|
Thoughts from
AAA8 Director:
Rick Hindman
Area Agency on Aging Assists With Home Choice Program
Senior Hunger
I recently attended a Summit on Senior Hunger in Ohio. The information they provided is alarming and saddening.
In Ohio, 73% of those over 65 are "food insecure."
Those elderly who are "food insecure" - not having enough money to buy food - are 2.33 times more likely to report fair or poor health.
One report shows 19.8% of Ohioans were at risk of hunger.
So many who are eligible for Ohio's basic food assistance programs (SNAP) either don't know they are eligible or are not participating.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps) provides low-income individuals with additional benefits to buy food. In Ohio, eligibility for SNAP now considers only income, not assets owned by individuals in the household.
A household may financially qualify for SNAP if its income is at or under 130 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. In some cases, even if the income is over the limit, a household may qualify if it includes an elderly or disabled person.
Other factors are also taken into account, such as monthly household expenses like utility bills, rent, medical payments, child support payments and costs of dependents. In addition to the financial factors, a need for food assistance must also be present. Essentially, the basic requirements to pre-qualify are low income and a food supply need.
The aged and disabled are extremely vulnerable to the effects of hunger. Many make difficult choices between food and paying for utilities or medical care.
To find out more about programs like this one available to help, call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644 or your county's Job & Family Services Office. |
|
|
|
|
Participate in the Making Memories
Photo Contest!
WHY WE WALK... Walk to End Alzheimer's is the Alzheimer's Association's largest fundraising and awareness event. Walks are held to support the vital programs and services the Alzheimer's Association provides for families and caregivers facing the disease, as well as research to find a cure.
WHY SEND US YOUR MEMORIES... To help raise funds for The Alzheimer's Association Annual Walk in our region, The Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging 8 Employee Team is hosting a Photo Contest.
The theme is Making Memories.
Winning photographs, selected by a panel of judges will be announced by October 22. The winning photographs will be displayed at the AAA8 Choices Expo in Marietta November 9, 2011. Entries may also be included on the AAA8 and Buckeye Hills web sites. Amateurs and professionals alike can enter. Learn more at www.areaagency8.org. Deadline to enter: Sept. 30, 2011.
Support the AAA8 Team Walking for Alzheimer's
Check out our Team Web site to Donate |
 Save The Date: Choices Expo: Nov.9! 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Comfort Inn, Marietta
Supported by The SE Ohio Aging & Disability Resource Network (ADRN), this year's event will be expanded to include resources for seniors, those under 60 with disabilities and caregivers.
 Please note that we have added a Chair Volleyball Tournament at this year's event. Even if you don't have a chair volleyball team you still have time to organize one and practice! This is a favorite activity at the Choices Expo.
Sponsorship & Exhibitor details are now available. Call Mindy Cayton at 1-800-331-2644 for a brochure. Details also available at www.areaagency8.org |
|
Aging & Disability Resource Network (ADRN)
Continues to Grow
Collaborating to Better Serve
The Buckeye Hills and its Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) are helping form the SE Ohio Aging & Disability Network (ADRN). To date, Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) from many organizations have been signed and returned in a show of support from partners across an eight-county region to the formation of the SE Ohio network.
SE Ohio ADRN Vision: A centralized, client-focused collaboration of service providers that advocates for the client through a streamlined referral process ensuring that all options are made available to the client.
SE Ohio ADRN Mission: To facilitate access to services regardless of age or disability. |
|
 Network of Care Resources At Your Fingertips
As part of the Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Resource Network (ADRN), the Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) is funding The Network of Care website (www.networkofcare.org). It empowers seniors and people with disabilities, caregivers and service providers with comprehensive long-term care services, information and education available in the eight-county region. Click Here to access The Southeast Ohio version.
Featured This Month: Assistive Devices
There are details on more than 40,000 devices available on the Network of Care site. Organized in 20 different categories, the devices range in use and in price. This is a great resource for providers. |
|
Local, State & National News
Census Data on Elderly Available on AoA Website
Recently released Census 2010 population figures by age for each state are now available at the Administration on Aging AGID (AGing Integrated Database) web page. Click here to access this information.
