AgeWays is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting older adults, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers. We serve a six-county region in Michigan that includes Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, and Washtenaw counties.
We help people access the services and programs they need to remain living independently and with dignity in their own home or with family caregivers. We provide direct care programs for seniors, along with funding and support for many programs provided by our community partner organizations.
Originally established in 1974 as the Area Agency on Aging 1-B, AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization with a rich history of supporting older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers in southeast Michigan. We serve as the Area Agency on Aging for our region. We are part of a national network of Area Agencies on Aging and a leader in aging services.
AgeWays provides and helps funds and coordinates a wide range of programs and services, including:
We also work with a network of community partners, helping to fund essential senior services throughout our region, including:
The best way to get started is to call us at 800-852-7795. Our highly compassionate and knowledgeable Resource Specialists will ask questions to help understand your situation and point you to resources and programs available in your community. These could be programs and services offered by AgeWays directly or programs and services offered by other organizations. Please keep in mind that there are eligibility requirements for many AgeWays programs and services and there may also be waitlists for some programs.
Many of our programs serve those 60 and over who live in our 6-county region. Eligibility requirements vary by program. Call 800-852-7795 to speak with a resource specialist about available options.
AgeWays programs and services are funded in a variety of ways.
AgeWays operates as the Area Agency on Aging serving our 6-county southeast Michigan region, and many of our programs are funded via dollars allocated to serve seniors via the Older Americans Act (on a federal level) and the Older Michiganians Act (on a state level). This funding is received by AgeWays through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Behavioral, Physical Health and Aging Services Administration.
Our MI Choice Program (available to individuals meeting financial and level-of-care eligibility requirements) is delivered using Medicaid dollars, while grants and private donations help to support other programs.
Our team follows strict quality assurance measures, including:
If you have a concern with an AgeWays program or service, you can report a concern to AgeWays compliance.
Most AgeWays programs, including health and wellness classes, do not have a cost.
For details, call 800-852-7795.
You can keep up to date on AgeWays events and programs in several ways.
Interested in becoming a vendor or direct service provider?
Visit our partner page learn more and apply.
Yes. AgeWays connects older adults to nutrition, wellness, and healthy aging programs across southeast Michigan. Available programs may vary by location and eligibility requirements, but examples include:
To learn what programs are available in your area, call (800) 852-7795 or visit the related program pages on the AgeWays website.
Yes. Family members, friends, neighbors, and caregivers can contact AgeWays to ask questions and learn about available programs and services. Our Resource Specialists can help guide you based on the person’s needs, location, and situation. Some programs may require additional information or documentation, especially if you are acting as a legal representative or power of attorney.
Local senior centers: Many senior centers offer free or low-cost transportation. Click here to find a senior center near you.
myride2 program: This service helps you explore public transportation options or get set up with Lyft, a private ride service (note: Lyft rides are paid).
Website: myride2.com
Phone: Call 855-697-4332 for assistance.
There are two AgeWays programs that can provide direct care.
Please note that there are typically waits for both programs.
AgeWays offers a variety of programs and services to support family and unpaid caregivers, including:
Call 800-852-7795 or visit ageways.org for current offerings.
Caregiver burnout can affect both emotional and physical well-being.
Common signs include:
If you notice these signs, it’s important to seek support before reaching a breaking point.
A family caregiver is anyone who provides unpaid care for a loved one, such as:
Look for these indicators that extra help may be needed:
AgeWays: Call 800-852-7795 for a list of caregiver support groups in your area.
Community centers and hospitals: Many host free or low-cost groups.
Online directories: Websites like the Michigan Caregiver Resource Network or AARP Caregiver Support can help you find groups near you.
The MI Choice Waiver Program, part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), allows eligible adults to receive long-term care services in their own home instead of moving into a nursing facility.
This program helps individuals maintain independence and dignity by providing essential support such as:
To be eligible for MI Choice, you must:
The program covers a wide range of in-home and community-based services, including:
Once you or your loved one is enrolled in the program, your supports coordinator will work with you to develop a plan of care that includes the services appropriate to you or your loved one’s needs.
