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Buckeye Hills Regional Council
(formerly Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional
Development District & Area Agency on Aging 8)
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Andrea Boxill, Deputy Director of Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team at the Ohio Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
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Buckeye Hills to Host
Semi-Annual General
Policy Council Meeting
Join us October 6 in Marietta for the Semi-Annual General Policy Council Meeting of Buckeye Hills Regional Council. The meeting will begin at 11 am. with lunch following.
This convening brings together members of the Buckeye Hills General Policy Council (community and business leaders from the 8-county region) and guests including legislators, federal and state funding resource partners and other community leaders. Also joining are service providers to the 60+ population of the region as well as members of the Buckeye Hills Aging & Disability Division's Regional Advisory Council.
To better educate and collaborate as a region on the opioid epidemic we face, our October meeting featured speaker will be Andrea Boxill, Deputy Director of the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team at the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Andrea is a highly experienced leader and team builder in behavioral healthcare with a record of achievement in judicial, community mental health and substance abuse programs at state and local levels. Andrea is a counselor knowledgeable in serving adults, young people, and families in a variety of environments with a focus on chemical dependency. Andrea has developed mental health and alcohol and other drug groups, facilitated discussions and trainings regarding specialized court dockets and human trafficking across the United States and in Europe.
As Deputy Director of the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team at the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Andrea monitors service delivery, assists in writing policy, interprets federal and state laws and regulations to ensure compliance and assists in coalition building to address the opioid epidemic across the state.
Special Thanks to Our Gold Sponsors!
Thanks to Our Silver Sponsor:
Thanks to Our Bronze Sponsors:
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Use Your Farmers' Market Coupons While They're Fresh!
The Ohio Senior Farmers' Market
Nutrition Program helps older Ohioans enjoy locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey. Just a reminder to seniors enrolled in the region's Farmers' Market Nutrition Program that the coupons can be used like cash with participating farmers. Program coupons are good through October 31.
Now is the time to buy seasonal items like squash, pumpkins and apples. If enrolled seniors cannot physically get to the markets or farmers themselves, they can send their proxy to shop for them.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of federal dietary guidelines and are:
In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables add flavor and variety to
meals.
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$ponsor a $enior a $uccess to Date
The annual Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is so popular that inevitably the demand outpaces the available funding. Year-over-year, the Buckeye Hills region in southeast Ohio maintains waiting lists with hundreds of seniors who never get coupons for fresh market items.
But, since its launch this summer, $7,000 has been pledged to support taking 140 seniors off the region's Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program waiting list!
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. Program coupons may be exchanged for eligible foods from authorized farmers.
You can still give! We will continue to take $ponsor a $enior donations in preparation for the 2018 season and also to support the Project Lifesaver program ($25 has been given to date).
Project Lifesaver technology, in the hands of certified law enforcement partners, helps find people with a cognitive disorder such as Alz heimer's disease or Autism when they wander from a caregiver. Clients are outfitted with a transmitter about the size of a watch - worn on the wrist or ankle. Should the client wander, the caregiver notifies 911 and the local Sheriff's Office begins a search immediately using Project Lifesaver equipment. Without the technology, searches can last hours or days. Through community donations, the program is offered free to seniors and $350 will sponsor one enrollee on the Project Lifesaver Program.
Your donation (of any amount) can help provide services and
support to seniors in need across 8 counties in Southeast Ohio.
Mail donations to: Buckeye Hills Regional Council
1400 Pike St. Marietta, OH 45750
Click here to learn more!
Go Fund Me transaction and processing fees will be deducted from your donation. Donations are not tax deductible as Buckeye Hills is not a 501(c)3.
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Medicare Education Support Available
Buckeye Hills Regional Council Offers Medicare Resources
Every eight seconds someone becomes eligible for Medicare. According to a recent Medicare Made Clear survey, one in five Medicare beneficiaries describes Medicare as confusing; most adults can't identify what Medicare Parts A, B, C and D cover and 70% of baby boomers describe their understanding of Medicare as "fair" or "poor."
