Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2 - Summer 2020
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Covid-19 Responses Support Communities, Providers, Staff
Among all the changes occurring over the past four months, the Agency’s dedication toward continuing services and resources has remained strong and even grown in areas. See below for how we have adapted to our new reality.
Remote Work Continues
Agency staff remain working remotely and all clinical activity has continued unimpeded through telephone outreach. Our clinical staff contact all consumers on a regular basis to ensure their needs are met. Consumers considered as most at-risk were identified early on and their essential services prioritized for immediate and ongoing attention.
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Thousands of PPE Distributed to Providers
In early June, Agency staff with invaluable help from Ahlers Catering unloaded and repackaged five pallets of personal protective equipment from the Ohio Department of Aging. These thousands of items were distributed to providers within our nine counties to help their staff serve consumers safely. Providers received face masks, individual bottles of Purell, and gallons of hand sanitizer. Thank you Ahlers and thank you to staff from our Agency and Catholic Social Services for unloading, organizing, and delivering the materials.
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Agency Expands Caregiving Resources
Being a family caregiver can provide opportunities for sharing and connection, as well as personal angst and stress. Especially in the current period of quarantine, feelings of isolation can overwhelm family caregivers who may feel more tied to home than before, and not know where to find answers. To direct caregivers toward needed information and support, the Agency has expanded its caregiver resources with the addition of the Trualta online program plus monthly virtual workshops.
Read more...
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Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Program Opens in Our Region
Fresh fruits and vegetables add flavor and variety to meals and are key to a healthy diet, but there is not always room in the shopping budget to include them. New to our area is a program that can help with that – the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program – and
we are looking for both eligible seniors and farmers to participate.
Although Covid-19 delayed the 2020 start until July 1, it will run through October 31, so there is plenty of time to use the $50 in coupons at participating farmer’s markets and roadside stands.
Click her
e
to access the brochure describing the program and approved produce.
Read more…
for additional information on becoming an authorized farmer or farmer's market, or to apply for coupons.
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Research on Workforce Crisis Initiative Continues
The Agency is pleased to announce a second year of
Dr. Kathy Stevens’
work on our Long-Term Care Workforce Crisis Initiative through The Dayton Foundation’s Del Mar Encore Fellows program. The Agency is dedicated toward finding answers to the problem of workforce shortages that adversely impact our ability to meet the long-term care needs of older adults and people living with disabilities in our region.
Read more...
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Summer Electric Assistance Available for Eligible Households
Help is available for eligible Ohioans trying to cope with the summer heat. Under the Summer Crisis Program, consumers of regulated utilities may qualify to receive a benefit amount up to $500 while customers of unregulated utilities can receive a benefit not to exceed $800. These benefits can be used to help pay an electric utility bill, and/or central air conditioning repair, and/or an air conditioning unit and/or fan.
Click here
for a list of providers in our region and their contact information. Or
click here
for an online program application.
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Wellness Programs
Healthy U
- The Agency offers Healthy U workshops in either a telephone conference call or Zoom format to support healthy habits and social connection during this time of physical distancing. Participants age 60 and older will receive free tool kits shipped to their home.
Visit our website
for more information about
Healthy U At Home
and how to register. New workshops begin each month through November. Sign up for one today.
A
ging Mastery Program
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The Agency continues to offer the Aging Mastery Program via Zoom until we are able to safely resume in-person workshops.
V
isit our website
for more information and how to register.
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Continuing Education Workshop
What Is Your Side of the Story? Applying Motivational Interviewing Techniques to Challenging Conversations with Older Adults & Their Families
Sept. 25, 2020, 1:00-4:15pm, online via Zoom, 3.0 Social Worker continuing education credit hours (The Ohio Board of Nursing accepts events approved for counselors and
social workers for continuing nursing education.)
Presenter is Paula M. Taliaferro, MGS, LSW
Cost is $40. Pre-registration is required by Sept. 16.
Check our website
for brochure and registration information.
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Caregiver Education
Trualta Online Support
The pandemic has made life even more difficult for many family caregivers as they strive to protect their loved ones and themselves from the virus. We understand the difficulties or sometimes impossibilities of leaving one's home to attend programs. The Agency now offers new online caregiver resources including the Trualta resource and support program found
on our website
. There is more information in article above, or learn more about Trualta on our site and sign up for your free access.
Caregiver-Specific Online Workshops
The Agency also offers free monthly, online workshops August through December on various topics specific to family caregivers. The first will be
"What Have You Done for YOU Lately?"
1-2pm on Tuesday, Aug. 25, via Zoom.
Click here
for more information and to register.
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Alzheimer's Association
Virtual Support
The Alzheimer's Association of the Miami Valley offers a variety of virtual support over the telephone and online, family care consultations, a 24/7 Help Line, plus access to free online education about Alzheimer's and Dementia, and support for family caregivers.
Click here
for more information.
2020 Walk to End Alzheimer's Going Virtual
The 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer's retains the same purpose and goals but will be run without large gatherings in order to prioritize the health and safety of participants. The Alzheimer's Association will be asking people to walk by themselves, with their families or their own teams, within their own neighborhoods. A drive-through, view-only Promise Garden will be available in each Walk community.
Check the website
for information as the local Walk dates near. Walks in our region include: Troy, Sept. 12; Springfield, Sept. 19; Greenville, Sept. 26; and Dayton, Oct. 3.
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Helpful Information
Governor DeWine issued a state-wide mandatory mask order as of July 23 to help slow the advancement of the coronavirus in Ohio. Learn more information to keep yourself and others safe on
coronavirus.ohio.gov
.
Many grocery and other essential retail operations including Kroger, Target, Meijer, PetCo, and more reserve their first open hour either daily or on specific days for older adults and anyone with compromised immunity or disabilities. Check with your local stores for their policies.
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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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Like our Agency
Facebook page.
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Like our Healthy U
Facebook page.
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