Qualifying for and becoming fully enrolled in the program is a multi-step process that often can take several months. AgeWays staff will work with you throughout the process to help answer questions and assist. Seeing if you or your loved qualifies for the program will start with a conversation with one of our clinical screeners who will ask questions about the financial situation and type of care needed by the person applying. This initial conversation can take 30 -45 minutes. You will need to have detailed information regarding the finances of the person needing care. This includes information on both income and assets. If you are the power of attorney for the person needing care, we will need verification of your power of attorney status before gathering information. If our clinical screeners confirm that you or your loved one pass the Michigan Intake Guidelines and may qualify for the program based on the answers given regarding care needed and finances, you will be added to the wait list for the program. For most people, your placement on the waitlist is based on when you contacted the program. The program is a Medicaid program, and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) makes decisions regarding financial eligibility. Our staff will work with you to assist with the Medicaid application, but you may receive communication and questions from MDHHS regarding your application. When your name comes up on the waitlist, an assessment team from AgeWays will come to your home to determine if the level of care you need meets the “nursing home level” needed to qualify for the program. This team will include a nurse and a social worker. This assessment usually takes 2-3 hours and includes a standardized set of questions. Once it’s determined that you qualify for the program, you will be assigned a “supports coordinator” who will create a plan of care based on the needs of you or your loved one. AgeWays will then work to set up needed care.
AgeWays works with a pool of well-vetted direct service providers who provide care for individuals enrolled in the MI Choice program. These include home care agencies, transportation providers, and more. Your supports coordinator will work with you or your loved one to develop a plan of care and then work with the appropriate providers to put care services in place.
All services provided by the MI Choice program are paid for via Medicaid funding.
It is possible to be paid to care for a loved one using an element of the program called self-determination or be hired through a provider agency to deliver care. Please note that there are specific requirements related to when a spouse or legally responsible person can be paid to care for a program participant. Your supports coordinator will walk you through both options and help determine what best meets your needs and circumstances.
MI Choice is a statewide program. Easterseals MORC is also a MI Choice Waiver Agent that provides care in the 6-county region also served by AgeWays. Individuals can work through either organization to access the program.
The State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) is AgeWays’ Medicare assistance program.
SHIP offers free, unbiased guidance to help Medicare beneficiaries navigate the often-complex world of Medicare, including:
Certified SHIP counselors are trained volunteers who assist beneficiaries by phone or in person.
Interested in becoming a SHIP counselor?
AgeWays welcomes adults who want to be trained and certified to help Medicare beneficiaries. Call 800-852-7795 for details.
Medicare Savings Programs help eligible individuals pay for some or all of their Medicare costs, such as premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
There are four Medicare Savings Programs:
If you qualify for any of the first three programs (QMB, SLMB, or QI), you automatically qualify for Extra Help, which reduces prescription drug costs.
Eligibility is based on income and assets, and requirements are updated annually.
You can still qualify even if you are working and receiving income.
2025 Income & Asset Limits
QMB – Helps with premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance
| Individual Monthly Income | Married Couple Monthly Income | Individual Assets* | Married Couple Assets* |
| $1,325 | $1,783 | $9,660 | $14,470 |
SLMB – Helps pay Part B premiums
| Individual Monthly Income | Married Couple Monthly Income | Individual Assets* | Married Couple Assets* |
| $1,585 | $2,135 | $9,660 | $14,470 |
QI – Helps pay Part B premiums (apply yearly, first come-first served)
| Individual Monthly Income | Married Couple Monthly Income | Individual Assets* | Married Couple Assets* |
| $1,781 | $2,400 | $9,660 | $14,470 |
QDWI – Helps pay Part A premiums for working, disabled individuals under 65
| Individual Monthly Income | Married Couple Monthly Income | Individual Assets* | Married Couple Assets* |
| $5,302 | $7,135 | $4,000 | $6,000 |
*Assets include bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and similar resources.
Important:
You can have both Medicare and Medicaid, and AgeWays can help you understand how the two work together to cover your care.
Not necessarily.
Savings vary by program, but benefits can include:
To help you get the most out of your Medicare appointment, it’s helpful to bring a few important items with you. These include:
Bringing this information helps your counselor compare your coverage options based on your medications, preferred providers, pharmacies, coverage needs, and costs.
