March 2008

AAA8

�   A Publication of The Ohio Area Agency on Aging 8 �  
A Program of Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District
Serving Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and WashingtonCounties
 
1-800-331-2644 �  www.areaagency.org �  PO Box 370 Reno, OH  45773

Senator Sherrod BrownThoughts from the Director:

Rick Hindman
 

 
To Receive an Economic Stimulus Check, Seniors Must File a Tax Return!

Seniors, who don't normally file taxes due to lack of income (seniors and veterans who receive social security checks, or other retirement benefits, who are not normally required to file a tax return), need to file taxes this year to receive their tax rebate check!

October 15 is the last day to file a return for the stimulus rebate check.


How to locate free tax preparation services in Ohio:

 

IRS: 1-800-906-9887, a special VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)

site locator number available during IRS regular toll-free operating

hours.

AARP Tax Aide/ TCE (Tax Counseling for the Elderly):

Free tax preparation services located throughout Ohio, serving low-to-middle income taxpayers, with special attention to persons age

60 and older. To Contact AARP Tax Aide by phone: 1-888-AARP-NOW.

"Healthy U" Programs

Scheduled
 

healthy U trainers


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Healthy U Lay Leaders at a recent Training Session.

Disease self-care, physical activity and fall prevention for seniors are elements of the Healthy U program being offered by AAA8 at no cost to participants. The chronic disease self-management program is being administered by AAA8 with grant funds from the Admin. on Aging and the National Council on Aging.

 

Be sure to refer your patients with chronic disease. And, remember, this program is open to everyone with a chronic disease, not just those who are 60+.

 

The program focuses on the top five disease processes that result in preventable hospitalizations (asthma, congestive heart failure, COPD, diabetes and hypertension.

 

"How-to's" include how to work and communicate with their doctor, how to personalize a fitness and exercise program and how to deal with negative emotions, set goals and eat well.  Additional schedules will be released as available.

 

The program wouldn't be possible without trained "lay" leaders. With the most recent set of leaders, there will be a minimum of 6 Healthy U Workshops conducted in our region by July 31!  With the goal of 10 participants for each class, the potential is 60 people completing the workshop series by July's end.  The most preventable hospitalization in our area is acute chronic disease so hopefully, someone among these 60 people will be able to avoid a hospitalization because they have learned how to effectively manage their chronic disease.

Featured AAA8 Provider:

 

Meigs Senior Services

 
 
 
 
 
 

The Meigs County Council on Aging, Inc. (MCCoA), is a multi-service agency formed as a non-profit corporation in 1972. The MCCoA coordinates all older adult programs through the Meigs Multipurpose Senior Center. Their mission is to enrich lives through service and education. The purpose of the MCCoA is to provide services to Meigs County's older population that enables and promotes "aging in place."  All older adults residing in Meigs County are encouraged to participate in the Multipurpose Senior Center's scheduled activities. Contact the Center at 112 E. Memorial Drive, PO Box 722, Pomeroy, OH 45769  By phone: at (740) 992-2161 or by email at [email protected]

.

 

Region's PASSPORT Program Featured in Statewide Advocacy Campaign
 
Pat SmithThe following story was featured by The Ohio Assoc. of Area Agencies on Aging and its Advocacy Committee to all Ohio Senators and Congressional Representatives -- another way to keep the importance of PASSPORT funding "top of mind" in Columbus!

Shown above at her Marietta home, PASSPORT client Patricia Smith with her dog Dylan and Area Agency on Aging PASSPORT case manager Teresa Porter, LSW, LPCC.

Patricia has been a recipient of PASSPORT services since March of 2005 when her daughter recommended the program and brought a care assessor to the house. Thanks to the help of the Area Agency on Aging, PSA 8, and her PASSPORT case manager Teresa Porter, LSW, LPCC, (shown with Patricia in the photograph) she receives home delivered meals, personal care and emergency response services. To say that PASSPORT gives her family peace of mind is an understatement. Patricia says the program helps her survive and is the only thing that keeps her from having to enter a nursing home.

 

Patricia credits her case manager Teresa Porter, a Licensed Social Worker and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, with helping her secure the services and durable medical equipment she needs for activities of daily living. "If it is possible, Teresa sees to it," said Patricia of needed support services.

 

The case manager helped arrange for a hospital bed and a transport chair to assist with Patricia's mobility. Patricia receives daily personal care and household chore support as well as assistance with prescriptions and monitoring of her need for oxygen. She says even her dog, Dylan, gets attached to those who come to care for her.

 

Because her daughters Leighann and Bonnie both work full-time and have children of their own, PASSPORT provides Patricia's family respite from daily caregiving duties. Her husband Ivan continues to help with grocery shopping and bill paying but most importantly, companionship. Her son, Kenneth, who lives in Florida checks in with her daily and finds rest in knowing she's being well cared for by the Ohio PASSPORT program.

