WellWise Services: An Area Agency on Aging Supporting Independence, Health, and Happiness

For more than 50 years, WellWise Services Area Agency on Aging has quietly shaped the lives of thousands across Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties. What began as Region 2 Area Agency on Aging has grown into a community cornerstone and a lifeline for older adults, adults with disabilities and their caregivers.

At the heart of WellWise is a simple but powerful mission: to help people live independently, safely and with dignity. 

“Our staff and volunteers are deeply rooted in the communities we serve,” said CEO Kara Lorenz-Goings. “We don’t just respond to needs, we anticipate them.”

With more than 80 employees and over 80 community partners and contracted providers, WellWise’s impact is expansive. Last year alone, the agency received more than 20,000 calls from individuals seeking support, guidance and hope.

Meeting Needs Before Crisis Hits

“People often wait until they’re in crisis to call us,” said Deanne Matthews, access supervisor. “But there’s so much we can do before it gets to that point. We help with Medicare, Medicaid, exercise programs, tech help, social connection and we walk alongside people through every step.”

From walk-in support to in-home care assessments, the agency’s services are accessible, personal and warm. Whether someone needs help with energy bills, navigating insurance or simply a connection to a friendly voice, WellWise is there.

The My Choice Waiver: A Gateway to Aging in Place

One of their flagship programs, the My Choice Waiver, enables eligible participants to receive long-term care support in their homes instead of a nursing facility. “We support more than 700 people through this program alone, most of them right here in Jackson,” said Angie Shepherd, clinical supervisor. “We help them remain in their homes with services like caregivers, meals or even emergency buttons. It’s about dignity and independence.”

A Safety Net for Those Who Need It

The stories that pour out of WellWise are not just statistics. They are about saved homes, restored relationships and renewed hope. One woman, caring for a husband with severe dementia, came to the agency at her breaking point. “She thought her only option was to leave him,” recalls Shepherd. “But we helped her enroll in the My Choice program. That support allowed them to stay together safely in their home.”

Another example came through the agency’s elder abuse prevention initiative, Safe Haven. “A client had been financially exploited and was facing eviction,” Shepherd recalls. “We were able to connect him with legal help and use Safe Haven funds to cover his rent. We kept him safe and off the streets.”

Built by the Community, for the Community

WellWise’s new headquarters in Brooklyn, made possible by a local property donation from Dr. Cole, reflects both growth and commitment. Rebranded in 2023, the agency now operates from a beautiful, modernized facility: another symbol of their forward-thinking evolution.

But even with a new name and building, their core remains the same. “We’re here because our community needs us and they always will,” said Lorenz-Goings. “Our advisory council, our board, our volunteers, they all come from the counties we serve. This is their mission too.”

Ways to Get Involved

WellWise welcomes community involvement in many forms, from volunteering and donations to simply reaching out to someone in need. 

“You might be the person who notices a neighbor is struggling,” said Matthews. “Sometimes a phone call or a warm meal is all it takes to keep someone safe and connected.”

Volunteers assist with everything from friendly reassurance calls to Medicare counseling and Connection Café lunches. Donations help fund under-resourced programs like the Unmet Needs Fund or Safe Haven, directly supporting vulnerable residents.

A Call to Action

“The aging population is growing rapidly,” said Lorenz-Goings. “Advocating for them isn’t just compassionate, it’s smart. Aging in place reduces health care costs and improves quality of life. But we need voices, volunteers and support to keep making that possible.”

“Don’t wait for a crisis,” Lorenz-Goings urges. “Call us now. Let’s walk this journey together.”

To learn more, get help or join their mission, visit wellwiseservices.org or call 517-592-1974.