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 Thoughts
from the Director:
Rick Hindman
Home First Legislation Introduced in Ohio
Legislation has been introduced to allow more elderly and disabled adults who are headed for nursing facilities to choose home care or assisted living options.
Expanding Ohio's Home First law has bipartisan support, but may also face challenges. The Legislation was introduced in the Senate on Nov. 24 (SB 214) and in the House on Dec. 15. It was introduced in the Senate by Sens. John Carey (R-Wellston) and Dale Miller (D-Cleveland) and in the house by Rep. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering) and Rep. Deborah Newcomb (D-Conneaut).
Lawmakers say the bill will reduce costs to Ohio's long-term system and improve access to care options that people want.
Ohio's current Home First law goes into effect when there is a waiting list for Medicaid-funded home and community long-term care services. It allows people in nursing facilities to move out, bypass the waiting list and enroll in PASSPORT, Assisted Living or the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Without this law to help them avoid the waiting list, many in nursing homes would remain there unnecessarily and at additional cost to taxpayers.
Medicaid nursing home care costs an average $4,800 per month, compared with $1,100 for PASSPORT and about $2,100 for the Assisted Living Waiver. |
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In Memory
 A long-time member of the AAA8 Regional Advisory Council, Walter
"Stewart" Burkhalter, 78, of Woodsfield (Monroe County), died Dec. 14, 2009, at Barnesville Health Care Center.
He was born Dec. 11, 1931 in Woodsfield, a son of the late Walter F. and Josie Stewart Burkhalter.
He was a retired architect and a graduate of The Ohio State University. He was a veteran of the Korean War, member of the first United Methodist Church of Woodsfield, adult Sunday School teacher, member of Gideons International, President of the Monroe County Council on Aging and member of the Area Agency on Aging Regional Advisory Council. He was a member of AARP, and a member of the American Legion Post #87.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.bauerturner.com. |
Save the Dates for 2010
H1N1 & Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic
Jan. 13
9 a.m.- 2 p.m.
AAA8 Office - Marietta
OAAAA Aging in Ohio April 7 Crowne Plaza Columbus North October 6 Crowne Plaza Columbus North
OAAAA Spring Conference March 23 -24 Hyatt on Capital Square Columbus
OAAAA Annual Conference on Aging September 13-14 Crowne Plaza Columbus North |
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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 Stewart
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| AAA8 Takes Part in Athens County Legislator Home Visit
 AAA8 Director met with Ohio Representative Debbie Phillips (D-92nd District) in the home of Athens County PASSPORT client Arvella Lehman to discuss the program, state funding and future needs of seniors. Shown from left are: Jerri McGhee, Home Health Aide, Cambridge Home Health Care; PASSPORT Client Arvella Lehman; Ohio Representative Debbie Phillips;Jamie Sweeney, LSW, AAA8 Case Manager and Rick Hindman, AAA8 Director.
Photo Courtesy of Cambridge Home Health. |
Caregivers Honored
 AAA8 honored Caregivers at the annual Caregiver Appreciation luncheon in December. Program Coordinator Darlene Vandine says Caregivers Are Gifts! The 2009 Appreciation Luncheon honored caregivers and Project Lifesaver supporters from across the region.
The annual Elder Caregiver Award honors outstanding individuals of any age who sacrifice their time and independence to provide much-needed care to a loved one who is aging or who has a disability. The AAA8 2009 Elder Caregiver Award was presented to Donna Sullivan of Nelsonville (Athens County).
 Donna Sullivan is the primary caregiver for her husband, Gordon, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2002 and has required total care for the past four years. Donna spends her days attending to all Gordon's personal needs, including grooming, bathing, supervision and companionship.
Recently, Gordon's health has declined and he spent two months in a nursing home for rehabilitation. Through sheer determination, Donna brought him home to care for him.
Two of her children help as much as possible, but Donna is the primary caregiver in spite of her own personal health issues. She continues to care for Gordon with kindness and a smile. She often puts off her own needs in order to meet Gordon's needs first. Donna receives some assistance through the Ohio University Alzheimer Speech and Hearing Program and through the Area Agency on Aging's Caregiver Advocacy and Alzheimer Respite Programs.
When asked how she handles the stresses of caregiving, Donna states that her faith in God sees her through and she takes it one day at a time. If not for her loving care, Gordon would not be able to remain in the warm, caring environment to which he is accustomed.
 Also honored were partners in the AAA8 Project Lifesaver program. Shown from left are: from Athens County Sheriff's Department: Lt. Bryan Cooper, and Sheriff Patrick Kelly;Cathy Ash, AAA8 Program Manager; Deputy Rich Keith and Darlene Vandine, AAA8 Caregiver Coordinator. |
AAA8 January Provider Meeting & Training - Jan. 26
 Targeting Health Care Fraud!
The AAA8 January meeting will be hosted at The Lafayette Hotel in Marietta. Provider Updates will be provided from 9-10 a.m. followed by a Targeting Health Care Fraud Training from 10 a.m. to Noon. The training will be conducted by Lloyd Early: Special Agent-In-Charge, Health Care Fraud Section for The Ohio Attorney General's Office. Please RSVP to 1-800-331-2644.
