FACT SHEET

Mission

   The Michigan Association of Homes and Services for the Aging represents mission-driven service providers.  In doing so, we strive to create the future of services for the aging, advocate for service excellence, deliver member value and promote the continuum of services.

   MAHSA members are sponsored by religious, ethnic, fraternal, government and other not-for-profit organizations that annually donate millions in charitable care to Michigan seniors.  MAHSA is anchored by eight member organizations that were founded more than 100 years ago: Clark Retirement Community, Evangelical Homes of Michigan, Holland Home, Jewish Home and Aging Services, Lutheran Homes of Michigan, Michigan Masonic Pathways, United Methodist Retirement Communities, and Volunteers of America, Michigan.


Founded

   MAHSA was founded in 1968 as the Michigan Non-Profit Homes Association.  The association’s first executive director, Lee Trumble, was hired in 1973.

   In 1999, MAHSA established the Education Center, a 501(c) 3 dedicated to educating the public on long term care issues.  In 2007, the association acquired MAHSA Shared Services which focuses on bringing members the highest quality of services at the lowest cost possible.

Leadership

   President and CEO David Herbel leads today’s MAHSA team.  Jaclyn Harris of Trinity Continuing Care Services, Novi, was elected Chair of the MAHSA Board of Directors in 2007. Also serving in Board leadership positions are Sylvia Simons, Vice Chair, Spectrum Health Continuing Care, Grand Rapids; Roger Myers, Secretary, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, Southfield; Cindy Bosley, Treasurer, Masonic Pathways, Alma; and Elizabeth Goch, Past Chair, Oakwood Healthcare System, Dearborn.

Services

   MAHSA is the only statewide association representing the full continuum of long-term care.  MAHSA members provide independent living, affordable housing, assisted living, nursing home care, home care, home- and community-based services and hospice.

   MAHSA membership consists of more than 200 facility and home- and community-based service organizations. The membership services 25,800 beds of care/independent living units and more than 8.1 million days of care annually.

The Not-for-Profit Difference

   Not-for-profit organizations are accountable to voluntary boards of directors, who donate their time and talent to ensure ethical management, financial integrity and quality services.  Not-for-profit finances are always open for public inspection.

   All proceeds in a not-for-profit organization are reinvested in improving the physical environment, serving more people, offering more and better accommodations and services and, ultimately, fulfilling the organization’s mission.

   Not-for-profit providers have a longstanding tradition of leading with quality.  For example, not-for-profit nursing homes have more nursing staff than for-profits.  Residents receive 37.2 percent more hours per day of registered nurse care, 6.1 percent more hours per day of licensed practical nurse care and 10.4 percent more hours per day of certified nursing assistant care.


Innovation

   MAHSA members aggressively pursue opportunities to build affordable housing for low-income seniors.  To date, MAHSA members provide approximately 10,000 units of affordable housing to Michigan seniors.

   MAHSA members built Michigan’s first “Green Houses.”  Green Houses are the newest option for frail seniors in need of 24-hour licensed skilled nursing care.  Each ranch-style Green House has ten private bedrooms and bathrooms, a large community room, and meals cooked right in the home.

   MAHSA members are leaders in developing Continuing Care Retirement Communities.  CCRCs allow seniors to “age in place” by offering a variety of long-term care services all on one convenient campus.  To date, 22 MAHSA members are CCRCs and 17 of the 19 Life Care Communities in the state are MAHSA members.

   In 2008, MAHSA members will launch two new Programs of All inclusive Care for the Elderly.  PACE coordinates and provides all needed preventative, primary, acute and long term care services so older individuals can continue living in the community.  The significance of the additional PACE programs means that Michigan will provide more PACE sites to seniors than 45 other states.

   Fourteen MAHSA members are committed to the Eden Alternative, a revolution in long term care that dedicates itself to eliminating the plagues of loneliness, helplessness, and boredom that make life difficult for many in long-term care facilities.  Studies show that implementation of the Eden Alternative is a powerful tool for improving quality of life and quality of care for those living in nursing homes.

Long-Term Care Facts

   Michigan ranks 44th in the nation in the amount it spends per senior citizen over the age of 65 — far behind Ohio (10th), Wisconsin (18th) and Indiana (19th).

   Fifty-two percent of long-term care services are provided for free by family members and friends.  About 20 percent of long-term care is paid for with private resources, such as savings or insurance.  Medicaid covers 21 percent and Medicare pays only 7 percent of the nation’s long-term care expenses.

   Approximately 5 percent of Michigan’s Medicaid caseload is made up of senior citizens, but Michigan spends 28 percent of its Medicaid dollars on the elderly.

   The demand for affordable senior housing projects exceeds supply.  A recent study found that for every unit of HUD 202 housing, 10 people are waiting in line.

   Seniors, who now make up 12 percent of the state’s population, will comprise 15 percent by 2020 and 19 percent by 2030.

   While 47 million Americans are uninsured for health care, 250 million Americans are uninsured for long-term care.

   Nearly one out of every four households is involved with care giving to a person age 50 and over.