Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

06/23/2026

Our FY2025 Impact Report is now live! It showcases real-life stories of services in action. It's a true ripple effect of support that reaches past one senior, positively impacting the lives of caregivers, families, and our larger community.

We're thankful for our network of partners across the region who make this work possible through funding from the Older Americans Act and Kent County Senior Millage. You can read more and find our full impact report at www.aaawm.org/document/fy2025-impact-report.

06/18/2026

Are you looking for ways to get involved and make a real difference in your community? The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is looking for volunteers!

Long Term Care Ombudsmen work to improve the quality of life for residents living in long-term care facilities and advocate for their rights as residents. Advocacy can look different for every resident, and depends on what the resident wants.

You can become a Volunteer Ombudsman and advocate on behalf of residents who are living in long-term care facilities in your area! Learn more and fill out a Volunteer Ombudsman Application at aaawm.org/volunteer.

06/17/2026

June is Pride Month! Pride Month is an annual celebration to recognize the contributions, history, and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. At the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, our team supports all older adults and their caregivers with supportive resources to age with dignity and independence at home and in their communities.

We will be at the Grand Rapids Pride Festival this weekend, on Saturday, June 20th, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, hosted by the Grand Rapids Pride Center. If you can't join us, no worries! Here are a few ways you can stay inclusive this month and all year long!

06/15/2026

Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). It's a day dedicated to raising awareness about this type of abuse: how to identify it, prevent it, and report it. We all have a role to play in preventing elder abuse.

Whether you're a caregiver, older adult, or community member, here are a few simple ways that you can ensure you're playing your part in preventing elder abuse:
1. Keep an eye out for signs of abuse
2. Stay connected to family and friends
3. Use trusted community resources
4. Learn how and where to report abuse

For more information, please visit aaawm.org/elderabuse.

06/12/2026

NEXT WEEK: Help shape the future of aging services in West Michigan! Join us for our virtual public hearing to review the proposed FY27-29 Multi-Year Plan. This plan aligns with the state's priorities and outlines our goals for the next three years.

Community input helps determine how services are prioritized in West Michigan. Help ensure that your voice is heard! Join us on Monday, June 15th, at 9:00 am. Register today at www.aaawm.org/myp

06/11/2026

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month.

It's a month dedicated to recognizing the importance of prioritizing brain health and raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

There are many healthy brain habits you can incorporate into your daily life. Here are just a few:
- Challenge your mind by learning something new.
- Eat nutritious meals frequently.
- Stop smoking, or reduce your smoking habits.
- Get good quality sleep consistently.

To learn more about brain health and dementia, and get involved, visit www.aaawm.org/dfmi.

06/10/2026

It's that time of year again! Our Back-to-School Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is back!

If you're a grandparent age 55 or older and are the primary caregiver of a school-aged child, this is for you! Our annual Back-to-School initiative is now open, helping you kick off the school year strong.

This opportunity ends Friday, July 10th. Learn more about how to apply at www.aaawm.org/backtoschool.

06/08/2026

Join our Advocates for Senior Issues this Friday, June 12, at Kids' Food Basket. It will be an advocacy-filled morning!

It's the final Advocates for Senior Issues meeting before Summer break!

Please join us at Kids Food Basket on Friday, June 12! The meeting will begin at 10:00 am, and there will be a guided tour from Kids' Food Basket CEO Bridget Clark Whitney, beginning at 9:30 am.

Representative Hillary Scholten will be joining us to answer questions from the group. Following, guest speakers Dr. Arianna Colini Baldeschi and Dr. Nathaniel Buteyn from the Van Andel Institute will be teaching us about current developments in the medical and related health field(s).

We invite you to join us as we listen, learn, advocate, and grow together! This will be the last meeting until we kick off again in September. For more information on AFSI, please visit www.aaawm.org/asfi.

06/05/2026

It's Medicare Fraud Prevention Week—a time to raise awareness about Medicare fraud and increase education about Medicare benefits and enrollment. Did you know that the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan administers a program to help adults better understand Medicare?

It's called SHIP. The Michigan State Health Insurance Assistance Program. It's a free, unbiased, volunteer-staffed service that assists Medicare beneficiaries with questions or problems with Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicare Part D enrollment, and related issues.

Do you have Medicare questions? It's a great time to get started learning more about your Medicare benefits. Learn more at www.aaawm.org/ship and sign up for a visit with a trained SHIP counselor who can answer your questions!

06/03/2026

We're excited to share that the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) has been chosen as a recipient of the Stewart Foundation Spring 2026 Community Service Awards! Each year, the Stewart Foundation recognizes organizations across the nation making a difference in the lives of others and the larger community.

At AAAWM, our mission is to support older adults, those with disabilities, and their caregivers to live independently and with dignity. Covering a 9-county region, we provide person-centered care that helps individuals age in place. We're honored to have been chosen as a recipient of this year's Stewart Foundation Community Service Award. For more information, visit www.stewart.com/en/landing-pages/community-service-awards.