As a regional council of governments, Buckeye Hills continues to partner with member counties and communities to improve the region. At the April Semi-Annual Meeting, the 2017 Community Benefits Report was presented.

Within it are brief success stories and community benefits outcomes from the programs and services that align our efforts to achieve regional impact and success.
Read the Report!

	As the Ohio Department of Aging designated Southeast Ohio Aging & Disability Resource Network, Buckeye Hills also administered more than $16.7 million dollars in aging program services in the past year leveraging more than $570,000 dollars of local community investment.
	Last year, total costs for the Community & Economic Development projects completed were approximately $50 million dollars, with local communities and private business leveraging $19.5 million dollars against the $30.8 million dollars provided through state and federal funding sources.

This month we celebrate Older Americans Month, a nationwide observation held each year. The theme for celebrations this year is Engage at Every Age; it emphasizes that you are never too old (or young) to take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also celebrates the many ways in which older adults make a difference in our communities.

Participating in activities that promote mental and physical wellness, offering your wisdom and experience to the next generation, seeking the mentorship of someone with more life experience than you-those are just a few examples of what being engaged can mean. No matter where you are in your life, there is no better time than now to start.

This Month, Take Your Selfie & Post #OAM18 
Older Americans Month is a great time to show the world you are never too old (or too young) to enrich your life and your community. Snap a selfie or have someone take a photo of your participating in activities that improve your mental and physical well-being. Then post it with the hashtag.   

A workshop for the public to look at Ohio's transportation system of tomorrow!

Details and a survey link, in case you can't attend, at Access.Ohio.gov

Many caregivers are tasked with monitoring and paying bills for utilities and more. Do you read through the utility bills each month? When you do, if you don't recognize charges that companies list, you may be paying for services not authorized.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel cautions about scams known as "slamming or cramming."

Being "Slammed"
It is illegal for a utility to switch an electric, natural gas or telephone service provider without authorization. This is known as slamming.

Being "Crammed"
When a bill includes charges for a service not requested, you may have been crammed. The charges are usually small, typically $9.99 or less, and are easy to overlook.

To avoid these scams, pay careful attention to your bills. If you have questions about a bill, contact the utility, the Ohio Consumers' Counsel or the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

Ohio Consumers' Counsel provides a more in-depth fact sheet on these topics. Download the fact sheet here.

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.

We thank the nursing staff at Buckeye Hills Regional Council for the way they inspire, innovate and influence! Thanks for the work you do across the region. Thanks too for all the nurses working hard to serve residents across our eight counties!

Vicki Bennett, RN Kay Brammer, RN Lori Chesnet, RN Sheena Childress, RN Erin Davis, RN Jessica Davis, RN Tisha Hanifan, RN Belinda Hawks, RN Judy Kuhn, RN April Labonte, RN

Lynn Linscott, RN Beth Miller, RN Beth Richardson, RN Rebecca Conatser, RN Kara Schoonover, RN Kim Urban, RN Darlene Vandine, LPN Rhonda Varhola, RN Terri Whitlatch, RN Jayne Yates, RN

Learn More About Medicare
"Extra Help"

If you meet certain income and resource limits, you may qualify for Extra Help from Medicare to pay the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. "Extra Help" is not a Medicare Supplement insurance program. It is a service of Medicare.

In 2018, costs are no more than $3.35 for each generic/$8.35 for each brand-name covered drug. It can help lower your prescription co-pays; cover all or part of your Medicare part D monthly premiums or eliminate the "doughnut hole" of coverage for medications.

Certified staff are ready to answer questions, share information and help you apply over-the phone with just one simple phone call! Call 1-800-331-2644, today!

Download a Medicare "Extra Help" brochure