The Region IV Area Agency on Aging is setting its sights on making further improvements to services in the year ahead as it sees the population of older adults in Southwest Michigan growing.
Speaking to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners this week, the agency’s Amanda Drew presented its 2026 Annual Implementation Plan, something that will not only guide the local agency in the year ahead, but influence state and federal policy.
Drew said while the Area Agency on Aging has made great strides in 2025, celebrating its 50th anniversary and serving seniors in three counties, there are challenges ahead.
“The current climate of proposed policy changes and funding reductions poses significant risk to essential programs supporting older adults, informal caregivers, and direct care workers,” Drew said.
Drew said the shortage of care workers is also a concern. However, she said the agency has many goals for 2026, which include providing more services for those with dementia.
“Continued development of the Direct Care Workforce Coalition, implementation dementia education opportunities for specific sectors including first responders, businesses, and volunteers.”
Drew said other goals include expanding dementia education, seeking grants, improving home caregiver management, and hosting community conversations. They’re also planning a marketing campaign to highlight the work done by caregivers.
Heading into 2026. Drew said the Area Agency on Aging’s work becomes all the more important because about a third of all residents in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties are over 60, and the population, overall, is aging.
You can read the report right here.
