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Morgan Office on Aging Joins $ponsor a $enior Effort
The Morgan County Office on Aging recently joined in the $ponsor a $enior effort with a donation of $1,800 to help sponsor 36 seniors on the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program waiting list in Morgan County. Shown above is the Morgan County Director Linda Sheets (left) with Buckeye Hills Aging Director Jennifer Westfall.
"We realize that this is a great need in our county for our seniors," said Linda Sheets.
While the Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is funded by USDA and the Ohio Department of Aging, their funding is limited
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Many income-eligible seniors are placed on waiting lists. Program coupons may be exchanged for eligible foods from authorized farmers. Only fresh, locally grown fruits, herbs, vegetables and honey are eligible to be purchased with the coupons.
$50 will sponsor one of the 200+ seniors in Southeast Ohio on the current waiting list for Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program coupons. If you'd like to help, visit
http://buckeyehills.org/sponsor-a-senior/
to learn more or to sponsor seniors for the 2018 season!
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Providers Meet for Regional Updates
The success of many of the Buckeye Hills Regional Council Aging & Disability Division programs wouldn't be possible without the fantastic network of providers who deliver services to seniors in their homes, where we know they want to be! The providers are gathered in Marietta recently for training and regional updates.
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Athens County Project Lifesaver Program Completes Successful Rescue
Sunday, April 29
th was a warm, sunny spring day in Athens County, Ohio. Marshall Ruth, a 77-year-old male with dementia, decided to take a walk in the rural area near his home. When his family noticed he had wandered off and could not locate him, they contacted the Athens County Sheriff's Office.
Thankfully, Marshall is enrolled in the Buckeye Hills Regional Council's Athens County Project Lifesaver Program. The Athens Sheriff's Office is a partner in the program. Deputy D. J. McCollister and Lt. Jason Kline drove out to the man's home. As they were nearing Marshall's house, they picked up a signal from a transmitter that Marshall was wearing that indicated he was near their location.
Despite the fact that Marshall was concealed from view by heavy vegetation, made no noise and was unable to move, the officers were able to hone in on his signal and find him. He was then examined by the Emergency Medical Service personnel who determined that he had suffered only a few scratches on his head. Marshall had apparently wandered from the road and fallen down a 20-foot hill.
Project Lifesaver is a search and rescue program. It utilizes radio technology to locate individuals who are cognitively impaired and have wandered from their caregivers. If a person wanders and cannot be located, caregivers call 911. The caregiver informs the Sheriff's office that their loved one is enrolled in the program. Project Lifesaver-trained deputies begin the search by tuning a receiver to a specific frequency of a radio transmitter worn by the missing individual on his/her ankle or wrist.
"Had it not been for the Project Lifesaver Program equipment, we would not have found Marshall," said Lt. Jason Kline from the Athens Sheriff's Office. Kline said he wasn't yelling or saying anything, he was just looking around. "Deputy McCollister and several others could not see Marshall over the hill when they drove by," added Kline. Using the equipment, Lt. Kline and Deputy McCollister were able to find Marshall in just over an hour. "The equipment worked flawlessly and led us right to him. We were able to save this man's life," Lt. Kline stated.
Read the rest of the story...
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June 15 Is Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Wear Purple
Seated from left: Athens Mayor Steve Patterson; Athens Co. Commissioner Lenny Eliason; Buckeye Hills President Ron Moore, Morgan Co.; Monroe Co. Commissioner Carl Davis; John Curtis, Private Sector, Monroe Co.; Standing Misty Casto, Buckeye Hills Executive Director and Jenn Westfall, Buckeye Hills Aging & Disability Division Director.
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Know Your Loved One's Risk of Falling
Falling is not a normal part of aging, and most falls can be prevented. But you can't prevent a fall unless you recognize that there is a risk. Here's a simple self-assessment from the STEADY U Ohio initiative. See if any of the following statements applies to your loved one:
- I have fallen in the past year.*
- I use or have been advised to use a cane or walker to get around safely.
- Sometimes I feel unsteady when I am walking.*
- I steady myself by holding onto furniture when walking at home.
- I am worried about falling.
- I need to push with my hands to stand up from a chair.
- I have some trouble stepping up onto a curb.
- I often have to rush to the toilet.
- I have lost some feeling in my feet.
- I take medicine that sometimes makes me feel light-headed
or tired.
- I take medicine to help me sleep or improve my mood.
- I often feel sad or depressed.
Give your loved one one point for each statement answered with "yes." (Add two points for items marked with "*." If they scored four points or more, they may be at increased risk for falls. Talk to a health care provider and ask for a comprehensive falls risk assessment. Be prepared to talk about your loved one's history of falls, medications and physical activity level.
Once you know what is putting your loved one at risk for a fall, the next step is to do whatever you need to do help prevent a fall. Visit www.steadyu.ohio.gov for tips and resources.
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Leaders Needed!
Upcoming Matter of Balance Leader Training
Falls Prevention Education Coach Training ~ June 12 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Buckeye Hills Regional Council Conference Center
1400 Pike St. Marietta
There will be a 30 minute lunch break; you may bring your own or order - menus will be provided during the morning break.
For more information or to register, contact Amy Nahley at 740-374-2782 x 3305 or anahley@wcgov.org or Barb Felton at 740-374-1799 or bfelton@mhsystem.org.
Click Here to Learn More!
If you have:
- Experience and interest in working with older adults
- Knowledge about the special needs of older adults
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Experience with group process and facilitation
- Comfort with teaching, leading group discussion and role play
You are an excellent candidate for training!
Upcoming Community Classes:
A variety of Evidence-Based Health Education classes are set for the coming months! Learn more about Matter of Balance, Chronic Pain Self-Management, Diabetes Education and other programs.
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Ohio State Fair
Senior Day & Wellness Expo
Join The Ohio Department of Aging and others at the free health and Wellness EXPO! Have fun, test your balance, play games and receive free health screenings and services at the "Well Beyond 60!" Health & Wellness EXPO in Central Park from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Open to all ages and included with fair admission.
Admission is just $4 on Senior Day. Seniors will also receive a free gift at the Fair. Also, enjoy a tribute to the timeless music of The Rat Pack is Back at 12:30 p.m., for free with paid Fair admission. Learn more at
www.ohiostatefair.com
The 2018 Fair runs from July 25-Aug. 5.
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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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