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 Thoughts
from the Director:
Rick Hindman
May is Older Americans Month
May is Older Americans Month-a tradition dating back to 1963 to honor the legacies and ongoing contributions of older Americans and support them as they enter the next stage in life. The Area Agency on Aging 8 and its eight county Councils on Aging and its providers are joining communities nationwide in celebrating this month with special activities and events.
This year's Older Americans Month theme-Age Strong! Live Long!-recognizes the diversity and vitality of today's older Americans who span three generations. They have lived through wars and hard times, as well as periods of unprecedented prosperity. They pioneered new technologies in medicine, communications, and industry while spearheading a cultural revolution that won equal rights for minorities, women, and disabled Americans.
These remarkable achievements demonstrate the strength and character of older Americans, and underscore the debt of gratitude we owe to the generations that have given our society so much. But the contributions of older Americans are not only in the past.
Older Americans are living longer and are more active than ever before. And with the aging of the baby boomer generation-the largest in our nation's history-America's senior population is expected to number 71.5 million by 2030.
While keeping the growing population of older Americans healthy and active will increase the demand for senior services, what is remarkable is the extent to which older Americans themselves are supporting each other. As the new generations of seniors become better educated and more financially secure than their predecessors, they are spending more time making significant contributions in their communities through civic and volunteer opportunities. |
| Pro Seniors: Helping Champion the Legal Rights, Dignity & Independence of Older Adults
As the number of older Ohioans increases, so will their legal and long-term care needs. Pro Seniors' unique expertise and experience is available to support the needs of seniors.
The Pro Seniors Legal Hotline provides free legal information and advice to Ohio residents age 60 and over, regardless of income or location.
1-800-488-6070
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Rural Add-On Update
On March 23, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), which creates a 3% add-on to payments made for home health services to patients in rural areas. The add-on applies to episodes ending on or after April 1, 2010, through December 31, 2016. Similar to temporary rural add-on provisions in the past, claims that report a rural state code (code beginning with 999) as the Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA) code for the beneficiary's residence will receive the additional 3 percent payment. The CBSA code is reported associated with value code 61 on home health claims.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is working to expeditiously implement the home health rural add-on provision, Section 3131(c), of the PPACA. Be on the alert for more information about this provision and its impact on past and future claims. Further, be on the alert for more information pertaining to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.*
* Information made available through OAAAA. |
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AAA8 to Host Landlord Tenant Laws & Fair Housing Worshop: June 9
AAA8 will again be hosting a "Landlord Tenant Laws and Fair Housing" workshop in Marietta on June 9.
Registration materials will be available closer to the date. Please save this date and plan on attending. This will be a FREE workshop. |
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Good Nutrition is Important to Recovery After an Illness: AAA8 Hospital to Home Program Provides Assistance
 The AAA8 Hospital to Home Program provides five home-delivered meals a week for up to four weeks following a hospital or nursing home stay.
To qualify individuals must be: 60+ years of age or a caregiver of someone who is 60+. There are NO income limits on this short-term program.
At the end of four weeks, if the patient is still unable to care for themselves, a second assessment will be performed and a new care plan developed.
The AAA8 Hospital to Home Program will complement the existing services provided by the hospital discharge planner. The Hospital to Home Program begins with referral from the hospital or nursing home to the AAA8 for an in-patient assessment (Long-Term Care Consultation) conducted for individuals who could require in-home assistance with day-to-day activities upon discharge to home-short term or long term. If the assessment cannot be scheduled in hospital, the assessor will follow up with the patient after they arrive home.
A Long-Term Care Consultation provides options and education about types of care, how to pay for it and other factors in making longterm care decisions. To refer a patient who is being discharged from a hospital or nursing facility, or a caregiver, call 1-800-331-2644.
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Buckeye Hills Hosts Semi-Annual Meeting
Issues "State of the 8" Annual Report
Buckeye Hills hosted its Semi-Annual Meeting in April where it released the 2009 "State of the 8" Annual Report to the District's eight-county region (Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington). In addition, a new slate of officers was announced and includes: President: Ron Moore, Morgan County; Vice-President: Virgil Thompson, Noble County and Treasurer: Sam Cook, Washington County. Shown at left is meeting moderator and President, Ron Moore.
Nearly 100 representatives from the region and state and federal agencies attended. The keynote address was delivered by Dave Rose, Public Information Officer for The ODOT District 10 area. Leaders from Buckeye Hills and its Area Agency on Aging (AAA8) provided annual updates on programs in the region. To view the 2009 Annual Report visit http://www.buckeyehills.org
"Over the past year, the Buckeye Hills staff has worked to secure financing totaling over $67 million for various projects that have a positive impact on residential and commercial sectors," said Misty Casto, Executive Director. "These projects improve the quality of life for the people of the region. For every one dollar in administration, Buckeye Hills leveraged nearly $109 in project dollars."
As the liaison for Ohio Public Works, District 18 received Ohio Stimulus funding and submitted 46 projects totaling more than $19.4 million. The Public Works program also funded over $9 million for the region's roads, bridges, and water projects in its regular annual budget.
As a key primary economic development tool serving small businesses in the region's rural areas, Buckeye Hills also maintains a Revolving Loan Fund Program (RLF) loan. The fund issued four loans for more than $645,000 with 26 jobs created and 21 retained. The program leveraged additional private and public investments of nearly $1.76 million.
"As the annual report notes, the AAA8 network of providers delivered more than $11 million dollars of services across the region last year," said AAA8 Director Rick Hindman. "They served more than 210,000 home-delivered and congregate meals and provided homemaker and caregiver services to meet the needs of our nearly 1,100 PASSPORT clients throughout the year." AAA8 also continued the Senior Farmers Market and expanded its Housing programs. In addition, the Area Agency on Aging launched a new look to its website and worked to formalize a cooperative for its rural health care providers. |
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Ohio House Passes Home First
 Exciting News from the Ohio Statehouse... On March 24, there was great progress on legislation to enhance Ohio's Home First law. In one of its last actions before leaving for Spring break, the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill permitting Medicaid-eligible older adults in assisted living facilities or in the community to enroll immediately in home and community based services and bypass wait lists.
