We spoke with Marie Gress, co-chair of the WHI Healthy Aging Collaborative, to learn more about the collaborative’s recent work and its focus on critical issues affecting seniors in Washtenaw County.
How did you come to co-chair the Healthy Aging Collaborative?
When I joined, the Healthy Aging Collaborative had already decided to focus on transportation, a major need identified through various community assessments. The collaborative recognized that previous aging sector networking groups were focused on agencies providing updates, which, while useful, didn’t necessarily help us move forward as a sector. So, the collaborative decided to look at the needs assessments that had been conducted in the community and focus on one of the identified domains. Transportation consistently came up as a top need, along with housing and food insecurity.
With my background in overseeing transportation, consulting work, and my current role on the Washtenaw County Commission on Aging, it was a natural fit for me to step into this role. I was able to bring my experience to the table and help guide the collaborative’s work on this major project. Additionally, during this time, I became the executive director for Western Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE), which provides rides for everyone in Western Washtenaw County. This dual role allowed me to see the transportation challenges from both a systems level and a direct service perspective, which has been invaluable in our work.
I’m a systems-level thinker and enjoy working collaboratively, so this collaborative has been a joy to co-chair over the last couple of years. The work we’ve done has been very fulfilling, and I’ve appreciated the opportunity to help shape the direction of the collaborative as we address the critical needs of older adults in our community.
What was the collaborative working on when you first joined?
When I first joined the collaborative, transportation was the major focus. We spent about a year working on transportation issues, during which we brought in an outside consultant to conduct qualitative research, examine funding streams, and identify gaps in existing services. One of the key findings was that while many agencies provided transportation services, they weren’t always able to connect seniors with alternative options if they couldn’t provide a ride themselves. This was a significant gap that we wanted to address, as transportation is crucial for seniors to access services, maintain their independence, and stay connected to their communities.
The work on transportation was very comprehensive, and it involved collaboration with various stakeholders, including transportation providers, county officials, and other agencies. We also looked into innovative solutions, such as door-through-door transportation, which is more time-intensive and costly but meets the needs of seniors who require additional assistance.
Why is transportation for seniors so important in Washtenaw County?
Transportation is vital for seniors in Washtenaw County for several reasons. First and foremost, our county is facing a significant demographic shift. By 2028, we’re expected to have more older adults than youth, and our systems aren’t fully prepared for this change. Many seniors need access to services that allow them to live independently, such as medical appointments, grocery shopping, and social activities. Without reliable transportation, they may become isolated, which can lead to a decline in their overall health and well-being.
In Washtenaw County, transportation options are particularly limited in rural areas. While Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti have more robust transportation systems, seniors living outside these areas often struggle to find reliable and affordable transportation. This is compounded by the fact that services like Uber and Lyft are not as readily available in these rural areas, and even when they are, they may not be affordable or accessible for seniors. For instance, one of the senior centers in Chelsea tried to set up a Lyft service for their clients, but drivers often canceled rides because they weren’t profitable enough. This is a real issue for seniors who need consistent and reliable transportation.
Transportation is also closely linked to other aspects of aging. For example, without transportation, seniors may not be able to access services that help them with housing, food security, or healthcare. It’s a foundational issue that affects many other areas of life. That’s why the Healthy Aging Collaborative decided to focus on transportation as our first major project, and why it remains such an important issue for us as we continue our work.
What did the transportation project accomplish?
We explored solutions like centralized systems where seniors could easily find and request rides tailored to their specific needs. The project culminated in a Transportation Summit in March 2023, where we brought together key stakeholders, including the CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority, representatives from the Michigan Department of Transportation, and officials from Feonix Mobility Rising, a group that has been working on innovative transportation solutions in other parts of the country. The summit provided a platform for sharing our findings, discussing potential solutions, and engaging with the broader community on how to address the transportation needs of seniors. It was a significant step forward in our efforts to improve transportation services in Washtenaw County.
What is the collaborative working on right now?
After the transportation project, the collaborative shifted its focus to housing, another critical issue identified in the community needs assessments. We decided to collaborate with the Washtenaw Housing Alliance on a shared housing program, which aims to address the housing needs of seniors by matching them with others who have space to share. This approach not only provides affordable housing options but also helps combat social isolation by creating supportive living arrangements.
One of the first steps we took was helping the Washtenaw Housing Alliance with their case statement and other preparatory work for the program. This included defining the program’s goals, identifying the resources needed, and thinking through the logistics of matching seniors with housing. We also assisted with a supply-seeking survey to identify potential homeowners who might be willing to participate in the program. So far, the response has been positive, with about 80 responses in the first month, which is encouraging.
While the program is still in the early stages, and we’re waiting on funding decisions from key funders, the hope is to launch it by January. There are also some legal questions that have arisen, particularly around tenant-landlord relationships, and we’re working with legal experts to address these issues. Our goal is to ensure that the program is as strong and sustainable as possible before it launches, so that it can effectively meet the housing needs of seniors in Washtenaw County.