abc-logo
Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

Please submit form to schedule a

Personal Care Consultation

Local Magic Personal Care Consultation

Please submit this form below and we will chat shortly!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Home Care In Macomb, MI

Home Care Macomb, MI

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Crocker House Museum and Gardens gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Macomb, MI is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Macomb, MI

location Service Areas

The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

×
TESTIMONIALS

“Tom and staff are incredible on working with families if you’re having issue with your mom or dad or any senior give Tom a call he can help”

Mark M.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Best place I’ve ever worked. Not only do they take care of their clients, their employees too!! Blessed everyday to work for this company”

Jeanine L.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I’d like to thank always best care for all their support. As this was my first experience with any senior care agency, I was a bit apprehensive but they were great right from the start. All the caregivers were very attentive and assisted my parents with proper care at home. Undoubtedly a great caregiving agency..”

Christoper W.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider We used Always Best Care of Macomb County for my friend and they were wonderful. We chose them because they had a little edge on the caregiving model that they use and they negotiated the price with us. The caregivers were professional and prompt. They provided my friend with companionship, helped with feeding, and they were available at night for nighttime issues that arose. They were also there to pass meds to her, to facilitate her taking her anti-anxiety pills, and to reassure her. They were always prompt in returning my phone calls and they kept a notebook so we could communicate. They solicited feedback too.”

Cindy
×
TESTIMONIALS

“We used Always Best Care of Macomb County for my friend and they were wonderful. We chose them because they had a little edge on the caregiving model that they use and they negotiated the price with us. The caregivers were professional and prompt. They provided my friend with companionship, helped with feeding, and they were available at night for nighttime issues that arose. They were also there to pass meds to her, to facilitate her taking her anti-anxiety pills, and to reassure her. They were always prompt in returning my phone calls and they kept a notebook so we could communicate. They solicited feedback too.”

Cindy
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Good review Good review Good review Good review Good review Good review”

Mr. -.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“They have always gone the extra mile for me on every call!”

Mick M.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Macomb, MI?

lm-check

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

lm-check

When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

lm-check

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

lm-check

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Macomb, MI

Types of Elderly Care in Macomb, MI

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Macomb, MI
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Macomb, MI
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Waldenburg Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Macomb, MI
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Testa Barra Kitchen & Cocktails or visit Alexander Macomb Monument, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Macomb, MI

Benefits of Home Care in Macomb, MI

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

Request More Information vector

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Macomb, MI, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Macomb, MI

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your MI's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Macomb, MI

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Macomb, MI understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Macomb, MI

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Macomb, MI

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Oakleigh of Macomb Senior Living
  • Westwood Inn - Senior Living Community
  • Walnut Creek Living
  • Hearthstone Communities Macomb II
  • Hearthstone Communities Macomb
  • Bella Senior Care Home Llc
Home Care Macomb, MI

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Macomb, MI

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

lm-right-arrow
01

A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

lm-right-arrow
02

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

lm-right-arrow
03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Macomb, MI 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Macomb, MI

Latest News in Macomb, MI

FEMA opening disaster recovery center in Macomb County in response to August storms

In response to the storms that hit Michigan between Aug. 24 and Aug. 26 of 2023, inspectors with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in Gibraltar on Friday visiting homes and areas that suffered damage.CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — In response to the storms that hit Michigan between Aug. 24 and Aug. 26 of 2023, inspectors with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in Gibraltar on Friday visiting homes and areas that suffered damage.A new disaster recovery center is also opening Friday in Maco...

In response to the storms that hit Michigan between Aug. 24 and Aug. 26 of 2023, inspectors with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in Gibraltar on Friday visiting homes and areas that suffered damage.

CHESTERFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — In response to the storms that hit Michigan between Aug. 24 and Aug. 26 of 2023, inspectors with the Federal Emergency Management Agency will be in Gibraltar on Friday visiting homes and areas that suffered damage.

