Township senior services report for past year

By Dana Casadei

In the words of Christine Tvaroha, Bloomfield Township Director of Senior Services, her department crushed it this past year, and their annual report proved it.

With a mission to serve those 50 and over through promoting wellness, supporting independence, strengthening communities, and cultivating vitality, senior services had 41,544 visits for fiscal year 2024-2025, with 80 percent of those visits for fitness programs and classes.

Of those 41,544 visits to the center, it created 485 new member profiles, and nearly 13,000 program registrations.

Throughout the 2024-2025 fiscal year senior services not only provided 65 day trips to places like museums, river cruises, and tours of Michigan Central Train Station, but also helped seniors through Meals on Wheels, delivering 6,554 meals to 93 clients across Bloomfield Township, and their chore services program.

With the chore services program senior services was able to complete 28 snow removals, 12 lawn mowings, 23 gutter cleanings, and 56 yard cleanups.

Some of the largest changes to happen this year include the reopening of the Friendship Club Adult Day Service – made possible through the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan – and pool resurfacing and salt water conversion, all which were paid for through use of the American Rescue Plan Act and the $424,000 senior services received in grant funding.

The new parking lot was also days away from being completed at the board of trustees meeting on Monday, June 9.

“I never thought I would say this, but the asphalt is beautiful,” Tvaroha said.

Senior services also launched a new partnership with SilverSneakers, which allows eligible members free access to their gym. So far, there are over 200 residents enrolled.

Over the course of her presentation, Tvaroha was able to share not only highlights through the data of all they’ve done this last year, but highlight the people she gets to work with too.

“Our team is really excellent, and my favorite thing to brag about. I love all the data but behind the numbers are people,” Tvaroha said. “Volunteers who give their time, caregivers finding moments of respite, members staying active and connected, and a dynamic and supportive staff.”

Currently, senior services is made up of eight full-time administrators, and 18 part-time staff. Of the part-time staff, 75 percent are Bloomfield Township residents, according to the report.

Senior Services had one more big thing to celebrate this past year too, the 15th anniversary of the Senior Center building.