|
 Thoughts from the Director:
Rick Hindman
National Aging Network Survey Results Shared
Results from the Aging Network and Long-Term Care Modernization survey conducted by the National Assoc. of AAAs were shared at the recent state meeting.
Survey results show that Ohio is uniquely positioned to take advantage of new opportunities and reiterate the breadth, depth and scope of our aging network.
Those served by Older Americans Act funding were 3 million strong.
- 27% live in poverty
- 35% live alone
- 33% live in rural areas
When compared to other states, Ohio is farther along than the rest of the nation on providing "choice, voice and preferences" to consumers. It is also doing well with securing grants and other methods of funding to expand services.
|
AAA8 Provider Meeting - Oct. 22
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Marietta Country Club 705 Pike Street
Pre-luncheon session is mandatory for all AAA8 Providers.
How prepared is your organization to meet future service demand?
The projected growth rate of 51% in home health care over the next 10 years and the current home health aide shortage across the state tells us that a proactive approach to the recruitment, training and retention of home health aides is critical to meet both the current and projected need.
Join us for lunch as Tom Snyder, Ph.D. addresses the potential for health care cooperatives in Appalachia. This presentation will be followed with an invitation for open dialogue to gain insight from the perspective of the home
health provider. Please R.S.V.P. by Oct. 17 to 740-373-6400. |
Before Old Man Winter Arrives, Prepare with Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Programs
For an Application Location Near You, call 1-800-331-2644.
Did you know that with one Energy
Assistance Application, clients may apply for several federally or state-funded energy assistance programs administered by the Ohio Dept. of Development?
The Home Energy Assistance Program ( HEAP), the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program ( E-HEAP), and the Percentage of Income Payment Plan for ( PIPP) are on one form and The Energy Assistance Application can also be used to apply for the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP). And, the HEAP process is now available through The Ohio Benefits Bank - so any Benefits Bank location may serve clients seeking support for home heating bills.
To learn more, visit the AAA8 web site. For an application location near you, call 1-800-331-2644.
|
|
State Budget Reductions May Impact Aging Network Providers
Since July 1, state tax revenues have fallen $167.3 million below estimates, or 6 percent, with the income and sales taxes making up the bulk of the shortfall. Gov. Ted Strickland ordered a new round of budget cuts or other adjustments to fill an estimated $540 million hole in the state budget.
Strickland ordered another 4.75 percent cut to state agencies without affecting direct funding for grades K-12 education, universities, Medicaid, prisons and other priority areas. Agencies had until Sept. 22 to identify their cuts and until Oct. 1 to implement them. Impacts to the AAA8 provider network have not yet been communicated.
| |
|
|
| AAA8 Grassroots Advocacy Training Oct. 10
AAA8 Providers and partners are invited to join us for a grassroots advocacy training session in conjunction with the Regional Advisory Committee meeting Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. at the Buckeye Hills office in Marietta.
Tom Pappas, a Public Policy Consultant from Pappas & Associates in Columbus will share recommendations on grassroots advocacy in Ohio. He will review the Unified Long-Term Care Budget effort and other critical legislative issues related to Aging. In addition, we will hear from Joan Stroh, M.Ed., L.P.C.C., L.S.W. She has been in private practice for over 25 years and served as a geriatric social worker and counselor since 1988. She served with The Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and is very active in the field of Geriatrics.
Joan is serving the AAA8 eight-county region using her advocacy experience to work on issues that impact millions of people in Ohio as an Ohio Aging Network Advocate with the AARP and The Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
Space is limited, please RSVP by Oct. 8 to 1-800-331-2644 if you plan to attend the free training.
Tips for Talking with Your Legislator (Provided Courtesy of Ohio Assoc. of AAAs)
-
Thank them for their service.
-
Explain how you are involved with the aging network.
-
Show your support of Ohio's aging network and understanding of aging issues
-
Ohio has a well-organized, efficient and effective aging network. Ohio has:
-
35 years of experience with broad scope of elderly issues
-
Efficient infrastructure through 12 regional AAAs
-
Assists families and individuals by planning for the future
-
Operates PASSPORT, Choices, Assisted Living Medicaid waivers and RSS
-
Directs families and individuals to proper resources (statewide in 2007):
-
300,000 information and referral calls
-
78,280 individual screening contacts
-
38,430 in-home assessments
-
9,065 Ohioans enter PASSPORT
Don't forget to thank the legislator for their time, ask if there is any additional information you might send and provide your contact information. Within a week, send a note of thanks - handwritten is best. Provide any further information and reiterate your most important points. For a list of legislators across AAA8, visit our web site. |
|
Alzheimer's Association Offers Safe Return Resources
To improve the safety of individuals with Alzheimer's, the Alzheimer's Association and the MedicAlert Foundation have created an alliance to create MedicAlert + Alzheimer's Association Safe Return.