A new disaster recovery center is also opening Friday in Macomb County. It opens at 8 a.m. Friday at the Chesterfield Township Central Fire Station and will be open to the public, running Monday through Saturday until 6:30 p.m. and will remain in Chesterfield as long as needed.

It's to help residents in Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne counties.

The storms caused several thousand dollars of damage, and destroyed the trailer home of Kayla Barton and Eric Szalka. The couple says without insurance, they lost upward of $30,000 after their trailer had to be demolished.'

“We had to move into the camper for about four months after the tornado,” Barton said.

"It's been a struggle," Szalka added. "We've been struggling to get back up on our feet."

Today, they live on one of their parents' property three hours away and this month began applying for FEMA assistance, which opened up earlier this month for those with damage from the storms. That’s when seven confirmed tornadoes hit the state, causing extensive damage along with major flooding that hit a number of communities in metro Detroit.

Related: Photo gallery of damage after severe weather hits parts of Michigan

FEMA spokesperson Darrell Habisch says they have inspectors on the ground in Michigan now.

“We have folks going door to door in various communities around the Detroit area as well as Lansing and Grand Rapids,” Habisch said.

The new help center opening in Chesterfield will be available to answer questions, help people with the process and take in-person applications.

"You can bring all of your information with you. We can sign you up right then and there,” Habisch added.

So far in Michigan, FEMA has visited over 3,000 homes and approved $3.2 million in assistance from the August storms. However, Habisch warns those in need that FEMA should not be their first line of defense, as they can't replace all that was lost. They can help with specific necessary repairs and replacements, as well as rental assistance for those displaced.

“FEMA is not an insurance company. FEMA is here to help you with your immediate needs," Habisch said. "What happened during the storm and right after those terrible storms? What did you need right away to get into a safe, secure and sanitary environment?”

As for Barton and Szalka, they’re working with FEMA to inspect the site their home once stood, unclear what help they can get but say any help is appreciated.

“We literally live day by day, but it's God or somebody working with us, and they’re making sure we’re OK and we have each other,” Barton said.

The deadline for applications is April 8. To apply without visiting a center, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., go online to disasterassistance.gov or download the FEMA app.

For more information about the disaster recovery operation in Michigan, visit fema.gov/disaster.

Related:

Copyright 2024 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

HopCat to open first Macomb County location this summer

MACOMB COUNTY, MI – HopCat is continuing its move into Metro Detroit.Project BarFly, the Grand Rapids-based company that oversees HopCat, Grand Rapids Brewing Company, and Stella’s Lounge, recently announced its newest HopCat location will be at the Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township.Located at 17380 Hall Road at the former BurgerFin, the location will be the third in Metro Detroit, joining locations in Royal Oak and Livonia, and the first in Macomb County.The announcement was made by BarFly CEO Ned ...

MACOMB COUNTY, MI – HopCat is continuing its move into Metro Detroit.

Project BarFly, the Grand Rapids-based company that oversees HopCat, Grand Rapids Brewing Company, and Stella’s Lounge, recently announced its newest HopCat location will be at the Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township.

Located at 17380 Hall Road at the former BurgerFin, the location will be the third in Metro Detroit, joining locations in Royal Oak and Livonia, and the first in Macomb County.

The announcement was made by BarFly CEO Ned Lidvall.

“After opening two locations in Metro Detroit last year, we’re thrilled to be joining the Macomb County community and increasing our brand presence in this thriving market,” Lidvall said.

“It was easy to see the opportunity at The Mall at Partridge Creek — a vibrant and walkable destination. We’re confident about our decision to invest in this location as the home of our 10th Michigan HopCat restaurant.”

Anticipated to open early this summer, the new 7,000-square foot HopCat will accommodate 250 guests and feature a wrap-around bar, spacious booth seating, a dog-friendly outdoor patio, a 4-season room, and a private event space for up to 50 people.

HopCat will begin its hiring in March, looking to hire 125 employees.

