Senior benefits in Van Buren County, Michigan

Region IV Area Agency on Aging serves older adults and people with disabilities in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties, including Van Buren County. Its care managers connect people to home and community-based help such as home-delivered meals, transportation, and help with bathing and cleaning; it also offers caregiver support, Medicare/Medicaid counseling, and the MI Choice waiver, an alternative to nursing home care. In Van Buren County, Meals on Wheels of Southwest Michigan, Senior Nutrition Services (269-925-0137) delivers meals and runs dining sites. Adults age 60 and over, and adults with disabilities, can call the Info-Line for Aging and Disability at 1-800-654-2810 to ask what help is available.

Estimated service value: $1,500–$6,000 a year

Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency (SMCAA) delivers low-income energy assistance for Van Buren County, including help with electric, natural gas, and deliverable-fuel bills and shutoff protection. Apply for state energy help through MI Bridges, dial 211 for local referrals, or call SMCAA at 269-925-9077.

Estimated bill savings: $200–$1,500 a year

Bronson South Haven Hospital offers medical financial assistance for emergency and medically necessary care to patients who are uninsured, or insured with balances they cannot afford. Patients with family income under 350% of the federal poverty level may qualify, and eligible patients pay no more than the amounts generally billed. Call 269-341-6117 or 800-699-6117 to apply.

Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year

In this county: May qualify with family income under 350% of the federal poverty level; eligible patients pay no more than amounts generally billed. The hospital makes the final determination. Not legal or financial advice.

Integrated Care at Home brings medical care to you instead of you travelling to it. A nurse practitioner provides primary care in your home. A licensed counsellor can help with anxiety, depression, phobias or addiction. A community health worker helps you coordinate home and community services and work towards your health goals. A registered dietitian gives practical nutrition advice. The team is backed by social workers and nurses at the Area Agency on Aging. It is designed to cut emergency room visits and hospital stays.

OAHMP pays for changes around your home that help you stay in it safely. An occupational therapist visits and works out what you need, then the programme provides it. Common items are grab bars, shower chairs and toilet risers in the bathroom; handrails and bed or seating mobility bars; motion-activated lights and glare-reducing bulbs; lever door handles, swing-away hinges and automatic locks; fire extinguishers and smoke or carbon monoxide detectors; and voice-activated systems or video doorbells. To start, call the Info-Line on 1-800-654-2810 and ask for an occupational therapist assessment.

Van Buren Public Transit provides shared-ride, advance-reservation transportation across Van Buren County. Residents age 60 and over ride free with a Transit Rider Card, and Van Buren County veterans ride free with a Veteran's Rider Card. Riders with disabilities pay half fare rather than riding free. Reserve a ride by calling 269-427-7921.

Estimated service value: $200–$1,500 a year

In this county: County-wide fares are currently waived for the general public, so everyone rides free while that holds. The standing benefit modeled here is the free-ride card for residents age 60 and over. Riders with disabilities, children, and students qualify for half fare, not a free ride — half fare is $2.00 in-zone and $3.00 zone-to-zone on county-wide reservations. Van Buren County veterans ride free with a Veteran's Rider Card.