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 Thoughts
from the Director:
Rick Hindman
We have been working over the last month to monitor the state of the economy and the final Ohio budget.
We appreciate the providers and staff at Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging taking an active role in advocating on behalf of the residents across our region by contacting elected officials regarding funding.
As we analyzed the final line items that impact our agency and providers, it looks like our advocacy, while effective, was not as successful as we'd hoped. We did get $5 million of funding restored in the long-term care line item for PASSPORT for each year of the biennium. However, we still saw a reduction of $15 million annually. The state will once again immediately implement PASSPORT and Assisted Living waiver enrollment management.
ODA will closely monitor the enrollment activity across the state in order to redistribute any unused allocations or to adjust allocations as necessary.
Also, note that any Home First enrollments are NOT counted against the AAA8 monthly enrollment allocation.
In addition, we believe that the state's Senior Service Block Grant funds will also be reduced by as much as 39% in January. These monies work to support non-PASSPORT services in the region - things like congregate and home-delivered meals, transportation and homemaker services. We realize that this will obviously, heavily impact the many regional providers who are already struggling, as well as the AAA8 administrative office.
As always, we will do our best to keep you informed over the next few weeks as we learn more about the impacts to our programs from the Ohio and Federal budget processes.
Contact us at 800-331-2644 with questions. |
SAVE THE DATES:
Sept. 23 & 24 - Estate Planning & Elder Law Issues Programs (Marietta)
Oct. 20 - Buckeye Hills Semi-Annual Meeting
Buckeye Hills will host its Semi-Annual Meeting Oct. 20 at the Marietta Country Club. Please note the date change due to the Annual ARC Conference being hosted in Athens Oct. 27
 Nov. 12 (8a.m.-4 p.m.) - Annual Choices Expo (Comfort Inn - Marietta) Now accepting Sponsors & Exhibitors! Call today for a brochure!
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AAA8 Resources
- Executive Director: Misty Casto
- Assistant Executive Director & Area Agency on Aging Director: Rick Hindman
- Home Care Director: Jane Skeen, LSW
- Programs Manager: Cathy Ash, LSW
- Communications Director: Gwynn (Clifford) Stewart
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 Certified Elder Law Attorney and Author to Present Sept. 23-24 Seminars
AAA8 is planning a Seminar Sept. 23 (for professionals) and Sept. 24 for general public on Elder Law Issues.
You Earned It. Now Keep It! (FREE For the Public!)
On Sept. 24 from 9:30 a.m. - Noon, Certified Elder Law Attorney (certified by National Elder Law Foundation) Don Chapin, Esq, will present a program on Estate Planning and Elder Law issues at The Comfort Inn (Pike St. in Marietta.)
Chapin has taken the knowledge and experience gained from years as an attorney, focusing only on Elder Law, and boiled it down into an easy-to-understand presentation on estate planning for seniors and their families.
By following the seven step process, learn the smart way to plan for the future. Starting with the information gathering process, he will provide ideas on what aspects to consider when planning ahead and where to get crucial information needed. Learn how to eliminate needless taxes, avoid probate, and stop nursing home and home care spend-down.
Sept. 23 - The Scoop on Medicaid: Trusts & Estate Recovery (For Professionals) Sept. 23 - 9:30-noon (For Attorneys and Financial Planners) Sept. 23 - 2-4:30 p.m. (For Social Workers) Registration Fee: $35Applying for 2.5 hours continuing education credit for: Social Workers, Attorneys and Financial Planners
Topics to include: Estate Recovery; Homes & Farms; Medicaid Eligibility; Essential Documents; Medicare Compliance; 401(k)s and IRAs; Avoiding Probate; Trusts; Third-Party Special Needs Trusts; and VA Issues. Registration brochure available online! Visit www.areaagency8.org for details.
