A message from the DSAS Interim Administrator |
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May is a very busy month here at DSAS. We look forward to the warmer temperatures, but also to the increased exposure through community events and opportunities to reach more people and offer them supports and services they are seeking. One way we are making it easy to get help is through our new “DSAS Connection Center.” This free service provides a fast, convenient way to connect with us to find the support you need. Get connected today by calling 216-420-6700!
May is also National Nurses Month, a time to celebrate our nurses. The pandemic has been especially challenging for those in the medical field. We cannot stress enough how much we appreciate our nurses flexibility, strength, compassion, tenacity, and bravery during this season. Our nurses were on the frontlines performing temperature checks and screening across all County offices and were resilient enough to navigate not only this, but to continue to serve the frailest of our clients.
We’ve asked some of our team members to share their thoughts on being a nurse and how the profession has impacted their lives.
Please take a few moments to watch a recap of our “Aging While Black” health education webinar, learn about our work with those living with HIV/AIDS, view current job postings and register for our upcoming Elder Abuse Awareness Forum.
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Natasha Pietrocola, Interim Administrator
Division of Senior and Adult Services
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Our New "DSAS Connection Center" helps
older adults get connected to services
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Cuyahoga County residents age 60 and over can get connected to services and programs to help them age successfully by contacting the Division of Senior and Adult Services’ (DSAS) new “Connection Center.” The “DSAS Connection Center” is a free service staffed by trained social workers with extensive knowledge of the programs available to assist eligible adults over 60 and adults ages 18-59 living with disabilities.
Formerly referred to as the “Centralized Intake Line,” the “DSAS Connection Center” provides seamless handling of customer calls to facilitate response, tracking and follow up by DSAS and our extensive network of partners and providers. In 2021, DSAS received over 17,000 calls for services, information, referrals and reports of elder abuse. Top reasons for contacting DSAS last year included reports of self-neglect, COVID-19 resources, homemaking services and home delivered meals.
The “DSAS Connection Center” can be reached at 216-420-6700. The Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for general assistance, and twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, for reports of elder abuse.
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Older Americans Month celebrates "Age My Way" |
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Every May, DSAS joins the national observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is “Age My Way,” and it helps us focus on how older adults can age in our communities, living independently for as long as possible and participating in ways we choose. While “Age My Way” will look different for each person, there are four key points to consider:
Planning: It’s essential for communities to think about what residents will need and want in the future, from home and community-based services to activities that interest them. With this in mind, DSAS is excited to announce our partnership with AARP and their “Age-Friendly Network of Communities.” This initiative will help us understand what Cuyahoga residents want and need to age successfully here, and guide us in putting a plan in place to make that vision a reality.
Participation: Stay engaged as you age through work, volunteer, and/or civic participation. Whether you enjoy a weekly chair yoga class at your community center, reading with children at a local school, a Monday golf league or singing in your church choir, participation contributes in a positive way to our community, as well as your health.
Access: According to the AARP’s 2018 Home and Community Preferences Survey, 77-percent of older adults prefer to age in place at home. Of those surveyed, one-third indicated that accessibility would be an issue for them as they aged. Accessibility improvements like home modifications, assistive technologies, and smart home devices can help you better age in place. DSAS’ Options for Independent Living Program helps make life more accessible by offering falls risks assessments in your home, transportation, emergency response buttons, grab bar installations and more. Call us to find out how we can help make your environment more accessible as you age.
Connection: It’s vital to maintain social activities so you don’t feel isolated from your community. Connecting at your local coffee shop, church, health club or community center can keep you engaged and offer a chance to maintain or build relationships. DSAS also makes it easier to connect to services. We just launched our “DSAS Connection Center,” a free service to assist eligible adults over 60 and adults ages 18-59 living with disabilities. Our “Connection Center” is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays for general assistance, and 24-hours a day for reports of elder abuse or neglect.
