We Assist

The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging has provided web based information, online service referral, and assistance to senior citizens since the inauguration of its web site, the Michigan Aging Services System (MASS) in 1995. During this time, OSA staff has provided information, help, and professional guidance to thousands of citizens who have contacted OSA through the MASS.

Based upon this experience of serving the public, resources on MiSeniors.net have been grouped by the type of customers that have turned to the agency for assistance. These groupings are not exhaustive. Instead, they are general categories used to organize information and online services. If you do not find the information or help you need through any of these groupings, please feel free to contact OSA through the MiSeniors.net feedback form.

Seniors

MiSeniors.net content addresses several of the key issues and themes that have echoed through older adults' communications with us over these past six years. The main areas of concern raised in their feedback include:

• Nutrition
• Housing Options for the Elderly
• Assistance in Finding Affordable Prescription Medicine
• Support for caregivers
• Service Referral
• Health Care

Caregivers and Families

At Caregiver's Corner we have organized our current resources to address the needs of our customers, who are caring for an aging or disabled parent, spouse, family member or friend. Included in Caregiver’s Corner are:

• Links to our online directory of services and the standards providers must meet to be listed in this directory
• Instructions on how to search our online resource directory for services to the homebound.
• Consumer checklists.
• Information on who to contact if you want to report elder abuse concerns.

Job Seekers

This section is devoted primarily to older persons looking for employment or volunteer opportunities. In addition, OSA would like to assist helping professionals who would like to develop a career in the service of older Americans. Here you will find information and links about:

• Older worker training programs
• Volunteer programs designed for persons 55 and older
• Posting and looking for employment in the field of aging
• Working in state government.

Helping Professionals

The Michigan Aging Services System (MASS) was originally created to address the information needs of professionals working throughout the state's aging network. The initial structure of MASS followed both the programmatic and operational design of the state office on aging. Information resources were categorized to address administrators', program managers' and service providers' needs for information and copies of:

• Rules, regulations and operating standards for programs and services to the aging
• Demographics of Michigan's older population
• State planning objectives for services to older Michiganians
• Annual reports
• Appropriated budgets
• Requests for Proposals
• Newsletters and special reports

Researchers

MiSeniors.net contains a section for the publication of studies, special reports, fact sheets, and OSA staff analyses that may be of interest to researchers and students working in the aging arena. In addition, the section will include any fact sheets related to the agency's program or service objectives.

Advocates

The Office of Services to the Aging takes its responsibility to advocate for Michigan's vulnerable aging population very seriously. In its efforts to promote the independence and dignity of older Michiganians as they age, OSA has undertaken a variety of initiatives that include:

• Publication of consumer alerts when events warrant
• Elder abuse prevention collaboratives
• A Long Term Care Ombudsman for nursing home and adult foster care residents
• Access to legal services including a toll free legal hotline for seniors
• Health insurance benefits counseling

New Content

Please check back with us to see if new information has been added to MiSeniors.net. Through your feedback we will continue to refine and update the web site to reflect your interests and concerns. If you would like to suggest additional content that should be added to our web site, please feel free to contact us using our online feedback form.

Last Updated :: Thursday, July 10, 2003