No one should ever feel alone

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 weekly to Harper Woods and Grosse Pointe area residents who are homebound and unable to prepare meals for themselves safely. This can include people aged 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.

For more information, contact Joan Ebner  at 313.649.2105.

To be eligible for the Home Maintenance, Safety and Security Program, participants must be age 60 or older and residents of the Grosse Pointe’s or Harper Woods. This program connects individuals in need with volunteers who provide one-time minor home maintenance services, subject to volunteer availability and their skill set.

The services offered include minor home repairs, installation of home safety devices such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors/alarms, inspection and replacement of interior (standard ceiling) and first-floor exterior lights with LED bulbs, provision of a kitchen fire extinguisher, and LED night lights for specified areas of the home. Additionally, the program includes the repair or replacement of house numbers to ensure clear address identification, as well as the inspection and/or replacement of furnace filters. Note that the program is available exclusively to homeowners.

For more information and contact, call 313.649.2107

The Helm works with AARP Tax-Aide to offer free, quality, confidential tax preparation services. Please note that those taxpayers with complex tax returns will be advised to seek professional tax assistance.

For more information and contact, call 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 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.

For more information and contact, call 313.882.9600

During Medicare Open Enrollment, from October 15 to December 7, 2024, everyone eligible for Medicare has the opportunity to review and make changes to their Medicare coverage for the upcoming calendar year. This includes modifying prescription drug coverage and any supplemental or Medicare Advantage plans.

Concurrently, insurance companies sponsoring these plans can adjust their benefits and premiums, and most prescription drug plans update their formulary—the list of covered drugs. Therefore, it is wise to review your current coverage to ensure it remains the best choice for you. For prescription drug coverage, a personalized plan search can help estimate your projected costs based on the specific drugs you take. You can perform this search on the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov.

Additionally, The Helm has partnered with the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), which has trained volunteers who can help. They can assist in reviewing the costs and benefits of different supplemental and Medicare Advantage Plans (HMOs and PPOs) offered in your area. For those newly eligible for Medicare, The Helm can explain each program’s workings, costs, enrollment process, and changes. MMAP counselors are independent volunteers unaffiliated with any insurance company, ensuring unbiased advice. Low-income individuals may qualify for help with premiums and co-pays through the “Extra Help” and Medicare Savings Program. Contact The Helm, and an MMAP counselor can assist you.

For more information and contact, call 313.649.2110