May is Older Americans Month:  Share why aging is your business.  
May 2016
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May is Older Americans Month
Our Voice:  Here's one more  -ism to put behind us

I was shopping for sunscreen the other day, when I came across the NotYourMother’s brand.  I felt a familiar twinge of annoyance at the name’s slight on seniors.  Heaven forbid that you should use a product your mother would use. After all, she’s old.  And old means irrelevant and out-of-touch, right? 

Like all stereotyping, ageism keeps us from facing and acting on the truth... Read the full article 
Share how aging is  your  business on social media

Each year, Ohio and the nation recognize May as Older Americans Month to celebrate our elders as vital members of society who continue to grow, thrive, and contribute. Ohio’s 2016 Older Americans Month theme,  “Aging. It’s Everybody’s Business,”  reminds us that everybody can play a role in promoting opportunities for the elderly to grow, thrive, and contribute.  Read more...
Council on Aging Updates
Warren County ESP helps a daughter keep her promise
Four years ago, to ease her dying father’s mind, Kay promised she would do her best to keep her mother, Mildred, out of a nursing home. A network of care, including services via the Warren County Elderly Services Program (ESP), has helped her keep that promise.

Each year, Warren County ESP helps some 2,400 eligible older adults remain safe and independent in their homes.  The program is funded primarily by local tax dollars via a senior services levy. The program would not exist without the support of county taxpayers. 

Click here to r ead Kay and Mildred's story and to learn about a likely levy in November to continue funding for Warren County ESP. 
“I do not know what I would do without them. I don’t think I could do it without them. I promised my Dad I would take care of Mom. As long as I can do it, she’s going to stay here. This is her home.”
COA's Clinton County office moves to new location

Council on Aging (COA) has moved its Wilmington office to a space inside Littleton Respiratory Homecare at 1682 Alex Drive. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, during which a COA staff member will be available to assist any walk-ins. Read more...
COA hosts targeted job fair June 7

Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding career opportunity where you can put your skills and experience to good use and enhance others’ lives? Council on Aging is hosting a targeted job fair for qualified candidates wishing to apply for specific available positions, June 7 at the Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center in Cincinnati.  Click here for more information, including open positions.

Council on Aging continues accreditation from Better Business Bureau

Council on Aging is pleased to announce that we have maintained our BBB Accredited Charity status, meeting the organization’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. 

Standards include: Accurate Expense Reporting; Truthful Materials; Audit Reports; and Website Disclosures.

“BBB accreditation is an honor,” said Council on Aging President and CEO Suzanne Burke.  “We operate with integrity and transparency and the BBB accreditation assures our customers and partners of that.”

In 2010, COA received one of the BBB’s coveted Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics, winning in the category of Performance.

COA’s Charity Report is available on the Cincinnati BBB, Inc. website. 
News You Can Use
Your Health: Mental Health Month
Do you know someone who suffers from depression, anxiety, or substance use issues?  If you answered no, you’re probably wrong.  According to Mental Health America’s report, The State of Mental Health in America 2016 , nearly 20 percent of U.S adults reported suffering from a mental illness and almost 10 percent of youth (ages 12-17) reported suffering from at least one major depressive episode in the past year.  

Older adults are not immune from mental health issues. The World Health Organization and AARP estimate that while one in five older adults suffer from a mental disorder, older adults are more likely to receive inappropriate or inadequate treatment.   Read more...

President signs Older Americans Act reauthorization into law

Nearly five years after it expired, legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) has made it through Congress and was signed into law by President Obama on April 19. When the OAA was first signed by President Johnson in 1965, approximately 18 million Americans were age 65 and older.  Today, that number is more than 44 million.  The following links explain the importance of this legislation and its path to the President's desk. 

Report puts spotlight on pressures of working caregivers

The AARP Public Policy Institute is out with a new report highlighting the dual pressures of working and caring for a loved one.  According to the report:
  • six in 10 family caregivers are in the labor force
  • one-third of employed caregivers say their caregiving situation is “highly stressful”
  • one in six caregivers leave their jobs because they cannot afford to hire paid help
Click here to access the full report.


Long-term Care Corner

Social Security's Representative Payee Program
In February, we reported on Justice in Aging's new fact sheet series about Social Security's Representative Payee Program.  The third fact sheet in the series is now available. 

