AAA8



Dec. 2016
Honored for their service to elders in Washington County were from left: 
Anita Vaughan Adult Protective Services - Washington Co. JFS and Sgt. Kelly McGilton Washington Co. Sheriffs Office with AAA8 Program Manager Cathy Ash, LSW.

AAA8 Regional Advisory Council Honors Caregivers & Project Lifesaver Program Partners
The Buckeye Hills Regional Advisory Council (RAC) met recently to honor caregivers and the Project Lifesaver Program partners.
"November is National Family Caregiver Month and we honor the many individuals who serve their loved ones," said Caregiver Advocacy & Project Lifesaver Program Manager Cathy Ash, LSW. "The Area Agency on Aging has a variety of available resources to support caregivers including the Caregiver Advocacy program, a new training resource called Powerful Tools for Caregivers and the Project Lifesaver program."

Ash also honored the partners from the region's eight county Sheriff's offices and their staff who have trained to coordinate the Project Lifesaver program locally in each county.
PL Logo Project Lifesaver is a rapid response search and rescue service, using state of the art technologies to prevent or reduce the potential of harm to individuals suffering from Alzheimer's, Down Syndrome, Autism, traumatic brain injuries, and cognitive impairments. These individuals may tend to wander away from their residences and become confused or lost.
Click here to learn more.
The AAA8 Regional Advisory Council (RAC) serves as a liaison between Seniors and their local County Councils on Aging. The RAC is formed of representatives from those County Councils on Aging and other AAA8 appointees. 
Negative Effects of Isolation Campaign to Combat Isolation & Loneliness in Older Americans Launched

An estimated one in five adults over age 50 - at least 8 million - are affected by isolation. The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), in partnership with AARP, recently launched a campaign and resources to raise awareness of the growing problem of social isolation and loneliness affecting millions of older Americans.

By working together-nationally and in communities across the nation-we can make a difference in the lives of so many older Americans who are at risk or suffering today.

Learn more & Take a Self-Assessment 
Expand Your Circles: Prevent Isolation & Loneliness
We need social connection to thrive - no matter our age - but recent research shows that the negative health consequences of chronic isolation and loneliness may be especially harmful for older adults. 
  • About 29% of people age 65-plus live alone and twice as many women live alone as men.
  • Almost 50% of older women age 75+ live alone.
  • Older adults who describe themselves as lonely have a
    59% greater risk of functional decline and a 45% greater
    risk of death.
Steady U Avoiding Slips and Falls
this Winter

Snow, sleet and icy roads and walkways can make getting around not only challenging, but dangerous. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital visits, and wintry conditions raise the potential of taking a life-changing tumble. Here are some simple tips from the STEADY U Ohio initiative to help you be Winter STEADY
:
  • Allow extra time to get places in the winter. If you don't feel safe, ask for help.
  • When conditions are icy, walk with a buddy or carry a cell phone.
  • Assume that surfaces that look slippery are slippery and find another way.
  • Keep rock salt, sand and a shovel available near entrances to your home. Carry a small bag of sand or rock salt in your coat pocket for when you are away from home.
  • Don't try to walk in more than an inch of snow to avoid tripping
  • Bundle up, but make sure you can see in all directions and move freely.
  • Wear winter boots that fit well and provide more traction than tennis or dress shoes.
  • Check that the rubber tips on canes and walkers are in good repair.
  • Increase the lighting in your home with extra lamps and by using the highest-wattage bulbs recommended for your fixtures.
  • Keep space heaters, cords and blankets out of walkways. If you must use throw rugs on cold floors, secure them to the floor with tape.
Visit  www.steadyu.ohio.gov for more tips and resources to prevent falls.

Facebook:
How can you be Winter STEADY? Find out with tips and resources from STEADY U Ohio. #PreventFalls  
Twitter: Use tips and resources from @SteadyUOhio to help you be Winter Steady. #PreventFalls.  
 
Get Help with
Heating Bills

As the nights grow colder, home heating assistance is available for elders with low or modest incomes.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Development Services Agency's Office of Community Assistance. It is designed to help eligible low-income Ohioans meet the high costs of home heating.
If you are eligible for assistance, the amount of your one-time HEAP benefit will depend on:
1) federal funding levels,
2) how many people live with you,
3) total household income ($20,790 max income for single households, or $28,035 for couples), 
4) and the primary fuel you use to heat your home.
In most cases, the one-time benefit will be a credit applied to your energy bill by your utility company (or fuel vendor). The one-time benefit is typically credited in January depending on when an individual applies for assistance.

Thermostat How to apply 
Applications are available online  and through a number of community organizations, including Community Action Agencies and the Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8). Applications may be submitted anytime from now through June 30, 2017.

"Contact our office for more details on this and other programs that may assist seniors or those with disabilities," said Rick Hindman, Buckeye Hills Asst. Executive Director & Acting AAA8 Director. "Our staff is available to help seniors understand eligibility requirements and complete benefit applications - especially for those who are homebound."

Older adults and people with disabilities who wish to apply for the program should call one of the Community Action Agency partners below, depending on the county where they live:
  • Athens, Hocking & Perry: HAPCAP at 1-800-686-1093
  • Meigs: Gallia-Meigs CAP at 1-800-282-0880
  • Monroe & Noble: GMN at 740-472-0828 or 740-732-2388
  • Washington and Morgan: Washington-Morgan CAP at 740-373-3745
For more information about HEAP, call the Ohio Development Services Agency at 1-800-282-0880 or 1-800-686-1557 (TDD line for hearing impaired clients).


Caregiver Corner: 
  
 
Holidays Are Time to Connect with Home & Community-Based Services for Aging Parents
 
There's no place like home for the holidays.
And since families gather this time of year, it's a good time for a reality check on how aging parents and loved ones are really doing. Are folks struggling with the day-to-day tasks of cooking, forgetting to take medications or perhaps suffering from mild depression or other conditions? The role of family members in watching out for their elderly relatives is highlighted during the holidays.

"We always see an increase in community needs during the holidays," said Rick Hindman, Buckeye Hills Assistant Executive Director & Acting AAA8 Director. "When family members reconnect, especially those from out-of-town, they often notice changes in aging loved ones."

Today, more than one in four adults in America is caring for a loved one who needs help - usually a parent. The situation is so common that AARP released a checklist of tips and questions to simplify observing how Mom and Dad are doing.

Once a family has taken stock of what might be needed to support a loved one in the home, the Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8) can help connect the aging and their caregivers to home and community-based resources.

"
To help families with their challenges and to provide essential resources, we are available to help," said Hindman. "We have certified staff specialists in aging information and assistance ready to help caregivers and families connect to services. An assessor will come to the home for a free, no obligation visit. They will do an assessment of what kinds of help the person might need or what they can use."

Those interested in learning more should request a free in-home consultation by calling AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644 or visit AAA8 at www.areaagency8.org . AAA8 serves Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington Counties.

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 & Acting AAA8 Director: Rick Hindman [740-376-1029]
Home Care Director: Dawn Weber, LSW, LNHA [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]
Fiscal Director: Denise Keyes [740-376-7644]
Outreach & Development Director: Jill McCartney [740-376-7668]
IT Director: Jamie Lewis, CNA/MCSA [740-376-1024]

PLEASE NOTE: Mailing Address is 1400 Pike St. Marietta, OH  45750  1-800-331-2644 www.areaagency8.org