Program Services

Individuals 60 years of age or older who live in Wexford County are eligible to participate or receive services.

Homemaking services provide care for older persons to help them maintain a clean and safe home.

WCCOA will provide a screened and trained “homemaker” who will come to your home and help you maintain a clean and healthy living environment.

Some tasks offered through the Homemaking Service are:

• Light housekeeping i.e. dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors, cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, making beds, and helping maintaining a safe home environment.
• Social and emotional support
• Meal preparation
• Laundry
• Homemaking does not include provisions for heavy cleaning or personal care tasks.

Service Hours and Cost

The typical hourly allotment for the homemaking service is 2 hours every other week with a sliding cost share based on household income.

Do you need help remaining independent in your home or are you caring for a loved one that requires more assistance with their care? Wexford County Council on Aging can help!

Our personal care services can help reduce worry about you or a loved one being alone and needing help. Whether assistance is needed for getting up in the morning, getting settled in the evening, or the reassurance of just knowing that someone is there, Wexford County Council on Aging provides the support and care you need.

We have qualified direct care staff that can help with everyday tasks such as:

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Grooming
• Meal Preparation

The typical hourly allotment for the personal care service is 2 hours per week with a sliding cost share based on household income. Additional hours can be purchased.

What is Respite Care?

Respite care is a break for the caregiver. Respite care is planned, short-term and time-limited breaks for families and other unpaid care givers in order to support and maintain the primary care giving relationship.

Even though many families take great joy in providing care to their loved ones so that they can remain at home, the consequences for the care provider can be overwhelming without some support, such as respite. Respite provides the much needed break from the many demands faced by the family caregiver.

Respite has been shown to help sustain family caregiver health and well-being, avoid or delay putting loved one in a facility and reduces the likelihood of abuse and neglect.

Respite service gives family caregivers an opportunity to spend time away from their loved one with the confidence that a trained professional is administering care in their absence.

So if you are a family caregiver providing care to a senior, the answer to “Who needs respite care?” Is you.

Wexford County Council on Aging will provide qualified care staff that will go to an individual’s home to provide respite services. This service allows the caregiver the time and peace of mind to run errands, shop, visit or just relax. The WCCOA staff will provide companionship and care, for those in need, in the familiar environment of their own home.

Service Hours and Cost

The typical hourly allotment for the ln-home Respite service is up to 4 hours per week with a sliding cost share based on household income. Additional hours can be purchased at a higher rate.

In-home respite is provided for seniors 60 and older.

What are Adult Day Services?

Adult Day Service programs offer a safe, positive, caring alternative to nursing home care for those who do not need 24-hour skilled nursing. These programs are designed to help people stay mentally and physically active, reduce isolation, improve their health, and prevent decline. Adult Day Service programs are community-based group programs that support families by providing a variety of social and health services to the person needing assistance.

Why use an Adult Day Center?

One reason to use an Adult Day Center is to give yourself a break from caregiving. Some caregivers worry that their loved ones will resent participating in such a program, while others feel guilty at the thought of leaving their loved ones in another person’s care. But when it works correctly while your loved one is at a center, you’ll have time to rest, run errands, or finish other tasks. As a result, you’ll return to caregiving responsibilities feeling refreshed and renewed.

DayBreak offers:

• Caring and competent staff that care for the clients with a personal touch
• Homelike atmosphere
• Daily Activities include reminiscing, word games, exercising, crafts, music, and much more
• Nutritious meals and snacks as well as family-style dining in a pleasant atmosphere

If a family member or friend is experiencing memory loss or physical disability, they may be eligible for this program.

DayBreak is located in a safe, handicapped-accessible home, near the hospital at 315 Whaley Rd., Cadillac, MI 49601. We encourage visitors to see what DayBreak is all about, but please call ahead to set up an appointment. For referrals or more information about DayBreak contact Wexford County Council on Aging at (231) 775-0133

We offer a sliding scale fee based on the client’s monthly income. Financial assistance is available through a variety of grants. Funding may also be covered by long-term care insurance policies.

Wexford County Council on Aging offers foot care for our seniors in Wexford County.

It is important to practice good foot care and maintain regular foot inspections to avoid potential problems and to improve your health and comfort level.

