Department on Aging

The Caregiver Support and Education program is designed to help family members who are caring for their loved ones who are ill or are disabled. The caregiver is the focus of program. Education on the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of caregiving is provided.

A major goal of this program is to help the caregiver learn to take care of her/himself in order to preserve their ability to care for their loved one. The program offers specialized training materials for caregivers of those with dementia.

There is no cost for the program, however, either the caregiver or the care receiver must be age 60 or better and resident of Bay County. Department on Aging has produced a Caregiver Training Guide, which is provided free upon the first in-home visit. The guide includes information to other Bay County agencies.

To make a referral to the program, please call Bay County Department on Aging. The request must be in the caregiver’s name and provide information on the best time we can reach the caregiver to set up an appointment.

Reach out to Bay County Department on Aging at the main office. 

Meet the Case Management Team

• Amber Curphy, BSW
• Brooke Pauwels, BSW
• Melissa Uhl, LBSW
• Shakira Weaver, BSW
• Brian Russell, BA
• Rachel Gale, BS
• Laura Paez, RN

Case Managers complete in home visits to evaluate those Bay County Residents 60 years and better for services provided by Department on Aging, they include but are not limited to Home Delivered Meals, Homemaking, Personal Care, Respite Care and referrals to other agencies and programs as needed.

The Case Management team is an advocate for resources, and each Case Manager covers a specific area of Bay County.

To request services or any general information contact the Bay County Department on Aging main office.

An intake will be completed, and a Case Manager will be assigned, with an in home visit to follow before services can be started.

Bay County Department on Aging provides a variety of services to individuals aged 60 and better, who live in Bay County to assist them remain independent, living at home for as long as possible in a cost effective manner.

The programs are funded with local senior millage tax dollars, client contributions, state and federal grants, and N.S.I.P. reimbursement for meal programs. The following organizations provide these funds: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Office of Aging and Community Living Supports, Region VII Area Agency on Aging (Grants and Waiver Division), A & D Home Health Care (Waiver Division) and Great Lakes PACE (Waiver Division).

Bay County Department on Aging complies with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Eligibility requirements exist for programs provided by Department on Aging. A suggested donation is requested for most of Department on Aging programs, with a fee for a few of the Special Events and Handyman programs.

Osteo and Healthy Aging

Bay County Department on Aging, in cooperation with McLaren Bay Region offers a six week exercise program that concentrates on the bones and muscles that tend to deteriorate due to age, disease and/or lack of use. Classes are held throughout the year on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Canteen Activity Center.There is a fee for this program, made payable at the Main Office only, and there are no refunds, exchanges or carry overs unless Department on Aging has to cancel the whole session.

Our instructor is a Physical Therapist Assistant provided by McLaren Bay Region. Pre and post assessments, exercise bands, mats, handouts and instruction are all included in the price.

Class sizes for each session is limited and there is always a registration deadline. Please watch the Wonderful Times Newsletter for information on Osteo and Healthy Living programs.

Home delivered meals are provided to home bound seniors aged 60 years and better who meet eligibility requirements for the program. “Home bound” is defined as not being able to leave your residence under average circumstances. Client must be a Bay County resident.

Meals are provided on a suggested donation of $2.75 per meal and clients will receive a donation letter once a month

Individuals age 60 or older who have physical limitations that prevent them from completing light housekeeping or shopping duties may sign up for the Homemaking Program. 

Services are targeted to those in greatest economic need and/or greatest social need. 

There is a suggested hourly donation for the service. 

Due to demand, there is sometimes a waiting list for this program. Please call the Department on Aging main office number for more information. 

Home bound Bay County residents aged 60 years and better who need help with personal care services, such as bathing, shampoo, and limited nail care, may contact Bay County Department on Aging to request the service.

A Registered Nurse and/or Social Worker completes the initial interview to assess needs and explain services. Services are provided on a donation request and a donation letter will be mailed to client every month.

Trained Home Health Aides visit the home to provide services.

Eligibility and Information for the In-Home Respite Care Program

In-Home Respite Care is intended to provide a break for Caregivers living with client. Caregivers can take this opportunity to leave the home or even stay home and catch up on a book or nap, etc.

