Informing the Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Services Network

Jan. 2016

Flu + You: Flu Prevention Tips

Influenza, commonly known as "the flu," is a contagious illness that can be severe and life-threatening, especially for older adults. Talk to your health care provider about flu prevention and your vaccine options. Visit www.ncoa.org/Flu for more information.

■ Symptoms of the flu often include high fever, headache, tiredness,
cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, and body aches.

■ The flu is easily passed from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or through contact with fluids from an infected person's mouth
or nose.
■ One reason that flu can be severe for older adults is that the immune system weakens with age, which makes it harder to fight
disease.
■ Each year in the United States, more than half (50-60%) of flu-related hospitalizations and almost all (90%) of flu-related deaths occur in people 65 years of age and old

Winter Home Heating Tips Home Energy Assistance Available

Follow these heating tips to help prevent winter
fires and to stay safe this winter season:

* Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from
all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves,radiators, space heaters or candles.
* Never use an oven to heat your home.
* Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
* Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional. For more tips on fire prevention, visit AAA8's web site.

The Winter Home Energy Assistance Program is part of the Ohio Development Services Agency's resources for eligible Ohioans during the winter months. Applications are now available through AAA8.

The Winter Crisis Program helps income eligible Ohioans that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected or have less than a 25 percent supply of bulk fuel in their tank maintain their utility service. The program runs from November 1, 2014 until March 31, 2015. Winter Crisis is a component of the Home Energy Assistance Program.

To learn more about the assistance to help eligible Ohioans meet the rising cost of home heating this winter, or the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus Program (PIPP), call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644 or visit the AAA8 website.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Discount ~Are You Eligible?

Assisting eligible individuals with Medicare prescription benefits is a service the Area Agency on Aging District 8 (AAA8) provides through the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) grant from the Ohio Department of Aging. This project provides outreach to and enrollment assistance for individuals who may be eligible for the Low-Income Subsidy and/or Medicare Savings Program, as well as other Medicare premium assistance programs.

Low Income Subsidy (LIS) or "Extra Help" is a discount plan that can: lower your prescription co-pays; cover all or part of your Medicare Part D monthly premiums; or eliminate the "doughnut hole" of coverage for your medications. Part D is Medicare's prescription drug coverage and is available to anyone eligible for Medicare Part A or Part B. Those with Medicare may enroll in Part D coverage through either a stand-alone plan or a Medicare Advantage plan. To be eligible for "Extra Help," income guidelines and qualifications must be met, and the AAA8 can help determine whether you might be able to benefit from this program, and if so, assist you with the application process.

"In rural Appalachia, all too often we hear about senior citizens living on fixed incomes who cannot afford medications or other health care needs," said AAA8 Director Debra Huff, LSW, MSW. "The Medicare Extra Help Program can save individuals an average of $325 per month on costs associated with prescription drugs. Many are eligible and just don't take advantage of these real savings. It takes one simple phone call to see if you're eligible."

Help us reach low income elders who may be eligible for "Extra Help" benefits that help with premiums, co-pays and the doughnut hole! They can call 1-800-331-2644 for over-the-phone enrollment assistance.

Click here to download the brochure

Caregiver Corner:

Aging in Place: A Real Choice

By Helen Hunter, ACSW, CMSW

As people age, they may be faced with making the decision as to whether to move out of their existing home where they have raised family. Too often, these homes are not conducive to the physical challenges that elders may face in their advancing years. A recent study of aging baby boomers shows an overwhelming propensity to remain in their current homes after retirement. As a result, many home builder and housing associations throughout the country are organizing educational activities to highlight programs and support services, such as healthcare, chore services and transportation, which will enable elders to age comfortably in place.

Consumers who plan to age in place should take proactive steps to modify their homes while they are still financially and physically able. The National Association of Home Builders recommends the following modifications:

There should be at least one bedroom and one bathroom on the first floor. First floor living is a high priority for older adults. Having a full bath and a master bedroom on the main floor makes it easier for those who have trouble climbing stairs.

There should be conveniently located and easy to use controls and handles. Raised electrical outlets, electrical switches positioned slightly lower, and thermostats with large, easy to read numbers are perfect for older people. Installing lever handles makes it easier for people with arthritis to open doors.

There should be no-step entrances. Having at least one entry without steps creates easier access for everyone, regardless of ability. It may be appropriate to install a wheelchair ramp in at least one entrance as well.

There should be extra maneuvering space throughout the home. Wider doors and hallways can make a home more accessible.

There should be drawers instead of shelves in the lower kitchen cabinets, which would accommodate a person in a wheelchair. In addition, shelves under the kitchen sink and stovetop can be converted from storage space to knee space for those who prefer to clean and cook while seated. Changing knobs on the kitchen cabinets to D-shaped pulls that are a contrasting color to the cabinet doors make it much easier for the older person to grasp. Changes to the sink area can include changing the faucet to the single-handle lever type and installing an extra-long hose for the faucet sprayer. This would allow the older person to fill large pots that are sitting on the stove.
Bathrooms should be equipped with safety features. One of the most important rooms in the house to design correctly in order to allow homeowners to age in place is the bathroom. Grab bars, a bath chair and a raised toilet seat can provide stability for the older person and prevent falls. Falls in the bathroom or on the stairs are the second leading cause of accidents for elders, just behind automobile accidents. It would be prudent to invest in enlarging at least one bathroom in the home. A larger bathroom makes maneuvering easier for people with walkers, crutches and wheelchairs.
For those who have to handle daily climbing of stairs, it is very important to have proper lighting on stairways. Eyesight changes as people age. Most of the older homes don't have adequate lighting on stairways. Therefore, installing lights with adjustable controls, or dimmers, can help prevent glare and ensure proper lighting. Task lighting is also preferred for cooking, reading and shaving, while softer light is appropriate for night trips to the bathroom.

There are some elders who will choose to move to a new home when they retire, many of which will have a number of the above features in place. Many others, however, will not have the ability to make such a move, for a number of reasons. By planning ahead, and making some home modification changes now, elders can choose to remain in their home, comfortable in their surroundings, aging in place, maintaining their independence and dignity.

Helen Hunter, ACSW, CMSW, is an independent geriatric social worker, consultant and trainer. She is also a writer and has had numerous articles published in local and national magazines focusing on elder care and family care issues. Licensed in the states of Connecticut, New York and Florida, she currently resides in Fort Myers, Florida.
Copyright 1995-2015 Today's Caregiver magazine/caregiver.com
http://caregiver.com/articles/print/aging_in_place.htm

AAA8 can offer free advice and connect you to resources for aging in place. In Southeast Ohio, call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.areaagency8.org.

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.

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