By appointment only. Wexford County Council on Aging offers foot care throughout the week. The Cost is $25.00 per visit. Please bring your towel and tub to have your feet soaked. Please also bring exact change.

In-home Care services are also provided to homebound clients through Wexford County Council on Aging. For more information and to schedule an appointment contact the Wexford County Council on Aging at (231) 775-0133.

Private Foot Care Services Include

• Foot Soaking
• Nail Trimming
• Callous Buffing
• Foot Massage
• Complete foot assessment

Wexford County Council on Aging has Certified Counselors who will assist Wexford County Seniors in making informed decisions regarding prescription plans related to Medicare Part D, explain Medicare Health Plan Options, Enroll in Medicare Savings Programs, review your Medicare supplemental (“Medigap”) insurance needs and compare policies, and help with correspondence received from Medicare or Medicaid.

MMAP counselors are volunteers who have received specialized training in Medicare and Medicaid law and regulations, health insurance counseling and relevant insurance products. MMAP counselors are not connected with any insurance company, nor are they licensed to sell insurance. Their purpose is to serve you objectively and confidentially.

Wexford County Council on Aging has a certified Community Advocate whose services are free of charge to Wexford County residents age 60 and over.

The COA Advocate helps seniors problem solve: exploring options and choices available; supporting them in accessing resources and services to meet their needs.

There are many resources available in Wexford County for seniors and the Advocate stays aware of those resources by collaborating with as many other organizations as possible.

Our Advocate helps seniors with things such as:

• Applying for food benefits and state emergency relief with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
• Accessing resources available in the community a senior might be eligible for such as home repair, legal aid, housing options, food programs, guardianships/conservatorships, wills/power of attorney, financial management, transportation, no cost cell phone, and other available resources.
• Helping seniors access on-line systems, or understanding paperwork they receive, that is required for services they are eligible for.
• Applying for Home Heating Credits and Property Tax Credits.
• Speaking with other organizations on behalf of/with seniors to make process of obtaining resources smooth and less stressful.
• Advocate is a licensed NOTARY with the State of Michigan.

Professional Medication Management

Peace of Mind – That word alone is what our Professional Medication Management is all about. 40 percent of all adverse drug reactions reported each year involve people over 60 years old. Older adults take more medication now than ever before. The average person over 65 takes between 2 and 7 prescription medications daily.

While medicines have many benefits, they can be harmful if not used properly. This service performed by one of our trained nurses will help you or your loved one organize the medication box, follow doctors’ orders, and keep a safe supply of medicine. By understanding the risks and benefits of medicines, we can help you or a loved one stay safe.

Medication Set Up and Monitoring

Our nurses will set up medications weekly or bi-weekly as needed. We will review medications with your physician and monitor for side effects, interactions, or other problems that may occur. We will teach you about your medications and provide instruction sheets for you to refer to. This service helps ensure that medications are taken safely and appropriately. This decreases the chances of serious side effects which can lead to falls, mental confusion, and hospitalization.

If you have questions, please give us a call. 231-775-0133

Do you, or your loved one, experience moments of confusion?

Has the fear of a loved one wandering from home caused you to worry?

The Miles for Memories ID* Program provides support for the person in the early stages of dementia to continue to be active. The bracelet is specially designed to be comfortable and waterproof. It allows for emergency and medical information to be stored and accessed by emergency personnel when your loved one is found. The information the bracelet provides can be accessed and adjusted by family members, or caregivers, through a phone app or online. Best of all, you decide how much information to provide.

How it Works – Bracelet provided free from WCCOA. Register the person’s information online. Fit the bracelet to the person’s wrist. If your person ever wanders and is found by a bystander, the bystander can scan the QR code, or call the 800# (and give the ID & PIN number), on the back of the bracelet to find the emergency contact number and information necessary to return them home safely. NO need to take your loved one to the emergency center, unless the person’s conditions suggest otherwise.

*The Personal ID Bracelets are funded in part by a grant through the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.

This program is provided in collaboration with Miles for Memories, Wexford County Council on Aging, and the Wexford County Dispatch.

If at any time you are no longer interested in the program or are not using the bracelet, please returning it to Wexford County Council on Aging so that another person can benefit from it. Thank you.

If you have questions, please give us a call. 231-775-0133