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Government Directory>Commission on Aging

Welcome to the Charlevoix County Commission on Aging
New COA Office [Click here to view full size picture] "Serving Seniors in Charlevoix County"

"The mission of the Charlevoix County Commission on Aging is to provide the highest quality senior services in partnership with the community. We focus our efforts on advocacy and support for seniors and their caregivers by promoting health, wellness, and education to achieve a dignified and enriched quality of life."


Executive Director: Jack Messer


Contact Information:

Charlevoix County Commission on Aging
218 W. Garfield St., Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 237-0103, Toll Free: (866) 428-5185
Fax: (231) 237-0105


Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

For suggestions and questions - Click Here

Charlevoix/Emmet Senior Resource Directory - Click Here

Senior Hi-Lites Newsletter - Click Here




Commission on Aging Advisory Board - For a list of members, meeting dates, agendas, minutes and Board application - Click Here

COA Board Bylaws - Click Here

COA Annual Reports - Click Here

COA Focus Group Final Report - Click Here

The Commission on Aging was established in 1973 and serves the people of Charlevoix County through multiple funding sources including the following:

- Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan

- Offices of Services to the Aging

- Memorials

- Donations from individuals like you




Senior Centers: Up-to-date information can be found in the "Senior Hi-Lites" Newsletter.



The Commission on Aging offers the following services:
Congregate Meals Top
Meal sites for senior lunches offer a nutritious meal and social activities with others. To learn more about activities and events at your community senior center, please click on the Senior Hi-Lites Newsletter above.

Senior Lunches
Suggested donation: $3.00 (60 and over) and $6.00 (Under 60)
Meals will not be denied if unable to donate.

Special Dinners and Sunday Meals
Suggested donation: $3.00 (60 and over) and $6.00 (Under 60)
Meals will not be denied if unable to donate.
Foot Care Management Top

For seniors 60 and over, a registered nurse comes to your home monthly or every other month for a homebound elderly individual that may have difficulty getting out to the foot doctor and are considered high risk for potential foot complications.

Cost-share based upon income.

Free Transportation Top

The Charlevoix County Transit offers free rides via transit bus for any senior 60 and over to travel throughout the County free-of-charge. Any distance over 15 miles or out of County are offered at a senior discount.

Emergency Communication Devices Top
Some seniors may benefit from a personal emergency alert device that would allow them to contact 911 in the event of a fall or other emergency. This growing technology has produced a variety of devices tailored to meet individual needs and lifestyles.

Prior to the purchase of a personal emergency alert device, the local 911 Call Center should be contacted to ensure the device is compatible with current 911 equipment.

Seniors, 60 and over, who purchase a personal emergency alert device may be eligible for a one-time reimbursement based upon a sliding income scale. For information on participation in this program, please contact the Commission on Aging main office at (231) 237-0103.
Home Delivered Meals Top
Meals are delivered throughout Charlevoix County to eligible homebound seniors age 60 and over. Nutritiously balanced meals, which have been approved by a dietitian, are served hot daily or delivered weekly as fresh frozen meals that can be easily reheated.

Suggested donation: $3.00 per meal
Meals will not be denied if unable to donate.
Homemaker Services Top

For seniors 60 and over, a qualified and trained homemaker comes to your home for 2 hours on a regular basis and provides light duty housekeeping, such as vacuuming, mopping floors, dusting, cleaning bathrooms, laundry, grocery shopping and errands to help maintain a clean and healthy environment for homebound individuals with functional limitations. (We recommend that you refer the heavier or outdoor work to a private individual or contractor.)

Cost-share based upon income.

In-Home Respite Top

In-home respite is provided by trained assistants for seniors 60 and over with dementia and other needs.

Cost-share based upon income.

Information & Referral Top
We can provide information about services for seniors and which ones you may qualify for.

We also serve as an information hotline that can connect you to other services available locally and to toll-free (800) numbers for services available statewide and nationally.

Links to other helpful websites:

Area Agency on Aging
Alzheimer's Association
National Council on Aging

Michigan Office of Services to the Aging
Caregiver Support Program

Medicare D Counseling Top
Medicare D Counseling available by appointment by phone or in the office. Medicare Plan D programs customized to your medical needs. We are a non-biased Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program and have a counselor available to provide 1:1 assessment as to what Medicare D Plan is best suited for you. Please call our office for an appointment at (231) 237-0103.

Must be Medicare eligible to apply.

Medication Management Top

For seniors 60 and over, a registered nurse will come to your home on a regular basis to provide medication set-ups for a homebound individual, including pre-filling Insulin syringes, Venipuncture service or regular injections that are not covered under Medicare skilled services. The frequency of nurse visits depends on need and is determined at the time of the in-home assessment.

Cost-share based upon income.

Personal Care Assistance Top

A trained assistant comes to your home 1 - 2 times per week to assist a frail, homebound senior (60 and over) with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring, ambulation, vital signs, nail care and hair care.

Cost-share based upon income.

Project Lifesaver Top
In partnership with the Sheriff's Office, this is a magnetic tracking bracelet/anklet that is worn by someone 60 and over with dementia who may be at risk of wandering or becoming lost. In the event this happens, the caregiver dials 911 within an hour of person discovered missing, and the Sheriff's Office can send out a tracking team to locate the person. This requires a reliable caregiver and monthly bracelet/battery changes. A start-up cost and monthly bracelet and battery costs are required.
Senior Hi-Lites Top
A monthly newsletter written and published by the Commission on Aging for anyone interested in learning about monthly activities at all Senior Centers, menus for meals provided at all COA meal sites, education on nutrition, health and aging-related articles, fun and games. Please call to sign-up for a Newsletter subscription, there is a $10.00 suggested donation to help defray the cost of printing.

To view the latest newsletter, please click here.
Tax Assistance Top
Many seniors benefit from specialized counseling regarding filing of income taxes. The Commission on Aging has a qualified employee to assist you. Please call (231) 237-0103 for an appointment.
Volunteer Opportunities Top
We wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to each and every Volunteer for their assistance with countless tasks in helping the Commission on Aging save money and to stretch the millage dollars.

The Commission on Aging is in partnership with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. This program encourages others to share their talents and experience through volunteering.

There are lots of opportunities, and volunteers can choose how, when and where they serve. Ask any volunteer and they will say "We get more out in satisfaction than the hours we put in". Neighbors helping neighbors characterizes the American Spirit, and is alive and active in Charlevoix County and throughout northern Michigan.


If you are interested in volunteering, please click here.
This page last updated on 7/13/2011.
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