Area Agency on Aging reports reach of senior millage; board approves FY2026 allocations

Kendrick Heinlein, president and CEO of the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, told the Kent County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 19 that the county’s senior millage funds a broad network of services that help older adults remain in their homes and communities.

Heinlein said the agency leverages millage spending so every dollar invested produces nearly $3 in system value and highlighted that the senior millage aims to prevent costly hospitalizations or long-term nursing care. "Hospital stays can cost on upwards of $30,000. These proactive services can be delivered for less than $500 per person through the millage network," Heinlein said during the presentation.

The agency reported that fiscal year 2024 millage expenditures totaled $15,200,000 (98% of the original Kent County Senior Millage budget) and served 20,439 unduplicated individuals across all 40 ZIP codes in Kent County. Heinlein noted program demographics for FY24: 31% of clients lived alone, 34% were low income, and 15% were veterans.

Heinlein described service areas including home-delivered meals, medication management, in-home personal care, home repairs and ramps, transportation, virtual therapy and personal emergency response systems (PERS). He also said social isolation, highlighted by the pandemic, is a growing concern and that the agency is shifting emphasis to social engagement and caregiver respite.

The agency reported 54 contracted and purchased service partners and more than 45 unique services in the network. Heinlein said the agency is pursuing a strategic plan to prioritize scarce dollars and expand services such as in-home primary care and palliative care in collaboration with neighboring counties.

Commissioners asked about cost-savings analysis, housing trends for seniors and scams. Heinlein said the agency is developing annualized savings analyses tied to avoided higher-cost care and described outreach and daily money-management programs to address fraud and financial vulnerability. He noted the Kent County Elder Abuse Coalition provides education and a monthly case-review team.

The board voted to approve the recommended senior millage funding allocations for fiscal year 2026 and forward the recommendation to the full Board on Aug. 28. The motion was recorded as "Motion by Womack supported by Pekla" and commissioners voted in favor with no recorded opposition.

Heinlein said the senior millage will be the subject of a strategic planning process to address a growing older-adult population and constrained funding.