Lola Garcia
Research Mentor: Stephanie Carpenter
Mentor Department: AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services, NonUM
Author(s): Lola Garcia, Stephanie Carpenter
Session: Session 3 (11:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 7
Abstract
AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services is the Area Agency on Aging that serves six counties across Southeast Michigan: Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, and Washtenaw. AgeWays supports older adults in maintaining independence and aging with dignity in their homes or alongside family caregivers. By providing direct care programs for seniors, along with funding and support for programs provided by partner organizations, AgeWays strives to ensure a positive quality of life for seniors. In August 2025, AgeWays conducted a Needs Assessment Survey of nearly 2,000 adults aged 60 and older to better understand the most significant medical, social, and financial barriers this community faces. As an Area Agency on Aging, AgeWays is tasked with assessing the needs of those they serve and providing programming that fits the unique needs of the population that is served. This data brief outlines the crucial findings of this Needs Assessment Survey and provides direct comparisons to results from a similar assessment conducted in 2019, highlighting emerging trends in the needs of the older adult community. By identifying crucial gaps and existing challenges, this brief can provide a basis for program development, funding changes, and the implementation of new services. This data brief will serve as a guide for AgeWays and its partners, including senior centers, network providers, advocates, and policymakers, to better respond to the evolving needs of older adults in Southeastern Michigan.
