LOCAL MENU 
(Traverse City & Collar Counties)

• BULLETINS
      Current events and programs of interest to senior citizens,         
      caregivers, and service providers in northwest Michigan.

DIRECTORIES & GUIDES

• SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE & COMPASS 
       Resources for older adults and their families in northern Michigan.  The listings include adult day care, counseling, housing, substance abuse treatment, respite care, health care, food programs, veterans aid, and much more. 
  
• BASA's RESPITE CARE DIRECTORY    
      When caregivers need a break, what help is available to them?
  
• BENZIE COUNTY DIRECTORY OF SENIOR SERVICES    
  
• N.W.  MICHIGAN SUPPORT GROUP DIRECTORY
      Support groups listed by category include alcoholism, cancer, depression, domestic violence, grief and loss, and a host of others.
  
• Third Level Crisis Center Community Resource Directory
      Find resources according to convenient categories (health, education, legal, counseling, etc.)
  
• The Grand Vision: Land Use and Transportation Strategy for Grand Traverse.
  
  

DIRECT SERVICES & PROGRAMS

• TRAVERSE CITY SENIOR CENTER
      Check out their calendar of events and read the newsletter online.
  
• Traverse Health Clinic and Coalition
  because everyone deserves good health
  
  
• CAREGIVER INFORMATION
      A quick listing of some local agencies and their phone numbers, provided by Catholic Human Services. This section also contains quick links to caregiving web sites across the country.
  
• FOOD PANTRIES
      Want to give? Need to receive? Here's a starter guide to some northern Michigan food pantries and resources  [Thanks to the Record-Eagle]
  
• RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP)
      Volunteers are always needed. Help others and feel better about yourself.
  
• VOLUNTEER CENTER, United Way
      Discover opportunities to help your community.
  
• Grand Traverse Area Housing Task Force
      Helping those in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties find help with housing and homes they can afford.
  
• Goodwill Inn
      Helping people to overcome barriers to independence.
  Shop online: www.shopgoodwill.com
  
• USDA Rural Development Home Improvement & Repair Loans and Grants
      Contact:  Bob Long, 1501 Cass Street, Suite A, Traverse City, MI 49684
      Voice: (800) 944-8119     Fax: (231) 929-7890     Email: bob.long@mi.usda.gov
  
• LOCAL CHURCH PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS
      While all churches offer liturgies and services that are 
      intergenerational, this list focuses on programs designed 
      specifically for seniors.
  
• LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
      Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA)
      Cherry Capital Airport
      Michigan Highway Construction & Weather   
      Northwest Michigan Transportation Alliance (free transport)
  
• LOCAL CRIME PREVENTION
      TRIAD, scams against seniors, and the Silent Observer 
      hotline are featured.
  
• Grand Traverse Community Foundation

• Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency
      Weatherization, nutrition, home repairs, financial management, homebuyer's education, financial 
      fitness, etc.

FRONTLINE ADVOCATES

• BAY AREA SENIOR ADVOCATES (BASA)
      A consortium of agencies and services which provide help to the elderly in northern Michigan. Be sure to see their Assisted Living Checklist and BASA's Respite Care Directory.
  
• CITIZENS FOR BETTER CARE
      Information and advocacy to enhance the self-determination and well-being of long term care consumers.
  
• NORTHERN MI ALLIANCE FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
      Empowering independence for people with disabilities in our ten-county region. Free information and referral.  New Address: 333 E. State St., Traverse City, 49684
  
• TRAVERSE AREA COALITION FOR DIGNITY AT THE END OF LIFE
      The Coalition is working within our community organizations to transform care of citizens with life-limiting illnesses, to provide self-determined life closure, safe and comfortable dying, and effective coping and grieving for family members.

GOVERNMENT & BUREAUS

• LOCAL BUREAUS
      Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce, Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, Traverse City Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and the West Michigan Tourist Association.
  
