metro >> mentsh of the month

Reassuring Presence

Hidden
Treasure

Discovered in Oakland County

Elegant estate jewelry and

At 89, Helen Siegel's love of people
keeps her young, active and giving.

beautiful one-of-a-lcind pieces can
be yours for less than you would imagine

Stacy Gittleman

I Contributing Writer

H

elen Siegel loves people. A
trained counselor specializing
in the needs of the elderly,
she possesses a humble kindness that
compels her to befriend and support her
peers. Whether they need a second set
of ears at a doctor's appointment or just
a hand to hold, Siegel provides a reassur-
ing presence.
"I can't stand being idle; I love being
busy all the time said Siegel, who, at
89, is still spry and nimble enough to
make it up and down the flight of stairs
that leads to her home in the Meer
Apartments in West Bloomfield, where
she and her husband, Bob, now reside.
She spends her time in the lobby making
new friends, making flower arrange-
ments for the dining hall for Shabbat
dinner or visiting residents at nearby
Fleischman Residence/Blumberg Plaza.
A descendant of 11 generations of rab-
bis on one side of her family and 14 gen-
erations on the other, Siegel chose a dif-
ferent path in helping others. She was in
her 50s and had raised four children in
Birmingham before returning to school
to earn a master's degree in gerontology
in 1984 at Wayne State University.
For decades, she worked for Catholic
Social Services of Detroit, providing
well-being services for seniors living on
the city's east side. As part of the agency's
guardianship program, Siegel visited
seniors in their homes, providing them
with basic housekeeping services, offer-
ing companionship and connecting them
with social worker services, if necessary.
Siegel had always been keen about
learning about people as they age. She
lived in the tightly knit Jewish communi-
ty of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where her father
was the rabbi of an Orthodox congrega-
tion as well as the president of the local
heart association. From him, she learned
the lessons of caregiving, kindness and
respecting one's elders.
Siegel said she did not think much
about her own aging back when she was
earning her master's degree, but age has
made her wiser and more understanding
of the physical and emotional needs of
her peers.
"Living it [aging] is certainly differ-
ent than studying it," Siegel said. "I have
become more sensitive to people's aches
and pains and their loneliness, especially

Estate Buyers

if they have reservations about leaving
their homes and moving into an assisted
living apartment:'
Though she would never brag about
it, after nearly 70 years of marriage, Bob
gladly boasts about his wife's ability to
be a great listener. This, he says, makes
her a valued companion to their peers,
who are often looking for moral support
when visiting the doctor or reminiscing
about the past
"She never criticizes anyone; she just
shows them empathy:' Bob said.
Siegel said that keeping the brain
active is another healthy tip to aging. For
40 years, the Siegels have had the same
circle of friends who each month meet to
listen to a speaker on a variety of topics.
She also is a member of a few book clubs
at Meer.
"Going to lectures and discussing
books with others keeps you in touch
with friends and keeps you alert," she
said.
Retired from her profession for 20
years, Siegel has more time to volunteer.
For decades, the Siegels worked several
times a week at the Yad Ezra kosher food
pantry in Berkley. In 2006, they received
Yad Ezra's Volunteer of the Year award.
The Siegels lived in Birmingham for
40 years and raised four children there
before moving to Meer. They now have
five grandchildren and one great-grand-
child. Siegel stresses the need for assisted
living for seniors because the programs
and communal life — such as seeing
friends at the dining hall each night —
keep people engaged and close to family
and friends.
"We love it here she said. "Why
would we move to Florida when all
of my friends and family are still in
Detroit?"

at David Wachler & Sons

R&R Jewelers-
Now located at
100 S. Old Woodward
Birmingham MI 48009
248-540-4 622

100 South Old Woodward Ave., Birmingham, MI
248.540.4622

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am-5:30pm Thursday, 10am-7:30pm
Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday and Monday, Closed

A Great Rate
That Rates Great

1.05%

1968020

!

15 Month Certificate of Deposit Special!

BANK

of MICHIGAN

Here To Help

30095 Northwestern Hwy.
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(248) 865-1300
www.bankofmi.com

*APY = Annual Percentage Yield. Actual APY of 1.06% is effective

December 1, 2014 through February 27, 2015. $50,000 minimum to
open, maximum $500,000. New money only not already on deposit at
Bank of Michigan. Early withdrawal penalties may apply. CD maturity
date is 15 months from date of account opening. Terms and rates are
subject to change at any time without notice. Offer expires 2/27/15.

❑

January 8 • 2nic

23