AAA8


Informing the Southeast
Ohio Aging & Disability
Services Network
 

April 2016  

Buckeye Hills Releases
2015 Annual Report 
 
Buckeye Hills released its 2015 Annual Report with details on the programs and services of The Area Agency on Aging 8.  
Read the full report online. 


Southern Ohio Team Leadership to Serve as
2016 National Community Based Care Transitions Project Faculty

   
Carolyn Ditchendorf 
Mindy Cayton 
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Planning Team is re-forming the Community Care Transitions Project (CCTP) Faculty for 2016 to help produce the final program learning sessions.

The National Planning Team has recruited leaders from the highest performing teams including the Southern Ohio Community Care Transitions Project. Carolyn Ditchendorf, LSW, Southern Ohio Program Manager, will participate as Faculty Staff and Mindy Cayton, Program Development Coordinator, will participate as a Data Analyst and Researcher.
 
The Southern Ohio leadership will facilitate a one-hour call every month with a small group of other program teams. The calls will be an open forum discussion; the National Planning Team will be inviting a payer to join on the calls to serve as a sounding board to the teams and help toward building sustainability. The Southern Ohio team will also participate in a coordinating calls among the faculty every month and will serve as producers for learning sessions.
 
At the April 27 Learning Session, the National Planning Team will share best practices and successful strategies from three communities that are fairly advanced in their sustainability strategies - Northeast Indiana, KATS, and Central Mass/MetroWest). Carolyn Ditchendorf and Mindy Cayton will be visiting the KATS site in Lexington, KY, where they will have the opportunity to meet in person with project leadership, coaches, payers, and partners (e.g., hospitals) that are key to the teams' sustainability strategies. 
 
The Care Transitions program focuses directly on improved patient outcomes such as reduced 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. Care Transitions supports patients in learning more about their illness and healthcare needs.
 
Applications Available
for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Seniors who meet the income eligibility guidelines, will soon be receiving some welcome relief from rising food budgets. Administered by The Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8), in the region, The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides income-eligible senior citizens with special coupons worth $50 to enjoy locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey.

The Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) is a USDA and Ohio Department of Aging program for income-eligible seniors. Program coupons may be exchanged for eligible foods from authorized farmers. Only fresh, locally grown fruits, herbs, vegetables and honey are eligible to be purchased with the coupons.

Each eligible senior receives $50 worth of coupons. Grant funding is limited and coupons are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Each person will receive a total of ten $5 coupons. Coupons may only be redeemed by authorized participating farmers who sell produce at farmers' markets or roadside stands. The program will end Oct. 31.
 
AAA8 will accept applications ONLY BY MAIL. Applications are available across the region, at the AAA8 office (1400 Pike St. in Marietta) and online at www.areaagency8.org.
Income eligibility requirements include:
one person in household with income of $0 - $21,978;
2 people in household with income of $0 - $29,637; and
3 people in household with income of $0 - $37,296; additional numbers are available on the application. Community partners who will also have copies of the applications include the region's Senior Centers.
 
Applications must be returned by U.S. mail only to AAA8 P.O. Box 370 Reno, OH 45773 postmarked no earlier than the following dates for counties in the region: March 22 for Athens and Hocking Counties; March 29 for Perry and Washington Counties and April 5 for Meigs, Monroe, Morgan and Noble Counties.
 
Applications will be checked for the appropriate postmark, date-stamped and processed for distribution on a first-come, first-served basis, by county. Coupons will be mailed to eligible applicants by April 26. Ineligible applicants will receive a letter indicating the reason of ineligibility. Once each county's allocations have been filled, individuals will be placed on a waiting list and receive notification by mail. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.  
 
In 2015, the AAA8 region-wide program served 1,563 seniors with another 917 seniors put on a waiting list due to program funding limits. Last year the program was served by nearly 70 local farmer and market providers who redeemed $63,480 in coupons.

 
May Is Older  
Americans Month

Ohio's Theme:
Aging. It's Everybody's Business 

From the Ohio Dept. of Aging:
Each May, Ohio and the nation celebrate Older Americans Month. It's a time to honor our elders for their legacies, but just as importantly, it is an opportunity to promote that every elder deserves opportunities to continue to grow, thrive and contribute.

