MEJI protects the rights of and empowers low income older adults and adults with disabilities through individual advocacy, policy advocacy, litigation, education, and collaboration with local, state, and national partners.
MEJI engages in a wide range of advocacy efforts to address issues including elder abuse, guardianship, long term care, public benefits, and access to health care that affect the most vulnerable older adults and adults with disabilities.
MEJI’s ombudsman and legal staff support, advise, and advocate for older adults and adults with disabilities who receive long term care, are at risk of or under guardianship, are victims of elder abuse or exploitation, or face challenges obtaining necessary health care or public benefits.
MEJI provides extensive training in Michigan and across the country to consumers and professionals on topics that affect low income older adults and adults with disabilities. MEJI also collaborates with community and advocacy organizations and plays leadership roles in many coalitions, task forces, and boards.
An ombudsman program is an advocacy service that offers a way for consumers to voice their complaints and have concerns addressed, promoting policies and consumer protections to improve long-term services and supports at the facility, local, state, and national levels. MEJI is proud to offer three ombudsman programs and additional programs that address the needs of vulnerable older adults and adults with disabilities.
The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (MLTCOP) advocates for the health, safety, well-being, and rights of more than 100,000 residents in Michigan nursing homes, homes for the aged, and adult foster care homes.
The MI Community, Home, & Health Ombudsman is the new home for both the MI Health Link Ombudsman (MHLO) and the MI Choice, Community Transition Services, and PACE Ombudsman Program (MICPOP). We can help people who are enrolled or for applying services in MI Coordinated Health (formerly known as MI Health Link until 1/1/2026), MI Choice Waiver Program, Community Transition Services, and the Program of All-Inclusive Care Elderly (PACE).
The Michigan Nursing Home Transparency and Accountability Project, working in collaboration with national experts and the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care, seeks to examine how Michigan nursing homes allocate millions of dollars of public funds and whether those taxpayer dollars are used appropriately to meet residents’ critical needs
The Michigan Advancing Guardianship Innovations Center (MAGIC) will drive innovative approaches to protecting and empowering vulnerable individuals at risk of or under guardianship. Through this project, MEJI will implement some key innovations such as providing courts with the information they need to limit guardianships to honor individual abilities, introducing resources that can reform the role and expectations of the guardian ad litem, and cross-training of medical professionals and members of the bar and judiciary.
MGDP is a pilot project that seeks to empower older adults and individuals with disabilities by connecting them to community services, public benefits, and legal and other resources that can meet their needs and help them avoid guardianship.
Residents of long term care facilities have different rights, resources, and challenges, depending on whether they live in nursing homes, homes for the aged, adult foster care, or unlicensed assisted living facilities.
People who need long term supports and services but want to receive that help in their own homes instead of in nursing homes may qualify for a variety of state and local programs that may meet their needs.
Older adults and adults with disabilities are too often victims of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Fortunately, there are resources to reduce the risk of victimization and help victims rebuild their lives and regain their stability, dignity, and quality of life.
Individuals who need help making decisions or managing their lives may choose or be required to have someone else make decisions for them but the goal should always be to maximize autonomy, dignity, and rights.
Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program that provides comprehensive health care services, including long term care, to low income adults and children.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 and older and for some younger people with disabilities.
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