May is Older Americans Month! Each May, we celebrate the important role older adults play in our communities. It is also a time to learn more about aging and think about how our community can better support older residents. This year’s theme for Older Americans Month is Champion Your Health. This theme encourages older adults, and the people who care about them, to take an active role in their health. It also reminds us that it’s okay to speak up and ask questions about the care and services we need. Today’s blog post will highlight local programs and community resources that can help you take charge of your health and find the support you need. This is only part one; part two will come later this month!  

 

Dental Resources (call or visit websites for eligibility information) 

• Hope Clinic (734) 484-2989 
  • Services: cleanings, exams, x-rays, extractions, fillings, fluoride treatments, and sealants.  

• Michigan Dental Association Donated Dental Services (517) 346-9455 
  • Services: extensive dental care. extractions, oral surgery, and dentures. 
  • Average Cost: No Cost 
  • Must complete form or apply online.  

• Michigan Medicine School of Dentistry (734) 764-1444 
  • Services: teeth cleaning, exams, x-rays, tooth restoration, tooth whitening, veneers, gum treatment, oral cancer exams, crowns, dentures, partials, bite guards, and implants.  
  • Average Cost: the school offers three clinics, you can read estimated costs for each clinic on their website under “compare clinics.”  
  • After hours help is available at (734) 936-6267 and ask for the dentistry resident on call.  
  • Note: Since the work is done by pre-doctoral students and approved by supervisors, be prepared for appointments to last up to 3 hours. Parking validation is available.   

• Integrated Special Care Clinic (UM School of Dentistry) – this program from the Michigan School of Dentistry provides special care for patients age 16+ with unique healthcare needs (e.g., developmental or intellectual disabilities, dementia, limited mobility, vision, or heading). Must be referred by a dentist. Office can be reached at (734) 763-9544. 

• My Community Dental Centers /Washtenaw County Health Department (734) 480-4250 
  • Services: click here for a complete list of services.  
  • Average Cost: initial visits are $39 and include an exam, x-rays and a treatment plan 
  • Sliding scale for uninsured patients.  
  • Offers reduced fees for uninsured veterans with proof of service. 

 

Health Insurance 

• Hope Clinic– offers free primary care for Washtenaw County residents who are uninsured and/or under-insured. They can also advocate for patients and navigate healthcare. Call (734) 481-0111 to make an appointment.  

• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services– MIBridges program can help with healthcare coverage/costs. Apply online or call (734) 481-2000 for more information.  

• Packard Health– offers health insurance enrollment assistance (insurance marketplace, Medicaid, Washtenaw Health Plan). Enrollment assistance services are offered free of charge and in both English and Spanish. Call (734) 971-1073 to make an appointment.  

• Washtenaw Health Project– helps navigate health insurance and public benefits (e.g., Medicaid). Also administer the Washtenaw Health Plan, which is not insurance but covers medically necessary healthcare for low-income Washtenaw County residents who aren’t eligible for other health insurance. Call (734) 544-3030 for more information about either program.  

 

Medical Resources 

• Deaf Health Program (Dexter Health Center/Michigan Medicine) – provides in-person primary care and mental health services by ASL-signing physicians or social workers. For more information, call (734) 539-5000. 

• EMU Speech & Hearing Clinic– offers a range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. For more information, call (734) 487-4410. Note: follows the EMU academic calendar.   

• Low Vision & Visual Rehabilitation Clinic– a program of Kellogg Eye Center, this clinic provides vision care for those with low vision. For more information, call (734) 764-5106. 

• Michigan Integrated Health Services for Deaf Patients– offers a variety of services, including translating medical records, face-to-face and telephone interpreting, and communication assistance. For more information, call (734) 936-7021. 

 

Medicare Navigation 

• AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services (800) 852-7795 or (248) 262-0545  

• Catholic Charities Washtenaw County (734) 971-9781, Ext. 7  

• Jewish Family Services (734) 769-0209  

• Manchester Community Resource Center (734) 428-7722  
  • Has volunteers from Chelsea Hospital during Open Enrollment (October-December) 

• Medicare.gov 1-800-633-4227 

• State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) 1-800-803-7174   

• Turner Senior Wellness Program (734) 998-9353 

• Washtenaw Health Project (734) 544-3030  

• Washtenaw County Social Security Administration (734) 481-2000 

 

Mental Health (* = sliding scale) 

• CCWC Behavioral Health Services (734) 926-0155* 

• Chelsea Hospital Behavioral Health (734) 593-5251 

• Deaf Mental Health Program (Dexter Health/Michigan Medicine) – offers in-person and videophone appointments with therapists. Call (810) 355-2743 (video phone) or (734) 426-2796 (voice phone) for more information. 

• EMU Community Behavioral Health Clinic (734) 487-4987 (individual therapy is $10/session) 

• GrieveWell (734) 975-0238 

• Hope Clinic (734) 484-2989 (accepts uninsured individuals) 

• JFS/Thrive Counseling (734) 436-4249* 

• Michigan Medicine Geriatrics Center (734) 764-2556 

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (734) 994-6611 

• Packard Health (734) 971-1073 

• Trinity Health Outpatient Mental Health Services (734) 786-2300 

• Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (734) 544-3050 

• Women’s Center for Southeastern Michigan (734) 973-6779* 

 

Prescription Assistance 

• A2Y Rx Plus Card– this program from the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber allows you to save money on non-narcotic prescription drugs. Visit their website or call (734) 665-4433 for more information (be sure to use reference number ANNARBORMI when calling).  

• AARP Prescription Discount Card– offered free of cost via AARP. You do not need to be an AARP member to use the card. Visit their website or call 1-877-422-7718 for more information.  

• BenefitsCheckUp– this program of the National Council on Aging allows users to find relevant support programs after answering some brief questions. Visit their website or call 1-800-794-6559 for more information.  

• Hope Clinic– offers a discount program for eligible uninsured patients. Call (734) 926-4960 for more information.  

• Humana Drug Discount Program– offers discounts on medicine not covered by your insurance plan. Visit their website for more details.  

• Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program– provides prescribed Lilly medications for free for up to 12 months to qualifying U.S. patients. Visit their website or call 1-800-545-6962 for more information. 

• MiRx Card– this is a free program for Michigan residents that helps reduce the cost of prescription medication. Visit their website or call 1-877-681-7540 for more information.  

• myAbbVie Assist– provides free AbbVie medicine to qualifying patients. Visit their website or call 1-800-222-6885 for more information. Also offer a prescription discount card.  

• Pfizer Patient Assistance Program– Provides free Pfizer medicines to eligible patients through their doctor’s office or at home. See website for full eligibility requirements or call 1-866-706-2400. Pathways website lists available savings programs for each Pfizer medication.  

• Washtenaw Health Plan– this project of the Washtenaw Health Project covers medical expenses for eligible low-income residents, including prescriptions. Visit their website or call (734) 544-3030 for more information.  

 

As always, you can find more resources by searching the SRC Senior Resource Directory.  

Keep an eye out for part 2 of this series later this month!