COA's Summer 2018 Newsletter

Summer 2018

Public hearing set to present updated Area Plan for Programs on Aging

As our region's Area Agency on Aging, Council on Aging (COA) is charged with helping communities and individuals to plan and prepare for their long-term care needs. In April, COA issued a survey to gather information and opinions from people in our service area to help us update our Area Plan for Programs on Aging. COA will present the 2019-2022 Area Plan at a public hearing on Tuesday, August 7 at 1:30 p.m. at our headquarters located at 175 Tri County Parkway, Cincinnati 45246.

The summer heat is on: help seniors to stay safe!

Perhaps more than any other group, older adults should pay special attention to heat waves and heat emergency warnings. More than younger people, seniors are susceptible to heat-related illnesses and injuries.

Get the facts about Medicaid Estate Recovery when considering a Medicaid long-term-care program

There’s no doubt about it: the rules and regulations that govern Ohio’s Medicaid programs that provide alternatives to nursing home care can sometimes feel onerous and difficult to understand. This can be especially so when you or a loved need help, and are trying to understand the effect the rules may have on your finances and your future.

Council on Aging News

Free workshops help you understand, plan for long-term care needs

Do you have questions about long-term care planning – for yourself or a loved-one? Council on Aging's Own Your Future workshop can help you understand your options for long-term care, what to expect from Medicare and Medicaid, and how you can pay for care. Expert speakers cover topics including estate and financial planning, Medicare and Medicaid, advance directives, and long-term care options.

The free workshops are scheduled during September and October in West Chester and Loveland. Registration is required.

More information

COA opens two new congregate meal sites in Butler County

The cafeteria is filled with chatter as people gather and take their usual seats before lunch. The residents of Belle Tower Apartments are socializing as they await a meal they look forward to and rely on.

COA partners with WeTHRIVE!

Council on Aging recently became a partner of Hamilton County Public Health’s (HCPH) WeTHRIVE! initiative, which strives to improve the health, safety and vitality of communities within the HCPH service area.

COA continues BBB accreditation

Council on Aging is pleased to announce that we have maintained our Better Business Bureau (BBB) Accredited Charity status, meeting the organization’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

COA tapped to participate in national learning collaborative

Council on Aging is one of only 10 organizations throughout the country chosen to participate in the National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) Medicare Reimbursement Learning Collaborative (MRLC) during 2018-19.

COA celebrates anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

July 26 marks the 28 ^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Council on Aging will celebrate with other ADA supporters with a honk and wave from 1-3 p.m. at the corner of Northland Blvd. and Tri County Parkway, near its headquarters in Springdale. A Disability Pride Walk will step off from Smale Riverfront Park at 4 p.m.

ADRN Updates

Cincinnati's Smart911 system could help older adults, people with disabilities in an emergency

The City of Cincinnati recently launched Smart911, a new technology that provides 911 call takers and first responders with crucial information about participating residents in emergency situations.

How will the Ohio DD waiver waiting list rule change affect me?

An initiative led by various stakeholders has resulted in a simplification of the Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Waiting List to focus on meeting current needs and improve access to resources. The change goes into effect September 1.

Ohio's county boards are communicating with their constituents about how this change will affect them. In Hamilton County, the developmental disabilities board is holding a series of information sessions to explain the rule change. Click here for the schedule.

Study highlights aging, long-term care concerns of LGBT older adults

Three out of four adults age 45 and older who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) say they are concerned about having enough support from family and friends as they age. This past March, AARP released a report, Maintaining Dignity: Understanding and Responding to the Challenges Facing Older LGBT Americans, which provides insights for professionals about the concerns and preferences of middle-aged LGBT adults.

Laubert appointed ODA director

Beverly Laubert was sworn in as director of the Ohio Department of Aging in June after serving as interim director since December 2017.

HEAP Summer Crisis Program accepting applications

The HEAP Summer Crisis program can help older adults and people with certain chronic health conditions with summer cooling needs. Applications are being accepted through August 31.

Three local residents inducted into Ohio's senior hall of fame

Congratulations to Sister Sally Duffy, Gary G. Miller and John A. Ruthven for their induction into the 2018 Class of Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame sponsored the Ohio Department of Aging.

These outstanding individuals join more than 450 Ohioans age 60 or older who have been inducted into the hall of fame since 1977. An induction ceremony took place on May 31 at the Ohio Statehouse Atrium.

Updated Profile of Older Americans now available

The 2017 Profile of Older Americans is now available from the Administration on Aging (AoA). Each year, AoA produces this annual summary of the latest statistics on the older population, which serves as a resource for professionals with an interest in the changing demographics of the 65+ population in our country.

Download the document here.

National COA aims to increase SNAP participation

Nearly 60% of eligible seniors are not enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This "senior SNAP gap" is fueled by misunderstandings about the program. National Council on Aging has created a fact sheet offering vital information for older adults who worry SNAP isn't for them.

Individuals can check here to see if they qualify.

Video highlights Aetna and Ohio AAA partnerships

Aetna Better Health of Ohio has produced a video that highlights its partnerships with three Ohio Area Agencies on Aging (including COA) to coordinate the care of its waiver members who are part of the MyCare Ohio program.

You can watch the video here .

The results are in. How did your facility rank?

The Ohio Department of Aging has released the results of its 2017 long-term care satisfaction survey. For the survey, residents of Ohio's nursing homes and assisted living facilities rate their providers on their care and everyday life. The survey data is intended to assist those shopping for a nursing home or long-term care facility.

Full survey results are available here .

News You Can Use

Falls can be dangerous, but are preventable

By Paula Smith, COA Communications Manager

I live in a multigenerational household including my spouse, two small children and my mother. We are also fortunate to receive frequent visits from the kids’ other grandparents – even 95-year-old great-grandpa. As it is in many homes with small children, the floors of our home are often littered with toys – matchbox cars, legos, and other small objects that bring tears to your eyes when you step on them.

New Medicare card mailing update

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began mailing new Medicare cards in May to the first of seven “waves” of mailings, each of which has specific states assigned to it. Wave 2 card mailings have now begun, while mailings to people in Wave 1 states and those nationwide who are new to Medicare continue.

Visit the ODA Expo on senior day at the Ohio State Fair

On Tuesday, July 31, be sure to check out the Ohio Department of Aging's “Well Beyond 60!” Expo during senior day at the fair. The event features free health screenings and educational activities and is free with fair admission, which is only $4 all day for visitors age 60 and older.

More information

Caregiving Corner

Caregiving is vital for people with disabilities

While the caregiving needs of older adults is grabbing a lot of headlines lately, there are also millions of unpaid caregivers in our country who are providing care for individuals with disabilities.

The Arc of the United States recently released its Family & Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) Community Report 2017. The study assessed the state of caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. And while the populations are different, there are many parallels in the experiences and challenges of both caregiver groups.

Read the study here.

Helping doctors help caregivers

The American Medical Association has just released Caring for the Caregiver: A Guide for Physicians, designed to help physicians understand the challenges of informal caregiving and the impact that caregiver burnout can have on patient care.

The guide is available here.