A millage proposal on the Aug. 2 primary election ballot will determine the fate of Grand Traverse County’s Commission on Aging (COA).

“It’s critically important for us,” says Laura Green, deputy director of the COA. “If it doesn’t pass, we have funding for one more year and then that’s it.”

Green explains that the COA currently has a $1.3 million fund balance. She points out that though Grand Traverse County’s general fund is facing financial issues, the COA is self-funded through the millage, client fees and donations.

The upcoming millage renewal proposal is for .5 mills, the same as the current rate, for six years through 2022. The tax impact on a $100,000 home is $25 a year, just over $2 a month. The millage provides roughly 80 percent of the COA’s annual budget of $2.7 million, according to Green.

“In addition to the millage funding, we do receive funding from the clients who utilize our services and from memorial donations and trusts from wills,” she adds.

The COA offers several programs designed to maintain and improve the quality of life for residents 60 years old and older in an effort keep them living in their homes. COA clients can get help for basic household chores such as cleaning and lawn maintenance.

Another program provides health care assistance, including bathing, hair and skin care, blood sugar checks and more. Respite care allows caregivers of clients some time to rest.

“We go in and provide that caregiver with a bit of relief,” explains Green. “Clients make four-hour appointments and that gives the caregiver time to run errands or just get away for a little break.”

COA recently introduced two new services. The Universal Aide program combines housekeeping with personal care skills. The COA’s 13 Universal Aides are state certified nursing assistants who can handle health care needs and also provide other services, including personal care, light housekeeping and respite care.

The other new service is Medminder, a program that wirelessly monitors a client’s prescriptions. It’s a medication dispenser that reminds patients to take their meds on time and communicates with COA with real-time notifications if there is a problem. It provides both audio and visual reminders for hearing-impaired or low-vision clients. It’s cellular based, so no landline or internet is needed. “We’re beginning Metminder this month and I think it will be very popular,” says Green.

To qualify for any COA services, a person must be 60 years of age or older and a resident of Grand Traverse County. There are small charges for services, based on income and determined by a sliding fee scale.

“For example, a single person with an income under $24,000 a year would pay $5 per hour to have their house cleaned,” says Green. “If it takes two hours, it would be $10. That’s pretty reasonable.”