Breanna Ruark with Family Home Health Services.

Everything Elderly is on Saturday mornings at 8:30, on 1290 am WLBY, sponsored by Senior Helpers. This past weekend we had two good discussions, about philanthropic activities at Family Home Health Services and chiropractic care with New Era Chiropractic of Saline.

Our first guest was Breanna Ruark, the special projects liaison for Philanthropic Services at Family Home Health Services. Family provides in-home medical services, primarily to the elderly. Their services includes RN visits, and physical and occupational therapy. Their services are covered 100 percent by Medicare. They have 30 offices in five states and cover all of the local southeast Michigan area.

With Bre, as she encouraged us to call her, we focused on the philanthropic activities FHHS supports. The company commits a large portion of its revenue to helping orphans. Bre works to educate the public and their employees about the orphan problem. There are more than 250 million orphans worldwide.

As Family Home Health Services continues to grow, they can continue to increase their philanthropic efforts. The more seniors they can help in their homes, they more orphans they can help.

Bre went to Kenya for two months last year and taught English to the 44 orphans Family Home Health Services supports there. Even though she was the teacher, we gathered that Bre probably learned more than the kids. She gained a real appreciation for their situation and how FHHS can best help them. Bre has clearly developed a real love for these children.

Family Home Health Services is also supporting forty orphans in Haiti. They have organized a trip for three doctors and three nurses to go to Haiti soon. That trip will focus on strengthening the immune systems within the local population. Family Home Health Services also works to develop local support structures that are self-sustaining.

To get in touch with Bre or Family Home Health Services, please call 734-414-9990 or go to the website fhhs.us. If you’d like to listen to the full 12-minute segment click the audio link below:

Dr. Dave Sharp with New Era Chiropractic.

Photos by Sheila Doeden

We next had a good talk with Dr. Dave Sharp with New Era Chiropractic in Saline. He co-owns the clinic with his wife Dr. Brooke Sharp. Their office is easy to find, right on Michigan Avenue in downtown Saline. Dr. Dave became interested in chiropractic care at age 12 when he benefited first-hand from an adjustment. From then, he knew exactly what he wanted to do with his life.

Chiropractic opens up the pathways of the nerves to better let the body take care of itself. It regulates the nervous system, so the body and brain are talking to each other. The common saying in Dr. Dave’s field is “chiropractic first” because it’s a minimally invasive, safe solution. If chiropractic doesn’t work, then visit a medical doctor — maybe a prescription will help. If necessary, surgery is the next alternative.

Seniors can benefit a great deal from chiropractic care. It’s not just a matter of “Here, take this pill.” Chiropractic adjustments can provide improved mobility. If you are well-adjusted, you have more range of motion and better, more usable strength. The biggest issue with seniors is lack of activity and lack of exercise, and chiropractic can get folks moving again. Dr. Dave’s care can also help with specific issues like arthritis, osteoporosis or sciatic problems.

If you would like to contact Dr. Dave Sharp or New Era Chiropractic, please call 734-944-2090, or you may go to the website newerasaline.com. To listen to the full 12-minute discussion click the audio link below:

Alan Caldwell is the owner of Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. He can be contacted at acaldwell@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.