No one should ever feel alone.
There are many ways older adults can live more independently, so start here.
We’ll find the right resource for you, or refer you to other community organizations. Find out about meal programs and home care. Also transportation and home maintenance. Plus support groups you can join right now.
We’re ready to help.
Click on the video below to understand how The Helm can help.
Feeling lonely or socially isolated? Click on the image above to help determine if you are at risk and find ways to stay connected.
Nearing retirement? Here are five podcasts to help prepare for retirement.
Midlife Mixtape (Aging with Humor.)
Second Life (Exciting opportunities await.)
My Next Move (Being financially intentional in the twilight years.)
Forever 35 (The things we do to take care of ourselves.)
(Some podcasts may require a subscription.)
Meals on Wheels
Call (313) 649-2105 for more info or to request service.
Meals on Wheels contributes to the overall well-being of older adults by providing regular nutrition and contact with a caring volunteer.
Five meals are provided per week to Harper Woods and Grosse Pointe area residents who are homebound and unable to safely prepare meals for themselves. This can include people age 60+ who would benefit from temporary meals due to medical needs. Recipients may choose to have a hot meal delivered daily or a package of five frozen meals delivered weekly.
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PAATS Transportation
Call (313) 394-9712 for info/reservations
If you are resident of Harper Woods or Grosse Pointes and are 60+ and/or disabled you can ride the Pointe Area Assisted Transportation Services (PAATS).
- Reservations must be made at least two days in advance.
- All passengers riding on PAATS and returning after 3:00 p.m must make a return appointment.
- All appointments must be made by 1:00 p.m.
- Fees vary from $2 to $4 each way. Please call for more information about the cost of rides.
Home Chore Program
Call (313) 649-2107 for more info and pricing
- Must be age 60 or older and a resident of Harper Woods or one of the Grosse Pointes.
- Minor home maintenance projecs link people in need with volunteers to provide one-time services. Service is based on volunteer availability. Minor home repairs limited in scope to volunteer abilities.
- Home Maintenance, Safety and Security Program is offered to homeowners only. This program provides and installs home safety devices such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors/alarms; inspects and replaces interior (standard ceiling) and exterior lights (first floor only) with LED bulbs; and provides for a kitchen fire extinguisher, LED night lights in specified areas of the home, repair and/or replacement of the house number (if not sufficient for identifying the address) and inspection and/or replacement of the furnace filter.
Support Groups
(313) 882-9600
The Helm regularly hosts a number of support groups providing a safe space for caregivers, family and friends of persons with certain conditions, like dementia or Parkinson’s. For more information on how you can join or attend, check out our full calendar of events or download our newsletter, The Helm Life Journal.
Tax Preparation
(313) 649-2108
The Helm works with AARP Tax-Aide to offer free, quality, confidential tax preparation service. Please note that those taxpayers with complex tax returns will be advised to seek professional tax assistance. Tax preparation assistance will be available February through April at The Helm Life Center by appointment only.
Check here during tax season for more information on dates and times.
Case Coordination
(313) 649-2106
It takes great patience and understanding to learn what another person wants, needs and feels. Our Case Coordination program helps seniors who need extra attention.
Supportive services are suggested, along with ongoing personal contact as needed with a focus on the client’s self-determination, empowerment and dignity.
Call Allie Short, LLMSW at (313) 649-2106 or e-mail ashort@helmlife.org for assistance.
Medical Escort Service
(313) 649-2108
Free medical escort service is available to qualified participants. The individual must be 60 years or older and a resident of the Grosse Pointes or Harper Woods. The resident qualifies for this service, if due to health reasons, they cannot take the PAATS bus for transportation. The service is for medical or dental appointments only and the resident must be able to get into and out of a car with only minor assistance. Please contact The Helm at 313-882-9600 at least 10 days in advance of your appointment, so we can arrange for a volunteer driver. Due to the nature of this service, we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate all calls.
Medical Equipment Lending
(313) 649-2108
Has a hospital stay, recent injury or just coming-of-age as an older adult presented a need for medical equipment? The Helm has a medical loan closet with equipment and supplies to borrow at no charge.
We rely on the generous donations from our community to keep the loan closet full. Our supplies change depending on seniors’ needs, as well as donations received.
Items frequently available in the Lending Closet:
- Wheelchairs/Accessories: standard wheelchairs and transfer chairs, cushions and trays
- Crutches, Walkers, and Canes/Accessories: crutches, folding walkers (with or without wheels), rolling walkers with folded seat, canes, quad canes, walker extensions, replacement tips, trays, baskets for walkers
- Bath and Shower Accessories: bath benches (with or without back), transfer tub benches, extended foot brushes and extended back sponges
- Toileting Items: commode chairs and raised toilet seats (accepted only if new), adult incontinence briefs (with or without tabs: all sizes), male guards, feminine products, under pads, flannel rubber bed pads, disposable washcloths
- Aids for Daily Living: reachers, dressing sticks, sock aides, step stools, cast and bandage protectors, long shoe horns, 42” leg lifters, pill boxes, magnifying glasses, bedside support rails, portable ramps
- Nutritional supplements
- Miscellaneous items: procedure masks, latex gloves, wipes, standard head phones, telephones, fans
The Helm welcomes most donations to help keep our medical and supply closet full. Items that we often run low on are adult incontinence briefs, male guards and feminine products.
Medicare Assistance
(313) 649-2110
Medicare Open Enrollment
October 15 – December 7, 2023
During Medicare Open Enrollment, everyone eligible for Medicare has the chance to review and make changes to their Medicare coverage for the new calendar year. You can change your prescription drug coverage as well as any supplemental or Medicare Advantage plans you’ve elected.
At the same time, insurance companies sponsoring these plans can change their benefits as well as premiums. Most prescription drug plans also change their plan formulary – the list of covered drugs. So it is a good idea to review your current coverage and make sure the plans you have are still the best choices for you.
For prescription drug coverage, a personalized plan search will help estimate your projected costs under all your plan choices based on the specific drugs you take. You can do this search yourself by using the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov. In addition, The Helm has partnered with the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), which has trained volunteers who can help.
We can also help you review the costs and benefits of the different supplemental and Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs and PPOs) offered in this area. And if you’re newly eligible for Medicare, The Helm can explain how each program works, the costs involved, how and when to enroll and make changes, and so forth. MMAP counselors are all independent volunteers with no affiliation to any insurance company, so they provide unbiased advice.
Low-income individuals may qualify for help paying for premiums and co-pays through the “Extra Help” and Medicare Savings Program. Contact The Helm and a MMAP counselor can assist you.
For individual assistance from a MMAP volunteer, contact The Helm at (313) 649-2110 to schedule an appointment.
Medicare Year-Round Assistance
In addition to open enrollment Medicare counseling, year-round Medicare assistance is available by appointment. If you are new to Medicare, have a question or problem with a claim, or would like help understanding how to make the most of your benefits, just call Information and Assistance at 313-649-2110. We’ll arrange for one of our MMAP Medicare counselors to contact you.
Mutts ’N Meows
(313) 882-9600
The Helm began Mutts ‘n Meows in 2007 to collect pet food donations from the community and then distribute them to older adults in the Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods area. This helps older adults keep companion and service animals in their homes instead of having to give them up due to the inability to purchase or pick up and carry pet food.
In addition to donations of dog and cat food, Mutts ‘n Meows also collects and distributes other supplies such as: new containers of kitty litter and unopened, unexpired treats.
Drop donations at The Helm Life Center, 158 Ridge Road, Grosse Pointe Farms.