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Choices for Independence & Community Options Counseling

What is Choices for Independence? (If You Live at Home)

If you are age 60 or older, want to remain at home, but need some assistance, Choices for Independence may be for you. Choices for Independence will help you understand your options to continue living at home, with the focus on how you want to live. An Outreach Specialist will visit with you to discuss your plans for the future and help you assess your situation. You will receive information on services available in your community and help developing a plan. 

What are the benefits of Choices for Independence?

Choices for Independence recognizes that accepting assistance might feel like a loss of independence for some individuals, even though the help may be necessary in order to continue living independently. We work with individuals, understanding they are independent, capable people, who have made their own decisions and determined their life direction for decades. Based on the needs identified by the Outreach Specialist, it is the participant who determines what services they would like to try and how often they would like to receive the assistance. The individual may also invite family members into the process as well. 

Who is eligible?

Adults age 60 and older

Lives in Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, or Osceola County

Contact us to get started. 


 

What is Community Options Counseling? (If You Live In a Facility Setting)

Similar to Choices for Independence above, this counseling session offers a consultative meeting with the Outreach Specialist, however, it is for those living in a facility who would like to learn more about their options. In the meeting, the Outreach Specialist will discuss and identify community resources tailored to the individual’s needs.

Who is eligible?

Visits can be provided if an individual answers "yes" to Section Q on the MDS or at the request of the individual. The Outreach Specialist will provide information and/or make referrals to the appropriate community agencies, as requested. Medicaid is not required for an individual to receive Community Options Counseling.

Lives in Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, or Osceola County

Contact us to get started. 


 

Local Contact Agency

The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is a Local Contact Agency (LCA) for nursing facilities in the nine-county region; Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola. What is a local contact agency? It is a local community organization responsible for providing community support options counseling to nursing home residents.