Options Counseling

What is Options Counseling? (If You Live at Home)

If you are age 18 or older and want to remain at home but need some assistance, an options counseling session may be for you. Options Counseling will help you understand your options to continue living at home, with a focus on how you want to live. A Specialist will visit with you to discuss your plans for the future and help you assess your situation. You will receive information on services available in your community and get guidance in developing a plan. 

What are the benefits of Options Counseling?

AAAWM recognizes that accepting assistance might feel like a loss of independence for some individuals, even though the help may be necessary in order to continue living independently. We work with individuals, understanding they are independent, capable people, who have made their own decisions and determined their life direction for decades. Based on the needs identified by the Options Counselor, it is the participant who determines what services they would like to try and how often they would like to receive assistance. The individual may also invite family members into the process as well. 

Who is eligible?

Adults age 60 and older

Lives in Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, or Osceola County

Contact us to get started. 

What is Options Counseling? (If You Live In a Facility Setting)

Similar to the above, this counseling session offers a consultative meeting with an Options Counselor, however, it is for those living in a facility who would like to learn more about their options. In the meeting, they will discuss and identify community resources tailored to the individual’s needs.

Who is eligible?

Visits can be provided if an individual answers "yes" to Section Q on the MDS or at the request of the individual. The Options Counselor will provide information and/or make referrals to the appropriate community agencies, as requested. Medicaid is not required for an individual to receive Community Options Counseling.

Lives in Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, or Osceola County

Contact us to get started. 

Local Contact Agency

The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is a Local Contact Agency (LCA) for nursing facilities in the nine-county region; Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola. What is a local contact agency? It is a local community organization responsible for providing community support options counseling to nursing home residents.