Answers on Aging & Independence
July 2014 Updates
Council on Aging to hold public hearing to present updated Area Plan for Programs on Aging

As our region's Area Agency on Aging, Council on Aging is charged with helping communities and individuals to plan and prepare for their long-term care needs. In June, Council on Aging issued a survey to gather information and opinions from people in our service area to help us fulfill that role. More than 400 people completed the survey. Information gathered through the survey will be analyzed and used as we update our Area Plan for Programs on Aging.

 

Council on Aging will present the updated Area Plan at a public hearing on Thursday, July 24 at 3pm, at our headquarters located at 175 Tri County Parkway, Cincinnati Ohio 45246.  For those who cannot attend, the plan will be available for review and comment via our website.  Click here for more information.   

Council on Aging Updates
MyCare Ohio implementation brings big changes to long-term care in our region 

For Council on Aging, "business as usual" ended June 1 with the implementation of MyCare Ohio in our region. It also ended for hundreds of providers and for thousands of seniors and people with disabilities. 

 

From many people on the PASSPORT in-home care program or who are applying for PASSPORT or another waiver program, the question we keep hearing is: Why is Council on Aging doing this? The "this" they're asking about is change brought on by MyCare Ohio, the state's new managed care system. Continue reading for answers and resources to help you through this transition...



Ohio long-term care ombudsmen to help consumers with problems and concerns related to MyCare Ohio
In Ohio, when consumers have concerns about their long-term care services, they can turn to their local Long-term Care Ombudsman. The Ohio Department of Aging recently received funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand the ombudsman program to include MyCare Ohio consumers.  Learn more
Council on Aging serving younger consumers through Ohio Home Care Waiver Program
After a very busy and challenging start, COA's newest program is beginning to settle in. The Ohio Home Care Waiver Program provides in-home and community-based care management services to younger individuals with disabilities who need long-term care services. Learn more

New tool helps clients choose providers based on quality
Clients of the Elderly Services Program have the option to choose the provider organization they want for their services. But often, people are not familiar with organizations and don't know which to choose. Now, COA has created a Client Choice Table that will help people select a provider. Learn more
Switching to one Emergency Response provider yields savings to levy programs
A massive project is underway to switch nearly 5,000 Elderly Services Program clients to a single provider for Emergency Monitoring Services. The project, which is nearing completion, affects ESP clients in Butler, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. Learn more
Learn about COA on community television, The Lebanon Channel
COA programs, including the Warren County Elderly Services Program, were recently featured on The Lebanon Channel's Feelin' Good show. Host Karen Hill, director of Aging Services for Warren County Community Services, Inc., interviewed COA Communications Director Laurie Petrie for the program.  Learn more
Advocacy Alert
Supporters of the Older Americans Act urged to advocate for reauthorization
The OAA provides funding to area senior centers, through Council on Aging, to offer congregate meals and other services to older adults. 
Originally signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, the federal Older Americans Act (OAA) created the Administration on Aging and laid the foundation of our country's aging network.  
 
The OAA funds critical services that keep older adults healthy and independent - services like meals, job training, senior centers, caregiver support, transportation, health promotion, benefits enrollment, and more.  
 
The OAA has had strong bipartisan support for years, but has not been reauthorized since 2011. The act is currently stalled in the Senate and the House of Representatives will not act until the Senate does.
  
Supporters are urged to contact their US Representatives and Senators to remind them how important the OAA is to seniors in their communities.  Learn more
News to Use
Ohio's Adult Protective Services receives a much-needed boost
The advocacy efforts of thousands of Ohioans, our state's Area Agencies on Aging and the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging finally paid of when Ohio Governor John Kasich signed House Bill 483 on June 16, increasing the state's Adult Protective Services funding to a notable high of $10 million.  Learn more


Beat the Heat: Summer safety tips to help older adults
During hot summer months, everyone should take care to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses and injuries. During this time, our elderly loved-ones, friends and neighbors (people age 65 and older) are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses and injuries.  Learn more
Participate in Ohio visitability study

