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Senior Times - January 2025 Page 13PROMOTING HEALTH INDEPENDENCE CHOICEFamily Enrichment CenterRegional Resource 3 TeamLilyanna Van ValkenburgKinship CoordinatorEmail: jbunch@fecfamily.comPh: (269) 441-0026www.Fecfamily.comKinship KornerThe Family Enrichment Center hosts a monthly kinship care support group, convening on the third Thursday of each month from 6-7pm at Take a Break Childcare Center, 415 S. 28th St. Battle Creek, MI, 49015. This gathering provides a nurturing environment for caregivers who are raising relatives' children. Kinship care presents its own set of challenges, spanning legal, financial, emotional, and behavioral realms. Acknowledging the significance of support and resources for these caregivers, the group offers a platform for sharing experiences, seeking guidance, and fostering connections with peers who understand the journey. Participants are encouraged to engage openly and honestly, reassured by the understanding that they're not alone. To join, please register by calling (269) 788-8000. Whether you're a grand parent raising grand children or a relative caring for a loved one's child, remember that support is within reach.FamilyEnrichmentCentertheir iPhones. In this session, you will learn valuable tips about the basic applications on your iPhone and how to use them with confidence. This will help you stay connected with everyday activities, such as adding a calendar event or new contact to your phone or how to take and send photos to your family and friends.Please note: these classes are designed only for users of the Apple iPhone product.These sessions will be presented by an adjunct professional from KCC who is very experienced with technology. We are excited to have the opportunity to bring these sessions to our community and we encourage you to attend! You can see all the upcoming events on CareWell Services%u2019 website at carewellservices.org/eventscalendar.Get better acquainted with your iPhone in 2025!By: Colleen Acker, Community Living Programs Manager, CareWell Services SouthwestEvery week, CareWell Services hosts a Lunch and Learn open to adults over 65 in our community. We love to see members of our community who are committed to lifelong learning at these lunches! This year, I%u2019ve had requests for technology to be included in our list of topics and I%u2019m excited to announce that we are adding several Lunch & Learns about technology to the roster for 2025!The first two will take place in February and March and they will help iPhone users get to know the devices better. iPhones for Beginners %u2013 February 7, 2025This session is for you if you have an iPhone and you%u2019d like to learn more about using it and want to stay connected with family and friends better. In this session, you will learn general information about your iPhone. You will be given ways to help yourself by learning to access Apple Support and the iPhone User Guide. Learning the basics is essential for staying connected!Learn More About Your iPhone %u2013 March 7, 2025This session is for those who want to learn even more about Winter is in full swing, and with it comes flu season, icy roads, and cold temperatures! While sickness and road safety are usually top of mind, it%u2019s important to make sure you%u2019re staying warm too. As we age, we tend to lose body heat more quickly. This can become a problem before we even realize it! Being really cold can cause serious sickness, so it%u2019s important to stay warm.Here are some tips from the National Institute on Aging to help keep you warm this winter:%u2022 Set your heat to at least 68%u201370%u00b0F. To save on heating bills, close off rooms you are not using. Close the vents and shut the doors in these rooms, and keep the basement door closed. Place a rolled towel in front of all doors to keep out drafts.%u2022 Make sure your house isn't losing heat through windows. Keep your blinds and curtains closed. If you have gaps around the windows, try using weather stripping or caulk to keep the cold air out.%u2022 Dress warmly on cold days even if you are staying in the house. Throw a blanket over your legs. Wear socks and slippers.%u2022 When you go to sleep, wear long underwear under your pajamas, and use extra covers. Wear a cap or hat.%u2022 Make sure you eat enough food to keep up your weight. If you don't eat well, you might have less fat under your skin. Body fat helps you to stay warm.%u2022 Drink alcohol moderately, if at all. Alcoholic drinks can make you lose body heat.%u2022 Ask family or friends to check on you during cold weather. If a power outage leaves you without heat, try to stay with a relative or friend.Also, if you%u2019re outside clearing snow from your car or driveway, don%u2019t forget to dress warmly and add something neon or reflective so passersby can spot you easily for safety and in case of falls. If you%u2019re diabetic, be sure to fuel up with a snack before shoveling to prevent passing out from low sugar.Stay safe and warm this winter!Tips For Staying Safe and Warm This WinterBy: Karen Courtney, Director of Programs, CareWell Services Southwest