Agency on Aging assistance for seniors in Michigan.
There are a number of resources for senior citizens in Michigan. They may qualify for financial help, free food and meals from Aging on Aging or Senior center. There are also work at home jobs, free stuff including grant money or medical equipment for the elderly, Meals on Wheels and much more. A number of government assistance programs as well as non-profits, such as Agency on Agency offices in Michigan listed below, provide support to the elderly, retirees, and senior citizens among others.
Financial assistance for seniors in Michigan
Michigan Crisis Services for the Elderly may be able to address non-medical emergencies, such as prescription drug issues and utility shut off notices. This is only offered by a select number of Agency on Aging offices in Michigan, and support is offered for adults 60+ or older. Trained volunteers at each office will assess the situation and help arrange necessary services, whether it is emergency funds for paying utility or heating bills, or rent help.
Senior Centers in Michigan can often help low income elderly or disabled citizens apply for government grants for their energy bills. There is LIHEAP, which is direct financial aid. Weatherization also helps senior citizens, many who live in older homes, make their property more energy efficient. More on Michigan LIHEAP Home heating credit.
Care-management services, including one known as Project CHOICE, are operated by some Area Agency on Aging locations, including in Detroit. The program can help people locate, mobilize and manage a variety of home-care and other related services needed by frail elderly persons aged 60 years and older who are at risk of nursing home placement. After a person is determined eligible for any type of care management, a registered nurse will need to conduct a prescreening and assessment of the seniors needs.
Care managers and nurses will utilize all available community resources in order to try to allow someone to live at home. This can include family, friends, neighbors, volunteers or government entitlement programs. All of this will be looked into before they take the step of arranging formal (for fee) services.
Prescription medications – Some Michigan Agency on Aging offices can provide details and applications for the County Rx Card. It is a free Prescription Drug Card program. Individuals can simply download their card and receive savings of up to 30 percent at thousands of national and regional pharmacies. Participating pharmacies include, but are not limited to, Walgreens, Kmart Pharmacy, Meijer, Family Fare, and CVS/pharmacy, as well as thousands of local independent pharmacies across Michigan.
Information is offered for seniors in Michigan. If you need help finding resources, information and services for elderly, adults with disabilities, or seniors, talk with trained Michigan agency on aging staff who work in the Information and Assistance (I&A) Unit.
The offices can provides basic intake functions and offers appropriate referrals to community resources including, but not limited, to housing options, rent assistance, home-delivered meals, home repair, congregate meal sites, Long-Term Care Services – Medicaid Waiver and Care management programs. If qualified, other options can include weatherization programs, Medicare and Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) health care information and counseling, utility bill assistance, transportation programs, elder abuse and fraud awareness services, as well as wellness and disease health care management programs.
Counselors from the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program can help seniors understand Medicare & Medicaid. They offer information as well as help people apply. Staff will help the senior review supplemental insurance needs, enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage, apply for Medicaid or Medicare Savings programs, explore long term care insurance, or even identify and report fraud and abuse or scams.
The Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is a free service and health insurance counseling program. It will assist people with Medicare, their families and also their caregivers. MMAP counselors are full time and trained staff and volunteers who provide advocacy related to Medicare and Medicaid, education, and other forms of government medical bill assistance. Dial 1-800-803-7174 to speak to a counselor, or read more on Medicare benefits and what they offer.
Food and meals, including delivery from Aging offices
Meals on Wheels is administered by many office agency of aging centers. This is a federal and state of Michigan funded assistance program. Free or low cost meals are delivered to homebound elderly, disabled, and seniors up to five days a week. Some locations may even operate during the holidays, and provide meals at Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas from the Holiday Meals on Wheels program (HMOW). While funding is limited and resources are spread then, when it operates the Holiday Meals on Wheels program provides hot nutritious meals on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even occasions such as Labor Day. Breakfast boxes and weekend meals are also delivered when funds permit.
Home Delivered Meal Program is similar to the food program above .This service provides a hot and/or cold meal daily to homebound elderly and seniors to reduce nutritional risk. A Home Delivered Meal Case manager will conduct an opening interview and assessment to determine program eligibility, nutritional risk and provide linkage to other food programs, such as SNAP food stamps.
Food pantries also tend to cater to senior citizens. Some have delivery services. They can provide free nutritional supplements, healthy food, and some even have hygiene items such as free adult diapers. Agency on Aging offices can be a source of referrals, and find free food pantries in Michigan.
Additional Michigan Aging on Aging senior programs
Michigan has been hit hard by the weak economy. Individuals of all ages and background need employment. A federal government program known as SCSEP, or Senior Community Service Employment Program, is offered for qualified individuals who are 55 years of age or older, low income, and who are currently looking for work. Your local Agency on Aging office is a great place to learn more and to apply for this resource. The employment program helps seniors and others over 55 enhance develop skills that enable workers to return to gainful employment. The program can also place people into part time jobs across Michigan, with the goal of eventually getting full time employment.
