Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2 - Summer
2019
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Agency's 25th Anniversary Meeting Honors Outgoing Board of Trustees Members, Welcomes Incoming Officers and Members
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The Agency celebrated 25 years as a not-for-profit Agency at its Annual Meeting on June 6, recognizing outgoing Board members for their years of service, new officers and members, and original Board members present. The meeting was attended by Agency staff, current and former members of the Board of Trustees and Advisory Council, and included the following business:
Outgoing members:
- Robert Dean representing Champaign County, 9 years
- Patricia Holmes, At-Large, 11 years
- L. William Pool representing Preble County, 9 years
(Photo shows from left, L. William Pool, Board Chairperson Douglas Lineberger, Robert Dean, and Agency Director Doug McGarry. Not pictured is Patricia Holmes.)
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Officers elected for 2019-2020:
- Chairperson - Douglas Lineberger
- Vice Chairperson - Judy LaMusga
- Treasurer - Vickie Carraher
Mareta Headapohl remains as Immediate Past Chairperson.
Renewing for a three-year term of 2019-2022:
- David Cleavenger, At-Large
- Clennia Bond representing Montgomery County
Elected as Trustees for a three-year term of 2019-2022:
- Molly Helmlinger, At-Large
- Nita Wilkinson representing Logan County
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Original Board Members:
The Agency was honored to welcome original Board members
Neal Leffel
(left) and
The Honorable Gary Carter, J.D.,
who helped to steer the Board in its first years.
The meeting concluded with a presentation titled
Technology-Enabled Solutions to Help Older Adults Thrive in Place
by
guest speaker
Scott Collins
, President & CEO of Link-Age and founding member of the Family Caregiver Council. (
Photo shows from left - Doug McGarry, Scott Collins, and Doug Lineberger
).
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Advisory Council Seeking Logan and Shelby County Representatives
The Agency is seeking representatives for Logan and Shelby counties to serve on its regional Advisory Council. Both are replacement terms that end March 31, 2021, with an option to renew a full three-year term three times thereafter.
The Advisory Council advises the Board of Trustees regarding administration of federal and state funds for services to people age 60 and older, and other issues impacting older adults and their caregivers. Our region includes Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby counties with three representatives from each who either live or work in their represented county.
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Outstanding Senior Citizens Named for 2019
Outstanding people reside in all of our nine counties, and each Council/Coalition on Aging in our region selected and celebrated an Outstanding Senior Citizen to honor during Older Americans Month (OAM) events throughout May. OAM offers opportunities to hear from, support, and celebrate our nation’s elders. The 2019 theme of
Connect, Create and Contribute
spotlights how sharing one’s talents, skills, interests and experience can make a major impact not only within a community but within oneself.
Click here
to meet the individuals selected as Outstanding Senior Citizens in their counties in gratitude for their continued giving to their neighbors, communities, and families.
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Dr. Eric Winston Inducted into Ohio
Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
Dr. Eric V.A. Winston of Xenia, an Advisory Council member representing Greene County, was inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame at the Statehouse in Columbus on May 30. Dr. Winston was recognized for his contributions in education, civic engagement, and the film industry. He served on Xenia City Council for 14 years, was president of the Xenia Rotary Club, and worked at Wilberforce University for 23 years as vice president of student affairs and then vice president of development. He turned to the film industry after retirement and produced an award-winning documentary,
Taking Israel
, about a program that he helped to administer while at Wilberforce University. He later co-produced a feature film,
Animals
, and has acted in the films,
Black Butterfly
and
Here We Go Again
. Dr. Winston credits his father for his drive and determination. His father returned to law school at age 65 and earned his degree five years later. "He consistently demonstrated to me that one should never abandon a dream but work diligently to make it come true."
