Service Descriptions

Service Descriptions

Described below in the in the service definition are explanations of the most common services that are provided through the aging network in our community.

Adult Day Services
Adult day services provide care for older adults, who are living with cognitive impairment, a non-residential placement for extended hours during the day by registered and licensed nursing staff, social workers and activity professionals. This service provides cognitive stimulation, socialization, exercise and personal care while enabling caregivers to have respite time.
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Alzheimer's / Dementia
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia
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Assisted Living
Assisted living facilities provide housing, housekeeping, and prepared meals as needed for older adults and people with disabilities.
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Caregiver Education, Support, and Training
Caregiver Education offers assistance and support to caregivers in understanding and coping with a broad range of issues associated with caregiving.
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Clinics
A clinic refers to an establishment or hospital department where patients are given medical treatment or advice, especially of a specialist nature, on an outpatient basis.
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Counseling
Counseling is the provision of assistance and guidance in resolving personal, social, or psychological problems and difficulties by a professional.
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Financial / Legal Aid
Assistance with financial or legal matters most often provided to people who are unable to afford or obtain it themselves.
Financial / Legal Aid

First Aid / CPR/AED Training
Classes or training focused on the variety of health topics of First Aid, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and training involving an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).
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Friendly Visitor
Companionship provided for short intervals to homebound or isolated older adults. Trained volunteers provide visits to participants that focus on conversation and communication and may include activities such as playing games, taking a walk, reading to a client, doing crafts, etc. The goal is to help older adults living alone stay connected to their community.
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Health / Fitness
Health/ Fitness services designed specifically for older adults, including fitness classes, healthy eating, nutritional and disease management information.
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Home Chore
Assistance for older adults who do not have the ability or resources to complete minor home repairs and other jobs: includes repairing windows, minor yard work (including mowing and fall clean-up), replacing fuses and door locks, and snow removal.
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Home Modification Services
Services that assess and help identify barriers to independent living. Recommendations will be developed for home modifications, including ramp construction in collaboration with Home Repair Services. Limited funding is also available for adaptive equipment purchase
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Hospice / End of Life Services
Hospice provides palliative care and emotional support to the terminally ill in a home or home-like setting so that quality of life is maintained and family members may be active participants in care; also: a facility that provides such a program.
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In-Home Care
In-home care is supportive care provided in the home. Care may be provided by licensed healthcare professionals who provide medical treatment or by professional caregivers who provide daily assistance to ensure the activities of daily living (ADLs) are met. In-home medical care is often and more accurately referred to as "home health care" or formal care. Often, the term home health care is used to distinguish it from non-medical care, custodial care, or private-duty care which refers to assistance and services provided by persons who are not nurses, doctors, or other licensed medical personnel. For terminally ill patients, home care may include hospice care. For patients recovering from surgery or illness, home care may include rehabilitative therapies.
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Insurance Counseling
Insurance counseling is a service provided by skilled professionals who counsel older adults on insurance options. Insurance counseling is provided for medical, health and life insurances.
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Meal Services
Meal assistance is provided to older adults who cannot provide their own meals. Nutritious Meals are provided in a variety of different ways including Home Delivered Meals (HDM) or through congregate meal site and food pantries.
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Medical Equipment & Services
Services providing medical equipment utilized for the diagnosis and/or treatment of disease or rehabilitation following an illness or injury. Equipment might include items such as walkers, wheelchairs or canes.
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Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP)
Assistance is provided for Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries (or potential beneficiaries) who have questions or concerns regarding coverage or enrolling in coverage. Help is also provided in choosing prescription drug plans, determining eligibility, enrolling in assistance programs for those with low income, reporting fraud, and understanding long-term care options.
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Nursing Home Care
A nursing home is a place for people who don't need to be in a hospital but can't be cared for at home. Most nursing homes have nursing aides and skilled nurses on hand 24 hours a day. The staff provide medical care, and may also provide physical, speech and occupational therapy.
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Professional Organizing Services
Professional organizing services help older adults to downsize, declutter and organize their personal spaces to maximize the function of space and strive to promote health and safety in the home. Specialization includes working with those who struggle with disorganization challenges such as hoarding, depression, anxiety, OCD, ADD, physical challenges/illness and more.
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Palliative Care
Palliative care is medical and related care provided to a patient with a serious, life-threatening, or terminal illness that is not intended to provide curative treatment but rather to manage symptoms, relieve pain and discomfort, improve quality of life, and meet the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of the patient.
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Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects predominately dopamine-producing (“dopaminergic”) neurons in a specific area of the brain called substantia nigra.

Symptoms generally develop slowly over years. The progression of symptoms is often a bit different from one person to another due to the diversity of the disease. People with PD may experience:

  • Tremor, mainly at rest and described as pill-rolling tremor in hands. Other forms of tremor are possible
  • Slowness of movements (bradykinesia)
  • Limb rigidity
  • Gait and balance problems

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Prescription Assistance
Offers information and assistance for those struggling with prescription coverage. Skilled professionals help identify prescription programs that can best meet their needs, including government-sponsored programs such as Medicare, Medicaid or Veteran’s Benefits.
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Rehabilitation / Skilled Nursing
Rehabilitation or skilled nursing care, including post-acute care, short-term rehabilitation, complex medical care and long-term care provided in one’s home. Oversight is provided by licensed professional nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians.
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Respite Services
Respite care involves short-term or temporary care of a few hours or weeks. Respite care is designed with the intention that the caregiver will be provided some relief and restoration from their duties as caregiver.
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Senior Centers
Senior Centers offer a variety of programs specific to the needs of older adults. Staff connects older adults to available services and encourages participation in nutrition and wellness programs.
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Senior Placement Services

Senior Placement Service seek to help seniors and their families know their options and determine the appropriate next steps. A consultant provides an education on in-home care, independent living, assisted living, memory care, long-term care skilled nursing and Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). A senior consultants provide a hands-on service to help seniors options that match their needs, wants, and financial position. Generally, local senior placement services schedule tours to appropriate communities and accompany seniors and their families on the tours to help them know what to look for and what to ask. Touring with seniors and their families also helps placement consultants keep up-to-date on all the local senior community options.

The service is funded by the senior living communities. There is no "best" senior community for everyone. Placement services seek to provide a critical the matching services, so an appropriate community can be found for the senior.

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Support Groups
Support groups offer an opportunity for people with an issue in common to openly discuss their shared experiences and provide each other with encouragement, comfort, and advice.
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Therapy Services - Physical, Occupational, Recreational
Therapy Services are services provided to rehabilitate, heal or accommodate a physical or emotional condition that interferes with activities of daily living.
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Transportation Services
Transportation services help older adults locate available transportation options or provide them with rides or services. Assisted Transportation provides rides to meal programs, senior centers, medical appointments and other destinations.
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Vision / Hearing Loss
Vision and Hearing Services assist individuals experiencing hearing or vision loss. Services may include equipment modifications, counseling and clinics.
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