Medicare offers information and assistance through Medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE. For people who would like free, local, one-on-one counseling, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides trained counselors who can help beneficiaries understand their Medicare options, coverage, costs, appeals, and other Medicare-related issues. SHIP is federally funded and offered nationwide through local organizations like AgeWays. AgeWays provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling throughout Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, and Washtenaw counties.
SHIP offers free, confidential, and unbiased help for people with Medicare. Counselors can support you with:
Our goal is to make Medicare easier to understand so you can make the decisions that are right for you.
A Medicare plan review is an opportunity to look at your current coverage and determine whether it continues to meet your needs.
During your review, a counselor will go over:
This can help you understand whether your current coverage continues to meet your needs and identify other options you may want to consider.
Yes! Each year from October 15 through December 7, you have the opportunity to review and make changes to your Medicare coverage. This is an important opportunity to review changes to your current coverage and compare your Medicare options for the upcoming year.
SHIP counselors are available to help you compare plans, review costs and coverage, and understand your options. We begin scheduling Open Enrollment appointments in September and offer appointments by phone as well as in-person at community locations throughout our six-county service area. Appointments are free, unbiased, and confidential.
You can contact AgeWays by calling (248) 262-0545.
Our trained counselors are here to listen, answer your questions, and guide you through your options so you can feel confident about your healthcare decisions.
All AgeWays SHIP counselors complete extensive Medicare training and certification requirements before providing independent counseling. Counselors also complete ongoing training to stay current on annual Medicare changes, program requirements, and counseling practices.
Our counseling team includes both AgeWays staff and trained volunteers. Volunteer counselors complete the same required Medicare training and certification standards for the counseling they provide and must also meet AgeWays screening requirements, including a background check.
SHIP counselors are not insurance agents or brokers and do not sell Medicare plans. Their role is to provide free, unbiased information and help beneficiaries understand and compare their Medicare options.
Yes, but in a specific way. While SHIP’s primary focus is Medicare, SHIP counselors can also help people who have both Medicare and Medicaid, or who may qualify for programs that help with Medicare costs.
SHIP can assist with:
SHIP counselors provide free, unbiased, and confidential counseling to help beneficiaries make informed decisions about their health coverage and benefits.
AgeWays offers volunteer opportunities through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), where trained volunteers help older adults understand their Medicare options, identify cost-saving programs, and make informed healthcare decisions. No prior Medicare or insurance experience is required because comprehensive training is provided.
The process to become a SHIP Medicare counselor with AgeWays includes:
Becoming a Medicare counselor is a detailed, hands-on training process. The amount of time needed to complete initial certification varies depending on previous background or expertise. Volunteers also participate in ongoing training throughout the year to remain current on Medicare changes.
To learn more or begin the application process, contact the AgeWays SHIP program at (248) 262-0545.
Tour the home. Is it clean? Are the staff friendly? Do residents appear clean and are they dressed appropriately for the season? Are the residents’ rooms home-like? Are there odors?
Location is important because the more often family and friends visit, the better they can provide oversight and advocacy for their loved one.
Look at the inspection book, often located in the lobby of the nursing home. You can review the most recent state survey and find out what citations were issued by the state.
Ask how the bed is certified: Will both Medicare and Medicaid pay for care in this bed? This is important in case the stay is longer than what Medicare will cover and you need to apply for Medicaid.
For more about choosing a nursing home, go to https://www.ageways.org/connect or www.cms.gov
Yes. An ombudsman will visit the resident. If he gives the ombudsman permission to advocate on his behalf, the ombudsman could coordinate a meeting with management staff at the the home to try to resolve these problems. The ombudsman could continue to monitor the resident’s care to ensure the complaints have been resolved for as long as the resident requests the ombudsman to do so.
There are 5 reasons a nursing home can discharge a resident:
A 30-day written discharge notice must be provided to the resident prior to discharge. If you are concerned that you or your loved one is being discharged unfairly or without meeting the above criteria, you can contact the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-866-458-9393.
The home can petition for guardianship and is required to list the family and other recommendations for guardian. The judge will determine in one hearing if the family is the best choice. Usually this is done in one hearing and the home does not re-apply if the family is not appointed.
Residents maintain their constitutional rights and may have additional rights when living in a licensed long-term facility. To learn more about resident rights, contact your local ombudsman or visit https://mltcop.org/know-your-rights.
