Glacier Hills is certainly one of the crown jewels in the local senior care community. We were most pleased to welcome Jennifer Bartscht, their director of marketing and communications, to the show this past weekend. This nonprofit organization provides a full continuum of care on its campus in northeast Ann Arbor. They will celebrate their 40th anniversary next year.

Their new rehabilitation center is set to open this fall with a brand new 65,000-square-foot building. Jennifer talked about how the new facility will have a holistic approach to rehab. In addition to the traditional physical, occupational and speech therapies, they will offer hydrotherapy, massage therapy, as well as relaxation activities.

The rehab center will be a state-of-the-art facility with flat screen televisions, a cafe, wifi, and a beauty shop right in the building. Patients may enjoy all of these amenities while staying for their short-term rehabilitation.

Jennifer shared how Glacier Hills is a great option for senior couples. If their individual care needs change, they can stay on the same campus — hopefully together in the same apartment, but at a minimum they will always be close to each other. Also, once you are a resident, you are guaranteed a spot in the appropriate Glacier Hills facility. Families don't need to worry about having to shop around if the care requirements of one of their parents change.

Jennifer advises families looking for a senior community to really get to know the place they are considering. Spend time there and get to know the residents and the staff, and try the food and experience some programs. Decide if you it's a good fit for you or your loved one.

To hear our 13-minute conversation, click the audio link:

To contact Jennifer or Glacier Hills, call 734-769-6410 or visit the website glacierhills.org.

We always like promoting hospice care, as we believe it is underappreciated and underutilized, so we were pleased to have Steve Bednarski join the program. Steve is a liaison with Seasons Hospice. Seasons is the largest hospice in southeast Michigan, with an office in Ann Arbor at 3009 Miller Road.

Seasons care includes registered nurses, social workers, home health aides, and volunteers, and they also provide music therapy and spiritual care. Steve emphasized how their nurses are available around the clock, and the social workers are there for the family as well as the patient.

Steve talked about how hospice care does not mean giving up hope. It's not about giving up. Steve said, "Our job is to help you achieve and continue to do as much as you want to."

As much as possible, Seasons tries to accept more difficult cases, such as those on ventilators or needing IV hydration. They also have a unique program (A Touch for All Seasons) specifically for dementia patients which focuses on the sense of touch.

Music therapy plays a significant role at Seasons. Their music therapists focus on the music their patients enjoyed in the past, and they may even get their patients to play an instrument. This therapy is very effective at triggering positive responses. Steve shared a great story about a non-responsive patient that heard "You are My Sunshine" and how she joyfully began mouthing the words.

Steve also spoke about Seasons palliative care program and how it can help reduce hospital readmissions, and help people stay at home where they want to be.

To listen to this 13-minute talk, click the audio link:

To get in touch with Steve or with Seasons Hospice, call 800-370-8592 (ask for Steve B.) or visit the website seasons.org.

Alan Caldwell and Sheila Doeden co-host Everything Elderly every Saturday morning at 8:30 on 1290 WLBY. In their day jobs, Alan and Sheila co-own and co-manage Senior Helpers, providing in-home care services, primarily to the elderly. Both can be contacted at homecareexcellence@seniorhelpers.com, or at 734-927-3111.