Researchers at The Ohio State University are conducting a study on visitable housing in Ohio.  "Visitability" refers to a home that can be lived in or visited by people who have trouble with steps or who use wheelchairs or walkers. You can participate by completing an online survey.  Learn more

Upcoming Events and Learning Opportunities
Visit the Events page on our website for a complete, up-to-date list of events for adults, caregivers and professionals.
Featured Events
Senior Day at the Ohio State Fair
Tuesday, July 29, 2014 is Senior Day at the Ohio State Fair. Adults ages 60 and older can enjoy reduced admission of just $4 at the gate all day long. Special activities planned throughout the day including cooking demonstrations, live music and fireworks.   Learn more

Disaster Preparedness Fair
Having a preparedness kit and an evacuation plan for your home are simple ways to ensure your family's safety during a disaster. But for many, the question is, How do I get started? or What should I put in my kit? Get answers at the Disaster Preparedness Fair, 10am - 2pm, Saturday, Aug. 23, Cincinnati Red Cross.
2014 ADRN Summit - Explore the Possibilities   
Ohio's Aging and Disability Resource Network (ADRN) was established based on the understanding that people access long-term care services and supports in many different ways, through many different organizations. ADRN partners work together to ensure that no matter where an individual first makes contact with the long-term care system, it`s the right place for them to be.  In 2013, Ohio's ADRN received a $160 million Balancing Incentive Program (BIP) award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand and improve the ADRN. 
 
The first ever Aging and Disability Resource Network Summit will take place on August 11 & 12 in Columbus. The summit provides the opportunity to learn about BIP and hear from national experts on current trends in policies and best practices around the nation and in Ohio. This conference is for professionals and consumers from the developmental disabilities, mental health and addiction, physical disability, and aging communities. Learn more 
Healthy-U Chronic Disease Self Management Program
July 2 - August 6, 2014, 1-3:30pm | Miami Township Civic Center, 6101 Meijer Drive, Milford, OH 45150 | Registration required: (513) 947-7333 | Learn more 
Healthy-U Chronic Disease Self Management Program
August 4 - September 15 2014, 9:30 am - noon | Maple Knoll Village, 11100 Springfield Pike Cincinnati, OH 45246 | Registration required: (513) 782-2400 | Learn more 
2014 Ohio Council for Homecare and Hospice Regional Showcase
August 7, 2014, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm | Interact for Health, 3805 Edwards Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45209 | Learn more
Healthy-U Chronic Disease Self Management Program
August 12 - September 16 2014, 1:30 - 4 pm | Oxford Senior Center, 922 Tollgate Drive, Oxford OH 45056 | Registration required: (513) 523-8100 | Learn more 
Ethical Consideration in Dementia Care - Alzheimer's Association
August 14 2014, 9 am - Noon | Twin Towers Senior Living Community, 5343 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45224 | Registration required: (800) 272-3900 | Learn more
Working Together: Changing employment experiences for people with disabilities
September 15-16, 2014 | Great Wolf Lodge, 2501 Great Wolf Drive, Mason, OH 45040 | Registration required
Cincinnati Volunteer Lawyers Project: Free Wills and Advanced Planning Clinic
October 11, 2014 and other dates | Cincinnati Legal Aid Society, 215 East Ninth Street, Suite 200 Cincinnati, OH 45202 | Eligibility requirements apply: (513) 361-8832 | No walk-ins. Registration required
Aging and Disability Resource Directory Tip:
July is Parks and Recreation Month
The National Recreation and Park Association urges you to
get OUT and get some fresh air! Time outdoors is good for  health, happiness, and overall well being.
Our Aging and Disability Resource Directory can help you find information about discounts on national parks, access to local county parks and other outdoor activities. For information visit the Outdoor Activities section of our Resource Directory.   

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175 Tri County Parkway Cincinnati OH 45246
513.721.1025 � 800.252.0155 � help4seniors.org