• LOCAL GOVERNMENT
      Connect to the web sites of these county governments: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford.  Also, view the home pages of Traverse City and the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments.
  
• LOCAL COMMISSIONS ON AGING    
          Antrim County Commission on Aging
          Benzie County Council on Aging
          Grand Traverse Commission on Aging
          Kalkaska County Commission on Aging
          Leelanau County Commission on Aging

• CITY of TRAVERSE CITY
  

WORKING SENIORS

• Michigan Works! Free services to job seekers, workers, and owners

• Michigan Career Portal: a state service that will help you track down a job

• Career One Stop: a service of the U.S. Department of Labor for workers and business owners

• Occupational Outlook Handbook: learn what each career involves

• AARP Senior Careers:  Particularly interesting is the National Employer Team   

• Experience Works: helping low-income seniors get the training they need
  

• SCORE:  helping people start and maintain their own business

LEARNING & CULTURE

• LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS     
      Life Academy (Northwestern Michigan College): Learn for Life short-term, daytime classes on everything from computers to book discussions to spirituality.
      Northern Michigan University: check out their Continuing Education programs.
  
• LOCAL LIBRARIES
      Those with web sites are listed: Traverse Area District Library, Osterlin Library (Northwestern Michigan College), Cadillac/ Wexford Public Library, Charlevoix Public Library, Petoskey  Public Library, and Grand Traverse Law Library.
  
• LOCAL BOOKSTORES

• LOCAL CULTURAL SITES
      Dennos Museum, Encore Society of Music,  Lakes Children's Museum, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen Public Radio (WIAA), Leelanau Community Cultural Center, Leelanau Historical Museum, Manitou Music Festival, Miracle Productions, The Music House, Old Town Playhouse, Traverse Council, Traverse City Film Festival, Traverse City Opera  House, and Traverse Symphony Orchestra.
  
• LOCAL MEDIA
      Newspapers include Antrim County News, Cadillac News, Grand Traverse Herald, Leader and Kalkaskian, Leelanau Enterprise, Leelanau News, Northern Express, Northern Michigan Journal, Petoskey News-Review, Traverse City Record-Eagle, Traverse City Business News, and Uppity North Penny Saver.  
      Magazines: Age Wise, Your Place
      Television stations include WGTV (ABC), WWTV (CBS), WFQX (FOX), WPBN (NBC), WCMU (PBS), and TC Public Access (tctv2)
  

MEDICAL INFORMATION

Compare Hospitals

• MEDICAL FACILITIES
      These include Charlevoix Area Hospital, Marquette General Hospital, Mercy Hospital (Cadillac), Munson Healthcare, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health, Northern Michigan Hospital, Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital, and hospitals in other parts of Michigan.
  
• PRESCRIPTION HELP
      Local and national programs to help those in need:
  Grand Traverse Commission on Aging discount card, 
  five-county Community Pharmacy Program, and The Medicine Program.
  
•  MICHIGAN MEDICARE/MEDICAID ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
      A free counseling service for Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries and their caregivers. Advice on bills, insurance, coverage, claims, prescriptions, etc.
  
• DISCOUNT GENERIC DRUG PROGRAMS         
      Meijer Pharmacy
      Target Pharmacy
      Walmart Pharmacy
• DRUG PRICE COMPARISONS    new
      State of Michigan

SHOPPING FOR GROCERIES

• FRESH FOOD PARTNERSHIP  
      Purchasing locally grown fresh foods to serve people in need.
  
• LOCAL COUPONS
      Downloadable coupons for these food markets: Meijer, Olesons, Prevo's, and Tom's.
  
• YOUR GUIDE TO LOCAL FARM FOODS 
      Deal directly with those who grow or bake the food in our ten-county area. Michigan Land Use Institute.

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The Senior Corner is moderated by Mike Sheehan, 
seniorcornerATaol.com
(substitute @ for AT in the address above)