 |
|
Rymer Inducted to Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
Ohio Department of Aging inducts 12 into Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
Older Ohioans honored for lifelong achievements, contribution to community
Membership in the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame grew to 474 in 2018 with the induction of 12 outstanding older Ohioans. The honorees hail from communities all around the state and have diverse interests that have positioned them as leaders and key contributors within their communities.
"Our elders play vital roles in their professions, their vocations and their communities throughout their lives," said Beverley Laubert, interim director of the department. "We believe in celebrating the relevance of our elders every day. When provided with opportunities to continue to grow, thrive and contribute, older adults make our state and everyone living here stronger."
The Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame was established in 1977 to honor Ohioans age 60 and older for achievements and contributions to others, the roles they play in their communities, state and nation, and for what they do to promote productive and enjoyable lives. Their stories are compelling and represent lifetimes of dedication, ingenuity, perseverance, kindness and compassion. This year's inductees range in age from 63 to 97.
The honorees were officially inducted into the Hall of Fame during a special ceremony held at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium. Staff from the Department of Aging and Ohio's area agencies on aging joined state legislators in recognizing the inductees and thanking them for their contributions.
2018 Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
Inductee from Buckeye Hills Region:
Gail J. Rymer, PhD
, Little Hocking -
Dr. Rymer believes that all human beings deserve to live with dignity and respect and have opportunities to remain engaged with the world around them. She has been a vocal advocate against elder abuse in her southeast Ohio community through her private practice and community involvement. She helped start the Southeast Ohio Elder Abuse Commission. Read More About Dr. Rymer
Legislators serving the BHRC region c
ongratulated
Dr. Gail Rymer.
|
Aaron Dauterman, representing State Senator Frank Hoagland's office with Dr. Rymer.
|
State Representative Jay Edwards with Dr. Rymer.
|
|
|
Public Notice: Heightened Scrutiny Packages for Public Comments
Pursuant to federal regulations, the Ohio Department of Aging has provided public notice and is receiving comments on eight non-residential settings (businesses) that may furnish the adult day health service in the Nursing Facility-based LOC waivers. These businesses are seeking to provide services through the home and community-based waivers which include Assisted Living, My Care Ohio, Ohio Home Care, and the PASSPORT waivers. The comment period closes July 15, 2018.
|
|
|
|
Erin Davis, RN, with Ruth Wilcox, Senior Center Director for Monroe County.
|
Provider Development Team Supports Aging & Disability Program Providers
GMN Tri-County Community Action, Inc. Noble and Monroe Senior Services Sites Both Receive Perfect Ratings!
The Buckeye Hills Regional Council Provider Development staff is active throughout the year supporting the region's Aging & Disability Program providers. Whether it's providing technical assistance, training or annual monitoring processes, they are ready to support providers as they provide quality services to seniors across the 8-county district.
"Across the region, we support more than one-hundred traditional providers and about 35 Independent providers," said Rhonda Varhola, RN,
The Provider Development Team recently conducted a monitoring of GMN Tri-County Community Action, Inc., the parent company who administers the senior centers in Noble and Monroe counties. GMN's services are varied and include PASSPORT and Title III (Older Americans Act) homemaker, respite, transportation as well as congregate and home-delivered meals.
Rhonda and Erin Davis, RN, are shown completing the annual GMN monitoring process at the Monroe site. During these reviews, they ensure providers are meeting standards, following regulations and ensure staff certifications and training are current.
Following their reviews at the senior centers in Noble and Monroe counties, Rhonda was pleased to share with GMN's Senior Services Director, Michelle Hollins the good news that both sites received perfect ratings!
"I have been with GMN as the Senior Services Director for 14 years and this is our first perfect review," shared Hollins behind a big smile!
Thanks to our quality providers like GMN across the region! Keep up the great work!
|
|
| Rhonda and Erin looking over a few of the randomly selected consumer charts at the Monroe monitoring. |
|
Area Residents Benefit from Home Accessibility & Repair Options
Nestled near the creek off the National Forest Scenic by-way in Monroe County is a log home with a new handicap access ramp. For individuals like home owner Heather Haslam trying to "age in place" or those with disabilities working for independence, the Buckeye Hills Regional Council's Home
Accessibility Modifications and Minor Home Repair
program is making a difference.
Administered through Buckeye Hills in its 8-county southeast Ohio region, the program makes
grants available for income-eligible families or individuals with a disability of any age or seniors 60+ who own their home or have a life estate in the property.
"Heather's lupus diagnosis and chronic heart condition have her acutely aware of what's to come with her conditions," said Joe Gage, Buckeye Hills Housing Coordinator. "For residents like Heather who qualify, program funds may be used to assist with the costs associated with accessibility modifications such as widening doorways, wheelchair ramps, handicap modifications of a bathroom or kitchen and other minor home repairs."
