Senior Resources of West Michigan Wins National Award for Behavioral Health Innovation
Delivering In-Home Mental Health Support to Isolated Seniors
Muskegon, MI — August 18, 2025 — Senior Resources of West Michigan has been awarded a 2025 Aging Innovations Award by USAging for its Behavioral Health at Home program, a groundbreaking initiative that brings mental health care directly to older adults who are home-limited.
As isolation among seniors continues to rise—driven by mobility challenges, sensory impairments, and limited access to transportation—the impact on mental health is profound. Behavioral Health at Home addresses this crisis with a three-pronged model that includes online therapy, telehealth access, and in-home counseling. The program supports individuals facing anxiety, depression, substance dependence, and other behavioral health challenges.
Funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and through a collaboration with the local Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and the University of Michigan the program has already delivered 460 in-home visits and helped participants significantly improve their quality-of-life scores.
“My Senior Resources counselor has been a great help to me,” says Lesa, a participant in the program and a Grand Haven resident living with Parkinson’s. “Having her come to my home is more comfortable for me. She helps me realize things I might not have thought of. When she comes over, I feel much better.”
“We’re honored to receive this recognition from USAging,” said Kim Vazquez, Medical Services Administrator at Senior Resources. “Behavioral Health at Home is more than a program—it’s a lifeline for older adults who are often overlooked and underserved. We’re proud to lead the way in making mental health care accessible, compassionate, and personal.”
Senior Resources’ model is designed for replication, offering a blueprint for other Area Agencies on Aging to expand behavioral health access in their communities.
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About Senior Resources of West Michigan
Senior Resources of West Michigan is the Area Agency on Aging serving Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa Counties. As a nonprofit organization, we are dedicated to helping older adults and their families navigate aging with dignity, independence, and support. Through a wide array of services, including care coordination, home-based assistance, nutrition programs, and caregiver support, Senior Resources empowers individuals to age in place and thrive in their communities. Learn more at www.seniorresourceswmi.org.