Commission on Aging
What is the Commission on Aging?
The mission of the Monroe County Commission on Aging is to recommend the prudent spending of public dollars to promote the health, dignity and independence of Monroe County residents sixty years of age and older.
The Commission administers the revenue from the .50-mill tax levy that homeowners pay annually to assist Monroe County residents 60 years of age and older in their daily lives.
The millage levy costs a homeowner with a taxable value of $50,000 just $25.00 a year.
Funds are provided to agencies that provide services to senior citizens after the agencies submit a detailed application and budget indicating how they intend to spend those funds.
By coordinating with agencies that offer senior services, the Commission works to maximize the efficiency of services provided to Monroe County’s senior citizens.
History of the Commission on Aging!
The Monroe County Commission on Aging was officially established by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners November 28, 1973.
By establishing the Commission on Aging, the County Board created a body whose purpose was to review and evaluate senior programs, and recommend funding allocations for them.
In 1980, a coalition of the funded county senior agencies organized and formed a committee called the Every Ninth American committee to campaign for a Senior Millage. The Millage passed and has passed every four years since.
Prior to the inception of the millage in 1981, the County of Monroe funded some of the available senior services. They funded roughly $100,000.00 from the county general fund to provide senior services.
Commission on Aging Board Members
The Commission on Aging shall consist of not more than nine (9) members, one from each Monroe County Commission District, submitted by the Commissioner from the District, who shall be a resident of that district of the County, having an interest in, and knowledge of the problems of the Aging.
Appointments to the Commission on Aging shall serve at the pleasure of the individual Commissioner who recommended their appointment.
2015-2016 Board Members
District / COA Members / County Commissioners4 / Martin Kaufman, Chair / Dan Donahue
1 / Richard Gunn, Vice-Chair / Dave Hoffman
3 / Cheryl Rivard, Secretary / Al Potratz
2 / Nancy Wain / Mark Brant
5 / Paul Simonton / Jason Turner
6 / Paul Iacoangeli / Jerry Oley
7 / Pam LaPan / Gary Wilmoth
8 / Gail Hauser-Hurley / R. Mark Ellsworth
9 / Cynthia McIlvain / J. Henry Lievens
Table of Contents / Page
Adult Day Services
The Alzheimer’s Association of Northwest Ohio...... / 5
The Frenchtown Senior Center Adult Day Services...... / 5
Deaf and Hearing Services
The Deaf and Hearing Impaired Services...... / 5
Health and Nutrition Assistance
Living Independence for Everyone...... / 5
Monroe County Opportunity Program Food Assistance ...... / 5
In-Home Services
The Area Agency on Aging 1-B...... / 6
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Home Care...... / 6
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Home Chore...... / 6
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Home Injury Control...... / 6
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Unmet Utility Assist...... / 6
Resource Advocacy
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Resource Advocacy...... / 7
Senior Counseling
Self and Family Behavioral Healthcare...... / 7
Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program...... / 7
Senior Legal Services
Monroe County Senior Legal Services / 7
Senior Groups
Ash Seniors...... / 8
Berlin Seniors...... / 8
Multi-Purpose Senior Centers
Bedford Senior Community Center...... / 8
Frenchtown Senior Citizens Center...... / 8
Dundee Area Senior Citizens Center...... / 8
Milan Senior for Healthy Living...... / 8
Monroe Center for Healthy Aging...... / 9
Transportation Services
The Health Van...... / 9
Lake Erie Transit...... / 9
Milan Senior for Healthy Living Transportation...... / 10
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Specialized Trans...... / 10
Volunteer Opportunities and Services
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Monroe County...... / 10
Directory of Services Provided by the
Monroe County Senior Millage
Adult Day Services
The Alzheimer’s Association of Northwest Ohio offers enriching activities that stimulate the mind, body, and spirit, bringing joy and satisfaction to the life of an individual with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia while providing temporary relief, or respite, for the caregivers. 419-537-1999
The Frenchtown Senior Center Adult Day Services offers planned activities for the elderly with cognitive impairment. Their goal is to provide a positive, happy environment where the elderly can feel needed and useful. 734-243-6210
Deaf and Hearing Services
The Deaf and Hearing Impaired Services is committed to providing quality comprehensive services for deaf and hard of hearing older adults while promoting their independence and dignity through cooperative efforts with other community-based service providers and educational entities. 248-473-1888
Health and Nutrition
Living Independence for Everyone provides congregate and home delivered meals for older persons in Monroe County to help them live independently. 734-242-6800
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Food Assistance offers food to low-income seniors sixty years of age and older in Monroe County. 734-241-2775
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In Home Services
The Area Agency on Aging 1-B Community Living Program Provides unbiased information on local services and resources for older adults, adults with disabilities and family caregivers, has programs to help older adults remain living in the community, and can assist with understanding Medicare benefits. 800-852-7795
