Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2 - Spring
2019
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Senior Services Important Part of State Budget Discussions
As the Ohio legislature considers the biennial state budget bill, the aging network has been advocating for services that support seniors remaining in their community. This includes additional Senior Community Services (SCS) funding that provides supportive community programs and a higher provider reimbursement rate to strengthen the availability of less expensive and preferred long-term care options.
Read more...
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ODA Director Ursel McElroy Visits Agency
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Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) Director
Ursel McElroy
visited the Agency on April 23 as part of a state tour covering all Area Agencies on Aging to meet the staffs and learn about programs and issues specific to senior Ohioians. She spoke and then answered questions at an all-staff meeting, including the challenges of providing in-home care in rural areas, fighting financial exploitation of senior Ohioans, wages for and staff retention of home health aides, and support for personal safety and compassion fatigue for staff who conduct home visits.
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During her day, McElroy toured the Agency with Director Doug McGarry, reviewed presentations about Agency programs, and met with staff, providers, and the Board of Trustees Chair
Doug Lineberger
. She is pictured with Agency staff after a discussion about programs, and with Mr. Lineberger.
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Senior Days in Every County for Older Americans Month
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The 2019 theme of
Connect, Create, Contribute
for Older Americans Month (OAM) in May aims to encourage older adults and communities to:
- connect with friends, family, and services that support participation;
- create by engaging in activities promoting learning, health, and personal enrichment; and
- contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others.
The Administration for Community Living leads OAM each year to illustrate how communities strengthen themselves by encouraging the contributions of their older adults.
Every Council/Coalition on Aging in our nine-county region holds a Senior Day event in May and honors one Outstanding Senior Citizen selected from nominations.
Click here
for a list of OAM activities and contact information in our nine counties. Many events require tickets or advance registration.
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The Advisory Council for the Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2 met on March 24 and recognized the contributions of outgoing officers and members, and voted in new officers. Five new members were appointed by the Board of Trustees to begin their terms on April 1, 2019.
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Recognition
The Council recognized the contributions of
Molly Helmlinger
completing two terms as Council Chairperson, pictured with Agency Assistant Director
Pat Mayer
.
Outgoing Members
The Council thanks
Dennis Wein
for representing Darke County on the Council from 2008 to 2019. Additional outgoing members are
Donna Parks
representing Clark County,
Mindy Jo Stebbins
representing Darke County, and
Kim Wildermuth
representing Logan County.
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New Officers
Former Vice-Chairperson
Charles Morris
was voted in as new Chairperson and
Laura Haverkos
as Vice-Chairperson, both for 2019-2020.
Renewing Terms for 2019-2022
- Stacy Barnhart, Champaign County
- Suzanne Patterson, Greene County
- Beth Bell, Miami County
- Debbie Nelson, Montgomery County
- Teresa Freeman, Preble County
- Shelia Nuss, Shelby County
Incoming Members
- Glen Massie, Clark County
- Christena Sharp and Megan Stull, Darke County
- Patricia DePasquale, Logan County
- Doris Pollet, Preble County
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The 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. The Agency’s Planning and Service Area 2 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. Terms are three years and members may serve for three consecutive terms.
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Agency Wins Spirit Award
LeRae Pope
, Community Services Coordinator for Nutrition, accepted the Champaign County Champion Spirit Award presented to the Agency on April 18. The award comes from the LifeCare Alliance Champaign County Volunteer Recognition event. The van she holds is a replica of LifeCare Alliance's meal delivery vans.
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The Best Way to Handle Any Legal Problem!
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 second article in the series.
Read more...
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June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is commemorated annually on June 15. The day is intended to raise awareness about the millions of older adults who experience elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. The Administration for Community Living states that as many as one in 10 older Americans are abused or neglected each year, and only one in 14 cases come to the attention of authorities. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reminds the world that older people are vital and contributing members of society, and any abuse or neglect of them diminishes our society. Call
223-HELP
if you fear that you or a loved one, neighbor, friend or acquaintance are being abused, neglected, or financially exploited. The Agency can help to direct you to the right help.
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Upcoming Training Workshops:
Understanding Medicaid Home & Community Services
Wednesday, May 1, 1-4:15pm
(Registrations past the deadline accepted if seats are available. A $10 late fee applies).
Speaker Allison Bielek, MS/AJS
Aullwood Farm, 9101 Frederick Pike, Dayton
3.0 CEUs
$40
Functional Communication Assessment for Healthcare Professionals
Wednesday, July 10, 1-4:15pm
Speaker Kathryn Kilpatrick, M.A. CCC/SLP
Aullwood Farm, 9101 Frederick Pike, Dayton
3.0 CEUs
$40
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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Dimensions of Dementia Community Forum & Conference
May 8-9, 2019
Community Forum is 4:30-8pm May 8 (dinner 6-8pm)
Conference is 8:00am-4:30pm May 9
Sinclair Conference Center, Dayton
Up to 6.0 CEUs for conference.
Registration deadline is May 3.
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Senior Hunger Advocacy Day
Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 10:00am
Sheraton Columbus Hotel, Columbus, Ohio
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Workshops Focus on Taking Charge of Health
Healthy U is an evidence-based workshop developed by Stanford University and proven to enhance
quality of life and reduce health care expenses for adults living with ongoing medical conditions, and/or their caregivers. The workshops help participants to increase self-confidence and acquire new skills to better manage symptoms of chronic health conditions, either for themselves or for a loved one. These six-week, interactive workshops are
offered throughout our nine counties and
specialize for people living with:
- Chronic Conditions (any ongoing health condition from arthritis to heart or kidney disease, and more)
- Chronic Pain
- Diabetes
New workshops are scheduled throughout the year.
Learn more
about Healthy U and see when upcoming
workshops
are scheduled near you.
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Meal Options for Home Delivery
or Group Site
Meal options exist for older Ohioans who have limited mobility, lack transportation, or are homebound. Home-delivered meals, popularly known as Meals on Wheels, provide nutritious hot meals right to their doors. Congregate meal sites are available in all nine counties that provide both nutritious meals and social interaction. These options are also available to adult Ohioans of any age who are living with a disability and have the same limitations.
Click here
for additional information on basic eligibility and meal provider contacts in each of our nine counties. Or ca
ll
223-HELP
to determine eligibility for home-delivered meals and to learn about congregate meal sites in your community.
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Checklist Helps to Prevent Falls
Contrary to opinion, falls are not a normal part of aging. However, changes in vision, balance, and mobility cause older adults to become more susceptible to serious injury from a fall, and predisposed to risks for falling. Each season has its particular fall risks, so awareness, attention, and prevention can go far to help keep falls at bay.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one out of four older people falls annually, but less than half tell their doctor although falling once doubles one's chances of falling again.
Many falls can be prevented by increasing one's awareness of risks, proactively removing or avoiding hazards, and talking to one's physician. Review this CDC
home fall prevention checklist
for more information on how to help protect you and/or your loved ones from falls.
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Caregivers' Corner:
Finding Hope in
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
Local caregiver credits the workshop experience for a happier life at home
The
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
program is supported through a grant from the Area Agency on Aging
.
We appreciate this issue's contribution from guest writer
Kelli L. Davis
, Program Coordinator of Community Outreach for the Kettering Health Network's
Powerful Tools for Caregivers
workshops.
Click here
to read how the workshops impacted one local caregiver, and how to find workshops in your community.
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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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