The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released its 2019 Annual Report on Aging and Adult Services and is asking for public input on a new state plan designed to service the state’s older adult population.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has released its 2019 Annual Report on Aging and Adult Services and is asking for public input on a new state plan designed to service the state’s older adult population.
According to the report, 2.4 million Michigan residents—over 2% of the population—are age 60 or older. Over 38% of the state’s households have a person 60 or over living in their residence. The report also highlights changes in the racial demographics of the aging population.
The report was composed by the Aging and Adult Services Agency (AASA), housed within MDHHS. AASA highlighted the need for collaboration to serve Michigan’s aging adults.
“As we look to the future, we see opportunities to collaborate with existing and new partners to ensure our programming continues to meet the needs of older adults and addresses changing demographics,” Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director, AASA, said in the report. “We look forward to partnering with organizations and individuals across the state towards this endeavor.”
In addition to the report, AASA has partnered with the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging (MCSA) to develop a new statewide plan to address the needs and gaps in care for Michigan’s aging populations.
The State Plan on Aging, expected to be finalized July 1, will focus on coordination of service providers and advocacy for Michigan’s older population and caregivers, as well as integrating health care and social services delivery. The plan for 2018-2020 can be found here.
Last week AASA and MCSA launched a series of community conversations, asking for public input on the plan and how it can address the needs of older citizens and their caregivers. If you would like to get involved in the conversation 16 events will be held around the state through March 17. Both agencies emphasize the importance of public perspectives for the development of the new plan.
“Whether you are an older adult, a caregiver, or someone working with older adults in a volunteer or professional capacity, we urge you to participate in these community conversations,” Dona Wishart, chair, MCSA, said in a press release. “Your feedback is imperative to ensuring the new state plan addresses the critical needs of older adults in our state.”
For anyone interested in providing input but who cannot make a community meeting, AASA has an online survey as an option to welcome insights.
Michigan’s philanthropic sector continues to support the state’s aging population through funding and initiatives designed to increase access to care and key services.
In 2018, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation (RCWJF) announced a $2 million investment in the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, to create a full-time staff position focused on supporting caregivers for aging adults.
“Being a caregiver can be both rewarding and challenging, and a role that many in our communities will find themselves in at some point in their life,” Amber Slichta, vice president of programs, RCWJF, said in a press release. “There have been unprecedented technological and societal advances since the time today’s seniors were children and we have an incredible opportunity to collaborate with our partners to develop and uncover innovative programs and new systems that can support our caregivers and improve the quality of life for all in our communities.”
Additionally, RCWJF launched the Transformational Healthcare Readiness through Innovative Vocational Education (THRIVE) partnership in 2019, investing $20 million to support caregivers and improve retention rates.
Last year, CMF shared that the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) announced the winners of a competition designed to catalyze high impact innovation and solutions for seniors and their caregivers.
“Michigan is undergoing a major demographic shift with a growing proportion of residents representing the 60-plus age range,” Neel Hajra, CEO, AAACF, said regarding philanthropy’s role in serving Michigan’s aging populations. “This presents both opportunities and challenges for all our communities. AAACF believes that philanthropy is uniquely situated to lead the way in leveraging those opportunities and identifying solutions to challenges so that residents of all ages continue to thrive."
Members of CMF’s Michigan Grantmakers in Aging (MGIA) Affinity Group cite the importance of philanthropy’s role in addressing the needs of the state’s aging population.
"The Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation is one of the few philanthropic organizations with the mission of supporting improvements in the quality of life for our senior citizens,” Vincent Tilford, executive director, Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation and chair of MGIA, said. “However, our society tends to ignore and marginalize our elders. As Michigan's population of seniors grows, philanthropy has a critical role to play in addressing ageism and ensuring that older people can be full participants in their communities."
Want more?
Read AASA’s 2019 report and learn about their planned community meetings on the new state plan on aging.
Learn how to get involved with the MGIA Affinity Group.