(Photo by Sarah Duffy, Ohio Dept. of Aging)
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Del Mar Encore Fellowship Engages Talent for Social Change
The Dayton Foundation selected the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) as one of three not-for-profit organizations for the Del Mar Encore Fellows Initiative.The initiative is a three-year pilot matching nonprofits with highly-skilled, older professionals to serve as Fellows and work on significant community issues. The organizations and projects were selected based on community need, an ability to create systemic change, opportunities for collaborations and identified funding.
The AAA Fellow will work on the Agency’s Long-Term Care Workforce Crisis Initiative, researching, defining and measuring the scope of the current challenge of finding and keeping workers who provide direct services to older adults in the Agency’s nine-county region. In collaboration with a wide variety of partners, he or she will propose solutions and develop strategies for building a sustainable, stable, long-term care workforce.
The other Del Mar Encore recipients were the YWCA and the Ruth Parker Frost Center for Abundant Aging/United Church Homes. According to Senior Fellow Noreen Willhelm, initiatives chosen are big issues with the potential for big impact, and demonstrate best opportunities to effectively use the experience of highly-skilled older adults to make a major difference in our community.
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Ohio Invests in Supportive Programs for Older Adults
Ohio’s new two-year budget has some favorable provisions for aging services programs. Senior programs supported in the final bill include Senior Community Services funding for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, and increased funding for the state long-term care ombudsman program, adult protective services, and kinship navigator services.
“We understand that the state has many priorities to consider, and we appreciate the Governor and General Assembly investing in programs that support and promote opportunities for older Ohioans and people with disabilities,” said Doug McGarry, Executive Director, Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2.
Ohio has the 6th largest population age 65 or older in the nation, and by 2030 that population will increase by 40% compared to 2015. It is essential that Ohio continue to fund programs that promote dignity, self-determination, and quality of life for all of us as we age.
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We're Hiring!
The Agency is seeking LSWs and RNs looking to make a difference within the community by helping low-income older adults and people living with disabilities to live as independently as possible. The Area Agency on Aging hires caring, compassionate workers to help our consumers get the services they need to improve their lives. Join our team and get a supportive network of supervisors and co-workers, flexible schedule, and a career that makes a difference in the community. Skills and experience are important, but a genuine desire to help others is where we start. Learn more about our available positions and see for yourself why the Area Agency on Aging is such a great place to work.
Click here
to learn more and download an application form.
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Training Workshops:
Not Friend or Family: Maintaining Healthy Boundaries in the Helping Professions - Ethical Considerations & Practical Challenges
(Meets the Ohio CSWMFT Board ethics training requirement).
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 9am-12:15pm
Speaker Paula Taliaferro, MGS, LSW
BarryStaff Building, Community Room, 230 Webster St., Dayton
3.0 CEUs
$40
*
Battling Burnout & Compassion Fatigue in the Helping Professions - Serving Vulnerable Populations More Effectively
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 1-4:15pm
Speaker Paula Taliaferro, MGS, LSW
BarryStaff Building, Community Room, 230 Webster St., Dayton
3.0 CEUs
$40
*
*
$75 to attend both Sept. 18 workshops and includes lunch.
Registration opens August 7 and early registration is recommended. Check our Agency
website calendar
for registration information and updates on upcoming training opportunities. The Area Agency on Aging is a Social Worker CEU provider. (
The Ohio Board of Nursing accepts continuing education events approved for counselors and social workers.)
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An Apple a Day....
A Column by Gary J. Weston, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.
Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc., produces the
Plan Ahead & Protect Yourself! Series for Seniors
, a set of classes about legal rights, community legal resources, and ways for people to handle their own legal issues. Each
Focus on Aging
newsletter this year features an article by Gary J. Weston providing education and information about a topic from the series. This is the third article.
Read more...
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Upcoming Events
Well Beyond 60! Expo at the Ohio State Fair
Tuesday, July 30, 10am-4pm
Free health screenings, wellness demonstrations, a mini falls prevention workshop, and a free concert.
Click here
for a flyer with more details.