“We are thrilled to welcome HopCat to The Mall at Partridge Creek,” shared Carmen Spinoso, CEO of Spinoso Real Estate Group,

“Their commitment to quality, scratch-made and award-winning food and exceptional service resonates with our vision to create unique and quality experiences for our guests. HopCat’s parent company, BarFly, stands out with its mission of environmental sustainability and community engagement. We are excited and honored to partner with a company that shares our values and look forward to the positive impact they will bring to our mall and the surrounding community.”

The original HopCat location opened in Grand Rapids in 2008 and quickly became known for its impressive lineup of craft beer, comfort food and tasty seasoned fires, now known as Cosmik Fries.

HopCat has rapidly expanded since then with locations mostly in Michigan, but also in Indianapolis and Lincoln, Nebraska. Further expansion into states like Missouri, Florida, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Minnesota proved to be unsuccessful.

BarFly filed for bankruptcy amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the HopCat chain was later sold.

Macomb Twp. dog park set to open in November

Dogs and their families will be the first to enjoy Macomb Township’s Pitchford Park, as the dog park portion of the property is planned to open in November.On Oct. 3, Grace Lovins, Macomb Township community relations liaison, said the township is planning a grand opening specifically for the dog park on Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. A grand opening for the entire park will be held in the spring, Lovins said. Pitchford Park is located on Romeo Plank Road, just north of 22 Mile Road.The dog park will have clear separate areas for larg...

Dogs and their families will be the first to enjoy Macomb Township’s Pitchford Park, as the dog park portion of the property is planned to open in November.

On Oct. 3, Grace Lovins, Macomb Township community relations liaison, said the township is planning a grand opening specifically for the dog park on Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. A grand opening for the entire park will be held in the spring, Lovins said. Pitchford Park is located on Romeo Plank Road, just north of 22 Mile Road.

The dog park will have clear separate areas for large and small canines. Supervisor Frank Viviano said it will also include a shade pavilion and custom art installation along the fence. There will be a key fob entry and a watering station.

“The parks team is working on rules and procedures as we speak,” Viviano said on Oct. 2.

Macomb Township acquired the park property through a donation. The Macomb Township Board of Trustees sold several separate properties to finance Pitchford Park, and awarded a $4 million contract for its construction to Warren Contractors and Development Inc. Viviano said everything for the park was paid for through the sale of the unneeded property or cash reserves generated from financial savings.

“The contract work is on target,” Viviano said. “However, the board purchased the red farm house, demo the building, and added a playground purchased directly.”

Viviano added the project overall cost will be around $4.5 million when completed.

“We received a place making grant from the Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors of $5,000,” Viviano said. “Also, First State Bank generously donated a bronze statue. And other sponsorships are being discussed.”

In addition to the dog park, Pitchford Park will include features such as four pickleball courts, a playscape, a walking path, a picnic area, restroom facilities, two tennis courts and more. Amenities were selected based on community surveys.

“We have worked with court experts to design the pickleball courts,” Viviano said. “We also researched other courts and surveyed users as to pros and cons.”

Viviano also said that the township is planning a multi-phase playground installation and is working with professional playscape designers.

“The first phase will have something for all ages. We’re hoping to create some unique features over the course of the project, but many of the ideas are still being thought through. More to come,” Viviano said.

On Sept. 27, the Macomb Township Board of Trustees approved a request to accept a grant from Macomb County Planning and Economic Development Department for a Canadian National EcoConnexions program to create a monarch butterfly habitat at Pitchford Park. The grant is for up to $3,000 to plant wildflower seed at the park for the habitat.

In a memo to the board from Treasurer Leon Drolet dated Sept. 21, Drolet cited World Wildlife Fund reports that populations of monarch butterflies have declined over the past 25 years, most significantly in recent years. The decline has been attributed to the loss of wildflower habitat, particularly the milkweed plants the monarchs need, and increased applications of pesticides.

