Medicare Open Enrollment begins Oct. 15
By Sara Duris It is time to review your Medicare coverage and compare your options. Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15 and runs through December 7, 2025. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP, formerly known as MMAP) offers trained and certified volunteer counselors to assist in looking at health insurance options. Area Agency on […]
Free, unbiased Medicare enrollment assistance available
By Alexandra Newman “People are falling through the cracks,” a program manager at Area Agency on Aging (AAA) told me during a recent meeting. They were talking about seniors who desperately need someone to help them understand their Medicare benefits, but a change to the state’s Medicare Assistance hotline has made it more difficult for […]
Older Americans Act is worth celebrating – July 12, 2025
By Lynn Kellogg July 14 marks the 60th anniversary of the national Older Americans Act (OAA). Five national organizations championing the cause of the older population have come together to declare July 14 a Day of Action and awareness of the tremendous impact of the OAA. The organizations: ADvancing States, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs […]
When I retire… June 7, 2025
By Alexandra Newman When I retire, I will travel the world. When I retire, I will spend hours tending to vegetables and reading all the books that have been piling up on my nightstand. Many of us have these dreams when we’re having a tough day at work. I’m 30+ years away from retirement and […]
Medicaid cuts would hurt vulnerable seniors – May 17, 2025
By Lynn Kellogg Last month I wrote about key efficiencies in three pieces of national legislation critical to the health and livelihood of our elder population: the Older Americans Act, Medicare and Medicaid. Now it’s important to drill down further on Medicaid. Why? Because when something is called a “waiver” and it’s “discretionary” by state, […]
Understanding hospital admission vs. observation
By Sara Duris Q. I don’t understand how my recent hospital stay wasn’t a full admission and why Medicare won’t cover all the charges? I was in a room there over three days, but they said I didn’t meet inpatient criteria. What is going on? A. Having an inpatient admission to a hospital versus being […]
Changes in Washington could affect elder care – April 19, 2025
By Lynn Kellogg Congress has critical budget decisions to make on how to spend reduced dollars. It’s a daunting task without knowing the intricacies of the programs and interests affected. Big-ticket items dramatically affecting our elder population are in play: the Older Americans Act (OAA), Medicaid and Medicare. Within these structures, key programs exist to save money […]
Social Security myths, scams – April 5, 2025
By Sara Duris Q. I heard that everyone has to prove their identity to continue getting Social Security benefits. Is that true? A. No, proving your identity is not something everyone has to do to continue receiving Social Security benefits. There has been a lot of concern and misinformation about steps that the Social Security […]
A Path to Aging with Dignity: Rebalancing Michigan’s Medicaid-Funded Long-Term Care System
By Christine Vanlandingham In Michigan and nationwide, the conversation around long-term care for older adults and people with disabilities is evolving. The traditional reliance on institutional settings, such as nursing homes, is being challenged by the growing recognition of the benefits and cost-effectiveness of home and community-based services (HCBS). Programs like the MI Choice Waiver […]
How to get home-delivered meals; Medicare cost changes for 2025 – March 1, 2025
By Sara Duris Q. Does Area Agency on Aging provide meals to people in the community? How can someone qualify to get meals delivered? A. The Agency does provide meals to our clients through home-delivery programs. We also partner with Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan and Cass County Council on Aging to provide not […]