Eligibility Requirements

• The Care Receiver must require continual supervision in order to live in their own home with the Caregiver or the home of the Caregiver.
• The Care Receiver must require a substitute Caregiver while their primary Caregiver needs respite.
• The Care Receiver must be at least 60 years or better and a Bay County Resident. The Caregiver must be a Bay County resident and must live with the Care Receiver.
• Services may only be provided within Bay County.
• The Care Receiver must be able to toilet and take medications independently or with reasonable accommodations.
• Department on Aging’s Registered Nurse will complete an assessment of needs to determine that eligibility has been met before services may begin.
• An emergency plan, care plan and donation request form will be completed at time of assessment.
• A signature will be obtained that Caregiver has received and understands the Medication Handling Procedure.
• A home visit for reassessment is required every 180 days and a monitoring call about services every 60 days.
  • Worker provides companionship, supervision, light meal preparation, medication cues, and activities.
• Activities may include games, cards, puzzles, reading out loud, watching movies/TV, reminiscence thru photo albums or videos, and other reasonable activities approved by the Senior Services Manager.
• Light meal preparation includes heating pre-prepared food, sandwich, and soup.
• Outdoor activities are allowed for those that are safe to do so and if approved by the Registered Nurse and/or Senior Services Manager.

Medication Handling Procedure

• Worker may not touch medications in the home or place medication into a Care Receivers’ mouth or hand. Medications may be left in a container and the worker may provide a beverage and verbally cue the Care Receiver to take the medication.
• A copy of the medication handling procedure will be given to each Caregiver at the time of assessment and a signature will be obtained from the Caregiver stating that they have received and understand the policy.
• When possible, medications should be administered by the Caregiver prior to or following respite visits.
• Respite Care staff cannot administer over the counter medications or medications that are not left in a container noted for verbal cueing.

Exclusions to Services

• Respite Care staff is not able to transport clients, provide cleaning, shopping, or bath services.
• Respite Care staff is not able to provide pet care.
• Respite Care staff is not able to provide lifting of Care Receiver.
• Respite Care staff is not able to assist with diapering or clean up after toileting.

The Bay County Department on Aging is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those 60 year and better residents, living in Bay County, live their life as independently as possible in their own environment. With this mission in mind, we offer an opportunity for volunteers to assist us with services to help those 60 year and better Bay County residents in need.

Volunteers are pioneers toward a better community and future.

It's a way to: Meet people, Learn new skills, gain insight And find new challenges. To develop a strong sense of caring, personal accomplishments, And help those in need by building a better Bay County community.

The Department on Aging programs rely on volunteers of all ages to assist with , Friendly Shopping, Friendly Driver to appointments, Activity Center Volunteers, Special Events Volunteers, and Commodities Delivery to homebound 60 year and better Bay County residents once a month.

How to get involved and become an important team player?

An application process is required along with a background check. If you are interested in volunteering and would like more information, contact Patty Gomez at, 989-895-4100.

Thank you for considering spending your valuable time with the Department on Aging and our clients and participants. We appreciate you and with your help we can make a difference to those 60 year and better Bay County residents.

As we enter the cold weather months, we remind our clients and participates that the Department on Aging will sometimes close Activity Centers and Home Delivered Meal routes due to inclement weather and/or road conditions. When the Department on Aging decides to close HDM routes or Activity Centers, the notice is under "Bay County Department on Aging."

Closing will also be posted on our Web Page and on our Facebook page for easy access.

The following TV stations are notified of our closing announcements: WJRT-TV 12 WNEM - TV 5 WEYI - TV 25

The AM radio station WSGW 790 will also run announcements.

Please tune into one of these stations and watch or listen for our announcements.

Usually, the main office remains open. Please do not go out in bad weather before checking for open/closed status of the Department on Aging’s Activity Centers or Programs.

Lastly, do not forget to put together an emergency kit, i.e., blankets, clothing, winter coat, boots, hat, gloves, food, water, medication and flashlights along with a family/friend communication plan!