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May 2014 

AAA8 Supports Southeast Ohio Start Talking Kick Off Event 

The director, of the Ohio Department of Aging, Bonnie K. Burman, joined other state and local leaders in Marietta for the Southeastern Ohio kick-off of the Start Talking! initiative. Children of parents (and grandparents) who talk with them about drugs are 50% less likely to use. Start Talking! gives families tools they can use to make lifesaving connections. Learn more at: www.starttalking.ohio.gov

Shown is Burman who was joined by Mark Warden, Chief Deputy for the Washington County Sheriff's Office (center) and AAA8 Director Rick Hindman for the Start Talking event.

The Reality In Ohio:
  • From 2009 to 2010, 10% of adolescent ages 12-17 years old and 20% of young adults ages 18-25 reported illicit drug use in the past month.
  • In 2011, 23.6% of 9th-12th graders reported using marijuana one or more times during the past 30 days.
  • In 2011, 21.3% of 9th-12th graders have used prescription pain relievers/painkillers without a doctor's prescription in their lifetime.   

The misuse and abuse of prescription medicines is widespread in Ohio and must be a target of prevention efforts. That's where the state's Area Agencies on Aging can help! Be sure to talk with your consumers about the security and safety of prescription drugs. Discuss safe disposal techniques for unused medications. Provide awareness that all medicines should be kept out of reach of children and teens (grandchildren or neighbors, etc.) Consumers should occasionally "audit" their medications to ensure that no one is taking their pills. 

Following the death of a consumer, encourage caregivers to safely dispose of any unused prescription drugs.     

(Stats from www.starttalking.ohio.gov



AAA8 Participates
in Medication Take Back Day

 

The Area Agency on Aging 8 office was one of many participating sites in Washington County for the
National Medication Take Back Day on April 26.
 

At the Southeast Ohio kick-off of the Start Talking initiative, one parent shared the story of her son Cole who died from an overdose. He received the drugs at school. Those drugs were brought in by a student from his grandparent's house. The individual didn't know how to properly dispose of the prescriptions following a death due to cancer so he just put them in a box in the closet. Parents and grandparents, please be sure to dispose of medications properly!

 

 

 

 

null Volunteers Needed for Local Caring to Help Others Respite Program

  

A respite is a short period of rest or relief from something difficult. While many family caregivers would not necessarily call the work they do out of love, difficult, that is the harsh reality. After all, it is difficult work providing care for a loved one while balancing work, families and other commitments.  

 

The Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) was awarded a mini-grant through the Ohio Dept. of Aging's Lifespan Respite Initiative grant, funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, to support the development of volunteer respite programs in the region.

 

"The goal of the region's program is to partner with existing volunteer organizations who are willing to adopt and integrate the "Caring to Help Others" program into their current programming to support the growing number of family caregivers across the lifespan," said AAA8 Planner Mindy Cayton.  

 

AAA8 is sponsoring The Washington County RSVP program's volunteer recruitment effort for the "Caring to Help Others" project on May 20. Funds are available for volunteer's mileage reimbursements. To learn more, contact Lisa at RSVP at (740) 373-3107.

 

Master Training Set
for Healthy U

 

Master training classes are scheduled for the AAA8 region's Health U, Chronic-disease self-management programs (CDSMP). Full Master training and Lay Leader Training will be hosted June 2-6 at the AAA8 office (1400 Pike St. Marietta) Mon-Thurs. 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Fri. 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

 

The Diabetes Self-Management Training will be June 6-7 (Fri. 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)  Registration is required by May 23 by contacting Mindy Cayton 740-376-7645 or [email protected]. The trainings are separate certifications and separate interest. For anyone who achieves CDSMP certification training and/or is already trained in CDSMP, you may register for the DSMP cross training only. The cost for the training will be determined by the number of participants and invoiced by o4a to each AAA accordingly. 

 

2014 Housing Program Announced

 

Home Accessibility & Repair Options Offered

  

There is no place like home. For individuals trying to "age in place" or those with disabilities working for independence, one program through the Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Resource Network (ADRN) is making a difference.

 

"Grants are available to fund repairs for income eligible individuals with a disability of any age or seniors 60+ who 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 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?"

 

The program will assess the home for eligible repairs and develop specifications for repair and bid the project to qualified providers to complete the modifications. Grants are available to fund repairs for income eligible individuals with a disability of any age or seniors 60+ who own their home or have a life estate in the property. 

In 2014: households served under this activity must be at or below the following income levels: For one individual Washington County- $18,800 and all other counties in the region are $19,050 (Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Noble & Perry). Call for additional eligibility income levels. 

 

 

For details, call 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org.
The SE Ohio ADRN is coordinated by The Area Agency on Aging 8.


Older Americans Month 2014

 

Each May, the nation celebrates Older Americans Month to recognize older Americans for their contributions and provide them with information to help them stay healthy and active. This year, we are focusing on injury prevention with the theme Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow.

 

Older adults are at a much higher risk of unintentional injury and even death than the rest of the population. Unintentional injuries to this population result in at least 6 million medically treated injuries and more than 30,000 deaths every year. With a focus on safety during Older Americans Month, the Administration for Community Living plans to use this opportunity to raise awareness about this critical issue.  

By taking control of their safety, older Americans can live longer, healthier lives.

 

The AAA8 Regional Advisory Council Issued a Resolution for 2014.

 

 

Regional Transportation Planning Updates
 
 
The Technical and Citizens Advisory Committees will not meet in May. The next meeting will be June 27 at 10 a.m. at 1400 Pike Street, Marietta, OH. If you have any questions regarding this meeting, please contact Karen Pawloski, Transportation Planning Manager, at 740-376-7658. 

AAA8 to Host Living with Alzheimer's Series

For persons in the early stages of Alzheimer's and their caregivers, in partnership with the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Alzheimer's Assoc., the AAA8 will Host a three-part series.
June 6: Understanding the Basics
June 13: Resource Building
June 20: Dealing with the Changes 
All sessions are at 1 p.m. at the AAA8 office located at 1400 Pike St. in Marietta. RSVP is required by calling the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Alzheimer's Assoc. Office at 1-800-272-3900.   Download a Flyer

A brief consultation will be conducted prior to entrance into the program.
Visit www.alz.org/wv.

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Refer Someone
to AAA8!

Watch our video to learn more!

Know someone who needs support caring for a loved one? Refer a friend, family member, caregiver or patient!

Click here for the AAA8 Referral form
or call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644. AAA8 can help you help the ones you love.

 

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A Publication of Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging 8 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]
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