Over the past few years, Ohio's aging network has blazed a trail by bringing more partners to the table to respond to our growing and changing elder population. As a result, we have formed collaborations with both the 'usual suspects' and decision-makers not traditionally associated with aging services. We are letting all segments in society know that we all have a role to play in helping Ohioans live "Well Beyond 60." In other words, aging IS everybody's business. 

For Older Americans Month 2016, we will celebrate this great work with Ohio's theme: "Aging. It's Everybody's Business." 
Medicare Counselors Can  
Help Secure Savings 

Across the country, thousands of benefits counselors help people with Medicare find benefits that help them pay for prescriptions, health care, and other necessities.

Since 2009, benefits counselors, supported by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), have helped more than half a million vulnerable seniors and adults with disabilities apply for over $1.6 billion in benefits, and learn about preventive services that can help them stay healthy. 
Brandi Hesson
Gerri VanNoy 
In Southeast Ohio,
The Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) counselors Brandi Hesson, CIRS-A, and Gerri VanNoy, SWA, CIRS-A, are professional Information and Referral (I&R) Specialists in Aging (CIRS-A).

Many Ohioans on Medicare with limited income and resources may qualify for the Limited-Income Subsidy (LIS), also called "Extra Help,"
and the Medicare Savings Program. LIS helps seniors pay for their Medicare Part D premiums, annual deductible and coinsurance for prescription drugs.


The Medicare Extra Help Program can save individuals an average of $325 per month on costs associated with prescription drugs.  
In rural Ohio, many seniors are eligible for these programs, but are not enrolled. AAA8 wants to help spread the word and help Ohio's aging residents get the help they need for prescriptions. There are many reasons that folks who are eligible do not apply. Some simply don't know about the program or know how to apply. Many also assume that they make too much and are not financially eligible. They should call AAA8 for details.
 
If you know someone that may qualify, please ask them to call us toll-free at 1-800-331-2644 and ask for the Screening Department. In a matter of minutes, the staff at The Area Agency on Aging can assist them with a free, over-the-phone application.



Caregiver Corner:  
Resource Library Available 

The AAA8 Caregiver Advocacy program, has a resource library
that can assist caregivers and
their families. A variety of
brochures on caregiving and
other aging topics are available.
In addition, a library of books and videos are available for loan.

To learn more, stop in the AAA8 office at 1400 Pike St. in Marietta
or call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644. 

 
In This Issue


Upcoming Community Events


April 6 ~ Veterans' Resource Fair in Marietta 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.  
At the Armory Square: 241 Front St. 
For veterans, active duty members and military families. Learn about bonuses, jobs, benefits & more.
Free health screenings and tax preparation.
 
AAA8 will have an exhibit.
@ Athens Co. Fairgrounds ~ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Lots of information & Services to help Seniors take control of health, safety and continue to grow, thrive and contribute.

walk Save the Dates! 
 
Monroe County: Alzheimer's Walk ~ May 14
Perry County: Walk to End Alzheimer's ~ Aug. 8
Mid-Ohio Valley: Walk to End Alzheimer's ~ Sept. 17

Morgan County: Everyone with Diabetes Counts
Every Friday April 8 - May 13 @ 10 a.m. - Noon
Morgan Senior Center
Everyone with Diabetes Counts is a program that encourages small lifestyle changes while learning about your diabetes and the way it affects your health. Have fun with friends and family while learning how to manage diabetes through no-cost educational workshops. Enjoy the benefits of a healthier, more energetic lifestyle by signing up today! Click here to learn more 

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April 19 at  6 p.m.
~ New to Medicare Event

* Do I need to sign up for
  Medicare now?
* How is Medicare supplement insurance different from Medicare Advantage plans?
* How do I select my best Medicare prescription drug plan?   
For answers to these and other Medicare questions, plan
to attend: Tuesday, April 19 at 6 p.m.
O'Neill Center - 333 Fourth Street Marietta, OH 45750
For general questions call 740-373-3914.
 
OSHIIP and the Ohio Department of Insurance offer consumers free,
unbiased insurance information. 

 

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, MSW, LSW [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