chats with family, or attending community events (virtually or in person) can make a big difference. Whether it’s arranging a visit from a friend, setting up a video call with family, or just enjoying a conversation over coffee, a caregiver can help ensure that seniors stay socially connected.

Create an Enjoyable Routine
Establishing new routines can make the fall season feel comforting rather than isolating. Developing fun rituals, like reading by a window, baking fall treats, or doing a craft project can be a great source of serotonin that you can look forward to each day. Caregivers can support these routines by assisting with preparations, offering company, and encouraging participation in activities that stimulate the mind and lift the spirit.

By staying active, socially connected, and creating enjoyable routines, seniors can thrive during the cooler months. Let’s make this fall a time to focus on wellness and ensure that everyone has the resources they need to enjoy the season to its fullest. Together, we can make this season one filled with joy, comfort, and well-being.

Happy Labor Day!

Honoring the Greatest Generation this Labor Day

This Labor Day, our community will come together for a truly special occasion — the Greatest Generation Celebration 2025. From September 1–7, Grand Rapids and the surrounding area will host a series of events honoring the men and women who lived through World War II and helped shape the world we know today.

The celebration marks the 80th anniversary of the war’s end, and it offers all of us the opportunity to reflect, remember, and say thank you to the veterans and home-front heroes whose service and sacrifice defined a generation.

Provided by Sophie de Marsac Campau Chapter, NSDAR, of Grand Rapids

A Community Tribute

The Greatest Generation Celebration is more than a series of events. It is a chance for all of us — families, veterans, and neighbors — to pause and reflect on the values of courage, sacrifice, and resilience of the generation we get to work with every day. This Labor Day, as bells ring and planes fly overhead, we honor not only the victory of 1945, but also the spirit of unity that continues to inspire us today.

Celebration Highlights

  • Honor Parade & Flyover (Sept. 1)
    The festivities begin on Labor Day with a moving parade through downtown Grand Rapids, featuring vintage military vehicles, veterans, and community groups. As the parade concludes, WWII aircraft will soar overhead in a breathtaking flyover — a reminder of the courage and sacrifice that won peace 80 years ago.

  • Bell Ringing Ceremony (Sept. 1)
    That evening, bells will ring across the city at 8:08 p.m., echoing the exact moment the war officially came to a close. It’s a powerful symbol of unity and remembrance.

  • Lecture Series (Sept. 2–4)
    Throughout the week, renowned historians and authors — including Rick Atkinson, Garrett Graff, Sir Antony Beevor, and Susan Eisenhower — will share their insights into the history and legacy of WWII. These conversations are free to attend with registration and promise to be both thought-provoking and inspiring.

  • Convocation of Remembrance (Sept. 2)
    At Saint Andrew’s Cathedral, leaders from across faith traditions will gather for an interfaith service of prayer and reflection. All are welcome to join in honoring the lives lost and the peace that followed.

  • Greatest Generation Night at the Whitecaps (Sept. 2)
    Baseball fans can enjoy an evening at LMCU Ballpark, where the first 1,000 attendees will receive commemorative caps, and the game will feature special tributes to veterans.

  • Cinematic Salute Film Festival (Sept. 5–7)
    Classic wartime films will be shown at Studio Park downtown, including Flags of Our Fathers, The Great Dictator, The Great Escape, and Casablanca. Gather with friends, bring a chair, and enjoy these timeless stories under the open sky.

  • Victory Celebration! at the Air Zoo (Sept. 6)
    The week culminates with a high-energy evening in Kalamazoo — swing music, dancing, vintage aircraft, and a keynote from Naval History historian Guy Nasuti. Guests are encouraged to dress in 1940s style, making it a night of history, remembrance, and celebration.