Older Adult Resources

Senior Companion Program of NW Michigan

Rooted in the premise that people of all ages benefit from the gifts of shared time and friendship, this program links volunteers who have the time and compassion to share with older adults who welcome an opportunity for social interaction. Volunteers must be 60 or older, meet limited-income requirements, and be willing to share 15 to 20 hours per week assisting older adults. Forty hours of orientation are required before connections are made. Senior Companions receive an hourly non-taxable stipend, transportation reimbursement, ongoing training, and other benefits.

231.929.7070 or 800.658.8554

Foster Grandparent Program of NW Michigan

This program connects volunteers to children who can benefit from consistent, mature friendship and attention. Volunteers must be 60 or older, meet limited-income requirements and be willing to share 15 to 20 hours per week working with children at schools, Head Start centers, and other community locations. Following a 40-hour orientation process, Foster Grandparents are linked to selected children and are expected to visit them weekly. Foster Grandparents receive an hourly non-taxable stipend, transportation reimbursement, ongoing training, and other benefits.

231.929.7070 or 800.658.8554

Nursing Home/Adult Foster Care

In Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties we are actively involved in the local nursing facilities providing direct mental health services and indirect services to the facilities through consultation and staff training.  Direct services are coordinated with the facility's care plan and are with the permission of the resident or their legal representative.  Eligible residents have a diagnosis of dementia, developmental disability or a mental illness.  Consultation services are also available to licensed adult foster care facilities.  The funding for this program is provided by Northern Lakes Community Mental Health.

231.929.7070 or 800.658.8554

National Family Caregiver Support Program

The Caregiver Program provides assistance and information to family caregivers (age 60 or older or care recipients age 60 or older) through a Caregiver Information phone line, training, resource materials, and a web site: www.caregivernorth.org

231.929.7073 or 800.658.8554

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of NW MI

Available in the ten counties of Northwest Michigan, this program provides support and resources to persons who are raising relatives’ children in their own homes. Services offered include support groups, resources, and special events.

231.929.7070 or 800.658.8554

Elder Abuse & Awareness Task Force

The Elder Abuse & Awareness Task Force of Northwest Michigan covers the ten counties and receives funding through the Area Agency on Aging.  The Task Force is made up of community members from the Sheriff's Office, Department of Human Services, financial institutions, Legal Services, Citizen's for Better Care, Area Agency on Aging, Community Services Network, and community advocates.  The Task Force strives to work on providing and/or facilitation activities to develop, strengthen and carry out programs for the prevention and treatment of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.  The Task Force promotes the awareness of elder abuse and financial exploitation by developing and distributing information in brochures, table tents, flyers, newspaper ads, posters, magnets and making training videos available to the community.  The Task Force has made the 800 number available in the ten county region for the reporting of Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation.

The cases of reported Elder Abuse increased from 14,656 in 2005 to 15,488 in 2006.

If you are interested in joining the Task Force please call 231.929.7070.

For more information on Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation call 1.800.658.8554.