Welcome!
Who we are: We are the Region 3B Area Agency on Aging (AAA) serving Barry and Calhoun counties. The Older Americans Act of 1965 created agencies like ours at the federal, state, and local level to administer programs that help older adults maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities.
Region 3B Area Agency on Aging was designated as an area agency on aging by the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging in 1996. We are a private, not-for-profit agency, serving Barry and Calhoun counties.
In addition, we are also a contract agent for the MI Choice Waiver Program serving Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties. Through this program, eligible adults aged 18 and over who meet income and asset criteria can receive Medicaid-covered services like those provided by nursing homes, but can stay in their own home or another residential setting.
What we do: In keeping with our mission, Area Agency on Aging 3B performs four primary activities:
- Advocates on behalf of older adults, persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
- Identifies needs and develops plans to enable older adults to maintain their independence with dignity through person-centered services.
- Funds programs that serve older adults in Barry and Calhoun counties.
- Administers federal, state, local and private funds to support those programs and services.
The AAA maintains services largely through contracts and purchase agreements with local provider organizations, and monitors agencies to ensure the job is done in an efficient and effective manner. Services include the following:
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In-Home Services are provided to older adults who need assistance to remain independent in their own homes or the home of a caregiver and younger individuals with disabilities. These services help people stay in their own homes and with their families for as long as possible. Services include comprehensive care management and assessment of individuals needs and a review of the options available to meet those needs. Click here to learn more about care management [care management page]. We are also a contracted MI Choice Waiver agent through the Department of Community Health. To learn more about this program, click here [Waiver page]
- Community-based services are provided at central locations throughout the region through contracts with community agencies. Click here to see our current funded agencies. [link to list]
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Access services help people connect with appropriate services through trained, knowledgeable resource specialists and linkages with other community resources. For more information on access services, click here.