AAA8


Informing the Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Services Network
 

Jan. 2015 


AAA8 Care Transitions Team Announces Successes & Promotions

 

AAA8 is pleased to announce that Carolyn Ditchendorf (shown below at left) was promoted to Care Transitions Manager and Darlene Vandine (shown below at right) was promoted from Ombudsman Specialist to Care Transitions Coach.       Together, they help lead the AAA8 portion of a unique multi-county, multi-hospital collaborative effort among five hospitals and three Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) awarded funding for the Medicare Community-Based Care Transitions Program (CCTP) sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The program is designed to make the transition from the hospital to another setting as seamless as possible.

 

The Southern Ohio Community Care Transitions Project was among only 102 teams contracted by CMS to provide transition services to Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries. At a recent national conference, the Southern Ohio CCTP was identified as a top national performer for its efforts in reducing in Medicare Fee-For-Service, All-Cause readmission rates. Team members from the Southern Ohio CCTP were invited to participate on an expert panel during the conference to share their experience and expertise with the other teams who were in attendance.

 

According to CMS, nearly one in five Medicare patients discharged from a hospital (approximately 2.6 million seniors) are readmitted within 30 days, at a cost of over $26 billion every year. The CCTP is working to reduce unnecessary readmissions and achieve a reduction in Medicare costs. This program focuses directly on improved patient outcomes such as reduced avoidable readmission to hospitals; decreased emergency department visits; discharging patients to the most appropriate, cost effective setting and streamlining access to quality long-term services and support.

 

"Our Southern Ohio Care Transitions program has been effective in helping prevent folks from returning to the hospital," said Buckeye Hills Assistant Executive Director Rick Hindman who also serves as the overall regional program's Lead. "We are very excited about the recent recognition of the team's efforts and the regional partnerships created across health systems serving our region."

o4a Hosts 25th Conference on Aging
Hundreds of Aging advocates, experts, and professionals from
across the state and around the country converged to learn, share,
and network at the 25th o4a annual conference. Shown above are staff from AAA8 at the Ohio Assoc. of AAAs (o4a) 25th Annual Conference on Aging.


Older Americans Act Turns 50 in 2015! 


Make plans now for the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 2015! Each May, ACL celebrates Older Americans Month to recognize older Americans for their contributions to the nation. In honor of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA), we are focused on how older adults are taking charge of their health, getting engaged in their communities, and making a positive impact in the lives of others. The theme for Older Americans Month 2015 is "Get into the Act." 


Signed into law in 1965, the OAA provides a nationwide aging services network and funding that helps older adults live with dignity in the communities of their choice for as long as possible. ACL works year-round to support the goals of the OAA.

The original legislation established authority for grants to States for community planning and social services, research and development projects, and personnel training in the field of aging. The law also established the Administration on Aging (AoA) to administer the newly created grant programs and to serve as the Federal focal point on matters concerning older persons.  

 

Ohio Improves Adult Protective Services

 

In June 2014, the Ohio General Assembly created an Adult Protective Services (APS) Funding Workgroup to investigate programmatic or financial gaps in the the APS system, identify best practices to integrate into Ohio's APS system, and recommend priorities for a one-time
$10 million statewide investment in APS.   

 

In September, the APS Funding Workgroup made its initial recommendations, and in October the Controlling Board approved a transfer of $10 million to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to implement the Workgroup's recommendations, most of which involve funding county-level planning to meet stricter APS program requirements by July 1, 2016.

Read the APS Funding Workgroup Final Report 


Source: Ohio Office of Health Transformation


 

AAA8 Helps Seniors Access Medicare  
"Extra Help" Resources
 

 

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and over (and certain disabled individuals under age 65). If you are eligible for Social Security benefits (including disability benefits), you may apply for Medicare.   

 

Seniors who have questions about Medicare or need help selecting coverage can contact the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), a service of the Ohio Department of Insurance, at 1-800-686-1578. You may also visit the official federal government site, Medicare.gov, for general information about Medicare coverage and available plans.  

 

AAA8 can help with information on the Medicare Savings Program and Low-income Subsidy.  The Medicare Savings Program may cover deductibles and coinsurance for Medicare Part B. Additionally, the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), or "Extra Help" program, may help pay for Medicare Part D monthly premiums, deductibles and co-pays. Individuals on Medicare with limited income and resources also may be eligible for financial assistance for medical expenses not covered by Medicare. Call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644 today!

 


Caregiver Corner:   
Online Caregiver Forum Available
 
For those wishing to connect with other caregivers in a supportive online community forum, AAA8 is pleased to offer the Caregiver Forum, powered by AgingCare.com. This is a nationwide group where you can ask questions, give answers, exchange messages and get support from other family caregivers who understand exactly what you're going through.

The Forum is available from the AAA8 web site
 

Project Lifesaver Receives Funding
 

 

The AAA8 Project Lifesaver program received a $5,000 grant from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America for matching funds to support its effort to replace aging program equipment.

You can learn more about Project Lifesaver, a free service helping residents in the AAA8 region. The rapid response search and rescue service, uses state-of-the-art technologies and strategies to prevent or reduce the potential of harm to individuals suffering from Alzheimer's, Downs Syndrome, Autism, traumatic brain injuries, and cognitive impairments. Click here to learn more or call 1-800-331-2644 for more details.

If you would like to donate to the Marietta Foundation fund to support Project Lifesaver in Washington County, you may do so online.

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Ohio Association of Foodbanks

The Ohio Assoc. of Foodbanks provide food and other resources to people in need and to pursue other areas of common interest for the benefit of people in need. 

 
Advocates for people receiving home care, assisted living and nursing home care. Helps resolve complaints and provide information. 



Dates to Note:

Jan. 9 - Buckeye Hills Executive Committee Meeting
Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Offices closed
Jan. 30 - AAA8 Regional Advisory Council Meeting 



In This Issue
Refer Someone to AAA8!
 
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. Director: Rick Hindman [740-376-1029]
AAA8 Director: Debra Huff [740-376-7654] 
Programs Manager: Cathy Ash, LSW [740-376-7622]
Communications Director: Gwynn Stewart [740-376-1030]
Ombudsman Director: Kim Flanigan [740-376-7650]
Fiscal Director: Denise Keyes [740-376-7644] 
PO Box 370 Reno, OH  45773  1-800-331-2644 www.areaagency8.org