Contact the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (MLTCOP) at 866-485-9393 or visit www.MLTCOP.org.
Yes. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is completely free and confidential. Its advocacy services are designed to help residents and families address care concerns and provide information and assistance to assure residents experience quality of care and quality of life.
Although an ombudsman may typically respond to requests for assistance within 48 hours, response times can vary depending on the nature of the complaint. Once a complaint is received, an ombudsman visits the resident and, only with the resident’s permission, begins working to address the concern.
Residents in licensed long-term care facilities retain their constitutional rights and may have additional protections specific to their care setting. Some of these rights include:
An ombudsman will contact the resident, preferably in person and, with the resident’s permission, advocate on their behalf. Advocacy may include coordinating meetings with facility staff to discuss resolution of the resident’s concern.
Yes. Ombudsmen can advocate for residents experiencing issues with personal care, such as delays in showers, hygiene assistance, or other daily care needs. With the resident’s consent, they will work directly with facility staff to resolve the concern and monitor follow-through.
The Michigan Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is a free, confidential advocacy program that supports residents of nursing homes, adult foster care homes, and licensed homes for the aged.
Ombudsmen can help with concerns about quality of care, access to services and equipment, the living environment, and resident rights, including being treated with dignity and respect. They work with resident and family councils, and provide community education about long-term care topics.
Yes. Local ombudsmen offer helpful tools like fact sheets, advance directive guides, and other resources to help residents and families understand their rights and make informed care decisions. Visit mltcop.org or call AgeWays at (866) 485-9393 to learn more.
Age Ways hosts the long-term care ombudsmen serving residents in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw Counties.
To contact your local ombudsman, call the statewide phone number (866) 485-9393 or visit mltcop.org and go to the Contact Your Local Ombudsman tab.
Meals on Wheels is a program that delivers nutritious, ready-to-eat meals to homebound adults 60 and older. Beyond food, it also provides regular wellness checks and friendly social interaction through drivers and volunteers—helping seniors stay safe, nourished, and independent at home.
Meals on Wheels is available to eligible adults aged 60 and older who are homebound. Eligibility is not based on income but will include a brief assessment to ensure the service is the right fit. Nationally, approximately 11 million seniors receive the meals each year.
To get started, contact your local Area Agency on Aging such as AgeWays. We will connect you with one of our 11 Meals on Wheels providers serving your area (based on where you live). The provider will ask you a few questions to determine if you are eligible for the program. They will then schedule an in-home assessment to better understand your needs and confirm eligibility. You may also contact your local nutrition provider directly.
Meal delivery typically begins within 48 hours of the initial intake assessment that is done over the phone. The meal provider then has 10 business days to go out to the home to complete a full assessment and confirm eligibility.
Meals are provided on a voluntary donation basis. There is no required fee for eligible participants, but donations are strongly encouraged to help support the program and to continue to serve seniors in the community.
Meals are designed to be balanced and nutritious, typically including protein, vegetables, grains, fruit and dairy. Some programs offer meals designed to meet common dietary needs, such as low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, kosher, or heart-healthy options. Availability may vary by provider, so it’s best to ask during your initial assessment.
Delivery schedules vary by provider, but many participants receive meals once daily on weekdays. Some programs may also offer frozen meals for weekends or multiple days at a time.
Yes, caregivers, family members, or friends can help start the process on behalf of a loved one. The program will still connect directly with the individual receiving services to confirm needs and eligibility.
No. While many participants live alone, seniors living with others may still qualify if they are unable to prepare meals for themselves safely.
Meals on Wheels can often be arranged for short-term needs, such as recovery after surgery, illness, or injury. Let the provider know your situation so they can recommend the right level of support.
In some areas, demand may exceed availability, which can result in a waitlist. However, urgent cases are often prioritized, and providers may suggest alternative resources if needed.
The federal and state government help fund the program, with funding coming from the federal Older Americans Act and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The funding that AgeWays receives is passed down to our contracted nutrition providers. Keep in mind that this funding does not fund the program completely and our providers rely on participants and community donations to help fill funding gaps.
Meals may also available to older adults at senior centers, community centers, senior high-rises, and at select restaurant locations. Contact your local meals on wheels provider for other meal options in your area.