Drolet added the township could provide monarch butterfly habitat by planting about one acre of wildflower seeds in the drain and wet areas of Pitchford Park, which will also allow residents to enjoy a wildflower meadow along a portion of the walking path. Viviano said that the walking path is, in total, half a mile long. He added the seed for the butterfly habitat is now being planted.

MI Healthy Climate webinar series

The MI Healthy Climate Plan lays out a pathway for Michigan to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis, create good-paying jobs, and build a healthier and more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Michigan for all Michiganders. Focusing on action from today to 2030, the Plan identifies bold, necessary, and strategic measures to deliver a carbon-neutral economy, reducing GHG emissions by 52% from 20...

The MI Healthy Climate Plan lays out a pathway for Michigan to avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis, create good-paying jobs, and build a healthier and more prosperous, equitable, and sustainable Michigan for all Michiganders. Focusing on action from today to 2030, the Plan identifies bold, necessary, and strategic measures to deliver a carbon-neutral economy, reducing GHG emissions by 52% from 2005 baselines by 2030 in an equitable manner, including the following priority action areas:

EGLE is presenting this webinar series to highlight opportunities to take action as well as actions taking place around the state to implement the goals in the Plan. The target audience includes local and state government, nonprofits, community groups, universities, businesses, and anyone interested in taking climate action. Join us as we discuss specific actions and upcoming programs and opportunities designed to help leverage resources, build partnerships, and create meaningful and measurable steps to reaching our goals of carbon neutrality in Michigan. A questions-and-answer period will follow each presentation. All webinars will be recorded and posted online for future viewing.

Upcoming Webinars in this Series

April 2, 2024, 4:00 - 5:00 PM Solar for All Program Overview The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Office of Climate and Energy (OCE) submitted the state of Michigan’s application for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Solar for All Competition to help advance the goals in the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

Through the U.S. EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), the $7 billion Solar for All Competition will award grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and eligible nonprofit recipients to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities (LIDCs) primed for distributed solar investment with overall objectives to:

If you are a resident interested in solar, contractor, manufacturer, local government, or community-based organization, you should attend this webinar. Attendees will learn about the Solar for All program and how it may impact communities across Michigan.

Recorded Webinars from this Series

EPA Community Change Grants: Michigan Support Webinar (recorded 1/10/2024, 59min) The State of Michigan is committed to promoting awareness of the U.S. EPA Community Change Grant opportunity and supporting community-based groups working on environmental and climate justice to pursue these funds. View this webinar to get an introduction to the Community Change Grants and learn how frontline environmental and climate justice communities and grassroots groups can benefit from this unique and unprecedented program. You will also learn about opportunities to receive no-fee/pro bono technical assistance for developing organizational capacity, project plans, partnerships, and applications for the Community Change Grants.

Building climate action capacity through the MI Healthy Climate Corps (recorded 11/09/2023, 54min)

The MI Healthy Climate Corps (MHCC) is a soon-to-launch initiative by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Office of Climate and Energy (OCE) in partnership with the Michigan Community Service Commission to leverage state and federal investments for advancing the goals in the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

Starting in early 2024, the MHCC will field a cohort of 30 federal AmeriCorps members who will provide vital support for climate action across Michigan. Corps members’ service will build capacity in governments and nonprofit organizations across the state to further Climate Plan goals, helping to guide federal and state resources and support to communities and people who need it most. Networking, training, and professional experience will develop Corps members’ skills and relationships for the long haul and future careers.

Attend this webinar to hear how EGLE is drawing on a tried-and-true model from other states to build a unique, transformative and equity-centered program in Michigan to meet the moment. We will cover how the MHCC will be engaging with community partners, state agencies, and others to identify needs and opportunities for this program, setting up a process to request support, and recruiting Corps candidates.

If you are a government or nonprofit organization on the frontlines of addressing climate change in Michigan and want to host a member, or if you might be interested in serving as a MI Healthy Climate Corps AmeriCorps member, you should attend this webinar. Learn more about the Corps.

