Tri-County Office on Aging

09/14/2026

Are you a Caregiver? Don't miss these monthly opportunities to connect with others in the caregiving community.

💙MI Virtual Caregiver Support Groups offer a safe, understanding space to share experiences, talk through challenges, and connect with others who truly “get it.” These informal groups provide open conversation, reflection, and peer support with people walking a similar path.

🗓 Support Group Schedule (via Zoom):
• General Caregiver Group: 1st Monday | 5:30–7:00 PM
• Dementia Caregiver Group: 1st Wednesday | 5:00–6:30 PM
• Kinship Caregiver Group: 2nd Thursday | 10:00–11:30 AM

🔗 Join on Zoom: Meeting ID: 876 5118 1524
📞 Dial-in: 1-312-626-6799 (enter Meeting ID when prompted)

You don’t have to navigate caregiving alone — there’s a community here to support you. 🫶

09/13/2026

In gratitude for all the love given ❤️, wisdom shared 💡, patience shown⏳, and candy handed out after bedtime 🍭, today we celebrate all the grandparents out there.

You are the foundation of our families and our communities. Today, make sure you get all the hugs, kisses, and cookies you want—you’ve earned them! ✨🧓👴✨

09/12/2026

⚠️Be aware! ⚠️

AI fake videos and ads on social media are targeting older adults!

These videos can make it look like trusted celebrities are promoting goods and services, when the video is just an AI-created scam!

Be sure to do your research, don't click on unsolicited links, and stick to trusted brands.

Learn more about the impact of these scams in the below article.

🔒Stay Safe. 🤓Stay Smart. 🔎Stay Aware.

Michigan seniors are losing money to AI scams while Meta profits from the ads pushing them, and state agencies are racing to catch up.

09/11/2026

📣 Help us spread the word by inviting a TCOA speaker to your next event!

Are you part of a club, community group, place of worship, business, or organization? Do you host educational or informational events? If so, invite a speaker from Tri-County Office on Aging!

One of the most powerful ways people learn about resources is through friends, neighbors, and community connections. That's why we're always excited to speak with local groups about TCOA programs, services, and other helpful resources that support older adults and caregivers.

Whether you're planning a meeting, luncheon, health fair, or special event, we'd love the opportunity to connect with your members.

To request a TCOA speaker, contact Kayla Nichols at [email protected] or complete our online request form:
tcoa.org/contact/tcoa-representative-request-form/

Together, we can help more older adults, caregivers, and families connect with the programs and services they need.

09/11/2026

Help shape the future of housing in Michigan by participating in a survey for the second Statewide Housing Plan! The survey closes September 18th.

Submit your responses to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/353RD8F.

For assistance filling out the survey, please call MSHDA's toll free number at 1-855-MI-MSHDA (1-855-646-7432).

The attached flyers are in English, Arabic, Spanish, and Chinese.

09/10/2026

Don't miss out this fall! There's still space at these upcoming Health & Wellness Workshops!

Sign up to take the next step to manage your own health and wellness and live your best life. 💪🧠 (Click on each image for more details!)

📅 View all upcoming classes at https://tcoa.org/service/health-and-wellness-workshops/.

📞 Register by calling 517-887-1465 or emailing [email protected]. All programs are offered at no cost. Donations welcome!

09/08/2026

🤩👏 The Volunteer Spotlight for September is... David, a volunteer with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP):

About David:

I am a volunteer counselor for the TCOA Medicare program, which is now called State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). In 2019, I retired after being an orthopedic surgeon in Lansing for over 37 years. I volunteered for the health department during the pandemic and learned about the TCOA's Medicare counseling program. I began Medicare counseling in 2021. Although I thought I knew about Medicare and Medicaid while I worked, I have studied and learned much more about Medicare and Medicaid.

I enjoy educating and signing up people for Medicare programs such as Medicare Savings Program and Extra-Help. I have observed that many people do not know about these programs. Many people are surprised to learn how much money these programs save them. I hope to minimize people from "leaving money on the table". In the last 2 years, I have been able to mentor new volunteers so that we all do a thorough job (Madison's [the SHIP Supervisor's] way) and build trust in all TCOA programs. I have found that KC Austern [Options Counselor] and Jill Moulton and her I&A [Information & Assistance] coworkers help our clients with a wide range of non-Medicare problems.

Finally, I also prepare tax returns at TCOA. In 2025, we prepared 1238 tax returns at the TCOA Tax-Aide site. The total client refunds were $751,787 from the IRS and $972,338 from the state of Michigan. We appreciate being able to train volunteer tax preparers at TCOA. The tax program is sponsored by the AARP Foundation through a grant for the IRS with the cost to prepare a return of about $10.

Medicare annual open enrollment starts October 15th. I plan to continue to volunteer and help people decide on the best Medicare insurance and Medicare programs.

✨Thank you, David, for all of the ways you are helping people understand and make the most of their healthcare options and finances! ✨

For more information about volunteering please contact us at [email protected] or apply at tcoa.org/volunteer. 💓

09/07/2026

🧭 Need help navigating Medicare?

TCOA’s certified State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselors are here to help.

Whether you’re new to Medicare, exploring your options, or need help resolving an issue, SHIP offers free, one-on-one support tailored to your needs.

SHIP counseling provides unbiased guidance to Medicare beneficiaries — no sales, no pressure, just clear answers.

We can help you:
✔️ Understand your Medicare and Medicaid choices.
✔️ Compare plans and coverage options.
✔️ Enroll with confidence.
✔️ Navigate costs and prescription drug assistance.
✔️ Resolve billing issues or file appeals.
✔️ Prepare for open enrollment (Oct. 15–Dec. 7).
✔️ Connect with other helpful resources.

📞 Contact the Statewide MI Options Call Center at 1-800-803-7174 or contact TCOA at 517-887-1416 to schedule an appointment with a certified SHIP counselor and get the support you need.

* This program is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $82,981 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS or the U.S. Government.

09/06/2026

The TCOA office will be closed tomorrow - Monday, September 7th - in recognition of Labor Day.

We will reopen on Tuesday, September 8 for our regular hours.

09/05/2026

September is National Kinship Care Month! 👵👶👴

Kin caregivers save taxpayers $10.5 billion every year by keeping children safe, loved, and with family. Without them, our foster care system would be completely overwhelmed.

But these caregivers take on this responsibility at great personal cost.

Many live on fixed incomes and step in with little warning to care for children who have experienced trauma, parental opioid and substance use, or loss. They stretch every dollar to provide stability — yet most receive little to no support.

Kin caregivers already do so much. Children should not have to enter foster care just to access basic services.

If you are a Kinship Caregiver, TCOA wants to help! Learn about our Kinship Care Respite Program for adults 55+ in the Tri-county area at https://tcoa.org/service/kinship-care-respite-program/.

It’s time we show up for the caregivers who show up for our kids.