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Home Care Program assists Monroe County seniors age 60 + as well as disabled residents with daily tasks such as homemaking, personal care, shopping, meal planning preparation and respite care for caregivers. 734-241-2775
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Home Chore Program assists seniors age 60 and over with maintenance to improve safety inside and outside of the home that include minor carpentry, electrical plumbing repairs, installation of storm windows, and air conditioners, as well as gutter cleaning, lawn mowing snow removal. 734-241-2775
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Home Injury Control provides installation of bathroom safety devices such as bathtub rails, grab bars rails, smoke alarms, hand-held showers, safe lighting, and non-skid surfacing. 734-241-2775
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Unmet Emergency Needs and Utility Assistance programs offer assistance with utility payments and other expenses. Each program has its own income limitations. 734-241-2775
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Resource Advocacy
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Resource Advocacy identifies older adults in need of community services and acts as their advocates to assist these individuals to find resources that meet their needs. 734-241-2775
Senior Counseling Services
Self & Family Behavioral Healthcare specializes in geriatric mental health counseling, and a wide range of emotional and behavioral issues from therapy for depression, grief counseling and beyond to seniors of Monroe County. 734-586-0031
Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program is a free health-benefit counseling service provided to Michigan residents. The Commission on Aging collaborates with the Area Agency on Aging 1-B, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, to provide a certified MMAP counselor at our location for seniors, individuals with disabilities and caregivers in our community on the 3rd Thursday of each month. 734-240-3290
Senior Legal Services
Monroe County Senior Legal provides legal assistance to residents of Monroe County who are sixty years of age and older in the greatest social or economic need. Services are provided at their local office and through outreach sites around the county, including senior centers, nutrition sites, and nursing homes. 734-241-7644
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Senior Groups
Ash Seniors and Berlin Seniors provide socialization and healthy meals to Monroe County residents 60 years of age and older.
Ash SeniorsMonday’s 10:30 - 3:00
Carleton VFW Hall
700 Carleton-Rockwood Rd
Carleton, MI 48117
734-654-2006 / Berlin Seniors
Tuesday’s 10:30 - 4:00
Berlin TWP Hall
8000 Swan View Drive
Newport, MI 48166
734-586-2187
Multi-Purpose Senior Centers
Bedford Senior Community Center is a multi-purpose center that serves the Bedford Township area seniors by providing congregate and home delivered meals, activities, and socialization. 734-856-3330
Frenchtown Senior Center welcomes anyone 55 years of age and older.The Center host plan programs that encourage the older adult to socialize and participate in activities designed to assist them to live more independent and inter dependent lives. 734-243-6210
Dundee Area Senior Citizens Center is conveniently located to meet the physical, social, legal, emotional, and nutritional needs of seniors in Dundee and surrounding areas Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 734-529-2401
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Multi-Purpose Senior Centers Continued
Milan Seniors for Healthy Living provides activities, programs, & services designed to enhance quality of life & encourage aging with independence and dignity to Monroe County & Washtenaw County seniors. Noon meals provided Monday, Wednesday & Thursday by the Washtenaw County nutrition program. 734-508-6229
Monroe Center for Healthy Aging is open 365 days per year is a one-stop center where seniors and others enjoy a wealth of programming, activities, exercise, support, information and assistance, and great food! 734-241-0404
Transportation Services
The Health Van provides door-to-door transportation to non-emergency medical appointments for Monroe County senior as well as non-senior residents. The office can be reached 24 hours, 7 day per week. 734-850-6045
Lake Erie Transit offers a variety of fast and easily accessible transportation services for Monroe County residents. Lake Erie Transit is driven to provide everyone in our community with the highest level of service. 734-242-6672
Milan Seniors for Healthy Living Transportation offers transportation to anyone 50 years of age, living within the 48160 zip code can be taken anywhere (within a 20 mile radius of Milan) for a nominal fare. This need-responsive, door-to-door service is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and can be scheduled, with at least one business day advance notice. 734-508-6229
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Transportation Services Continued
The Monroe County Opportunity Program Specialized Transportation provides transportation to non-emergency medical appointments for senior and non-senior Monroe County residents with a disability or a chronic medical condition. 734-241-2775
Volunteer Opportunities and Services
The Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Monroe County is a program and service offered under the Monroe Center for Healthy Aging that is working to expand volunteer experiences to better reach the entire county with special attention to supplying health, nutrition, and safety services to help seniors remain in their homes. 734-241-0408
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