MedicAlert + Safe Return offers assistance when a person wanders or is lost and access to vital medical information in the time of need.
When a person with dementia wanders or becomes lost, one call immediately activates a community support network to help reunite the lost person with his or her caregiver. When a person is found, a citizen or law official calls the toll-free 24-hour emergency response number on the identification product and the individual's family or caregivers are contacted. The nearest Alzheimer's Association office provides support during search and rescue efforts. In addition, should medical attention be required, access to a personal health record is immediately available.
Caregiver Alert Also Available
Caregiver jewelry, along with all the benefits of Medic Alert membership, is also available. In an emergency, it alerts others that you provide care for a person with Alzheimer's or related dementia.
Enroll by calling 1.888.572.8566. For more details, visit the Alzheimer's Assoc. web site or contact the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional office of the Alzheimer's Association at 304-865-6775 or 800.491.2717. |
| Buckeye Hills Invites Providers & Residents to Regional Town Hall Forums
let's talk! A town hall meeting is an informal public meeting where everybody in a county is invited to attend, voice their opinions and share ideas on how to work toward a better community, county and region. Join us for the town hall meeting in your area and let's talk!
Upcoming Forum Dates:
- Morgan County: Oct. 7 · 6-8 p.m.
Reicker bldg. 155 East Main - Mcconnelsville
- Hocking County: Oct.14 · 6-8 p.m.
Lee's banquet haus · 580 Radio lane - Logan
- Meigs County: Nov. 17 · 6-8 p.m.
Rio grande meigs campus 42377 Charles Chancey Dr. · Pomeroy
- Washington County: Dec. 9 · 6-8 p.m.
Buckeye Hills office · 1400 Pike St. · Marietta
- The Athens, Monroe, Noble & Perry forums were hosted previously.
|
 2008 Choices Expo Plans UnderwayChoices Expo: Living Healthy, Wealthy & Wise The Area Agency on Aging will host the second annual Choices Expo at the Marietta Comfort Inn on Weds., Nov. 12 from 1-8 p.m. and Thurs., Nov.13 from 8a.m. to 1p.m.
Young and old, baby boomers and members of the greatest generation from across the region are encouraged to attend - it is never too early to begin creating a life-long plan. Participants will enjoy a wealth of information about healthy lifestyles, long-term care options, caregiver services, basic health screenings, workshops about retirement planning and much more. Choices Expo sponsors, exhibitors, presenters and activities coordinators should pre-register by contacting Mindy Cayton at the Ohio Area Agency on Aging 8 at 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org. Continued thanks to Expo Title Sponsor, Senior News.
2008 Confirmed Expo Sponsors Include:
GOLD: Comfort Inn, Life Ambulance, Marietta Memorial Hospital, Ohio Valley Home Health, Inc.
Silver: Comfort Inn · Home Helpers · Interim Healthcare of Southeast Ohio · McCarter Health Care · Ohio Home Care · Pro Seniors · Settlers Bank · United Seniors of Athens County, Inc.
Activity: Mid-Ohio Valley Alzheimer's Association · O'Neill Senior Center · Ohio's Best RX · The Pines at Glenwood · Scenic Hills Senior Center
Exhibitors: In addition to event sponsors, the following will exhibit at the Expo:Appletree Assisted Living · Comfort Keepers · Guardian Medical Monitoring Marietta City Health Department · RSVP of Washington County · Summit Acres · Washington County Health Dept. · Washington County Job & Family Services |
|
2009 Specialized Transportation Program Call for Grant Applications
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is now accepting applications for the 2009 Specialized Transportation Program, which provides new vehicles and equipment to non-profit agencies serving Ohio's elderly and disabled residents. This federally funded program pays for 80 percent of the approved items; grantees must provide a matching 20 percent from other sources.
If interested in participating in ODOT's Specialized Transportation Program, a letter of intent must be submitted by October 30, 2008.
Grants from ODOT's Specialized Transportation Program can be used by private, non-profit agencies to purchase new vehicles, computers, and mobility management equipment. The proposed projects must be included in a locally developed Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan.
ODOT awards these funds on an annual basis, targeting areas of the state where existing transportation services are unavailable or insufficient to meet the special transportation needs of elderly individuals or people with disabilities.
More information, including the required letter of intent forms, can be downloaded at www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Local/Transit under What's New; or call (614) 644-7237.
|
|
Visit AAA8 Web Site for Events
- 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
| | |
|