The Social Security Administration has authority to appoint third parties, known as representative payees, to receive and manage payments when a beneficiary is unable to do so. To protect seniors from financial exploitation or interruptions in benefits, it’s important for advocates and caregivers to understand key issues relating to the program.
  1. The Social Security Administration's Representative Payee Program: The Basics
  2. What is a Social Security Representative Payee and How Are They Chosen
  3. Ways to Meet the Growing Need for Representative Payees

Click here to access the full series.

Related: Justice in Aging and California Senior Medicare Patrol will host a webinar about the Representative Payee program, May 26. Registration required. Click here for more information.
You Gave, Now $ave 

Thousands of programs are available to help eligible low-income older adults pay for health care, prescriptions, food, and utilities. Yet millions of eligible seniors miss out on these benefits because they don’t know they exist or how to apply.  As a result, too many make dangerous trade-offs, such as foregoing needed home repairs, avoiding social engagements, skipping meals, and cutting pills.

You Gave, Now Save  is campaign from National Council on Aging (NCOA) and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging to educate seniors and caregivers about the benefits available to them.

The You Gave, Now Save guide to benefits for seniors provides information about available programs, who may be eligible, and how to get further information and application assistance. The guide includes benefits related to: health care and prescriptions; food; housing and household utilities; income, tax, and legal support; and transportation.  Click here to learn more and download the guide.

Related: Check out NCOA's fact sheet on financial assistance for services not covered by traditional Medicare (dental, vision, hearing) Click here for the fact sheet.
Aging & Disability Resource Network Updates
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15

Every year an estimated 5 million older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation. And for every case of elder abuse or neglect reported, as many as 23 cases go unreported.  June 15, Council on Aging will join our community, partners and people worldwide in commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Read more and learn how you can get involved
Ohio Senior Olympics are June 10-26

The Ohio Senior Olympics 2016 State Games are coming to central Ohio, June 10-26. Nineteen sports will be contested at locations around the Central Ohio area.  Registration is open to anyone  who will be age 50 by December 31, 2016. You can register for competition, volunteer to help out at events or just learn more about Ohio Senior Olympics at www.ohioseniorolympics.org.
Local communities discuss aging in place

When we plan for retirement, we think about our finances, our health care and where we want to spend our retirement years.  This last factor is more important than we might think.  Is the community where you plan to spend your "golden years" ready to help its residents age in place?   Two local communities - Montgomery and Madeira - recently held events focused on just that.  Read more...

Oxford resident inducted into Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame

John Eicher leads a double life. At Miami University you will find him either behind a student's desk or in front of the class. He has taught college courses for more than 75 years and still enjoys being a student. This Professor Emeritus has not only shaped countless minds in the field of organic chemistry, but also has experienced and contributed to some of the most significant events in world history. Read more about John and Ohio's Senior Citizens Hall of Fame 
Events & Learning Opportunities
Visit the Events page on our website for a complete, up-to-date list of events for adults, caregivers and professionals.  Unless otherwise noted, the events are NOT in any way affiliated with Council on Aging. Please use the links included with each event to get or request additional information. 
Powel Crosley YMCA Senior Health Fair
10:30 am - 1:30 pm, May 25, 2016

Loveland-Symmes Fire Department Senior Expo
Receptions Loveland
10:30 am - 1 pm, May 25, 2016

Social Security's Representative Payee Program
Webinar, May 26, 2016
Opening Minds through Art (OMA)
Facilitator training for artists, healthcare professionals, and service learning educators
May 23-26 and June 20-23
The Knolls of Oxford

Council on Aging Job Fair
Kingsgate Marriott Conference Center
9 am - 2 pm, June 7
In other news...
A roundup of recent headlines, news and commentaries that may be of interest to our readers.
Council on Aging | (513) 721-1025 or (800) 252-0155 | www.help4seniors.org
About Council on Aging
Council on Aging is a state-designated Area Agency on Aging, serving a 21-county region.   Our mission: Enhance people's lives by assisting them to remain independent at home through a range of quality services. One call to COA links people to the wide variety of agencies, information and programs that serve older adults and people with disabilities.    Learn more about COA