Don't Miss This!
COA and local caregiver and advocate featured in public television program, Caring for Mom & Dad
Sunday May 10 at 6pm on CET 48 & Saturday May 14 at 8pm on ThinkTV 14

CARING FOR MOM & DAD | Trailer | PBS
CARING FOR MOM & DAD | Trailer | PBS

Narrated by Meryl Streep, a new national television documentary shares an intimate view of adults caring for their aging parents and explores the emotional, health, and financial challenges that caregivers face every day.

 

The Elderly Services Program in southwestern Ohio is featured in the film as an innovation in which communities have taxed themselves to provide services that help frail older adults remain independent in their homes.  The documentary includes interviews with Council on Aging President and CEO Suzanne Burke. COA manages the Elderly Services Program for county commissioners in Butler, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren counties.

 

The film also features interviews with caregiver Kathi Truster whose father, Edwin Hendel, was a client of the Butler County Elderly Services Program, and Karen Kelly, daughter of the late Lois Dale Brown, of Clermont County, the woman who started the senior services tax levy movement in Ohio.   Learn more

Council on Aging Updates
COA Team Educator program wins national award

An innovative Council on Aging  program designed to train and mentor staff through complex and rapid change received a prestigious national award from the Leadership 500 Excellence Awards Program.  

 

Our Team Educator Certification Program brought home third place honors in the Midsize Company Category, placing out of 200 contestants.   Learn more


Forum on Aging recap
More than 600 area professionals attended the 2015 Forum on Aging March 3-4.  Learn how you can help plan next year's event.   Learn more

COA releases 2014 annual report
COA's 2014 Annual Report includes data, photos and personal stories that bring our mission to life.  Learn more

COA honors caregivers
Three notable individuals were recognized for exceptional service and dedication at COA's 44th Annual Meeting.  Learn more
New online referral form, updated reference guide make it easier to connect to COA services

COA is making it easier to connect to programs and services that help eligible older adults and people with disabilities live safely and independently in their homes and communities.  A new online referral form and updated, multilingual fact sheets, are designed to help professionals quickly and conveniently make service referrals and access the latest information about care options in our community.  Learn more

Aging & Disability Resource Network Updates
Older Americans Month photo contest asks Ohioans, how do you live "Well beyond 60?"
Submit photos via social media or mail by May 15

Each year, Ohio and the nation recognize May as Older Americans Month to celebrate our elders as vital members of society who continue to grow, thrive, and contribute. Ohio's 2015 Older Americans month theme, "Well Beyond 60!" raises awareness of the many ways older adults can and are living longer, healthier, and more active lives.  Learn more

 


Ohio Benefits Long-term Care set to launch July 1
To make it easier for seniors and people with disabilities to access long-term care services, Ohio is developing a "single entry point" system called Ohio Benefits Long-term Care.  Learn more

New HCBS requirements - Ohio's plan
Ohio has submitted a plan to bring the state into compliance with new federal regulations that affect service providers of Home and Community Based Services who participate in Medicaid waiver programs.  Ohio has nine Medicaid waiver programs.   Learn more

Ohio Scholars in Aging

The Ohio Scholars in Aging Program cultivates future decision-makers and designers of aging services, while ensuring that communities and businesses design and implement solutions that address the issues, opportunities, and impact of an aging population. Now accepting Summer 2015 applications.  Learn more

HEALTHY U helps Ohioans live "Well Beyond 60!"
Learn to be a healthier you in your community, online and on Facebook

HEALTHY U Ohio, the state's chronic disease self-management program, helps Ohioans stay active, make healthy choices and manage chronic conditions so that they can live "Well Beyond 60!"

Just in time for Older Americans Month, the new HEALTHY U Ohio Facebook page is a source for daily information, resources and tips to effectively manage chronic health conditions and take an active role in maintaining and improving their health.  

Council on Aging will offer free training in May for people who want to become Healthy U facilitators. Learn more

News You Can Use
Parkinson's Disease: when is driving no longer safe?
April is Parkinson's Awareness Month

Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive movement disorder affecting nearly one million Americans.  The cognitive and physical symptoms of Parkinson's (tremors;  slowness of movements; decline in motor skills; and erosion of language, visuospatial and problem-solving skills), combined with the side effects of medications used to treat the disease, are a serious concern for drivers who have Parkinson's.

 

Read this guest article from Matt Gurwell, founder of Keeping Us Safe, a national organization with a mission to provide assistance to older drivers and their families as they face the challenging issue of diminished driving skills.


Shop Amazon.Smile for Mother's Day
Shop online with Amazon.Smile for the perfect gift to celebrate Mom in 2015 and at the same time provide a donation to Council on Aging.  Learn more

April 16 is National Health Care Decisions Day
All adults can benefit from thinking and talking about what their healthcare choices would be if they are unable to speak for themselves.  Learn more 

Caregiver input needed
The Ohio Respite Coalition is conducting a short online survey to ask about the barriers families, providers and agencies experience or perceive in asking for caregiver assistance. The survey is open until April 29. 

Students can earn credit driving seniors
Students enrolled in select classes at the University of Cincinnati can receive college credit for driving older adults in the community through a pilot project called Driving Community Connections.  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.  Unless otherwise noted, the following events are NOT in any way affiliated with Council on Aging.  Please use the links included with each event to get or request additional information. 
Special screening of Glen Campbell film, "I'll Be Me" | April 22, 2015 | Limited seating; tickets $10 | Click here for details

Middletown Senior Center 4th Annual Health Fair | April 24, 2015 | Free and open to the public Click here for details

Healthy U (Diabetes) | Begins April 24, 2015 | Countryside YMCA | Click here for details

Healthy U Facilitator Training| Begins May 14, 201| Free training for people interested in helping others manage the symptoms of chronic health conditions.  Limited space. | Click here for details

Healthy U | Begins May 6, 2015 | Friendship United Methodist Church Click here for details

Lecture: Honoring Our Parents as They Age | May 14, 2015 | Free, RSVP required | Click here for details

Loveland/Symmes Senior Expo | May 20, 2015 | Free and open to the public; RSVP required | Click here for details 

Clippard Family YMCA 8th Annual Forever Young Senior Health Fair  |May 20, 2015 | Free and open to the public | Request information 
Resource Directory Tip
April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day
The Conversation Project: An Overview
The Conversation Project: An Overview
It's not fun to talk about, but frank conversations with family members and healthcare providers about end-of-life care could be among the most important - and impactful - of your life. Council on Aging's Resource Directory includes information and resources to help get the conversation started.   Visit our Resource Directory or the National Healthcare Decisions Day website.

About Council on Aging

Council on Aging is a state-designated Area Agency on Aging, serving a 21-county region.  Our mission: Enhance people's lives by assisting them to remain independent at home through a range of quality services. One call to COA links people to the wide variety of agencies, information and programs that serve older adults and people with disabilities.   Learn more about COA