Job placement sites and opportunities may include governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, community/senior centers, libraries, and nutrition programs. The SCSEP program may also provide training for obtaining skills, including office assistance, data entry, clerical/secretarial, reception/switchboard, nutrition aides, security or other areas.
Most jobs will be for up to 20 hours per week. Benefits will vary based on the participant and their placement site, but may include the employee receiving free training, job referral and placement, counseling and assistance, workers' compensation, and physical exams.
Many Agency on Aging centers can also direct senior citizens to simple to do jobs for a few extra bucks. There are even websites that can pay out free money, stress free jobs, selling hair, watching YouTube and so much more.As an example, find how to make money watching TV.
Tax filing services may be provided by AARP Tax Counseling for the Elderly. This service is geared towards, but not limited to, individuals 60+ with low to middle incomes. Trained volunteers and financial advisors assist persons with disabilities and older persons with their property tax and income tax credit forms. Special tax arrangements can be made for homebound individuals.
Legal Services are offered for seniors in Michigan. Affordable, or free legal assistance, counseling, and technical information are provided in the areas of housing, public benefits, abuse and neglect, and consumer fraud.
A Service Provider Network operates in many Michigan towns and cities. Many of the providers and non-profits who are part of the network have a long history of caring for and providing services to senior citizens and their caregivers in the DAAA's planning and service area. Studies have shown that utilizing services such as home care assistance, adult day services, senior centers, and kinship respite for grandparents raising grandchildren is very beneficial.
Other resources in Michigan for the elderly include free legal assistance, caregiver training, transportation, respite care and meals and nutrition services allow for individuals to remain independent and healthy. Your local agency on aging office can usually provide information on these resources and networks. Or the staff can arrange free transportation for senior citizens as well.
Locations of aging offices and senior centers in Michigan
Call or stop by your local office, or dial Michigan Office of Services to the Aging at 517-373-8230. Everything from medical care to free food, Meals on Wheels, respite or home care and more is arranged. Or get free help in applying for Medicare in Michigan.
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
1333 Brewery Park Blvd., Suite 200
Detroit, Michigan 48207
Call 313-446-4444
This center supports seniors in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse, Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Woods, and Harper Woods.
Area Agency on Aging 1B
Address is 29100 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 400
Southfield, MI 48034
Call 248-357-2255
Counties supported are Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw.
The Senior Alliance, Inc.
3850 Second Street, Suite 201
Wayne, MI 48184
734-722-2830
This supports the greater Wayne County region.
Region 2 Area Agency on Aging
102 N. Main Street
Brooklyn, MI 49230
Dial 517-592-1974
Counties offered include Hillsdale, Lenawee, and Jackson.
Region 3A Area Agency on Aging of Kalamazoo County
3299 Gull Road
Nazareth, MI 49074
269-373-5147
Region 3B Area Agency on Aging
200 West Michigan Avenue
Suite 102
Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-966-2450
This is only for counties of Barry, Calhoun, and Branch
St. Joseph Area Agency on Aging
570 Marshall Road
Coldwater, Michigan 49036
517-278-2538
Assistance is for both St. Joseph and Branch
Region IV Area Agency on Aging
2900 Lakeview Avenue
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Dial 269-983-0177
Counties - Berrien, Cass, Van Buren
Valley Area Agency on Aging
225 E. Fifth Street, Suite 200
Flint, MI 48502
810-239-7671
Counties include Genesee, Lapeer, and Shiawassee
Tri-County Office on Aging
Address: 5303 South Cedar Street
Lansing, MI 48911
Call 517-887-1440 for intake
Seniors in Clinton, Eaton, or Ingham County should call this office.
Region VII Area Agency on Aging
1615 S. Euclid Ave
Bay City, MI 48706
989-893-4506
Counties supported by the office are Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola Michigan.
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
1279 Cedar NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Telephone – 616-456-5664
Counties include Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Newaygo, Mecosta, Montcalm, and Osceola.
Kent County also has Senior Neighbors as well. This is another non-profit to help older residents. More on assistance from Senior Neighbors.
Region IX Area Agency on Aging
Address: 2375 Gordon Road
Alpena, Michigan 49707
Phone - 989-356-3474
Towns and counties - Alcona, Arenac, Alpena, Otsego, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda,, Presque Isle, Roscommon
Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan
1609 Park Drive, P.O. Box 5946
Traverse City, MI 49686
231-947-8920
Residents of the counties of Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford should call this office for intake.
Upper Peninsula Area Agency on Aging (UPCAP)
2501 14th Avenue, South
P.O. Box 606
Escanaba, Michigan 49829
Tele: 906-786-4701
Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft County. The office can help seniors with medical needs, referrals, food, and more.
Senior Resources
560 Seminole Road
Tanglewood Park
Muskegon, Michigan 49444
231-739-5858
Counties - Oceana, Ottawa, and Muskegon
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