Leveraging federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) funds for implementing the MI Healthy Climate Plan (recorded 10/10/2023, 61min)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program provides states, local governments, and tribal nations flexible resources to plan for and pursue ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution reductions to achieve three broad objectives: 1. Tackle damaging climate pollution while supporting the creation of good jobs and lowering energy costs for families; 2. Accelerate work to address environmental injustices and empower community-driven solutions in overburdened neighborhoods; and, 3. Deliver cleaner air by reducing harmful pollution in places where people live, work, play, and go to school.

Attend this webinar to hear how the state of Michigan is using the $3 million planning grant to accelerate the implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan and provide a strong framework for pursuing corresponding upcoming competitive funding from the EPA. We will discuss the general purpose of the grant, our proposed approach to public and stakeholder engagement, grant timeline, future funding opportunities, and other grant deliverables.

Overview of the MI Healthy Climate Plan and upcoming implementation opportunities (recorded 07/25/2023, 60min)EGLE’s Climate and Energy Advisor, Cory Connolly, will give an overview of how the MI Healthy Climate Plan came to be, the Plan’s Roadmap to reach our goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 52% from 2005 baselines by 2030, and where we’re heading with upcoming federal funding opportunities. With the creation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan under Governor Whitmer’s leadership, historic federal and state funding for climate action, and upcoming legislation, we are getting things done in Michigan! Learn what's happening, where we're heading, and how you can get involved.

Michigan becomes a national leader in climate action with new legislation, making progress on the goals of the MI Healthy Climate Plan

TLDR: Michigan’s Clean Energy Future is Bright Aerial view of Lake Winds Energy Park wind turbines in Mason County. Courtesy of MDOT.MI Healthy Climate Plan 2023 was an unprecedented year for bold climate action for Michigan. The Michigan legislature passed important climate legislation that included key recommendations from the M...

TLDR: Michigan’s Clean Energy Future is Bright

Aerial view of Lake Winds Energy Park wind turbines in Mason County. Courtesy of MDOT.

MI Healthy Climate Plan 2023 was an unprecedented year for bold climate action for Michigan. The Michigan legislature passed important climate legislation that included key recommendations from the MI Healthy Climate Plan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s plan that charts a path towards 100% carbon neutrality by 2050.

The MI Healthy Climate Plan included a ‘Roadmap to 2030’ to ensure meaningful progress on climate before the end of the decade to ensure alignment with the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. The Roadmap prioritized areas where the biggest, most rapid gains in GHG reductions can be made– electricity, transportation, and buildings. Given that many of the needed transportation and building solutions will rely on increased use of electricity, the Roadmap calls for ambitious and immediate action in efforts to deploy and use more clean and renewable energy. The Clean Energy Future Package and the Clean Energy Jobs Act lay the foundation for the rapid transition to a clean electric grid called for in the Roadmap.

Bold Action from the Michigan Legislature In November, just before they adjourned for the year, the legislature passed the Clean Energy Future Package (Senate Bills 271, 273, 277, 502, 519) and the Clean Energy and Jobs Act (House Bills 5120, 5121) containing key climate initiatives that were called for in the Roadmap. These bills not only help the state implement the MI Healthy Climate Plan but will, according to a recent report, save Michigan households an average of $145 a year in energy costs, help the state secure nearly $8 billion in federal investment, and will spur the creation of almost 160,000 jobs.

The Clean Energy Future package included five bills that align with, and in many cases exceed, the Roadmap’s recommendations, including recommendations to expand and site clean and renewable energy resources, expand energy efficiency offerings, address energy affordability, support workforce development and job training, evaluate potential impacts on environmental justice communities, codify just transition efforts, and more.

