FLINT, Michigan — While getting older can be a beautiful thing, it can also be difficult and isolating. The Lapeer County Senior Programs exist to engage, enhance, and improve the lives of Lapeer County seniors. Throughout their programming in Lapeer and Imlay City, the organization helps seniors maintain independence, remain healthy in their homes, and enjoy socialization, recreation, and education out of their homes. 

Jenna Scott is the director of the Lapeer County Senior Program. Some of the services the program provides to Lapeer residents 60 and up include home-delivered meals, on-site meals at two senior centers, care management, in-home personal care and homemaking services, respite, home chore services, and transportation. 

Some of the in-home services for aging residents or those in need of a little extra help with personal care needs include assistance showering, brushing their teeth, or helping put on compression socks. The program also assists caregivers and families of those taking care of aging residents.

“We have respite which is where we provide the caregivers of clients a break,” Scott says. “We come in and watch their loved ones as they go out and run errands or take personal time as needed.”

The program also provides clients with assistance with basic home repairs, lawn maintenance, installing shower bars, or replacing smoke detectors and furnace filters. The care management program offers clients a nurse and social worker to help provide a well-rounded offering of care. 

Monday through Friday, there are hot meals served at both of the senior centers as well as transportation to appointments, grocery shopping, or to the senior centers. There are also meal delivery options, providing seniors with 12 meals a week – one of the more popular services, according to Scott.

A popular service at Lapeer County Senior Programs is meal delivery and its options.Scott says the demand for the programs and resources is popular, and there is a waitlist for many of them. 

“We do use a screener to help us figure out who’s at the highest risk, and that’s very similar to how other counties do it as well,” she says. “They can call our main number: 810-245-5866 and can go through the phone screener with one of our staff members, or go into one of our senior centers where we have additional resources and information about our programs as well.”

Within the senior centers themselves, clients enjoy a wide variety of socialization, which is key to maintaining good physical and mental health as humans age. Weekly activities include painting classes, bingo, euchre, billiards club, exercise, and meal times. 

One of Scott’s favorite parts about her job is going to the senior centers talking with clients and learning about their lives. 

“I think I speak for a lot of our staff members that we really enjoy talking with the seniors, learning about their history, and being a support for them during their later parts of life,” she says. “Typically, seniors have a problem with isolation, especially post-pandemic. Our program provides them an opportunity to see several different people throughout the week, even if they are homebound.”

These programs are made possible through funding from the Valley Area Agency on Aging (VAAA) and through a Lapeer County millage. 

The VAAA provides answers, action, and advocacy for elderly and disabled adults throughout Genesee, Lapeer, and Shiawassee Counties. They help to empower and enhance lives by providing supportive services for caregivers and families. 

The Lapeer County Senior Programs aim to improve the lives of local seniors and their caregivers. VAAA President and CEO Yaushica Aubert says reaching their intended goal requires collaboration and consists of many moving parts. 

“To achieve our mission, VAAA works in tandem with the Lapeer County Health Department Senior Programs, and others such as the Hispanic Service Center, the Lapeer Senior Advisory Council, Lapeer County Health Department Senior Programs, Hispanic Service Center, Legal Services of Eastern Michigan, Alzheimer's Association Michigan Chapter, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and various home health agencies in that area to assist in determining community needs and providing services,” Aubert says. “VAAA is thankful to be a part of the wheel that aids seniors in Lapeer County.”

Scott hopes to be able to continue to offer these valuable services and resources for years to come. 

“One of the goals we’re working on currently is trying to decrease our waitlist, and to be able to serve more seniors throughout the county,” she says. “We are also trying to enhance our senior centers to offer more unique classes. We have a coaster tile painting class coming up, in partnership with a local gallery, Gallery 194, in Lapeer. We’re also hosting Spanish classes starting up in our Imlay City senior center. We hope to offer more fun and engaging activities and services through our senior centers.”

On Friday, Aug. 16, there is a senior expo at the Lapeer High School. This marks the first year post-pandemic that the in-person annual event returns. Attendees can enjoy entertainment, and a lunch, browse over 25 vendors with displays, and enter to win giveaways. Tickets are $4 and are available at the door and both of the senior centers.