Senior Neighbors assistance programs in Kent County for the elderly.
Case managers and programs from Senior Neighbors are focused on helping residents age 60 and older. The goal is to help people remain independent in the community, and the programs provided were designed with a focus on crisis intervention, support and providing clients access to applicable resources within Kent County or the state of Michigan.
Clients of the non-profit will have specific strategy plans created, and they will help these individuals deal with difficulties they are facing. There can be everything from food or nutritional needs (including Vitamins or supplements) to medical needs addressed or even transportation. The goal is to help people address the issues that may interfere with their daily living and needs.
Senior Neighbor will offer clients a wealth of services and support, including general information, elder refugee assistance, housing or rent assistance and home maintenance as well as repairs. Other assistance includes completing necessary forms for benefits such as Medicare, dental care, addressing medical concerns, access to food resources and a focus on health as well as wellness. There is also information on free or low cost dental clinics in Michigan.
In addition, many other resources and assistance is available based on individual needs and assessment. This is more for basic needs of people in Kent County. Assistance may include transportation, promoting socialization with peers in the community, crisis intervention, preventing utility shut-offs, debt management, access to proper medication, food supplementation and preventative eviction/foreclosure legal help.
Free or low cost repairs to a home from Senior Neighbors
Minor home repair and maintenance are offered to eligible low income seniors and even the disabled. It is for people who do not have a strong support system in place, and aid is offered through the Home Maintenance Program. This resource from Senior Neighbors can also provide clients limited seasonal lawn care and snow removal for any eligible client. Services provided may include basic carpentry such as repairs of doors, cabinets, furniture, cupboards, fences, windows and blind installation.
In some cases, basic electrical work is available that includes changing light bulbs, replacing light switches/fuses, resetting circuit breakers, and the installation of light fixtures and ceiling fans. There may also be plumbing assistance provided in the form of sink drains, fixing toilets, repairing/replacing faucets, garbage disposals or installing handheld shower heads and hanging shower curtains.
Senior Neighbors staff and volunteers can also help with undertaking safety checks and maintenance for in-need elderly people. This can include the installation of smoke detectors, application of non-slip materials to steps, replacing batteries in smoke detectors, applying cement patches to steps, adjusting existing handrails appropriately and removal of tack down rugs and carpeting.
Seasonal services in Kent County include some limited lawn maintenance such as mowing or snow removal, installation/removal of air conditioners and some weatherization of windows and doors.
For those seniors interested in the Home Maintenance Program and any of the programs noted above, please call us at 616-459-6019 for further information.
Government and public assistance for seniors and retirees
The Senior Neighbors Program has specially trained staff available to help vulnerable seniors apply for government benefits. This will include advice on navigating Medicare and Medicaid programs. Information is also readily available (including referrals) for Pharmaceutical Company Assistance Programs, grants for rent assistance, or when relevant, applying for Veteran Administration Benefits.
These trained counselors from the non-profit can offer help with general information. They will also advocate for clients, perform research and help with enrollment to several of the available programs noted below:
Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program for qualified seniors age 65 years and older. It is also available for people under the age of 65 years who have been diagnosed with a disability.
There are different components too. Medicare Part A means that insurance coverage for eligible candidates is restricted to just Medicare-approved hospitals while Medicare Part B offers insurance coverage for medical services such as office calls, lab work, and more. There is also Medicare Part D for prescription drugs.
Another option, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, is available with additional purchase for candidates who wish to add coverage for their co-payments and deductibles. Senior Neighbors can provide more information on this resource. On the other hand, Medicare Part D is insurance coverage specific for individuals over the age of 60 or those with a disability that require prescription medications.
Senior Neighbors can also help the working poor apply for Medicaid, which also offers help paying for medical bills for eligible clients. Medicare Savings Plan offers payment help for Medicare Part B premium beneficiaries. Lastly, there is a low income subsidy that helps with payments for deductibles, premiums and copays for those enrolled in Medicare Part D. Learn more on Medicaid health insurance for low income households.
There are many Senior Neighbors transportation programs available to help in need elderly individuals get to doctor’s appointments, the clinic or grocery store, the local Kent County Senior Center and other essential places in their community. The assistance offered varies depending on individual needs.
There is a City Bus program that purchases and distributes vouchers for tickets to eligible seniors who need help with public transportation in Kent County. The Go Bus! Program provides help to handicapped seniors. Another service is PASS (Passenger Adaptive Suburban Service), which was created using government and private funds to offer transportation to those seniors who do not live on or near a designated route and takes them to their prearranged appointments. Senior Neighbors also has a PARA transit program that includes buses to multiple locations in the county.
Applying to Senior Neighbors resources
For more information, the Senior Neighbors Central Office is located at 678 Front Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. The phone number is 616-459-6019.
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