Impact of the Legislature’s Action The legislature’s actions this year will rocket Michigan into national clean energy leadership and ensure our state’s ambition meets the urgency of the climate crisis. The bills balance reliability and affordability while meeting many of the overall objectives of the MI Healthy Climate Plan— lowering energy costs, creating family-sustaining jobs, protecting our air, water, and public health for current and future generations, addressing environmental injustices, bringing federal tax dollars home, shoring up energy independence, and mitigating climate change.

MI Healthy Climate Plan Recommendation

2023 Clean Energy Legislation

Meet a goal of 100% clean energy no later than 2050

Requires 80% clean energy by 2035 and 100% by 2040.

Set a 50% renewable energy standard by 2030

Commits to 50% renewable energy by 2030 and 60% by 2035.

Increase options for customer-driven renewable energy, such as rooftop solar and voluntary green pricing programs.

Increases the cap on distributed generation resources like rooftop solar from 1% to 10%.

Statewide storage target to deploy 4,000 MW of grid-scale storage by 2040, with an interim goal of 2,500 MW by 2030

Establishes an energy storage mandate of 2,500 MW by 2030.

Address barriers to siting renewable energy

Streamlines the siting process for large-scale wind, solar, and storage projects.

Clarifies solar energy taxation, allows local governments and commercial solar energy developments to opt into payments in lieu of taxes (PILT).

Guarantees farmers can utilize their properties as they see fit, including to host solar projects.

Achieve at least 2% annual electric energy efficiency savings by increasing the current energy waste reduction target for electric utilities.

Increases Michigan’s EWR standard to 1.5% and sets a goal of 2% for electric utilities (with corresponding increases for natural gas utilities). Requires low-income programming with increasing minimum spend levels that ramp up to 25% by 2030. Requires MPSC assess energy efficiency every four years.

Restore the energy waste reduction target for municipal and cooperative electric utilities.

Reestablishes energy waste reduction standards for municipal and cooperative utilities.

Incentivize energy efficient appliances that yield immediate energy cost savings.

Creates new opportunities for efficient electrification, fuel switching, and whole home improvement. Requires MPSC assess electrification every four years.

Increase funding for the Utility Consumer Representation Fund, managed by the Utility Consumer Participation Board (UCPB), to support ratepayer advocates in their interventions at the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Doubles UCPB funding, expands the number of cases the UCPB can intervene in, and prioritizes UCPB grants in environmental justice communities and communities with high energy burden.

Adopt and promote property assessed clean energy programs (PACE).

Expands the eligibility of properties and projects for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing.

Expand on the efforts of the Michigan Public Service Commission to conduct an environmental justice and health impact analysis as part of Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) so the potential community impacts of utility investment decisions are more fully considered.

Allows the MPSC, for the first time, to consider climate, affordability, and environmental justice (EJ) in utility IRPs. Expands EGLE‘s IRP advisory opinion to include new evaluations including the potential impacts of the IRP on EJ and public health. Requires MPSC EJ impacts and programs every four years. Requires the MPSC to conduct an EJ analysis on the siting of any proposed new, abated natural gas facility and requires the utilities to undertake a similar analysis on fossil fuel peaker plant retirements to ensure community impact is taken into consideration in addition to economics.

Provide support and best practices to communities addressing economic transitions from closures of fossil fuel facilities and other large industrial operations.

Creates the Office of Worker and Community Economic Transition within the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to assist workers, communities, and employers during the transition to clean energy and electric vehicles.

Strengthen and create workforce development, job training, pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship, joint labor management training, and other such programs for in-demand clean energy jobs. Ensure these programs are federally certified by the Department of Labor where applicable.

Requires all projects approved in IRPs and renewable siting cases pay workers prevailing wage, enter into project labor agreements, and utilize Department of Labor certified apprenticeships.

Incentivize workforce development and training for workers experiencing energy-related employment transitions and those in underrepresented or disproportionately impacted communities.

Encourages diverse workforce development and hiring from environmental justice and low-income communities for EWR programs.

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.