Area Agency on Aging Hosts H1N1, Seasonal Flu and Pneumonia Shot Clinic Jan. 13
 The Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging 8 will host a Seasonal Flu and Pneumonia Shot Clinic Jan. 13 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at its office. Located at 1400 Pike St. in Marietta, AAA8 welcomes the public to reserve an appointment time for a shot by calling 373-6400.
H1N1 flu shots will be available at this clinic as well as seasonal and pneumonia shots. Medicare Part B and participating health plans will be accepted with proper documentation of coverage. Private pay rates will include $15 for the H1N1 shot, $30 for a flu shot and $45 for pneumonia.
Contact the Area Agency on Aging 8 at 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org for details. |
| Home Health Co-Op Continues to Move Forward
 Strength Through Cooperation is the focus of the Home Healthcare Provider Cooperative shown in the group's new logo at left.
Partners from providers across the AAA8 region and beyond are working together to make 2010 an even better year for their employees, their clients and their organizations. |
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Rohling McGee Named EMMA Interim Director
Amy Rohling McGee has been named the interim executive director of the Executive Medicaid Management Agency (EMMA). The vacancy in the executive director position was created when former director Cristal Thomas was appointed as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Region V Director.
Rohling McGee has been an executive assistant for health and human services policy in the governor's office since 2007. Previously, she was the executive director of the Ohio Association of Free Clinics for five years. In this position, she represented free health clinics statewide that use volunteers and paid staff to serve people who are poor and uninsured. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work from Ohio State University.
Governor Strickland created EMMA by Executive Order in 2007. Its purpose is to coordinate Ohio's Medicaid Program, which is spread among eight government entities in Ohio. They include the Office of Budget and Management and seven departments:
· Aging
· Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services
· Education
· Health
· Job and Family Services
· Mental Health
· Developmental Disabilities |
"Snowbirds" Need to Know How to Accurately Respond to 2010 Census
Census Data Determines Significant Portion of Federal Funding Ohio Receives |
 With Census Day 2010 less than four months away, the Ohio Department of Aging is reaching out to Ohioans who live in warmer climates during the winter months, informally known as "snowbirds," to make sure they know how to correctly fill out their 2010 Census form. "Many federal programs that provide services to Ohio's seniors, including our home delivered meals, long-term care ombudsman program and senior employment program, use census data to determine how much funding Ohio will receive," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department. "It's vital that we have an accurate count of our residents to ensure we can continue to meet the needs of our state's two million seniors."
The 2010 Census will take place on April 1, 2010, with questionnaires arriving mid-March. Forms are sent to every residence, meaning if you have two residences, such as one here and one in Florida, you will receive forms at both addresses. Snowbirds should list their Ohio residence as their permanent household if they spend the majority of the year here.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, to be counted once, in the right place and at the right time, a snowbird should fill out both of the forms they receive:
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On the form that you receive at your seasonal residence (meaning you spend less than the majority of your year here), the only questions that should be answered are question one and question 10. For question one, enter a "zero." For question 10, select "yes, at seasonal or second residence."
- On the form that you receive at your permanent household (where you spend the majority of your year), you should fill out the entire survey even if you are still at your seasonal residence on April 1. For example, if you live in Ohio eight months a year and another state for four months, your Ohio residence is your permanent household.
The department also encourages Ohioans to share these tips with friends or family members who have already left for their seasonal residences. The data collected during the 2010 Census will be used to distribute more than $400 billion dollars to states and local communities and also will determine Ohio's representation in the U.S. House of Representatives over the next decade.
The United States Post Office will not forward census questionnaires. In May and June, U.S. Census Bureau employees will visit residences that do not return a form. To avoid a knock on your door, complete your form and mail it back. For more information about the 2010 Census, visit www.2010census.gov. | |
Aging Advocacy 2009 Top Ten Report
Top Ten Reasons 2009 was a Great Year for Aging Advocacy Efforts:
#10 - All Senior levies up for renewal passed despite economic down-turn.
#9 - ODA allowed consumer transfers among LTC waiver programs without using a managed enrollment slot.
#8 - ODA was successful in obtaining a waiver of the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) for Title III funds for Ohio.
#7 - The federal government provided increased e-FMAP to Ohio.
#6 - The AAA network made 21 comments to ODJFS, ODA, and ODH rules and policies which successfully changed language for our consumers.
#5 - OAAAA advocacy was at its best during protracted budget deliberations.
#4 - ODA and OAAAA teamed-up for implementation of LTC provisions in HB1 language.
#3 - The U.S. House and Senate both passed health care reform legislation and are moving toward a compromise bill.
#2 - Ohio fought hard for exemption of 1915(c) waiver case management in the federal Interim Final Rule - Targeted Case Management - language and was successful.
And the # 1 reason - Enhanced Home First bills were introduced in the Senate and House with bi-partisan support.
Developed by: Suzanne Shelpman-OAAAA Policy & Rules Consultant
Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging
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