Living with Dignity and Independence
At Senior Resources of West Michigan, we are on a mission: to help older adults in Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties live safely and independently in the place they call home. Through programs like the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver, we provide essential support such as in-home care, medication management, and help with daily tasks—so individuals can remain in their homes or community settings rather than move into long-term care facilities.
This program is more than services; it’s peace of mind. It’s the reassurance that when life changes unexpectedly, help is available to keep you secure and connected.
A Life of Service Deserves a Life Lived with Dignity
One of the many people whose life was transformed by the MI Choice Waiver Program is Mary C. Jones, a woman whose decades of service to Muskegon reflect the very values of community and resilience. Her story reminds us why programs like MI Choice are so important—and how they make a difference when it matters most.
On a fall afternoon in Muskegon, Mary C. Jones sits near a sunlit window in her new downtown apartment. From here, she can see the lake and skyline of familiar landmarks in a city she’s helped shape. At 82, she still carries the calm, clear voice that once steadied a City Council chamber.
“Service,” she says, “is just common sense applied with heart.”
Mary’s story is woven into Muskegon’s civic fabric. In 1986, she became the city’s second female mayor, a proud achievement that reflected her quiet determination and people-first leadership style.
After her husband passed away, she went back to school at Muskegon Community College to study business administration. That step opened doors to state-level work, including a 15-year appointment as jury commissioner for Muskegon County, named by Governor James Blanchard and the Chief Justices. She served on the County Jury Board, the Boundary Commission, and the Job Training Council—helping to implement new laws and ensuring residents understood how government could work for them.
She remembers those years with pride and with stories. One favorite: hosting potlucks at her historic downtown home, where neighbors, colleagues, and even the Governor once gathered in the parlor.
“That house saw a lot of community,” she says with a smile.
But time brings changes. A stroke, health issues, and a fire that destroyed the mobile home she shared with her son left Mary facing new kinds of challenges. Her savings were depleted; her health was fragile.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do,” she says. “I had worked hard all my life, and suddenly, it was all gone. I was without a home, and it was scary to be going through that at 80 years old.”
It was her sister—already receiving help from Senior Resources of West Michigan—who encouraged her to call. That call connected Mary with Jennifer, a supports coordinator who shared her values: clear information, practical options, and dignity in decision-making.
Jennifer helped Mary enroll in the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver program, which allows older adults to remain in their homes or community settings rather than move into long-term nursing facilities. With Jennifer’s help, Mary replaced lost documents, found and coordinated housing, and secured essential services like medication management and in-home care.
The support was steady, respectful, and real—it was what Mary had spent her life trying to provide for others.
“This Medicaid program was my lifeline. It became a real lifesaver for me,” Mary says. “Without MI Choice Waiver, I am not sure where I would be. This program allows me to stay in my beautiful new apartment and afford necessities like medication on my fixed income. I have a personal emergency device that I wear and someone that comes in twice a week to help with housekeeping and grocery shopping. This bit of help allows me to stay in my own home living independently.”
Now, Mary is rebuilding. Her apartment at Renaissance Place is filled with light. She keeps up with local news, reconnects with old friends and neighbors, and reflects on the systems she once helped to shape.
“I spent years telling people government and community are here for you,” she says. “Now I know firsthand how good it feels when that promise is kept.”
“When life changes suddenly, it’s easy to feel unmoored,” Mary says. “I am so grateful for the help I receive from Senior Resources. It is allowing me to feel safe and secure again and to know that I have a home and that I can stay here with a bit of help for as long as I can.”
She turns back to the window, the afternoon light warming the room—proof that resilience and community can share the same address.
Need Support for Yourself or a Loved One?
If you or someone you know could benefit from the MI Choice Medicaid Waiver Program, we are here to help.
Call Senior Resources and speak with an options counselor at 231-733-3585
Or visit us online to learn more:
www.seniorresourceswmi.org