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Buckeye Hills President Ron Moore; Buckeye Hills Executive Director Misty Casto; Andrea Boxill, Deputy Director of the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team and Buckeye Hills Vice-President Lenny Eliason at the October Semi-Annual meeting.
Semi-Annual General Policy Council Meeting Highlights Region's Opioid Epidemic
The October Semi-Annual meeting of the Buckeye Hills General Policy Council provided business updates and chilling facts on the state and regional opioid epidemic.
Featured speaker Andrea Boxill, Deputy Director of the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team at the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shared personal stories and details on the state's efforts.
Over a million Ohioans are currently or have previously experienced a substance use disorder. Like heart disease and diabetes, addiction is a chronic disease that requires chronic treatment. Boxill shared the history of other national opioid epidemics, current statistics and the signs and symptoms of addiction.
If one in five Americans reports having a family member addicted to painkillers, then chances are your place of employment has an employee who is addicted. She shared the cost impacts to employers and that it still remains less-costly to rehabilitate an employee than to terminate them.
Also sharing updates were Ohio Representative Jay Edwards (94th District) and Representative Andy Thompson (95th District).
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Ohio Representative Jay Edwards (94th District)
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Ohio Representative Andy Thompson (95th District)
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The October semi-annual meeting was sponsored by AT&T, Bricker & Eckler, AEP, DLZ and Environmental Design Group
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Buckeye Hills Hosts Regional Aging State Plan Forum
From left: Ohio Department of Aging team members Treasure Miller and Berrie Mabins; AAA9 Director Jim Endly; Buckeye Hills Regional Council Aging & Disability Director Jennifer Westfall; and Ohio Department of Aging team members Jane Byrnes and Ashley Davis.
Buckeye Hills was host to The Ohio Department of Aging regional discussion with leaders from across Southeast Ohio on the plans for the 2019-2022 State Plan on Aging. Caregivers, elders, providers, partners and staff from the Appalachian regions (AAA7, Buckeye Hills & AAA9) shared input.
Did you Know?
- 16% of Ohioans are 65 years+ (1.8 million)
- 43.4% are Male
- 56.6% are Female
- 42.1% of Grandparents are caring for grandchildren
- 34.6% of the 65+ population is living with a disability
- 87% of adults 65+ want to remain in their current home and community as they age
- 27 Ohio counties have no public transit service
- 7.6% of the state's 65+ population is living in poverty
- 10.6% of the Buckeye Hills Region elders are in poverty
- Only 40% of eligible seniors (60+) are enrolled in SNAP
- 60% of Ohio households have had to choose between food and medical care
- 4 out of 5 (80.3%) of Ohioans age 65+ have at least one chronic condition
Source: Ohio Department of Aging
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Regional Lifestyle Change Network Building Momentum
As the lead agency for the Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Resource Network (ADRN), Buckeye Hills Regional Council has worked to build a Lifestyle Change Network. This partnership of agencies focuses on developing and connecting people to community resources that support healthy living.
Our network provides health and wellness focused education and activities. Individuals can learn how to manage chronic conditions, pain, diabetes, prevent falls and much more. Workshops and activities are scheduled in the region. Want to know more? Call 1-800-331-2644 Option #5 or visit www.buckeyehills.org.
A recent evidence-based health education class hosted at Buckeye Hills Regional Council.
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Statewide Needs Assessment
Survey Announced
The
Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) recently announced its 2017 Statewide Needs Assessment Survey. Results from this survey will guide ODA in the development of a tailored 2019-2022 State Plan
on Aging that meets the unique needs of older Ohioans, their respective, caregivers and the aging network workforce. This survey, along with the recent statewide regional forums and other data sources will inform Ohio's State Plan.
The survey is currently open and will close Thursday, November 30, 2017.
Within this survey, there are 51 multiple choice questions with some having the option to write in responses which may not appear in the answer selections provided. The final topics and questions
selected for ODA's Needs Assessment are a result of thorough background research on local, state and federal level assessments as well as assessing viable data resources from other credible entities.
The topics that are included in the survey are described below:
* Health, Wellness, and Prevention: Physical activity, nutrition and food assistance, oral health, vision health, hearing, tobacco use, falls
* Volunteerism: Volunteering status and information
* Caregiver Support: Caregiver status, time commitment, reason for being a caregiver
* Independent Living: Transportation and mobility, assistance with in-home needs, emergency preparedness, best practices for communicating with older adults, isolation, elder abuse,
physical environment
* Community: Rural or urban, importance of aging in place
* Demographics: County, age, race, gender, income level, education level, employment status.
The survey responses will be anonymous and will not be tied to an individual survey participant. You are also encouraged to forward the survey link to other older adults and caregivers.
The survey will be shared statewide to the aging network, local health districts, and other relevant partners. The final report of the Needs Assessment findings and data from the regional forums will be shared early next year.
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Time for Flu & Pneumonia Shots!
Older adults who get the flu and pneumonia are 103 times more likely to die than people age
45-54. This is preventable.
Vaccines play an important role in protecting health, especially for older adults! A flu vaccine not only protects you, but it also protects those around you. Remember, the flu changes from year to year. It is important to get the flu shot every year.
Who Should Get the flu& pneumonia shots?
- Adults and children should get a flu shot every year.
- People 65 and older with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung diseases.
- People who are less able to fight infections.
- Residents of long-term care facilities.
- People who work in a health care setting.
- People who provide care for any of the above.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu vaccine can reduce the risk of illness in the U.S. by around 60 percent. This short video from the Alliance for Aging Research gives an overview of how vaccines work, highlights the importance of vaccination, debunks common myths and misconceptions, and encourages consumer communication with health care professionals.
Watch the video to learn more.
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!
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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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Dates to Note:
- Nov. 3: Executive Committee Meeting
- Nov. 10: Veteran's Day will be observed (Offices will be closed Nov. 10 due to the holiday falling on a Sat.)
- Thanksgiving: (Offices closed Nov. 23 & 24)
- Dec. 1: Executive Committee Meeting & Luncheon
- Dec. 8: Regional Advisory Council Christmas Luncheon
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Dec. 25: Christmas (Offices Closed)
Starting Nov. 7! Matter of Balance Falls Prevention Education
Nov. 7, 9, 14, 16, 28, 30 & Dec. 5, 7
Hosted by: Memorial Health System and Washington County Health Department at the office of Buckeye Hills Regional Council (1400 Pike St. - Marietta), classes will be held from 10a.m. to Noon Tuesdays and Thursdays for four weeks. We will not meet the week of Thanksgiving. To register contact Barb Felton at 740-376-1924.
Who should attend?
- anyone concerned about falls
- anyone interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength
- anyone who has fallen in the past or
- anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns
Nov. 29 - Fair Housing Act & The Rights of People with Disabilities Program at Buckeye Hills (1400 Pike St. - Marietta) from 10-11 a.m. (Open to Public) Download a flyer
Topics covered will include protections under the Fair Housing Act for people with disabilities and unlawful discrimination (including a failure to accommodate one's disabilities, like allowing a service animal or emotional support animal, or an accessible parking space, or physical modifications to one's apartment) and how to handle such issues with one's landlord or housing provider.
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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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