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 Thoughts
from the Director:
Rick Hindman
AAA8 Gears Up for Public Outreach of Ohio's HEAP Programs
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.
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ODJFS Has New Process on Rule Changes
Reminder: Effective August 1, Medicaid providers will no longer receive paper copies of Medicaid transmittal letters. Instead, they may sign up to receive communication electronically by submitting their names and e-mail addresses to JFS
Transmittal letters notify Medicaid providers, county agencies and other stakeholders about rule and policy changes and clarifications. A new rule, Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 5101:3-1-17.1, "Notification of rule and program changes," allows ODJFS to communicate rule changes electronically to those who might be affected by them. A person interested in receiving such an electronic communication must sign up online. ODJFS will continue to post changes.
The move to electronic letter transmission is part of a statewide effort to reduce costs and increase efficiencies while at the same time maintaining good customer service and due diligence. ODJFS remains committed to working closely with Medicaid providers to ensure delivery of services to Ohioans. The agency urges Medicaid providers to submit their e-mail addresses to stay informed of changes. |
Elder Caregiving Award Nominations Being Accepted
The Elder Caregiving Award is presented to outstanding individuals of any age who sacrifice their time and independence to provide much-needed care to an aging or disabled loved one.
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AAA8 in the News:
Local TV station, WTAP covered the AAA8 presentation related to Working Caregivers in Marietta presented by AAA8 Planner Mindy Cayton. Watch Video |
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. CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE ONLINE ASSESSMENT.
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:
Perry County - Sept. 15 10-noon
Hocking College Campus - 5454 SR 37 in New Lexington
NOTE: Noble County - Rescheduled to Oct. 13
Community Bldg. 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
Already Hosted: Meigs, Hocking & Monroe Counties. |
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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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Don't Be a Target of Healthcare Fraud: Protect, Detect, Report
 Help your clients find out how to prevent healthcare fraud. The AAA8 is developing the Southeastern Ohio Medicare Fraud Coalition to educate our rural, isolated seniors about Medicare Fraud.
The initial meeting of the Southeastern Ohio Medicare Fraud Coalition will be Oct. 14 from 10 a.m.-2p.m. at the AAA8 office in Marietta. For more details, contact Kim Flanigan, Ombudsman Director at 1-800-331-2644 or at kflanigan@buckeyehills.org.
Protect - Protect clients from Medicare errors, fraud and abuse.
Detect - Help clients detect potential errors, fraud and abuse.
Report - If clients suspect they have been a target of errors, fraud and abuse, report it. |
An excerpt from the book: You Earned It. Now Keep It! A Common Sense Guide to Senior Planning
by: Certified Elder Law Attorney Don Chapin, Esq.
A 79-year-old woman came to me with a briefcase full of papers. She was responsible for the family business after her husband's death. His love was farming, and he had not considered an estate plan. When she sat down, she began with this haunting statement, "I know I have a problem, but I don't know where to look!"
Together we sorted through the various documents and discovered her problem: the federal "death" tax. Although her intention was to leave the farm to her three sons, she needed to develop an estate plan to ensure her sons would not have to sell the farm to pay the Federal Estate Tax upon her death. Realizing the degree of the financial penalty if she didn't plan ahead, we quickly put a plan in place that wiped out that liability. There are financial risks in not planning!
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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 |
 2009 Choices Expo Plans Underway
Choices Expo: Living Healthy, Wealthy & Wise
Download a brochure from our web site!
2009 Confirmed Expo Sponsors Include:
GOLD:
Marietta Memorial Hospital
The Marietta Times,
Ohio Valley Home Health
SILVER:
The O'Neill Senior Center
United Seniors of Athens County, Inc.
Settlers Bank
ACTIVITY: Scenic Hills Senior Center
HOSPITALITY: Life Ambulance; River City Tavern; Comfort Inn
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 Ohio's Home Weatherization Assistance Program:Helping Reduce Utility Bills Statewide
The Ohio Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) is a no-cost energy assistance program designed to increase homes' energy efficiency, reduce participants' household energy costs and improve participants' health and safety.
HWAP is provided, free of charge, to Ohioans whose annual household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. The program has weatherized more than 304,000 dwellings in Ohio since 1977. Ohio's HWAP is provided by community action agencies and other entities and provides direct service to dwellings. No cash is passed directly to the eligible households.
After weatherization, households that heat with natural gas reduce their heating consumption by an average of 24.7 percent and electrically heated homes reduce usage an average of 13 percent. HWAP participants who weatherize their homes also were able to pay their utility bills and avoid disconnections.
To apply for HWAP, an applicant needs to complete the Combined Energy Assistance Application (also known as the Home Energy Assistance Program or HEAP application). The applicant can then contact the local weatherization provider, or mail the application to the Office of Community Services at 77 South High Street, P.O. Box 1001, Columbus, Ohio 43216-1001.
The waiting list for assistance, after eligibility has been determined, varies from days to months, depending on regional demand and availability.
The local weatherization provider completes a home inspection to determine the most cost-effective weatherization services for each approved household. Services may include:
Safety inspection and tune-up, repair or installation of heating units;
Insulation of attics, sidewalls, heating ducts, floors and water tanks;
Reduction of air leakage from major sources; and Development of personalized energy management plans.
For additional information about HWAP, contact your local weatherization provider or contact the Ohio Department of Development, Community Development Division, Office of Community Services at 1-800-282-0880 for the telephone number of the local provider.
Article from The Ohio Department of Aging |
 Advocacy Alert!
(from The Ohio Council for
Home Care and Hospice)
Because you are partners in the continuum of care, it is important that you are aware of how the proposed cuts will deeply affect the Medicare home health industry, to the point that many agencies may be forced to close their doors. In the proposed House Health recommendations we would be subjected to a $56.8 billion cut over 10 years.
This cut, in association with the already implemented regulatory cuts, will further cripple agencies that are already operating with negative profit margins. Many agencies already find themselves in situations where they have to decide between laying off staff or shutting their doors - both of which create a huge access issue for the vulnerable populations that are in need of these services.
It is of great importance to the home health industry in Ohio we oppose these proposed cuts. The home health industry is already utilizing numerous avenues to get our message against these drastic cuts to the U.S. Congressional leaders. We are encouraging participation in a
petition drive that has already seen over 9,250 signatures from Ohioans,
and is hoping to garner one million signatures nationally.
Those that are interested in signing the electronic petition can visit www.wecansavehomehealth.com. The website - www.homecareohio.org - also has template letters that can be sent directly to Congressional members in its Legislative Action Center. Many have personalized these template letters to directly speak to the impact that will be felt by cutting home health and hospice. Please add to these letters details related to the impact that cuts to home health would have on clients and the access to care, that makes them even more effective.
This time of discussion about changes to health care provides a great opportunity for those that care for the most vulnerable Ohioans to come together to support each facet of the continuum of care. Thank you in advance for your support and if you have any questions or concerns, contact The Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice.
Kathleen Anderson, CAE | President
Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice
1395 E. Dublin Granville Road | Columbus, OH 43229
614.885.0434 x 206 | 614.885.0413 | www.homecareohio.org |
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SAVE THE DATES
Sept. 19 - Visit AAA8 at the Monroe County Health Fair (Woodsfield Fire House - 11 a.m. - 2p.m)
Sept. 23 & 24 - Estate Planning & Elder Law Issues Programs (Marietta)
National Assisted Living Week
Sept. 13-19
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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