In 2019, during the last seniors trip to Lansing, a group of Madison Heights senior citizens enjoyed a free lunch and toured the historic Capitol building before sitting in on a legislative session. The COVID-19 pandemic put the tradition on hold, but it returns this year on May 1 for Older Michiganians Day. The trip is free to attend and open to any seniors living in Madison Heights.
By: Andy Kozlowski | Madison-Park News | Published April 11, 2024
MADISON HEIGHTS — A springtime tradition is returning to Madison Heights.
For six years prior to the pandemic, the city would send interested seniors on a bus ride to the state capital in Lansing for Older Michiganians Day. There they would enjoy a free lunch on the lawn of the Capitol building, listen to presenters advocating for seniors, tour historic sites, and even sit in on a legislative session.
Organized by Madison Heights City Councilman David Soltis, there was no cost to attend. The only requirement was that each participant is a senior citizen who lives in Madison Heights.
Now, after a four-year hiatus, the trip returns on Wednesday, May 1. Soltis said people can call him directly at (248) 219-6381 to sign up. Volunteers are also needed to chaperone the group.
Everyone will meet at the Active Adult Center, 260 W. 13 Mile Road, at 8:30 a.m. on May 1. The bus will depart around 9 a.m. and should reach Lansing in less than two hours.
Martha Kehoe, a resident of Madison Heights, said she attended in the past.
“It was wonderful — just wonderful. It was really great,” Kehoe said. “I’ve always enjoyed going on that trip. I think my favorite part was meeting all the people from the different regions and hearing what’s going on across the state. It was nice meeting them and making those connections.”
Upon arrival, the first activity will be lunch on the lawn of the Capitol building. Seniors from across the state will enjoy boxed meals at tables and chairs under large tents. The meals are served cold and usually consist of sandwiches, fresh fruit, chips and other items, along with drinks.
Elected officials and advocacy groups will give presentations at that time. One of the groups is the Area Agencies of Aging Association of Michigan, a statewide organization that advocates on behalf of seniors. The group is calling on the state Legislature to take action on several issues.
A call for action
The group is calling for increased support for Michigan’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program by budgeting 33 new full-time positions at an estimated cost of $3 million. The ombudsmen work with residents of long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and adult foster care, to improve quality of life for residents.
According to the AAA, a recent review of the ombudsman program found that to reach the recommended minimum staff-to-bed ratio of 1 to 2,000, Michigan needs to add 33 more full-time staff members. The program’s funding formula has not been updated since 1987.
Another item calls for a permanent $5 million appropriation to AAA divisions across the state in the fiscal year 2024-25 budget, which would help support continued development of their caregiver programs and resources. The AAA also wants policymakers to pass the Caring for Michigan Family Tax Credit, which would provide tax relief of up to $5,000 per year for family caregivers.
Expanded access to the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program is another request by the AAA. The program is an in-home service that enables seniors and adults with disabilities who meet eligibility requirements to receive long-term care services at their home instead of a nursing facility. One way to expand access would be to increase the participant’s asset limit to reflect inflation, allowing more people to participate.
The last request is for increased support for home and community-based services. More than 6,100 seniors are on waiting lists for essential non-Medicaid in-home services provided by the state. These services include home-delivered meals, in-home personal care, homemaking, and respite care that can delay or prevent the need for more costly long-term options. The AAA supports a request by the Silver Key Coalition for a $7 million increase toward these services, and also wants the state to permanently budget a $1 million increase for home-delivered meals.
Soltis said the biggest issue on his mind is helping seniors to age in place.
“They need to be able to afford the cost of living in their own home. That includes being able to maintain and repair their homes. And it also means being able to cover utilities, and get the food and medication they need,” Soltis said. “One great service is Meals on Wheels, which delivers nutritious meals to homebound seniors. I volunteered with them, making deliveries. We need more services like that to meet this critical need.”
The rest of the day
After lunch on the lawn, the group will tour the sprawling Capitol building, which will include sitting in on a legislative session, seeing policymakers at work in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Soltis will pass a note to a security guard who will relay it to the elected officials on the floor, letting them know that they’re there. The legislators then give the seniors a round of applause.
“They realize that seniors are an important voting bloc. And when they see them sitting up there in the gallery, they realize that seniors are watching what’s happening in Lansing,” Soltis said.
He said the experience allows attendees to feel more connected to the policymaking process. It can be both educational and inspiring, Soltis said.
The visit usually wraps up mid-afternoon, getting back to Madison Heights around 4 p.m.
The councilman said that the last trip in 2019 was among the most well-attended, with more than 30 people in the group. The bus was so packed that Soltis had to drive separately.
The first year’s trip, in 2014, was a bit eventful. The city had to send a second bus when the first one broke down with a flat tire. But there hasn’t been an incident since, he said.
“They always have a blast,” Soltis said of the seniors. “Many of them would return for the trip each year. They just loved being out and about at the Capitol. For many of them, it was the first time they had been there, and certainly up in the gallery with the legislators applauding them.”
He said everyone should appreciate the older generations that helped build their community.
“Seniors have worked hard and did everything asked of them, paying their taxes and building our city. We really owe it to them after all the sacrifices they made. We need to recognize that in kind,” Soltis said. “Someday, we’ll all be older, if we’re lucky. So it’s in the best interest of everyone to make sure we take care of our vulnerable seniors. As a community, we need to be there for them.”
For more information, call the Active Adult Center at (248) 545-3464.