Your Home & Neighborhood
Are Where Health Is
Eligibility Requirements
The Healthy Together Program focuses on low-moderate income residents with an emphasis on helping adults 60 years or older
Individual income doesn’t exceed $2,382/month
Be a resident of the West Willow neighborhood
Register for the health and wellness program
Services
Aging in Your Home & Community
“Aging in community” means living where you choose while maintaining quality of life as you get older. But ideally what aging in “place” should be addressing is not just to maintain the quality of life that the person is used to, but also to make it better, whenever possible.
To improve the quality of life for seniors, a community must address several key facets, including housing, social connection, financial security, transportation, and access to nutritional food and healthcare. The physical design of a neighborhood can significantly influence a senior's capacity to live independently and securely. We’re offering a holistic approach and framework so that everyone thrives – especially seniors.
Be More Physically Active
Being physically active has many benefits for your health and wellbeing. It can help to improve your balance and reduce your chance of falling. In addition, exercise can help you better manage your chronic diseases like diabetes, arthritis, mental health and others. Stay tuned for new workshop sessions during the Fall/Winter 2025/26 at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church (Multipurpose Building at 2345 Tyler Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48198).
Caring for a Loved One
Helping caregivers connect to resources to effectively care for a loved one and attend to their own wellbeing. We partner with local resources to support family caregivers of older adults through care management, education and skills training, and counseling. Coming in Winter 2026 training to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for an aging or disabled relative.
Community Garden
Community gardens benefit seniors by providing access to fresh, healthy produce to support better nutrition in the West Willow Neighborhood. Our garden offers a sense of nostalgia and connection to the past, while accessible features like raised beds ensure participation for seniors with various mobility levels.
During the summer, feel free to stop by and visit Linda’s Garden at 517 Onondaga St. Youth and seniors are working to address food insecurity in the neighborhood by increasing access to fresh produce, reducing food costs, and fostering community resilience.
Friendly Visits & Wellness Checks
Health ambassadors conducting friendly visits offer significant benefits to individuals and communities by reducing social isolation, improving health outcomes, and fostering a stronger sense of connection. Ambassadors, who are often trained community members, provide a non-clinical form of support that’s both accessible and based on a mutual, empathetic understanding of shared experiences. A visit, from a friendly resident can take place in-person, by phone, or a videoconferencing session for 20-30 minutes.
Home Care
Home modifications and repairs in senior residences are important for improving safety, accessibility, and quality of life. Making homes more accessible helps older adults move around their living spaces more easily and maintain autonomy.
Adjusting the home environment to meet individual needs can assist seniors in performing daily activities and may help reduce the risk of falls. These changes can increase comfort and security, supporting older adults to continue living independently and remain part of the community.
The “Housing Outreach One Stop Shop” Program provides resources for both property owners and renters to access services that promote healthy, affordable, and safe housing. This initiative aims to enhance the neighborhood by supporting improvements in residential environments. A pilot program is scheduled to launch in 2025/26.
Make Your Health a Priority
Our Care Team will help you identify your important health goals and any barriers to healthier living. The team will connect you with student social workers who will assess your needs, help create a plan, and provide resources on food, utility assistance, benefits, and mental health support.
Our Care Team will help you identify your health goals and any obstacles to healthier living. They’ll connect you with a student intern and Community Health Worker to develop a plan to meet your needs, share resources on food assistance, utility support, benefits, mental health services and more. Call (734) 985-0589 to make an appointment with our team.
Technology Training
The technology workshop for seniors is designed to empower older adults to effectively utilize digital devices and the internet. The program provides comprehensive, step-by-step instruction on smartphones, tablets, email usage, online safety protocols, and video communication, supporting participants in maintaining connectivity. Its objective is to bridge the digital divide by delivering clear guidance that enhances daily living, fosters social engagement, and promotes independence. Please note, a limited number of tablets are available for workshop attendees.
Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Fall/Winter 2025/26 at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church (2345 Tyler Rd., Ypsilanti, MI 48198).
Transportation: Need a Ride?
Myride2 is a complimentary service dedicated to assisting seniors and adults with disabilities residing in Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties in Michigan with their transportation needs. Individuals may reach out to providers directly by downloading a printable list of options and details regarding available services, or by calling (855) 697-4332 for further inquiries or assistance with scheduling transportation. In addition, the Care Team is available to help coordinate transportation arrangements.
Volunteer & Civic Engagement
Volunteering and participating in civic engagement activities can help people strengthen ties to their community; engage in actions to address community concerns and produce a common good through both political and non-political processes. On a more personal level, you can broaden your support network; connect to groups with common interests; have fun and participate in fulfilling activities. If you think home-based volunteering or civic engagement might be right for you, contact organizations you like and ask what some of the possibilities might be. And, if you’re interested in volunteering with the Healthy Together Program, please click here.
Workshops: Lunch & Learn
The Healthy Together Program delivers a comprehensive selection of programs, services, and social activities designed to empower and engage older adults in healthy and meaningful pursuits. Our objective is to offer initiatives that foster physical fitness and activity, reduce the risk of negative health outcomes, and provide recreational and cultural opportunities that enhance physical endurance and support cognitive health.
We are committed to making wellness activities enjoyable while ensuring access to reliable health information and support for older individuals and their families. For details on upcoming workshops and special events throughout the year, please consult our Calendar of Events.
Neighborhoods Matter
