Services for Seniors

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New Release

The Southfield Scribe January - March 2024 Senior Newsletter

Happy New Year!
The January-March 2024 edition of The Southfield Scribe senior newsletter is here!
Information on AARP Tax Aide and the popular Grand Experience at Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel trip are included.
Call Senior Services at (248) 796-4650 for more details.

The Southfield Scribe January - March 2024

The Southfield Senior Services office remains closed to the public. We are available Monday-Thursday from 9 am - 4 pm and Friday from 9 am - 2 pm to answer your calls in person at (248) 796-4650. If we miss you, please leave a message and we will call you back. 

Located at 26000 Evergreen Road, within the Parks & Recreation Building, Senior Services serves adults age 50 and older. Please call (248) 796-4650 for more information.
 

Transportation Services 

Mobility is critical to people of all ages. It gives us independence. Those without the ability to drive often feel “trapped” in their homes. The City of Southfield and SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority Regional Transportation) are continuously working together to improve community transit service to accommodate the needs of Southfield’s senior citizens and those with disabilities.


TOSS (Transportation of Southfield Seniors) 

Are you familiar with our TOSS Pass? They are the new, easy, and convenient way to use our Transportation of Southfield Seniors service, no need to carry cash. You will need a TOSS pass each time you ride with us. TOSS Pass booklets can be purchased by contacting the Senior Services office at (248) 796-4654.

Transportation of Southfield Seniors - TOSS is currently providing transportation to medical appointments, grocery shopping, pharmacies, retail stores and banks between the hours of 8:30 am-3:30 pm, Monday-Friday.  The dispatcher is available to take your reservation Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 
1:30 pm. Appointments must be confirmed with the dispatcher. No same day or next day rides available. Masks are recommended

Bus service is provided to Southfield residents in the geographical area of 8 Mile to 14 Mile and Coolidge to Middlebelt. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a reservation, please call the TOSS office at (248) 796-4658.

If you need service outside of TOSS hours, or are not a Southfield or Lathrup Village resident, please call the SMART Connector at (866) 962-5515.

This service is funded and operated by the joint efforts of the City of Southfield, SMART funds, Corewell Health and Ascension SE Michigan Mission Fund.
 


SMART Connector 

Regular scheduled stops for SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority Regional Transportation) buses have been arranged at more than 25 Southfield locations. Scheduled transportation to theaters, sporting events, shopping, and personal errands are available. For a listing of pickup locations and destinations please call Senior Services at (248) 796-4650. Curb-to-Curb bus service is available by appointment. Those requiring regular service through SMART may call their offices at (866) 962-5515 at least two days in advance of the required pickup.


 

Free Tax Assistance from AARP 

Appointments can be made online at https://sfld.mitaxapp.com/ or by calling the Senior office at (248) 796-4650 after this date. All participants must have an email address to utilize this service.

AARP will once again be assisting senior residents with their taxes this season. This program’s goal is to offer complimentary tax preparation help to anyone regardless of age, but the emphasis is on those over 50 years of age who cannot afford to have professional tax assistance. Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS certified each year.

All tax help is by appointment only and space will be limited. Appointments will be scheduled for weekdays from February 1 through April 11. Appointments take place in the Marcotte Room for March and April. Underground parking is available providing easy access to the Marcotte Room. 

In addition to calling the office to make appointments, you can sign up on your own by going to https://sfld.mitaxapp.com.

 

 

CHORE Service 

The Chore Program is for all Southfield homeowners who are senior citizens, 62 or older, living alone, OR Certified handicapped, living alone and whose annual income meets Federal guidelines: for a family of ONE the income must be $27,500 or less and for a family of TWO the income must be $31,400 or less.

Chore services include yard work (lawn care, shrub and tree trimming & leaf pick-up), snow removal, window and gutter cleaning, minor plumbing, minor furnace repair, minor electrical repair, minor painting and carpentry. Each qualified homeowner is allowed $500 per year for the labor involved, while the client is responsible for material used. By helping with home and yard maintenance, the Chore program enables homeowners to stay in their homes.

Any questions please call Denise Glinz, Chore Coordinator, at (248) 796-4180.

 

Medicare/Medicaid Assistance 

This service, provided by the Area Agency on Aging, provides information and answers any questions you might have regarding Medicare and Medicaid coverage. A trained older adult volunteer counselor will answer all questions personally at no cost to you. Information is also given regarding supplemental insurance plans, long term care options, help with applications for Medicaid and much more. If you are experiencing a problem with a doctor or hospital bill, make an appointment and bring the pertinent paperwork with you for assistance. Any information you provide is confidential. For more information, please call the Area Agency on Aging at (248) 357-2255.