Three retired Leelanau county couples conceived the ShareCare idea in 1990. The goal of these couples was to create an organization capable of solving the problems that can force older adults to leave their homes prematurely.

During the course of their discussions they learned of a new member-managed program just beginning in a large retirement community near Annapolis, Maryland, and an unusual publicly supported “Block Nurse” program operating in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Although the Leelanau model is quite different from these programs, each contributed helpful experiences and ideas during the time the ShareCare concept was being developed. In November 1991, the resulting concept was publicly presented for the first time to a group of about 50 people at a meeting held in the Leland High School library. It was well received and a number of attendees agreed to form a Development Committee to carry the concept forward.

Following another year of hard work, which included a number of public meetings and consultations with local professionals, the plan began to take shape. ShareCare of Leelanau, Inc. became a non-profit Michigan corporation on April 12, 1993. Twenty-three Founders contributed $1,000 each to provide initial funding for this effort. A Charter membership drive was kicked off after the IRS granted 501 (c)(3) status in December of 1993. Although the start-up goal was to enlist 200, the initial four-month membership drive acquired almost 400 Charter and Founder members.

In May of 1994, following the first annual meeting of the corporation and its election of the first Board of Directors, ShareCare became fully operational and began to offer a wide variety of services. Its one room office was provided by Leelanau Memorial Health Center in Northport, but now the office is housed in the Northport Highlands Senior Retirement Village.

During the first year, a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation paid the salary for ShareCare’s registered nurse Care Coordinator. Since that time ShareCare has continued to operate as an independent community service organization funded entirely by membership fees and dues, fundraisers and the generosity of its members. In 1996, one of the Founders made an anonymous gift to establish an Endowment Fund designed to help support future program growth. Today, ShareCare stands as a well-established, financially responsible organization actively supported by an integrated network of dedicated members.

ShareCare’s governing Board of Directors is professionally diverse, with representatives from the entire Leelanau County. The ShareCare concept may be unique in the United States because it is independently capable of providing its members with personalized, comprehensive, affordable, and monitored assisted-living services in each member’s home and it is independently self-managed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

ShareCare’s Care Coordinator is a registered nurse whose home-visit assessments, health monitoring, and family conferences are provided without charge. She and the Office Manager call upon ShareCare’s registry of experienced and trusted independent contractors, including caregivers, and over 100 member-volunteers to meet the individual needs of members.

1. How was ShareCare started? ShareCare was founded in 1993 by a group of local retirees who wanted to overcome the problems that so often force seniors to leave their homes prematurely. They created a unique, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization to offer Leelanau County residents comprehensive, affordable assisted living services in each member’s own home.

5. Why does ShareCare employ a Care Coordinator RN? What does she do? Our Care Coordinator provides members with free access to an RN who is known and trusted by each member, and who understands their personal history and their individual needs and wishes. Through monitoring and occasional visits she is able to provide continuity over time. In addition to assessing needs and monitoring, she develops care plans, assists with meds, offers post hospitalization follow-up, caregiver training as needed, communication with doctors and other providers as well as consultations with family members. She is the glue in today’s fragmented world of healthcare.

6. Does joining ShareCare mean I must change my present health care or home service providers in order to use those recommended by ShareCare? No. Members may continue with no provider changes. ShareCare works with other agencies and our nurse is available as every member’s professional advisor and resource regardless of whom they choose for direct care.

7. Are other agency services available to ShareCare members? If so, when and how are they paid for? Yes, ShareCare leaves the choices to its members. Many use Munson Home Healthcare services when they are reimbursable through Medicare and Medigap insurance, but choose ShareCare recommended independent contractors for non-reimbursable long-term caregivers when personal care at home is needed. To be sure of quality service our nurse will professionally monitor the outcome of care delivery services.

8. What is an “independent contractor” and how do they get their name on a referral list? Independent contractors are individuals who do not work for an agency, but manage their own financial and business tax arrangements. Their services range from housekeepers to chimney cleaners, and dock pullers to window washers, with everything in between. When a member chooses to use an independent contractor that ShareCare has recommended, the member makes the arrangements and pays the individual directly. Contractors may be placed on our registry after a member has hired and recommended them, and after their references have been checked. 

10. Who are ShareCare’s volunteers and how are they organized and managed? Our volunteers are members who choose to help with a variety of jobs and services. They understand the personal satisfaction and the importance of community service. They work under the direction of Co-Captains in their school district and in conjunction with our Office Manager who receives the requests for assistance and transportation from members.

12. Are all members expected to volunteer? And why do all volunteers also join RSVP? Volunteering is not a requirement of membership, but it is an essential part of offering economical services that can be provided to members without cost. Not all members choose to volunteer. If they do, however, United Way’s RSVP provides ShareCare volunteers (over age 55) with additional insurance while they are assisting or driving our members.

14. How is ShareCare managed? What are the responsibilities of Board members? A volunteer Board of Directors, elected by its membership, manages ShareCare operations, which includes supervising two employees, a Care Coordinator and Office Manager, who run the day-to-day operations. The Board is responsible for fundraising, establishing fees, financial management of funds, selecting and monitoring employees, and for assuring that member satisfaction and program goals are being met.

15. How is ShareCare financed, and what does it cost to join?  ShareCare maintains its flexibility to meet member needs by remaining independent. Therefore, all funds must be raised through our one-time membership fee, annual dues, financial gifts, and fundraising efforts. Occasional grants may provide assistance for new programming or special needs, but grants are not generally available for general operating expenses. Please call for rates.

16. Membership costs are related to age. Why? Membership costs are related to age in order to encourage people to join ShareCare before they actually need to use its services. Since dues remain at the class level paid at the time of joining, members are rewarded with lower dues for having served and supported the organization over the years. It is important to keep this balance in the age distribution in order to provide an energetic and enthusiastic group of willing volunteers and to develop over time, knowledgeable board members needed for leadership roles.

17. Approximately how expensive is it to run the ShareCare organization per year? ShareCare has two employees, an RN and an Office Manager. In order to meet nursing needs we employ three RNs who cover when the primary RN is unavailable. The annual budget currently runs just over $100,000 including the expenses related to insurance, supplies, phones, newsletters and mailings. Income from membership fees and dues covers approximately 50% of expenses, with the balance coming from fundraising and income from our Endowment Fund. Fundraisers bring in between five to six thousand dollars each year and members contribute the rest.

19. What happens if a member can no longer remain safely in his/her home? Every possible measure is taken to help a member live independently for as long as possible, but if safety becomes an issue it may become necessary to find alternate living arrangements for someone. When that occurs, the Care Coordinator and Office Manager can provide information, offer support, and help family members make a decision on the proper placement for their loved one.

20.  Why is it so important for ShareCare to remain independent? ShareCare has been able to chart its own course, making decisions for handling each case because we can be flexible and focus on individual needs and wishes. Our independence makes it possible to have caring volunteers provide home made meals, drive members, and provide other home services that may not be allowed by other organizations. Our standards are high, which means that professionally tailored responses and thoughtful personal interactions with members determine ShareCare’s recommendations, providing members with top quality care.