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Happy New Year! Join us as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary throughout
2018! Thank you for being a partner with us serving the Buckeye Hills region.
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2018 Regional Advisory Council Leaders Appointed
The Buckeye Hills Aging & Disability Division Regional Advisory Council elected officers for 2018. They include (from left): Vice-President, Monroe County Commissioner Carl Davis; with Aging & Disability Director Jennifer Westfall; Secretary Sarah Hoover and President Herman Gray.
The 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 Buckeye Hills appointees. RAC's first meeting in 2018 will be Feb. 23. We look forward to a great year in 2018!
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Regional Meal Providers Selected
At the December meeting of the Buckeye Hills Regional Council Executive Committee, the following providers were recommended by the Aging & Disability Regional Advisory Council and approved for the region's Title IIIC funding for home-delivered and congregate meals programs:
- Hocking, Athens, Perry Community Action;
- Perry County Senior Center;
- Meigs County Council on Aging;
- Guernsey, Monroe, Noble Community Action and
- Washington-Morgan Community Action.
In 2016, providers in the region served 40,804 congregate meals and delivered 197,643 home meals to seniors helping them "age in place" in the communities where they want to be!
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Region Conducts Home-Delivered Meal Consumer Survey
The Buckeye Hills region was one of three across the state selected to participate in a home-delivered meal consumer survey. The goal of the survey was to measure "impact" of the home-delivered meal program.
Home-delivered meals provide a variety of benefits that result in cost savings in the long run because they help keep people independent healthy and happy in their own homes instead of in more expensive institutional health care settings.
With an approximate regional 43 percent return rate (155 responses), the following were key preliminary outcomes:
- When asked, "I have regular visitors other than my meal driver" - 11% disagreed and 7.1% strongly disagreed (nearly 20% are socially isolated).
- When asked, "I am hungry, but don't eat because I can't afford enough food or I run out of food before I have money to buy more," 11% strongly agreed and 14.8% agreed (nearly 25% are food insecure).
- When asked - "I have fewer emergency room visits,"
24.5% strongly agree (Home-delivered meals help manage chronic conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease).
- When asked - "I had less hospital stays," 29.7% strongly agreed.
The anticipated growth in the number of older adults, including many of whom are frail, home-bound, and living alone, will likely increase the demand for nutritional and social services that enable seniors to remain residing in their own homes.*
Other survey comments of note:
"I really appreciate getting my meals."
"I can't cook and live alone. It's great having a hot meal every day."
"I can't drive right now, have to get someone to take me to go get it for me. I eat what I get from you. Don't buy any thing I don't need. My kids also bring me food. God Bless you."
"There have been times when for over a week and a half the only food I have in my home were these meals."
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Buckeye Hills Joins National Campaign Support to Older Adults with Dementia and their Caregivers
Launched each year, the campaign is intended to help families and friends discuss difficult topics with their loved ones. A new consumer brochure, Living Well with Dementia in the Community: Resources and Support, is the focus this year's campaign and provides information on steps individuals can take if they suspect that a loved one may have dementia, as well as the many community services and supports available for both older adults with dementia and their caregivers.
Buckeye Hills can inform and connect consumers to many of these community programs, including the Caregiver Advocacy and PASSPORT program as well as other services, all part of our mission to help older adults remain as independent as possible.
For more information about the campaign and local resources available for older adults and people with dementia, contact Buckeye Hills Regional Council at 1-800-331-2644 or visit buckeyehills.org/aging.
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Savvy Caregiver and Everyone with Diabetes Counts classes are organizing for the new year!
Learn More!
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Discussing Falls with Loved Ones
Falling is not a normal part of aging, and most falls can be prevented. By knowing and managing risk factors, elders can live a full and active life free of the fear of falling.
However, don't be surprised if talking to an older adult about falls proves difficult. Many older adults are reluctant to discuss the topic because they see falling as a threat to their independence.
Be respectful, but persistent. If they say they don't want to talk about it, let it go, but bring the topic up again soon. Falls can be prevented, but only if action is taken.
Learn more about Falls Prevention at the Ohio Steady U web site.
Buckeye Hills' Caregiver Advocacy program offers support to informal caregivers who are providing care for loved ones at home. We have a variety of resources and services available. Call 1-800-331-2644, today!
Source: Ohio Department of Aging
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Long-Term Care Ombudman Director Flanigan to Retire
Kim Flanigan, Director of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, has announced her plan for retirement in Feb. 2018.
Buckeye Hills Regional Council is relinquishing the administration of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program effective February 28, 2018. We would like to thank both Kim and LTCO Specialist Sue Davidson for their longevity, dedication, and service to Buckeye Hills Regional Council and this region.
They both began their tenure with Buckeye Hills in 2006.
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Worried About Winter Heating Bills? HEAP Can Help!
As temperatures fall and heating bills increase, for seniors or those with disabilities who also have low or modest incomes, Ohio's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help. It is a support to help eligible low-income Ohioans meet the costs of home heating.
If you are eligible for assistance, the amount of your one-time HEAP benefit will depend on:
- federal funding levels,
- how many people live with you,
- total household income ($21,105 max income for single households, or $28,420 for couples),
- 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.
How to apply:
Applications may be submitted any time from now through June 30, 2018.They are available
online and through a number of community organizations, including Community Action Agencies and Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Buckeye Hills Regional Council has applications and can help with explaining eligibility requirements.
Older adults and people with disabilities who wish to apply for the program should call one of the Community Action organizations below, depending on where they live:
Athens, Hocking & Perry: HAPCAP
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1-800-686-1093
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Meigs: Gallia-Meigs CAP
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740-992-6629
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Monroe & Noble:
GMN Tri-Co. CAP
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740-472-0828 or 740-732-2388
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Washington & Morgan CAP
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740-373-3745
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Nominate an Outstanding Older Ohioan for the Ohio
Se
nior Citizens Hall of Fame
Each year, the Ohio Department of Aging honors outstanding older Ohioans with induction into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. The hall honors current or long-time Ohio residents age 60 and older who have made and continue to make a lasting impact on their professions, their vocations or their communities. Visit www.aging.ohio.gov/halloffame to learn more and access the nomination form.
"Inductees to the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame continue to grow, thrive and contribute throughout their lives," said Stephanie M. Loucka, director of the department. "Their drive, dedication, ingenuity, kindness and compassion have truly made their communities and our state stronger. Their values and their accomplishments make them examples for all of us to emulate."
Past inductees have included business and industry leaders, advocates, community planners, educators, scientists, health care professionals, volunteers, artists, entertainers, athletes and more. Nominees are evaluated on the scope and impact of their contributions begun or continued after age 60. Nominees must be native-born Ohioans or have been residents of the state for at least 10 years. Posthumous nominations are accepted.
Induction is held each May as the state and nation celebrate Older Americans Month. Those selected for the Hall of Fame will join more than 450 older Ohioans inducted into the hall since its inception in 1978. While nominations are accepted year-round, nominations must be received by January 31, 2018, to be considered for induction in 2018.
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Buckeye Hills Regional Council
1-800-331-2644
740-373-6400 | 1400 PIke St. - Marietta, OH 45750 |
www.buckeyehills.org
Misty Casto: Executive Director
Rick Hindman: Assistant Executive Director
Jennifer Westfall: Aging Director
Dawn Weber, LSW, LNHA: Home Care Director
Buckeye Hills Regional Council is organized as a voluntary organization of local government political subdivisions to foster cooperative efforts in regional planning, and implementing of regional plans and programs.
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We're on LinkedIn!
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