Montague resident Kenneth D. Mahoney has been appointed to the State Advisory Council on Aging by the Commission on Services to the Aging. His 3-year term began on June 1.

Mahoney said, “I’m looking forward to playing an important role in advocating for our area seniors in Western Michigan, and older Michiganders in general, on the State Advisory Council on Aging (SAC).” Mahoney, who served for 14 years as a Muskegon County Commissioner in District 9, added, “The experience I had in supporting the Muskegon County Senior Millage, and then as a member of the Senior Millage Advisory Committee in Muskegon County for three years following its passage, has prepared me well for this new assignment.”

State Representative Terry J. Sabo (92^nd District), had endorsed Mahoney for the appointment. “I’m pleased with Ken Mahoney’s appointment," Sabo said. "It’s a certain benefit to our area seniors. Ken’s years of experience representing White Lake area citizens on the Muskegon County Commission will be a great addition as the SAC members help to craft the State Plan on Aging. He knows the issues. Ken will be an asset in sharing information with our local commissions and councils on aging and with our senior centers; in turn, he’ll listen to their concerns and report to the SAC on local issues that affect older adults.”

Mahoney will be part of the 40-member volunteer SAC under the auspices of the Aging and Adult Services Agency (AASA) within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. SAC members study key aging issues, write reports, and advise the Commission on Services to the Aging, and the director of AASA. To reflect the demographic and geographic diversity of Michigan’s older population, appointments are made with consideration given to geographical representation to ensure representation in one of the sixteen Area Agency on Aging (AAA) regions. Mahoney resides in AAA Region 14 that is administered by Senior Resources in Muskegon.

A volunteer open house is being held July 15 for the Medicare / Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP), at Tanglewood Park in Muskegon. MMAP is seeking volunteers to help people navigate the Medicare and Medicaid processes.

Volunteers are needed in Muskegon, Oceana, and Ottawa counties.

To learn more about MMAP and how you can help, contact Cheryl Olsen at 231-733-3567, or visit https://seniorresourceswmi.org/medicare-medicaid-assistance-program/. Training is provided.

Senior Community Day returns on Aug. 6 in Hackley Park in Muskegon.

Visit the website for more information and to register for the day:

https://www.smgmuskegon.com/seniorday