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 Thoughts from the Director:
Rick Hindman
Ohio's Own Your Future Campaign Kicks Off
Ohio is participating in the Own Your Future campaign to encourage those aged 45-65 to start planning now for their future long-term care needs.
Governor Ted Strickland mailed 1.7 million letters to households all across Ohio inviting respondents to request a free Ohio planning guide. The letter reminds readers that while it is a normal part of aging, most do not adequately plan for their future long-term care needs.
More details are available at www.longtermcare.gov and a toll-free number of 1-866-PLAN-LTC is also available. |
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 Caring 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. |
Ensure Compliance with Criminal Record Check Requirements
The Ohio Dept. of Aging has indicated an increase in the number of certified providers that have been found out of compliance with the certification requirements regarding the criminal record check rule (OAC 173-41-01).
Please be sure to review the requirement and ensure your agency is in compliance. |
| Digital Coming to a TV Near You!
After Feb. 17, 2009, all full-power television stations will broadcast only in digital. If your clients use "rabblit ears" or a rooftop antenna with an analog TV, they must TAKE ACTION to continue receiving broadcasts.
The Federal Government is offering US households up to two $40 coupons to help with the cost of certified TV converter boxes. This one-time purchase will allow any analog TV to work after the transition to digital. Boxes are expected to cost from $50-70. The coupons are free, but the supply is limited.
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Upcoming Training Events:
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Estate Recovery - May 7 : Robert Byrne of The Ohio Attorney General's Office will be in Marietta to talk about Estate Recovery on May 7 at 10 a.m. (Lafayetts Hotel, Marietta)
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Sensitivity to Aging - May 15 Scenic Hills Fee: $35
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Respectful Workplace - June 9 Fee: $25
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Estate Planning - June 16 stay tuned for more details!
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Financial Exploitation of the Elderly - July 15 Fee: $30
Visit the AAA8 Calendar www.areaagency8.org
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Buckeye Hills Celebrates 40 Years at Semi-Annual April Meeting
Nearly 135 guests and
employees gathered at The Marietta Country Club April 29 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Buckeye Hills and hear an annual update on programs including the Area Agency on Aging 8. Shown from left are AAA8 employees: Cathy Ash, Mindy Cayton; Susan Hickman, Brenda Collins and Jane Skeen. Rick Hindman, Assistant Executive Director provided an overview of the past 40 years. The 2007 Annual Report is available online.
In 2007, 737 individuals participated in the PASSPORT program affording the opportunity to receive quality care and support services in the comfort of their own homes. The program makes better use of taxpayer dollars. Nearly five people will be cared for through state funds available through PASSPORT for the same cost of providing state-funded care for one person in a nursing facility.
AAA8 performed 2,149 telephone and in-home assessments for eligibility in the program. Callers not PASSPORT-eligible, received information and assistance on additional long-term care resources available in the region.
Nearly 500 senior citizens from across the region attended the Choices Expo in Marietta Nov. 6-7. They enjoyed gathering information on long-term care options, caregiver services, screenings to determine basic health needs and details on retirement planning as well as free food and entertainment.
The Area Agency on Aging funded 5,812 hours of personal care service; over 12,500 hours of homemaker service; 1,237 days of adult day care; 2,343 medical escort trips to medical appointments; 352 hours of legal assistance; nearly 42,000 congregate meals; and over 69,000 home-delivered meals with funding from a variety of sources. | |
| Creating a Unified Budget for Long-Term Services & Supports
Ohio Assoc. of Area Agencies on Aging Hosts Conference
A variety of speakers and panelists gathered in Columbus April 23 to update the nearly 300 attendees at the OAAAA Conference on the Unified Long-Term Care Budget (ULTCB) Process.
Barbara Riley, Director, Ohio Dept. of Aging and Chair of the ULTCB Workgroup, shared the goal: Building a cost-effective, consumer friendly long-term services and support system. Riley also reviewed the process, phases, recommendations and timelines. Her presentation, as well as all workgroup documents are available at www.goldenbuckeye.com/ultcb.
Riley stressed that she and other members of the 300+ member workgroup and subcommittees want to hear input.
"We don't want the law of unintended consequences to take control," said Riley. "Your continued input is needed and necessary."
Tracy Plouck from the Office of Budget and Management indicated that they will focus on allocation of scarce resources as all of Ohio's tax revenues are underperforming. She indicated they would look for recognition of "shared space" opportunities, cost management tools and better resources for forecasting need, as well as collaboration among the state's stakeholders.
 Workgroup member and Representative Armond Budish (Ohio House District 8) shared that the process makes so much sense - which is probably why we haven't done it yet! He also noted the importance of funding provider reimbursement increases.
Also representing the state's providers were representatives from the Ohio Home Care and Assisted Living Associations as well as private home care providers - who each echoed the need for increased reimbursements and enhanced flexibility across systems for client outcomes.
Stay tuned for more details as the plan is finalized and presented to the Joint Committee on Medicaid Technology and Reform on June 1.
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 May is Older Americans Month:
"Loving Life, Helping Others, Supporting Communities"
The theme for Older Americans Month 2008 is "Working Together for Strong, Healthy and Supportive Communities." Ohio Senior Citizens Day is May 20. A list of regional activities is available on the AAA8 web site at www.areaagency8.org. Be sure to add your events to the Ohio Dept. of Aging web site! |
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Promoting The Farmers' Market:
 The following guidelines are provided from the federal regulations for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program publication:
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The Provider will acknowledge the support of the USDA, Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) and the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), whenever publicizing.
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The provider will include the following short non-discrimination statement, "This institution is an equal opportunity provider," anywhere a program that receives assistance from United States Department of Agriculture is mentioned. This statement may be used on materials and web sites that do not contain important information about rights and responsibilities. This statement must be printed in a type size that is no smaller than the rest of the type in the publication or web site. |
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Featured AAA8 Provider:
Monroe County Senior Center
 GMN employees served over 17,000 meals to Monroe County's senior citizens in 2007. Shown from left are Senior Center Site Manager Alice Piatt; GMN Tri-County Executive Director Gary Ricer; driver Max Clegg; and Michele Hollins, Senior Services Director.
The Monroe County Senior Center, located in Woodsfield, Ohio, is a place where individuals can gather, socialize and enjoy activities, lunch and events throughout the year. Nutrition services include home delivered and congregate meals.
"One of the new services we will provide with the equipment and ice machine is a mobile salad bar offering," said Michele Hollins, GMN Tri-County Senior Services Director.
GMN Executive Director Gary Ricer noted that the Monroe Senior Services receive 68 percent funding through the Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging programs. In 2007, the Monroe County program provided 12,191 home delivered meals and 5,329 congregate meals to county residents. It was noted that recipients provided over $28,000 in donations for these meals, an average of $2.10 a meal - this is above average for other rural counties. |
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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
- Communications Director: Gwynn Clifford
1-800-331-2644 -- www.areaagency8.org | | |
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