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The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is pleased to announce the approval of the 2025 fiscal year allocations for both Kent County Senior Millage (KCSM) and Older Americans Act  (OAA) funding which began October 1, 2024. These funding sources provide a wide variety of services across the nine-county region for older adults, persons with a disability, and their caregivers emphasizing independence and allowing seniors to stay engaged in their communities.

Both funding networks rely on partner support to make senior services possible. For KCSM FY25 funding there are 31 agencies and 73 programs covering Kent County and for OAA FY25 there are 30 partners across the nine-county region made up of Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola counties. These funding streams have been in place for over 50 years for Older Americans Act and 25 years for the Kent County Senior Millage respectively, expanding and growing to meet the ever-changing needs of older adults. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) oversees this funding and ensures that the services are designed to support older adults as they age. “From our key programs of home delivered meals and transportation, to innovative social options and wellness classes, we want to make sure West Michigan seniors are supported in a comprehensive and person-centered way,” shared Vice President of Contract Services, Cassie Caple, of this year’s service options.

Each year, two designated Review Committees consider how these programs come together as comprehensive systems; eliminating gaps in care, coming alongside caregivers, and allowing seniors to stay living at home. For FY25, two additions join the millage service offerings, an additional Adult Day Program through new millage partner Care Resources and Assistive Devices through existing millage partner Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services. Adult Day was a priority for this past funding cycle, as many caregivers need respite, and adult day programs provide a safe space for the care of their loved one. Widening their offerings for Assistive Devices will allow Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services to provide hearing assistive technologies to deaf and deaf-blind individuals, which include flashing fire alarms, flashing doorbells, pocket talkers, bed shakers, and more so that they can live safely in their homes.

To be eligible to participate in KCSM and OAA programs, individuals must be 60 or older and reside in the nine-county region. Donations are accepted and, in some cases, co-payments may be required.

To see the FY2025 Service Directories, see below:

2025 Older Americans Act Services Directory

2025 Kent County Senior Millage Services Directory

2025 Older Americans Act Services Directory- Spanish

2025 Kent County Senior Millage Services Directory- Spanish

About AAAWM

• Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) were created in 1974 through the Older Americans Act, and since then, AAAs across the country have been able to help millions of older adults every year to age with health, independence, and dignity in their communities. 
• Since 1999, the Kent County Senior Millage has helped fund services that help older adults remain in their own homes and communities as they age.