We talk a lot about resources on this blog. Many organizations say they serve the whole county, but too often their services are centered in Ann Arbor. For older adults and caregivers outside the city, that can mean long drives, limited options, or simply feeling left out. The good news is there are resources in rural areas, you just have to know where to look. This post will focus on local resources in rural areas of Washtenaw County, specifically Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, and Whitmore Lake.   

  

Emergency  

• Elder Abuse 24-Hour Hotline (Adult Protective Services) (855) 444-3911  
• Chelsea Police Department (734) 475-1771, Option 3  
• Manchester Sheriff’s Community Station (734) 428-8829  
• Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department  
  • General information: (734) 971-8400  
  • Non-Emergency Dispatch: (734) 994-2911  
• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988)  
• Housing Access for Washtenaw County (HAWC) (734) 961-1999  

  

Caregiver Support  

• CCWC Volunteer Caregiver Respite program (734) 971-9781, Ext. 511  
• A Moment for Me Caregiver Support Group @ Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242  
• Caregiver Support Group @ Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (734) 508-6229  
• Ease the Day Caregiver Respite Support Program @ Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242 (ask for Emily or Sam)  

 

Food  

• Meals on Wheels   
  • Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242 (serves Chelsea and Manchester areas)  
  • Dexter Senior Center (734) 253-2370  
  • Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (734) 508-6229  
  • Northfield Township Community Center (734) 449-2295  
• Pantries  
  • Aid In Milan (734)439-8420  
  • Faith in Action (734) 475-3305 (focuses on people living in the Chelsea and Dexter school districts. Food pantry is at Dexter location).   
  • Food Gatherers (734) 761-2796 (has interactive map to find resources close to you)  
  • Manchester Community Resource Center (734) 428-7722  
  • Whitmore Lake Area Human Services (734) 492-1717
• Senior Cafes   
  • Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242   
  • Dexter Senior Center (734) 253-2370  
  • Manchester Senior Community Center (517) 262-7828  
  • Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (734) 508-6229  
  • Northfield Township Community Center (734) 449-2295  

  

Health & Wellness  

• Chelsea Hospital (734) 593-6000  
• Chelsea Hospital Behavioral Health (Clocktower Commons) (734) 593-5251  
• Chelsea Wellness Center (734) 214-0220  
• Dexter Health Center (U-M Health) (visit website for department phone numbers)  
• Dexter Wellness Center  (734) 580-2500  
• Henry Ford Medical Center- Chelsea (517) 205-2165  
• Manchester Wellness Center (734) 428-9960  
• Next Step Rec (Dexter) (734) 545-3902  
• Trinity Health/IHA Primary Care- Dexter (734) 426-9028  
• Trinity Health Medical Center- Milan (734) 439-0627  
• Whitmore Lake Area Human Services (734) 492-1717

  

Home Repair  

• CCWC Home Maintenance and Safety Services (734) 971-9781, Ext. 352  
• Chelsea Community Senior Services (C2S2) (734) 475-9242  
• Manchester Senior Citizens Council (517) 262-7828  

 

Information & Referral  

• AgeWays Senior Services (800) 852-7795  
• Aging in Action via Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (734) 508 6229  
• Catholic Charities Washtenaw County (734) 971-9781, Ext. 7  
• Manchester Community Resource Center (734) 428-7722  
• One Big Connection Local Resources  

  

Internet  

• Rural Reach (734) 433-1558  
• Midwest Energy & Communications (800) 492-5989  
• Washtenaw County Broadband Initiative  
• Washtenaw County Broadband Answers Facebook Group  

   

Memory Cafes   

• Connections Memory Cafe @ Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242  
• Memory Cafe @ Bethel United Church of Christ (Manchester) (734) 429-8530  

  

Senior Centers  

• Chelsea Senior Center (734) 475-9242  
• Dexter Senior Center (734) 426-7737  
• Manchester Senior Community Center (517) 262-7828  
• Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (734) 508-6229  
• Northfield Township Community Center (734) 449-2295    

  

Transportation  

• Milan Seniors for Healthy Living (734) 322-8413 (limited to those age 60+ who live in the 48160 zip code).   
• People’s Express (877) 214-6073 (focus on Northfield Township but does service other parts of the county).  
• Rural Older Adults in Motion (ROAM) (734) 475-9494  
• Western Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) (734) 475-9494. Focuses on the western part of the county. Offers fixed-route shuttles, Chelsea community routes, and Chelsea-Dexter-Ann Arbor Connectors. WAVE vehicles are accessible.   
• Whitmore Lake Area Human Services (877) 214-6073.
  • Provide transportation to and from the clinic to residents of Green Oak township and Northfield township.

  

Utility Assistance  

• Aid in Milan (734) 439-8420 (must live within Milan area school district or in the 48160 zip code).  
• Consumers Energy Payment Assistance Programs  
• DTE Payment Assistance Programs   
• DTE Shutoff Protection Plan  
• Friends in Deed (734) 484-4357  
• Faith in Action (must live in Chelsea or Dexter school districts).  
  • Chelsea: (734) 475-3305  
  • Dexter: (734) 426-7002  
• Manchester Family Service (734) 428-7183   

  

MISC  

• Chelsea Community Social Worker (visit the website to book an appointment).  
• Free smoke detectors   
  • American Red Cross (734) 971-5300, Ext. 229. Can test existing smoke alarms and install up to three free smoke alarms for those that need them. Fill out the form on their website.    
  • CSSW Home Maintenance & Safety Services (734) 97109781, Ext. 352  
  • Chelsea Fire Authority (734) 475-8755 (can also provide free carbon monoxide detectors). Homeowners must complete a form prior to receiving smoke detectors.  
  • Dexter Area Fire Department  (734) 426-4500. Do not install hard-wired detectors.    
  • Milan Area Fire Department (734) 39-2843 (can also provide free carbon monoxide detectors).  
  • Northfield Township Fire Department (734) 449-2385. Homeowners must complete a form prior to receiving smoke detectors.  
• Mobile Support Services Initiative (MSSI). This program aims to act as a mobile community center to bring services directly to rural and under-served communities, such as free health screenings, educational materials, and other services. Visit the online calendar to see where the MSSI is this week or ask a local agency to consider bringing the MSSI to your community.   
• Secretary of State (Chelsea Office) (888) 767-6424  
• Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (734) 327-4224. Open to ALL Washtenaw County Residents who meet eligibility criteria. Offers library materials sent to your home.