A resident addresses panelists at Hill’s Town Hall on Elder Care and Aging Services at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette on April 3, 2023.
MARQUETTE, Mich., April 4, 2023 — State Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) hosted a town hall yesterday to discuss the care challenges that older Yoopers are facing and share resources available to help them. Her guests were Maureen McFadden, senior services manager for the city of Marquette; Lori Stephens-Brown, co-chair of the Marquette County Senior Providers Network and director of Marquette County Aging Services and Retired & Senior Volunteer Program; and Kristine Lindquist, executive director of the Alger County Commission on Aging.
“It’s important for Yoopers to know about the options they have when it comes to health and aging care, and it’s important to me to hear about any obstacles they face in accessing them,” Hill said. “The repeal of the retirement tax has also had a big impact on our communities in the U.P. This was a great opportunity to update them on its impact so they can have a better understanding of their financial outlook for the coming years.”
Some issues discussed at the event included staff retention and quality of care in private and public assisted living and memory care facilities, technical assistance for older Michiganders trying to access telehealth, and legislative changes in recent years that have impacted services.
“I would like to thank all the folks from the community that participated,” Lindquist said. “Their valuable input will help many. It was nice to be invited and have Alger included in the conversations.”