When budget woes cause wait lists for home and community services, older adults' only option is to enter a nursing facility, a more expensive and often less preferred alternative. Many aging network advocates, including AAA8 Director, Rick Hindman, were on hand to witness the House vote.
Rick Hindman, Director, Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging 8, was among those grateful that their representatives acted on one of the aging network's top priorities. "They responded to the plight of dependent older adults and the need to promote polices that reduce the cost of long-term care," he said. |
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 National Nurses Week
Nurses: Caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow
Often described as an art and a science, nursing is a profession that embraces dedicated people with varied interests, strengths and passions because of the many opportunities the profession offers. Nurses work in homes, nursing homes, hospitals, physician offices and schools, to name a few. They have many roles - from staff nurse to educator to nurse practitioner - and serve all of them with passion for the profession and with a strong commitment to patient safety.
National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6 - National Nurses Day, through May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. |
 National Nursing Home Week Celebrated May 9-15National Nursing Home Week (NNHW) will be celebrated in nursing and rehabilitation facilities nationwide May 9- May 15. This year's theme "Enriching Every Day" was selected to honor those who are "Enriching Every Day" for others, adding value to life and overcoming many of the infirmities of age and disability.
The national emphasis spotlights nursing home residents and staff and encourages all to celebrate those that make a positive difference in their lives every day. A supportive and caring environment, such as a nursing home, provides enrichment for residents and families to continue growing, learning and teaching through various ways. The week also provides an opportunity to honor all those who contribute to our nation's nursing homes - residents, family members, employees and volunteers. |
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Help Available to Medicare Recipients for Help Paying Premium, Co-pay and Drug Costs
 Some older Ohioans are struggling to make ends meet. Would $96 or even as much as $325 a month help a senior that you serve*?
Help may be available to some to help cover the costs of Medicare premiums, co-pays and drug costs and seniors aren't even aware that they may qualify. The Area Agency on Aging is available to help seniors determine their eligibility and apply for Medicare assistance programs.
With support from a grant through The Ohio Department of Aging, as part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), AAA8 is working to identify Medicare recipients who may be eligible for two types of assistance: Medicare Savings Programs and Low Income Subsidy/Extra Help. AAA8 staff will then help seniors apply for the programs.
Medicare recipients who need help paying their premiums, copayments or prescription drug costs, or who think they might be eligible for one of the assistance programs, should call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644.
Medicare Savings Programs
Medicare Savings Programs help eligible beneficiaries pay some of their Medicare costs. There are three types of savings programs, each with its own eligibility guidelines:
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) pays for: Part B premiums, deductibles and co-payments -- acts like supplemental policy
- SLMB (Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary) pays for the Part B premium
- QI (Qualified Individual) pays for the Part B premium
Extra Help provides financial assistance with drug plan costs for people with limited income and resources. The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines if you are eligible. Both income and resources are counted. AAA8 will complete the online SSA application on behalf of eligible beneficiaries.
Eligibility requirements for Medicare Savings Programs
and Extra Help
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Program |
Monthly Income Limits |
Asset Limits** | |
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) |
$923 Single
$1,235 Couple |
$4,000 Single
$6,000 Couple | |
Specified Low-income Beneficiary (SLMB) |
$1,103 Single
$1,477 Couple |
$4,000 Single
$6,000 Couple | |
Qualified Individual (QI) |
$1,239 Single
$1,660 Couple |
$4,000 Single
$6,000 Couple | |
Extra Help |
$1,355 Single
$1,821 Couple |
$12,510 Single
$25,010 Couple |
* $96 is an average premium savings; $325 is an average savings for those who qualify for Extra Help for prescriptions.
*Assets and Resources include savings and stocks but do not include your home or personal belongings |
Ohio Dept. of Aging Launched Facebook Page
"Social media sites like Facebook give the Department of Aging a way to interact with older Ohioans and the people who care for and serve them as we never have before," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the department. "We know that Americans age 50 and older represent the fastest-growing segment of Facebook's users and we are excited about the potential this new medium provides."
All Ohioans, regardless of age, are invited to submit a photo they believe captures the essence of the 2010 Older Americans Month theme, "Age Strong! Live Long!" To enter, Facebook members should visit the department's page on Facebook, become a fan and upload their photo into a special album (limit one entry per individual) by May 9, 2010. Department staff will select the top three submissions, which will be featured on the department's Older Americans Month Web page, as well as on Facebook, by Monday, May 17.
Individuals also may submit their photos by mail to: Ohio Department of Aging, ATTN: Communications Division, 50 W. Broad St./9th Fl., Columbus OH 43215-3363. Please note: we cannot return photos.
Fans of the Ohio Department of Aging page on Facebook will receive updates and news about the department from various sources, including the department's award-winning electronic publications. They also will be able to access other organizations that serve or provide opportunities for Ohio seniors and others. Future activities planned include additional photo contests and discussions around timely issues.
Click here for the link. |
 Turner to Head Ohio Association
of Senior Centers Mike Turner, Executive Director of United Seniors of Athens County, has been elected president of the Ohio Association of Senior Centers. The group represents over 100 senior centers across Ohio. |
| OSU Releases Research Study on Ohio's Assisted Living Waiver Program
The Ohio State University College of Social Work conducted a research study to examine the contributing factors and barriers to a successful consumer transition to the Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver program in Ohio. The findings will be available on the ODA website after May 1. |
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