AAA8 Ombudsman to Serve on OCAPS Board
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is available to seniors and caregivers across Ohio. In the Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) area, Kim Flanigan, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Director, has been selected to serve a two-year term on the Steering Committee for The Ohio Coalition for Adult Protective Services - a statewide coalition that strives to enhance the provision of services to adults at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation through education and advocacy.
Nominate an outstanding elder for the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
Annual induction recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions
The Ohio Department of Aging today issued a call for nominations for outstanding older individuals to be inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. The hall honors and recognizes the vital role our elders play in their communities, across the state and nationwide, while it promotes the benefits of active, productive and purposeful living at all points in our lives. Individuals and organizations interested in nominating a neighbor, colleague, family member or friend may visit www.aging.ohio.gov/news/nominations/ for more information, to submit a nomination or download the nomination form.
"Inductees to the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame are elders who set an example for us all by living lives not defined by age, but rather by the work we do to improve the lives of those around us," said Bonnie Kantor-Burman, director of the department. "They are community leaders, educators, advocates, artists, healers, business people, scientists and more, and our state is a better place because of their contributions."
Nominees for the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame must be age 60 or older and be native-born Ohioans or a resident of the state for at least 10 years. Posthumous nominations will be accepted. The nominee, or a representative of the nominee if he or she is unable, must consent to the nomination. Self-nominations are not accepted.
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:
- Arts/Literature
- Business/Technology
- Education
- Health/Fitness
- Public Service/Volunteerism
- Science/Medicine
Those selected will join more than 350 older Ohioans inducted into the hall since its inception in 1978. To learn more and view past inductees, visit
www.aging.ohio.gov/news/halloffame/. |
|
 2011 o4a Annual Conference on Aging
The Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) is hosting the 2011 o4a Annual Conference on Aging on September 12-13, 2011. Here is a sneak peek of the 2011 o4a Conference line-up. These speakers are just a sampling of the incredible program that will be offered. Additional topics include: substance abuse and the elderly, ethics, person centered care, transitions and diversions, AAA best practices, senior transportation and much more!
- Pre-Conference Speaker Sue Temper, Care Transitions: As the current Executive Director at Springwell Inc., Sue Temper is a leader in the aging and disability network. She is both an innovator and educator with years of experience in motivating staff and maximizing program results. Her work within multiple aging agencies makes Temper a wealth of knowledge and her Care Transitions presentation is sure to introduce innovative ideas on an array of aging issues.
- The Poverty Simulation: An exciting and eye-opening experience, this simulation helps participants better understand the realities of poverty. Through four 15-minute "weeks", participants interact with human service agencies, bill collectors, job interviewers and others while facing the unexpected obstacles that so many low-income individuals must endure. At the conclusion of the simulation, participants are encouraged to discuss the implications of poverty from different vantage points and dialogue about possible changes that can be made within the community. It is a truly moving experience that should not be missed!
- Keynote Speaker Steve Gold, Aging and Disability: Steve Gold, a lawyer and avid advocate for the Americans with Disabilities Act, will be discussing the need for continuing education about one's rights on Medicare, education, housing and more. Gold brings his motto that knowledge is power to his high-energy presentation that will both engage and inform those in attendance.
- Keynote Speaker Robin Rose, Managing Challenging Change: Robin Rose is a crowd-favorite motivational speaker who uses her optimistic attitude to teach audiences practical tools to communicate and act effectively, even in challenging situations. Her immense knowledge is presented in an understandable and entertaining manner and her tips and suggestions can be put to use immediately to bring one's best self forward.
- Keynote Speaker Dr. Kathleen Griffin, Health Care Reform and the Affordable Care Act: Dr. Griffin is one of the nation's foremost authorities in post-acute care and senior services continuums. She is one of our nation's leaders in post-acute care and senior services in health systems and organizations. She is a nationally recognized author and lecturer on these topics. Dr. Griffin will walk us through some of the changes in health care most relevant to us that have resulted from the Affordable Care Act, including their impact on our consumers and the programs that serve them.
For details or to register, visit www.ohioaging.org.
|
|
|
