The mission of the Advocacy Department is to provide compassionate and confidential assistance and support to older adults, and/or their caregivers, who are dealing with various life issues.
Our Advocacy Department includes assistance with, but is not limited to:
- Advance Directives
- Assisted Living/Adult Foster Care Options
- Conservatorships
- Elder Abuse Concerns
- Finances and Referral Services
- Guardianships
- Healthcare
- Housing Options
- Kinship Care Program Resources
- Legal Aid Referrals
- Nursing Home Options
- POAs (Power of Attorneys)
- Social Security issues – Social Security Disability and SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I go about placing my loved one in a nursing home or adult foster care facility?
OCCOA provides information and referrals to help determine the best choices available.
If I need help applying for social security, where do I go?
The agency can help with social security questions, and can help you file for SSI and SSD, if needed.
I have a lot of prescriptions that cost more money than what I can afford. Are there any programs available to help me pay for my prescriptions?
The OCCOA Advocacy Department can provide you with information about the various programs that are available, as well as help you determine which programs you might qualify for and will benefit you the most.
I have a living will and want to know if it will be honored in the event of a medical emergency that I might have.
A living will is no longer honored in the state of Michigan. We suggest a power of attorney (advance directive) for medically-related wishes. Advanced means you decide what you do or don’t want done before any medical emergencies arise. Directives tell hospitals, doctors, and loved ones the types of medical care you would like to receive in the event that you are unable to decide for yourself (i.e., being put on a feeding tube, ventilator, etc.) The OCCOA Advocacy Department can help you with the necessary paperwork to establish your advance directive.
Advocacy Services Staff
Charles May – Advocacy/SHIP Counselor
Links
1 (800) 642-3195
1-800-MEDICARE (1 (800) 633-4227) TTY: 1 (877) 486-2048
1 (800) 633-4227
1 (800) 772-1213 TTY 1 (800) 325-0778
www.benefitscheckup.org
“We are never really happy until we brighten the lives of others!”
~ Helen Keller