In Southeast Ohio, The Buckeye Hills Regional Council Aging & Disability Division benefits counselors Brandi Hesson, CIRS-A, (shown above) and Gerri VanNoy, SWA, CIRS-A, (shown at left) are trained and ready to help people with Medicare. They can assist them with finding benefits that help them pay for prescriptions, health care, and other necessities, as well as compare Part D plans and more.
In addition, assisting eligible individuals with Medicare prescription benefits is a service provided through the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). This project provides enrollment assistance for individuals who may be eligible for the Low
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Income Subsidy and/or Medicare Savings Program, as well as other Medicare premium assistance programs.
In rural Appalachia, all too often we hear about senior citizens living on fixed incomes who cannot afford medications or other health care needs. The Medicare Extra Help Program can save individuals an average of $325 per month on costs associated with prescription drugs. Many are eligible and just don't take advantage of these real savings. It takes one simple phone call to see if someone is eligible.
The Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), also known as "Extra Help," is a discount plan that can: lower prescription co
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pays; cover all or part of Medicare Part D monthly premiums; or eliminate the "doughnut hole" of coverage for medications. Part D is Medicare's prescription drug coverage and is available to anyone eligible for Medicare Part A or Part B. Those with Medicare may enroll in Part D coverage through either a stand
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alone plan or a Medicare Advantage plan. To be eligible for "Extra Help," income guidelines and qualifications must be met, and Buckeye Hills can help determine whether you might be able to benefit from this program, and if so, assist with the over-the-phone application process.
Seniors who have Medicare questions or who want to learn more about "extra help" with Medicare Part D coverage, should call Buckeye Hills toll
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free at 1
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800
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331-2644 and we can complete the application over the phone in just a few minutes.
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SENIORS & DRIVING:
Helping Your Loved One Stay Safe
For aging Ohioans, maintaining independence is important. Many older adults want to continue driving for as long as possible. But how can a caregiver tell when it is no longer safe for a loved one to drive? How can you talk with a senior whose driving concerns you? Here are some tips that can help.
Age alone does not tell you who should or should not drive.
- Many health older adults can drive safely. But because some age-related conditions do affect driving, seniors need to evaluate their driving skills regularly.
- Many older adults will decide to stop driving when they notice changes.
- If you need to discuss driving with a loved one, bring up the subject in a caring and supportive manner. Remember that the decision to stop driving will be life-changing.
- With some age-related conditions, seniors can continue to drive safely be adapting when and how they drive. For example, limiting night driving, avoiding freeways, or adapting the car's controls may all make driving safer for some older adults.
Pay attention to medical and physical changes that impact driving.
- Vision, hearing and reaction time change as we age and can make it more difficult to drive safely.
- Medical conditions like arthritis, hear disease, diabetes or memory loss can all impact driving.
- Some medications (especially if combined with alcohol) can affect driving.
- Yearly medical and eye exams can help determine a person's ability to continue driving.
Signs that indicate unsafe driving:
- Having "close calls" or accidents
- People honking.
- Being confused in traffic.
- Difficulty judging distances.
- Driving too slowly.
- Confusion about directions in familiar places.
- Accidentally hitting the gas pedal instead of the brake.
- Getting tickets.
If your loved one shouldn't drive, but still is, give specific driving details to the doctor. Ask the doctor to discuss driving at the next visit. Call your local state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or senior center and ask about driving evaluations for seniors.
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: Jouneyworks Publishing - Caring for an Older Adult series
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Dates to Note:
Oct. 25
~ OHIO TRANSPORTATION EQUITY FORUM
(Sponsored by Services for Independent Living, in conjunction with the Ability Center, Disability Rights Ohio and the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council)
Nov. 15-16 ~ o4a Annual Conference on Aging
Statewide conference offering expert information, key contacts, new resources and products/services.
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2018 Schedule of Meetings Set
The Buckeye Hills Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) Technical Advisory and Citizens Advisory Committees have set the 2018 meeting schedule:
- Friday, January 19
- Friday, April 20
- Friday, Aug. 18
All meetings will be from 10a.m. - noon at Buckeye Hills' office located at 1400 Pike Street in Marietta. If you have any questions regarding RTPO meetings, please contact Karen Pawloski, Transportation Planning Coordinator at 740-376-7658. To learn more about RTPO, visit buckeyehills.org/transportation/
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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 Now on LinkedIn!
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