As we close out the year, we’re reflecting with gratitude on the people and partners who make our work possible. The Senior Alliance is stronger because of the dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, and community organizations who support older adults and caregivers across our region.
Here’s what you’ll find in this month’s update:
December is a meaningful time to reflect on the community of care that surrounds Michigan caregivers—family members, neighbors, volunteers, service providers, donors, and partners. Caregiving is not something anyone should face alone, and our network at The Senior Alliance makes real support possible.
When one person gives support, no matter who or what it is, from an organization to a volunteer, many lives are changed. The caregiving ecosystem is truly interconnected, making a difference every step of the way.
With our services, programs, and community partnerships, your loved ones can live a life with independence, dignity, respect, and choice.
The individuals and groups that make support for older adults in western and southern Wayne County possible are essential. With caregivers, the dedication of family members across Michigan to provide assistance and responsibility for their loved ones is pivotal. While juggling health care, household needs, and emotional support, caregivers offer their all in order to be there for their family.
Local volunteers who give their time to help older adults stay safe, connected, and supported are also vital to this web of caregiving support. Whether it’s offering transportation, wellness checks, connecting families to resources, and more, volunteers are there to help when caregivers and family can’t. Donors and community supporters’ generosity strengthens services like respite, nutrition support, and care coordination.
Every contribution, large or small, has a direct impact.
The Senior Alliance is proud to partner with ACCESS (Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services) for EXHALE, a program that brings community, support, and resources to Michigan family caregivers.
Caregiving is meaningful work, but it can also feel isolating and exhausting. ACCESS EXHALE is designed to change that by giving family caregivers a place to connect, learn, and take a much-needed break.
EXHALE offers twice-monthly caregiver gatherings with lunch, peer support, and access to professionals who share guidance on health, dementia care, stress, and community resources. Caregivers can also take advantage of scheduled respite, giving them time to rest while their loved one is supported by trained staff or volunteers.
Participants may also receive an annual stipend and invitations to occasional outings, small gestures that recognize the hard work caregivers do every day.
At its core, EXHALE provides something caregivers often say they need most: connections, resources, and a moment to breathe.
One of our partners, the Baldwin Society Supporting Older Adults, is a community cornerstone for older adults in need. Their contribution in enhancing the well-being of older adults in the region with housing, safety, and connection plays a crucial role in the work we do and in being able to help families seeking support.
The Baldwin Society’s advocacy and generosity improve the independence, dignity, and choice of those they are helping, some of the key pillars of The Senior Alliance’s mission. Joint efforts between organizations like us, The Baldwin Society, and other partners benefit caregivers, too, by expanding the support systems that surround their loved ones.
The Senior Alliance Network Guide is a directory that helps Michigan caregivers identify reliable, local resources.
Caregivers can use the guide to find:
One of the most difficult parts of caregiving is knowing where to start. This guide, available to view and download on our website, helps families navigate services with clarity and confidence. We are here to help you take that first action to find caregiver resources in Michigan, and we will be there every step of the way.
The Senior Alliance’s work is only possible through collaboration with our community partners and local resources. We are here as a trusted, central connector, linking family caregivers to programs across Wayne County.
When our community comes together, we create a more accessible, responsive, and compassionate support system for older adults. At The Senior Alliance, we are committed to helping people live life their way, with dignity, respect, and independence, and our community network helps us do just that.
On behalf of The Senior Alliance and the people we serve, we thank all of our partners, caregivers, volunteers, and community members. As we look ahead to a new year, we invite you to stay connected and explore the many resources available through The Senior Alliance:
Thank you for being part of our community. We couldn’t do this work without you.
1. Where can I learn more about the Baldwin Society?
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to support older adults and caregivers in our region, the Baldwin Society is a great place to start. Their work helps strengthen essential programs and expand access to care for those who need it most.
Explore their mission and resources at baldwinsociety.org.
2. Where can I learn more about ACCESS EXHALE?
If you or someone you care for is feeling the weight of caregiving, ACCESS EXHALE offers connection, education, and moments of much-needed relief. You’ll find stories, program details, and next steps on our website, so you can see whether EXHALE may be a good fit for your caregiving journey.
Learn more: thesenioralliance.org/blog/access-exhale-a-new-kind-of-caregiver-support-in-wayne-county
3. What other programs and services are offered through The Senior Alliance?
Every caregiving situation is unique, and you don’t have to navigate it alone. The Senior Alliance offers a wide range of supports — from care management and in-home services to Medicare counseling, respite options, and education for caregivers.
Explore programs that can help you or your loved one live with dignity, respect, and independence at thesenioralliance.org/services.
From Person-Centered Options Counseling and Medicare Counseling through MI Options to in-home support programs, our goal is to make the process of long-term care planning easier to navigate, so older adults can continue living life their way.
Our role includes advocacy—we are a vigilant observer and a vocal participant, actively monitoring, evaluating, and offering insights on a wide array of policies,
The holiday season is a time of joy, giving, and celebration, but unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers are more active than ever. For aging adults, the risk of falling victim to holiday scams
