ISHPEMING — A special community education event will be held on “Diverse Living Environments for Aging Well: Exploring Options and Solutions” at the Ishpeming Multi-Purpose Senior Center on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Serving as the Upper Peninsula remote viewing site of the 2025 Michigan State University AgeAlive Research Forum, the event will focus on interdisciplinary work that is being conducted on behalf of the aging population, including housing-related initiatives.

Community members, organizations serving older adults, city officials, business owners, and others interested in learning more about age-friendly efforts to create accessible housing for older adults are encouraged to attend. The center is also seeking exhibitors to provide information on housing options and resources for older adults.

Free and open to the public, the event will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in person at the Ishpeming Multi-Purpose Senior Center, 121 Greenwood St., in Ishpeming. Attendees will participate from the center while speakers present from East Lansing.

Onsite facilitators will lead activities and address questions. An in-person session is also offered at the MSU Federal Credit Union Community Room, Farm Lane branch, located at 4825 Mt. Hope Road, East Lansing. Virtual participation is available beginning at 9:20 a.m. on Zoom. 

“With the loss of so many crucial supports and services that contribute to lifelong wellbeing, it’s imperative that we capitalize on building partnerships and reduce isolated efforts to provide those supports and services,” said Lisa Richey, MSUAgeAlive director. “Working more efficiently allows us to be more impactful. It’s time to be innovative and collaborative, and it’s our hope that events like these will serve as a jumping off point for people to get more involved in local efforts to address things like the housing shortage, particularly as it affects older adults.”

In addition to opening remarks focused on current housing trends, aging-related research gems presentations will be held along with a special housing panel featuring representatives from the city of Lansing, city of East Lansing, AARP, Shared Use Housing Advocacy Network and area developers. Presentation topics vary from specialty projects in neighborhoods, multi-generational housing, city efforts to address housing for older adults, among other subjects.

A light breakfast will be provided in the morning at the senior center, followed by lunch and a discussion. Exhibitors from area agencies supporting older adults will be onsite at the Ishpeming and East Lansing sites.