Let your voice be heard; give input to the annual implementation plan

Senior Resources of West Michigan, the area agency on aging for Muskegon, Ottawa, and Oceana Counties, is holding a public hearing to listen to the comments and opinions of older adults and caregivers regarding plans for service provision outlined in the Annual Implementation Plan for the period of October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026.

The Public Hearing will include a review of the plan update, including services we wish to fund, as well as an opportunity for participant input and comment. Please note that this public hearing will focus on Senior Resources' plans to help older adults remain in their homes and communities as they age. Funds associated with the plan are not designated for senior or wellness centers.

Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 3 p.m.

Virtual (Zoom) Public Hearing https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83364770176

Meeting ID: 833 6477 0176

Phone: 1-312-626-6799; or In-person at Tanglewood Park Training Room A&B

560 Seminole Road, Muskegon, MI 49444.

Advance copies of the plan are on the Senior Resources website or by calling 231-733-3519 or 1-800-442-0054. A copy may also be picked up at the hearing. If you are unable to attend, comments can be submitted in writing by email to amy@seniorresourceswmi.org or through mail to Senior Resources, Attn: Amy Florea, 560 Seminole Road, Muskegon, MI 49444.

Older Michiganians Day is May 7

Your voice is needed! Join us, either in-person or via livestream, as we #FlipTheScriptOnAging for Older Michiganians Day May 7, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and urge #ActionForSeniors on the capitol lawn. Livestream link: Older Michiganians Day 2025 livestream.

The 2025 priorities include:

• Expand access to MI Choice
• Increase access to home and community-based services
• Support family and informal caregivers

Learn more about Older Michiganians Day on the Area Agencies on Aging Association website.

Show your support by sending a formatted letter to your legislators at Take Action! | Advocacy | Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan

Advocacy for older adults more important than ever

Senior Resources CEO Pam Curtis attended the USAging board of directors meeting and the 2025 Aging Policy Briefing and Capitol Hill Day in late March, when changes to the Department of Health and Human Services were announced.While there remain many unknowns and things change frequently, advocacy for older adults is critical.

"Legislators need to hear about the critical services our network provides to older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers," Curtis said. "With those services, we can assist people with aging in place.  It is very important that our state and federal legislators, their staff, and the public in general understand that Medicare does not pay for long-term care services. It is a health plan. Medicaid is the primary payor of long-term care services for those with low and middle-income and while most people would prefer to receive their long-term care services in their homes which is the more cost-effective option, only nursing home long-term care is guaranteed. The availability of home and community-based care is decided by the individual states and may end up on the chopping block if Medicaid funding is cut.   

"Equally important for legislators to understand is that services funded through the Older Americans Act help to divert people from needing and utilizing Medicaid long term care services. If we can catch an older adult a little earlier in their journey and provide them with some basic supportive services, we can often prolong or even prevent the need for the more intensive services later on."

The last advocacy point that we can all make is the need for designated leadership on aging issues, at both the federal and state levels, to ensure that those issues are not lost in the administration, Curtis said. "Over the last several years each time the aging office was moved by the government their visibility and effectiveness became more and more diluted. We cannot afford this in a time where older adults are the fastest growing segment of the population."

Free online therapy program offered in partnership with U of M

Senior Resources is partnering with University of Michigan School of Social Work in a study on online therapy for older adults. Empower@Home is designed to improve moods and enhance quality of life by offering free personal coaching and online therapy. Participants can earn up to $140 by participating.

For more information, call 734-215-5090 or visit empower-at-home.com.