August 2022

Your quarterly news & updates

The Muskegon Millage Minute is your source for regular updates on programs and services funded by the Muskegon County Senior Millage, which was approved by county voters in August of 2016.


Members of the Muskegon County Senior Activities Committee (MCSAC) make recommendations for programs and services to the full board of commissioners. MCSAC members are: Commissioners Kim Cyr, Marcia Hovey-Wright, and Bob Scolnik; Rachel Cereska, Peggy Foster, Greg Scott, Robert Sewick, Linda Vines, and Steve Warmington. Greg Scott chairs the committee.


Senior Resources of West Michigan, the area agency on aging for Muskegon, Oceana and Ottawa counties, is the administrator of grants, and produces this quarterly newsletter update. If you have questions about the Muskegon County Senior Millage, please contact Karla Betten at Senior Resources, 231-733-3593, or email kbetten@seniorresourceswmi.org. Contact Lisa Tyler, communications director, at ltyler@seniorresourceswmi.org, if there is something specific you'd like to see covered in a future newsletter.

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Program providers share program highlights

At the August Senior Activities Committee meeting, three millage-funded programs shared updates on their programs. See brief summaries below.

Christians for Health - PATH and Matter of Balance classes

Wilmer Cullen from Christians for Health shared information about the evidence-based classes offered to older adults in Muskegon County. Personal Action Toward Health (PATH) and Matter of Balance classes are offered to older adults in housing complexes so that it is easier for them to attend, Cullen said. Sometimes residents then start their own exercise classes to continue to improve their health.


William, a participant in a Matter of Balance class, shared with committee members how helpful the class was. "I highly recommend Matter of Balance classes," he said. "The exercises, thought process - paying attention to living arrangements; there are certain things we don't pay attention to, like potential hazards like stairs, throw rugs, cords on the floor. It's been very helpful to me and I think it would be to others."


"By doing these classes, we build a healthy community," Cullen said. "Thank you for the funding to hold these classes."


For more information on the classes, call (231) 733-2128 .

Senior Resources - Contracted In-Home Services

Senior Resources of West Michigan, the area agency on aging, provides supports coordination and contracts for in-home services for older adults. Senior Resources supports coordinators provide assessments to ensure need, appropriate services, and prioritization.


In the example provided in the presentation, after assessment the fictional Mr. Jones was found to need personal care, a personal emergency response system, and snow removal. He chose agencies to provide those services and Senior Resources staff ordered the services through a network of providers. When bills were submitted, different staff ensure the services were provided as billed and then paid the invoices; Senior Resources does not take any administrative fee for the billing or service work. These services allow older adults to stay in their homes. In the past 9 months, 122 county residents have received in-home services.


For more information about in-home services, call 231-733-3585 and talk to an options counselor.

Senior Resources - Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program

The Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) has numerous counselors who help educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries and inform them, providing unbiased information through individual counseling and speaking engagements. 


Volunteer counselors help with complex issues. One example: an 87-year-old had a call from someone who enrolled her in a plan that was not accepted in Muskegon County. Because of that change a scheduled surgery was canceled. MMAP got involved and filed a complaint on her behalf. She was enrolled in a different plan with help from MMAP and her surgery was rescheduled.


Counselors also discuss fraud and abuse and remind people that Medicare includes preventative care. Last year 2,928 people were served in the region with $410,000 in cost savings from things like new plans and pharmacy education.


For more information about MMAP, call 231-733-3572.

Senior Millage at work in Egelston Township


The Egelston Township meal and activity continues to be popular. Held the third Thursday of the month from 1-4 p.m. at the VFW on East Apple Avenue, the meal is open to any adult 60 or older in Muskegon County. A variety of activities, ranging from bingo to speakers, occurs from 1-3 p.m. and the meal is served at 3. 


Third quarter reports show senior millage programming usage



Older adults in Muskegon County continued to access a wide variety of programs and services in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 (April 1 - June 30, 2022).


Senior Resources shared its quarterly reports with the Senior Activities Committee recently. These unaudited reports can be found here on the website.