 

Area Agency on Aging, PSA 8, PASSPORT case manager Teresa Porter manages the PASSPORT care plan and service arrangements to provide for the ongoing care of Patricia's chronic lung and bladder diseases.

 

Last year Patricia's annual PASSPORT service plan cost was $15,222, a savings of $40,529 when compared to the average annual cost of $55,751 for skilled nursing facility care.

 

Governor and First Lady Strickland Celebrate Contributions of Long-Married Volunteers

 
casto)Strickland
The Area Agency on Aging 8 honorees were Jack and Rose Casto of Marietta. They are shown with Ohio Dept. of Aging Director Barbara E. Riley (left) and First Lady Frances Strickland (right) at the Governor's Mansion Celebration that was held Feb. 14.
 

Governor Ted Strickland and First Lady Frances Strickland honored a local Marietta couple for their dedication to marriage and volunteerism at the ninth annual Joined Hearts in Giving celebration on Valentine's Day at the Governor's residence in Columbus. Joined Hearts in Givinghonors Ohioans at least 60 years old who have been married 40 years or longer and who share a commitment to volunteerism.


"These couples share a deep commitment to each other and to their communities," said the first lady, who hosts the event. "I am pleased to recognize them for giving so generously of their time through volunteerism and serving as role models for younger generations." 
"Without the valuable contributions of time and energy that these couples volunteer, many programs in the state could not function," added the governor. "I am impressed and grateful to them for their efforts." 
 

The 2008 Joined Hearts in Giving Celebration was hosted by the First Lady's Office and the Ohio Department of Aging, at the governor's residence in Columbus.

 

The governor and first lady honored Jack and Rose Casto, of Marietta, married more than 52 years. They have been active volunteers in their community for 35 years. They have taught Sunday school, coached girls basketball and helped with 4-H, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts. They helped start a reading/tutoring center in the Reno school and were among the first volunteers. They fostered two children for a total of 4 years. They help at the local VFW post, preparing and serving dinners and helping to raise money for the Children's Hospital. They help the residents of the Washington County Home with various activities. According to Rose, "It needs doing and we do it."

 
Mark Your Calendar:
Mayors for Meals 2008 Set for March 19
 

Mayors For Meals 2008 is an event when mayors deliver meals to Senior Citizens in their community - Set for March 19, the event designed to bring attention to the fact that there are thousands of seniors in the country going hungry each day - and that there is something tangible that can be done to overcome it! Sponsored by the national Meals on Wheels Assoc. of America, you are

encouraged to get you local mayors involved!
If you are interested in joining in "Mayors For Meals" Day, please visit www.mowaa.org for sample letters and press releases or contact the Area Agency on Aging.
 
Washington
County OSHIIP TRAINING

 

The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) will host a training for people interested in becoming OSHIIP volunteers May 15, 22, 29, June 5,  and July 17. The training will be held at the Marietta Memorial Hospital, 401 Matthew Street (4th Floor Classroom). Sessions will be held from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily with a lunch hour observed. July 17will be from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

 

CEU's will be available for this session for Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Licensed Social Workers. The training is initial OSHIIP volunteer training and participants must attend all five sessions to be certified. Please bring contact information for three references - a working supervisor, a co-worker or relative, and another of your choice. Licensed insurance agents, or those affiliated with an insurance company, a claims filing service or financial planning service are not eligible for our program -- being an OSHIIP volunteer would constitute a conflict of interest.

 

Seating is limited. Register on-line at www.ohioinsurance.gov, click on  "Services for People with Medicare", and look for "Training Registration" under Volunteer Services.  You may also contact Bill Friend in Columbus at 1-888-686-8657/614-752-0718 to register.

 
DRIVE Training (at United Seniors) March 4 9a-4p
(pre-registration required)
 
DRIVE Refresher
(Morgan County Office on Aging) March 11 10a-3p (pre-registration required)
 
Aging in Ohio - March 28
(pre-registration required)

For more information contact Cathy Ash at 740-373-6400 or [email protected]

 
May is Older Americans Month

Choices ExpoSave the Date, 2008! Choices Expo: Living Healthy, Wealthy & Wise

Nov. 12 from 1-8 p.m. & Nov.13 from 8a.m. to 1p.m.

 

Senator Sherrod BrownCaring for an aging loved one? Join the AAA8 Caregiver Support Network - a twice monthly phone call with caregivers who face similar issues and health care professionals with resources to help. Monthly: 2nd Tuesday at 10 a.m. and 3rd Thursday at 2 p.m.

Call 1-800-331-2644 to register.

Buckeye Hills' Area Agency on Aging District 8

  • Buckeye Hills Executive Director: Misty Casto
  • Buckeye Hills Assistant Executive Director & Area Agency on Aging Director: Rick Hindman
  • Home Care Director: Jane Skeen, LSW
  • Mindy Cayton, Planner
  • Communications Director: Gwynn Clifford