Walk to End Alzheimer's
events scheduled in our region:
- Greenville - Sept. 7
- Troy - Sept. 14
- Sidney - Sept. 21
- Springfield - Sept. 28
- Dayton - Oct. 5
Click here
for the Alzheimer's Association events website to learn more, register, or donate.
30th Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) 2019 Annual Conference
Oct. 30-31, Hilton Easton, Columbus
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Help Others to Improve their Quality of Life:
Become a Healthy U Leader
Interested in joining the Healthy U team and helping older adults in our nine-county region to improve their daily quality of life? A four-day Leader Training is scheduled
Oct. 3, 4, 10, and 11
in Dayton.
Click here
for a flyer outlining details about the training and qualities sought in a Healthy U leader, and an
application form
to
complete and return
by Sept. 5
. We welcome applications from all within our nine counties (Clark, Champaign, Darke, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby).
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Protecting Yourself Against Heat-Related Illnesses
People age 65 years and older are at higher risk for heat stress due to natural body changes, chronic conditions, medications and more. Heat-related illnesses can be life-threatening and include heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Click here
for an information sheet from the Ohio Departent of Aging on recognizing and preventing heat-related illness.
Summer Crisis Program Helps
with Bills, Air Conditioning
The Ohio Development Services Agency offers its Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program July 1 through August 31 to help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during hot summer months. The program provides eligible Ohioans with assistance either paying an electric bill or for central air conditioning repairs.
This program assists low-income households with an older household member age 60 years or older, OR households that can provide physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health. Conditions may include lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or asthma.
Click on these links for:
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Severe Weather Awareness
Emergencies can disrupt services and supports that people with disabilities and their families need to stay safe and healthy. Consider creating an Emergency Plan now
before
an emergency or disaster happens.
Click here
for a checklist of items to have in an emergency kit plus planning for needs during a potential evacuation from your home.
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Six Steps Toward Preventing Falls
F
alls can be often be prevented by knowing what to look for within oneself, a loved one, home and environmental factors. This knowledge and review can be key toward remaining safe and independent. The National Council on Aging marks September 23 as National Falls Prevention Awareness Day to help remind people of all ages on what to do for themselves and their loved ones to work toward preventing falls.
A good place to start is by following
these tips
for six steps from the National Council on Aging.
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Caregivers' Corner:
T
he Area Agency on Aging is collaborating with the Kettering Health Network and the Alzheimer's Association Miami Valley Chapter on presenting two free
Caregiver Retreats
this fall:
- Saturday, Nov. 9, 10am-2pm, Aullwood Audubon Farm, 9101 Frederick Pike, Dayton
- Thursday, Nov. 14, 4:30-8pm, Years Ahead Center, 1666 Clyo Road, Centerville
Each retreat will feature a panel discussion with a geriatrician, elder law attorney, social worker, and hospice social worker. The Kettering Health Network is sponsoring the light and healthy meals. Other activities include visiting booths of senior service organizations, practicing relaxation activities, making fun items to take home, and socializing with other caregivers. Pre-registration is requested to ensure seating and food amounts. Please call the Kettering Health Network Call Center at
(937)
558-3988
to register
.
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MIT AgeLab Seeking Current Caregivers
for Online Panel
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) AgeLab seeks current caregivers for adult family members to join an online panel to share their experiences and thoughts as a caregiver. If selected, participants will be entered into a raffle for one of 100 $25 Amazon.com gift cards and contacted approximately every other month to complete brief online surveys about various aspects of their life as a caregiver. For every survey completed, panel members are entered into a gift card raffle. There may also be opportunities to participate in interviews, focus group and panel discussions.
If interested in applying to join the MIT AgeLab caregiver panel, please
click here
.
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You have questions.
We have answers.
Contact us to arrange a free visit and see how we can help you.
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Helping adults remain in their homes with independence and dignity.
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Serving seniors and caregivers in Champaign, Clark, Darke,
Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby counties.
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