Gage is also an Aging-In-Place Specialist through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) developed to support the growing number of consumers that need "age in place" housing modifications.
"They did a wonderful job with the ramp project," shared Haslam. "My neighbor was even asking about who helped me with it." She added that as her condition declines, she recently got her new wheelchair and is now getting used to navigating with it on the new ramp.
The program will assess the home for eligible repairs and develop specifications for repair and bid the project to qualified contractors to complete the modifications. Gage is responsible for administering the BHRC Housing Program across the 8-county region. He can help eligible residents answer questions such as "how can I make my kitchen more functional; how do I modify my bathroom or home entrance and what type of contractor should I use?"
Resources are available to fund accessibility modifications for income eligible families or individuals with a disability of any age or for minor home repairs for those income eligible over 60 years of age who own their home or have a life estate in the property. In 2018: One-person households served under this activity must be at or below the $21,500 annual income level. For more information, call 1-800-331-2644 or visit www.buckeyehills.org.
|
Elder Abuse Awareness Day Observed
Members of the Buckeye Hills Regional Council board members and staff encouraged awareness of elder abuse on June 15 by wearing purple.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is celebrated on June 15 of each year. BHRC encouraged residents to wear purple and learn more. We recognize older adults and the people who serve them as vital partners in our communities.
|
|
Exercise could be your loved one's best bet to reduce the risk of falling
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its recommendations on the best ways to prevent falls in older adults. The strongest finding indicates that exercise programs focused on strength and resistance training, as well as balance and gait, help reduce the risk of falls. Checking someone's medications, vision and home environment also is effective, but the real key to staying on your feet is continued exercise.
A Matter of Balance, available through your area agency on aging, is a program that helps reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Participants learn about the importance of exercise in preventing falls; practice exercises to improve strength, coordination and balance; see how to conduct a home safety evaluation; and gain strategies to get up and down safely. Participants engage in 25 minutes of exercise at the start of each class.
Any type of exercise helps, from lifting your legs while you watch TV and marching in place, to walking, to exercise programs like yoga and tai chi. One exercise that can help build your strength and balance is Sit-To-Stands:
- Stand tall with your back facing a sturdy chair and your feet hip-width apart. (If you need to, hold onto the wall or a sturdy piece of furniture for balance. As you get stronger, do this without holding onto anything.)
- Sit back and slowly lower your hips onto the chair as gently as possible.
- Without swinging your torso, push through your heels to
stand up.
- Perform 10 times.
Visit www.steadyu.ohio.gov for more strength and balance building exercises and to find tips and resources to help you prevent falls.
|
|
Leaders Needed!
Chronic Disease Self-Management Leader Training
July 9, 10, 11 & 12
9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
701 E. State St. Athens, OH
Help others learn to take control of their chronic disease and improve their quality of life. Becoming a trained Leader for the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program takes only 4 days. Training is conducted by Certified Master Trainers. There is no cost for this training. Help others learn to take control of their chronic disease and improve their quality of life.
To register contact: Joyce Lewis or Susan Pitts at 740-594-3535.
Lunch will be on your own.
Download a Flyer
Subjects include:
- Techniques to deal with frustration, pain and fatigue
- Exercise
- Medications
- Communication
- Nutrition
- Making informed treatment decisions
This training is made possible through a partnership between United Seniors of Athens County, Inc.; Buckeye Hills Regional Council and the Lifestyle Change Network.
Matter of Balance Leader Training to Be Rescheduled
The Falls Prevention Education Coach Training that was set for June is being rescheduled.
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! Please contact Mindy Cayton at 1-800-331-2644 ext. 2660 to express interest in the training.
Recent Community Classes Have Great Outcomes
A variety of Evidence-Based Health Education classes have recently completed. The Matter of Balance class in Meigs County had 13 participants with 11 completing; The Meigs Healthy U program had 7 complete the class and the Chronic Disease Self-Management leader training concluded in May with 9 new leaders trained and ready to host programs in their areas!
The Washington County Oriana House, a community corrections and chemical dependency treatment agency, hosted 17 individuals in the Chronic Pain Self-Management class. Here are a few comments from participants in the first workshop series:
"Taught self-management tools I can use everyday."
"Thank you to the people that came to present this class to us. It has helped a lot and I believe it will continue to help every day in life."
"Just thanks for providing us with the tools to move positively forward to a Healthy U."
|
|
Sen
ior Day & W
ellness Expo
Join The Ohio Department of Aging and others at the free health and Wellness EXPO scheduled for
July 31! 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
We're on LinkedIn!
|
|
|
|
|
|