 The events are sponsored by The Area Agency on Aging 8 and Serving Seniors, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. There will be a book signing following the event. Copies of Chapin's book, You Earned It, NOW KEEP IT! will be available at the special price of $7.50 |
Geographic Information System Services (GIS) Coming to AAA8
Buckeye Hills provides GIS mapping services to the eight county region. In coordination with Emergency Management partners throughout the district , these services will now include mapping of 'at risk' residents. PASSPORT case managers will soon be trained with handheld GPS devices to "map" our clients. These maps will provide Emergency Management officials with details on at-risk residents in the case of emergencies such as flood, snow and fire. |
AAA8 Revises Mission Statement & Web Site
A New Look for Changing Times
"To advocate for and educate older adults and their caregivers and promote long-term care choices and consumer protection so they can take advantage of opportunities that enable them to maintain wellness, independence and dignity."
AAA8 Director Rick Hindman recently worked to update and revise the AAA8 Mission Statement. The new version is shown above.
He wanted the statement to be simplified and to include the work we are doing with wellness and for caregivers. The new statement was presented to ODA and will be incorporated in the newly designed AAA8 web site (launching soon!) To see a sample of the new AAA8 web design - click here.
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AAA8 to Conduct Regional Needs Assessment as Part of Town Hall Meetings
AAA8 will be conducting a Needs Assessment. We will need to secure input from the region's consumers, providers and community organizations to develop the 2011-14 Strategic Area Plan. Discussion will be included in each county's Buckeye Hills Town Hall Meetings with copies of the Assessment available. The tool will also be available for input online. The following dates are set for the Town Hall Meetings.
Seating is limited, please RSPV to 740-374-9436 or jmyers@buckeyehills.org
2009 Town Hall Meeting Schedule:
Meigs County - Aug. 11 · 10-noon
Rio Grande Meigs campus
42377 Charles Chancey Dr. in Pomeroy
Hocking County - Aug. 13 · 10-noon
Logan high school - 14470 SR 328 in Logan
Monroe County - Aug. 27 · 10-noon
Monroe County Library - 96 Home Ave. in Woodsfield
Perry County - Sept. 15 · 10-noon
Hocking College Campus - 5454 SR 37 in New Lexington
Noble County - Sept. 17 · 10-noon
Community Building at the Noble County Fairgrounds in Caldwell
Morgan County - Sept. 21 · 10-noon
Morgan County Library - 358 E. Main St. in Mcconnelsville
Athens County - Sept. 28 · 10-noon
Community Center - East State Street in Athens
Washington County - Oct. 1 · 10-noon
Buckeye Hills Office 1400 Pike Street in Marietta
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Happy 25th Anniversary to The Ohio Department of Aging
The Ohio Department of Aging had a long and storied history even before becoming a cabinet agency. Since July 1984, it has continued to champion the causes of older citizens and provide for them. Happy 25th Anniversary, Ohio Department of Aging! | |
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Ohio Department of Aging Call for Nominations: July 1-Aug. 15
Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
Ohio's Senior Citizens Hall of Fame honors outstanding Ohioans age 60 and older for their extraordinary achievements and contributions. Since 1978, more than 300 individuals have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Those selected represent older Ohioans who set an example by leading active and positive lives not defined by age or barriers, and who demonstrate significant contributions to their communities. Nominees must be outstanding in service to mankind through leadership, innovation, motivation and contribution.
Minimum criteria - A nominee must meet all three criteria listed on this nomination form to be considered for the Hall of Fame.
- Nominees must be age 60 or older and a native-born Ohioan or a resident of Ohio for at least ten years.
- Nominees may be nominated posthumously.
- Nominees will be evaluated on the impact of their current contributions, or a continuation of contributions begun before age 60, in areas of endeavor including, but not limited to: Athletics, Business/Industry, Civic Service, Education, Health/Medicine, Literature/Journalism, Science/Technology, Visual/Performing Arts and Volunteerism.
- Self-nominations will not be accepted.
You may nominate an individual online or print a form at ODA's web site.
View this year's AAA8 winner - advance the video to 1:31:15 to see Clarence Reich
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