 PLEASE NOTE: Important Farmers' Market Update:
Due to the federal budget sequestration, the funding for the 2013 Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program has not yet been released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Due to the funding delay, AAA8 will not be able to mail the SFMNP coupons by the end of April. We anticipate that funding allocations will be made sometime in May and will provide additional information on the AAA8 web site as it becomes available. |
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Thoughts from
AAA8 Director:
Rick Hindman
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This May is 50th year for Older Americans Month:
1963-2013
The theme for Older Americans Month 2013, Unleash the Power of Age, has never been more fitting. Older Americans are productive, active, and influential members of society, sharing essential talents, wisdom, and life experience with their families, friends, and neighbors.
Giving our elders opportunities to volunteer their time to support those who are less fortunate, to teach others the skills they've honed over the years, or to become involved in civic matters are just a few ways communities can Unleash the Power of Age.
In the AAA8 region, we are proud to serve the more than 45,000 seniors across eight counties.
Learn more about OAM
Learn more about AAA8
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Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Seeks Volunteers
The mission of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is to improve the quality of care and quality of life for all long-term care consumers through advocacy for individual recipients of long-term care services and advocacy for public policy to benefit consumers. The Office of the State Ombudsman is made up of the State Ombudsman and staff at the state level and 12 regional programs serving 88 counties.
In the AAA8 region, If you are interested in volunteering and want an option with flexible service times, assistance is needed at the following nursing homes: Kimes Nursing and Rehab, Hickory Creek of Athens, Laurels of Athens and Arcadia Valley, Coolville (Athens County): Arcadia Acres in Logan (Hocking County); Highland Oaks, and Riverside Landing, McConnelsville (Morgan County); Autumn of Somerset and New Lexington Care and Rehabilitation, Autumn of Thornville (Perry County); Summit Acres in Caldwell (Noble County); Muskingum Valley in Beverly, Marietta Care and Rehabilitation and Harmar Place in Marietta, (Washington County).
In addition, we are accepting volunteer applications for the assisted living homes throughout the eight-county region.
Contact Kim Flanigan at 1-800-331-2644 for details.
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 AAA8 Partnership Award Presented to Care Transitions Program Partner
The Area Agency on Aging 8 Partnership Award recognizes a current or past Buckeye Hills AAA8 Regional Advisory Council member, provider, community or county leader who exemplifies the principles of vision and leadership and an ongoing commitment to the mission of AAA8 in the 8-county region.
This year's award honors Lisa Lanning, RN, for her efforts on the Southern Ohio Community Care Transitions Project. She was a key community partner to the agency's success in securing the five-year $5.6 million grant from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to participate in the Care Transitions program.
Partnering with two other Ohio Area Agencies and five medical facilities, the program provides care transition services to a 26-county and surrounding hospital admission region spanning rural areas. Participating patients are supported by a Transitions Coach for four weeks after discharge to empower patients and caregivers with tools, skills and information to develop long-lasting health management skills. The goal of the project is to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions by 20 percent within two years.
The participating Area Agencies on Aging include Buckeye Hills as the lead agency, AAA6 in Columbus and AAA7 in Southern Ohio. The hospital partners include Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Memorial Health Systems in Marietta, Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe, Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis and the Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth. The Coalition also includes representatives from post-acute care facilities including long-term care facilities and rehabilitation providers as well as home health agencies.
The project would not have been made possible in the 26-county region without the leadership and grant writing expertise of Lisa Lanning, a registered nurse and Six Sigma Black Belt with Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster.
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AAA8 to Host Financial Exploitation of the Elderly Program on May 31
Download a brochure
Financial exploitation of the elderly is often insidious, but frequently there are 'red flags' that can be visible in the weeks or months preceding the loss of money or property.
Recovery of the victim's money or property after it has been stolen is minimal, so taking a proactive approach is the key to reducing elderly exploitation crimes. David Kessler is currently employed with the Fairfield County, Ohio Prosecuting Attorney's Office as an investigator. Kessler was recruited to the Ohio Attorney General's Office in 1999 to lead that office's efforts against senior citizen crimes as Chief Investigator of the Consumer Protection Section. The program will:
- Discuss signs of financial exploitation
- Discuss tactics used to gain the trust of the elderly
- Discuss emotional aspects of victimization
- Discuss victim advocates and legal recourse for recovery of money or property
The program is $20 and includes CEUs/CLEs. The Marietta Memorial Hospital & AAA8 are presenting; no charge to Memorial Health System or AAA8 staff.
The event will be at the Comfort Inn located at 700 Pike St. in Marietta from 10:30 a.m. - Noon. Registration is required and space is limited. Registration at 9:30 a.m.
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 PASSPORT Clients Visit with State Senator
Ohio Senator Lou Gentile (D-20th District) visited with three PASSPORT clients in Noble County. Shown in front are PASSPORT Clients Jenny Dimmick, Sarah (Sally) Hough, and Dolores Archer. Standing: Senator Gentile, Summit Acres Home Health Aide Megan Saling, AAA8 Director Rick Hindman, Summit Acres Home Health Dir. Chris Singer, RN and AAA8 Case Manager Veronica Norman, LSW.PASSPORT provides a cost-effective, in-home alternative to nursing home care for Ohio residents age 60 and older. PASSPORT is a waiver program funded jointly by Ohio Medicaid and the federal government. An assessor/ case manger will visit potential consumers for an assessment to evaluate the consumer's ability to safely live at home.  PASSPORT client Sally (Sarah) Hough talks with Ohio Senator Lou Gentile.
 Each consumer is assigned a PASSPORT case manager who will assist the consumer and/ or their representative in organizing and monitoring their plan of care. Shown above is (left) AAA8 Case Manager Veronica Norman, LSW, with client Jenny Dimmick.
Below, Jenny shared her home with the Senator talking with him about her affinity for West Virginia University (his alma mater) where her husband was a member of the marching band, where they were married and also celebrated their 25th anniversary. Jenny shared that her husband passed away shortly prior to their 65th anniversary.
 Shown with PASSPORT client Dolores Archer are four of her ten children and one great grandson - Dolores has more than 100 descendants. She came to the PASSPORT program following a nursing home stay.
"We wouldn't have our mother here today if it wasn't for this program," said daughter Joyce Moore. "It was a God-send to us. I can continue to work and Mom is at home where she is comfortable and wants to be."
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A Publication of Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging Serving Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry & Washington Counties
AAA8 Staff Resources:
Executive Director: Misty Casto [740-376-1034]
Asst. Exec. Dir. & AAA8 Director: Rick Hindman [740-376-1029]
Home Care Director: Jane Skeen, LSW [740-376-1041]
Programs Manager: Cathy Ash, LSW [740-376-7622]
Communications Director: Gwynn Stewart [740-376-1030]
Ombudsman Director: Kim Flanigan [740-376-7650]
PO Box 370 Reno, OH 45773 1-800-331-2644 www.areaagency8.org |
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Welcome to Medicare Event: May 7
