Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Provides Produce Coupons

Nearly 1,450 seniors across the AAA8 region, who met the eligibility guidelines, received some welcome relief from rising food budgets. The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides income-eligible senior citizens with special coupons worth $50 to buy produce. An additional 940 seniors have been placed on waiting lists for the market program as all available coupons have been distributed.

The Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a USDA and Ohio Department of Aging program in which grants are awarded to provide coupons to low-income seniors. Program coupons may be exchanged for eligible foods from authorized farmers. Only fresh, locally grown fruits, herbs, vegetables and honey are eligible to be purchased with the coupons.

Each eligible senior receives $50 worth of coupons. Grant funding is limited and coupons are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each person will receive a total of ten $5 coupons: five $5 coupons valid from May 1- July 31 and five $5 coupons valid from Aug. 1- Oct. 31. Coupons may only be redeemed by authorized participating farmers who sell produce at farmers' markets or roadside stands. The program ends Oct. 31, 2011. 

Monroe County Senior Benefits from CHOICES Program
 

Area Agency on Aging Explains Flexible In-home Care Services

Programs that allow the elderly an opportunity to receive less-expensive care in the comfort of their own homes are making a difference to families in Appalachia. But, few folks it seems, know about a program available in Monroe County called CHOICES. 
 

"Many know about the popular PASSPORT program that allows elderly Ohioans to receive less-expensive care in the comfort of their own homes, but few seem to know about the more flexible CHOICES program," said Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) Director Rick Hindman. "We wanted to share how this program is helping families keep their loved ones at home - where research shows seniors prefer to be."

Near Rinard Mills, the family of Pearl Smith has been taking advantage of CHOICES since 2006 to care for their mother in her home. Pearl, a retired homemaker and mother of seven, has an amazing 64 grand and great-grandchildren and even three great-great-grandchildren!

She will be 90 this Christmas Day and is still eager to travel with her family on vacations. She is looking forward to a Lake Erie trip this summer to see the lighthouses. Last year, they traveled nine days "out West" to Yellowstone National Park.

Thanks to the regional CHOICES program Pearl enjoys remaining in the comfort of her own home surrounded with her seasonal figurines and enjoying the scenery of her flower garden out back. She passes the time by reading - anything she can get her hands on, from The Bible to Country Living magazine or books of all genres.

CHOICES providers can be professional caregivers, friends, neighbors or some relatives. With support from the Area Agency on Aging PASSPORT case manager Vicki Bennett, RN, Pearl receives care coordinated by daughter Donna Howell and delivered by daughters Elaine Howell and Delilah Howell.

"We help her with the household and personal care routines, cook her meals, remind her to take her medications and can transport her where she needs to go," said Elaine. "The great thing is that because we are here all the time, we are able to monitor her health and diabetes to know early on, if something little is happening and can get her care before it turns into a 'big' thing." Elaine is an EMT and active volunteer with the Graysville Emergency Services program with her husband, Bob, who serves as the local Fire Chief.

Through CHOICES they were able to bring her home to recover from a broken shoulder last year instead of sending her to a nursing home. AAA8 Case manager Vicki Bennett helped secure an emergency response system and the necessary medical equipment Pearl needs for daily living. Her daughters serve as her Individual Providers and can access as many as 189 hours a month for her needs. This year Pearl's annual CHOICES service plan is $ $31,674.79, a savings of more than $28,000 when compared to the average annual cost for skilled nursing facility care.

"Pearl is a perfect candidate for this program because of her family support system," said Bennett. "Through other resources available through the Area Agency on Aging Housing program, we have also been able to support her with a new set of steps and a mini-wheel chair ramp as well as a new walk-in shower."  

 Buckeye Hills AAA8 is the area's administrator of CHOICES and PASSPORT programs for Medicaid-eligible residents age 60 and older. For more information or a free in-home assessment, call 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org. 

Marietta-Area Senior Benefits from Housing Program
Area Agency on Aging Offers Home Accessibility & Repairs

There is no place like home. For seniors trying to "age in place" in larger, older homes, one program through the Area Agency on Aging 8 is making a difference.

Marietta is well-known for its history and many stately homes. However, as folks age, the practicality of a large two-story home can be an inhibitor to aging in place. But, for one Marietta senior, the AAA8 Housing program was just what she needed.

"We were able to take advantage of a grant program through Buckeye Hills to help my mother remain in her home and keep her independence," said Tina Meunier, daughter of Linda. "The program is wonderful and through its ability to give her accessibility to a first-floor bathroom and laundry area, she is now self-sufficient at home." Tina is shown here with her mother, Linda.

Before the updates to her home, Linda was taking a flight of stairs up to a second-story shower and down to a lower-level laundry room all the while trying not to fall over her oxygen tubing, necessary 24x7 for a chronic lung condition.

The Housing grant enabled Linda to make necessary changes on the first floor including an enlarged bathroom with a roll-in shower area as well as a new laundry area for her day-to-day living needs.

"Grants are available to fund repairs for homeowners who are 60 years of age or older with 35 percent area median income level or less and own their home or have a life estate in the property," said Joe Gage, AAA8 Housing Coordinator. "For residents who qualify monies may be used to assist with the costs associated with accessibility modifications such as widening doorways, wheelchair ramps, handicap modifications of a bathroom or kitchen and other home repairs."

Gage is also an Aging-In-Place Specialist through the National Home Builders Association (NAHB) developed to address the growing number of consumers that will soon require housing modifications to "age in place." These professionals are remodelers, general contractors, designers, architects and even health care consultants.

Gage is responsible for grant administration across the 8-county region. He can help eligible residents answer questions such as "how can I make my kitchen more functional; how do I modify my bathroom or home entrance and what type of contractor should I use?" For more information, call 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org.