An Age-friendly community benefits us all by ensuring we have plenty of options for remaining active and independent for as long as possible. “Age Your Way” isn’t just a slogan – it’s a lifestyle. Visit our website to learn more about the many ways we are helping older residents live their best lives.
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Vaddie Todd 'Ages Her Way' by Helping Others |
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East Cleveland resident, Vaddie Todd is a shining example of "Age My Way," as she continues to make an impact on our community -- even at the young age of 105! Using participation and connection as means for staying youthful, Vaddie has dedicated her life to happiness, service and God's plan. Whether mentoring youth, working with older adults, or publishing a book -- which she just did last month -- Vaddie is committed to 'aging her way' and by always looking up and moving forward. Read our spotlight on Vaddie to learn more about this inspiring"Older American."
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2022 Elder Abuse Forum Coming June 13 |
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In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, DSAS is pleased to present the 2022 Cuyahoga County Elder Abuse Awareness Forum, “Cognition, Capacity and Connection.” This year’s in-person Forum will take place June 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging (BRI), 11899 Fairhill Rd. in Cleveland. The purpose of the Forum is to raise awareness of the issue of physical, emotional and financial abuse within the growing older adult population.
DSAS is pleased to welcome Dr. Ronan Factora as our keynote speaker. Dr. Ronan works with the Cleveland Clinic Center for Geriatric Medicine, is the Program Director for the Geriatric Medicine Fellowship, and Co-Director of the Aging Brain Clinic. He is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. His clinical interests include dementia and related disorders, normal pressure hydrocephalus, falls, and elder abuse.
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Smith Appointed to County HIV Health Council |
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The 35-member Council -- of which at least one-third of the members are persons living with HIV/AIDS -- plans for the comprehensive delivery of HIV/AIDS services and the allocation of resources for Northeast Ohio, helping identify HIV positive individuals and ensuring they receive appropriate care to improve health outcomes. The Council determines service priorities and funding allocations based on regional needs assessments and other relevant data.
Smith oversees DSAS’ Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Since 2012, DSAS has been the only local in-home care provider for the program, which offers comprehensive primary medical care, essential support services, and medications for low-income people living with HIV who are uninsured and underserved. In 2021, DSAS served 35 Cuyahoga County residents under the Ryan White Program.
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DSAS' 'Aging While Black' health webinar
busts myths and shares resources
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In honor of National Minority Health Month, DSAS presented, “Aging While Black: A Health Education Webinar.” The webinar, featuring guests David Smith, RN, DSAS Director of Nursing, and Dr. Greg Hall, African-American health expert, involved a candid discussion on the realities of “Aging While Black," and the health disparities that permeate our community. The speakers also shared resources and services that are available in Cuyahoga County to support older African-Americans and their caregivers. You can view the recording of the webinar above, and contact us at 216-420-6700 to find out how we can help you age successfully.
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Wear Purple Day is Coming! |
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Join us in wearing purple
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Wednesday, June 15
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Invite DSAS to your next event! |
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DSAS is once again making our rounds in the community! We are still practicing safety at events, but we are “out to spread the news about DSAS." In April, we were at the Office of Reentry's Expungement Clinic, the City of Richmond Heights' Community Fair, and MetroHealth's Minority Men's Health Fair, sharing information about our services and programs, including our new DSAS Connection Center and our "Aging While Black" health education webinar. This month, we'll be at the following event:
We enjoy meeting our residents! If your community or organization is hosting an event and would like DSAS to participate, contact us at dsascommunications@jfs.ohio.gov.
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We are looking for quality applicants who are interested in joining our team:
Family Service Aide 2 (STNA): This position renders personal care and homemaking services to elderly clients in a home environment within our Options for Independent Living and Home Support Services units.
Director of Nursing: Under the supervision of the Director of Nursing, this position supervises Nurse Supervisors and clerical staff, oversees nursing services, coordinates nursing activity, and provides quality assurance within the Home Care Skilled and Support Program. Provides 24-hour/day on call coverage for clinical issues. Assists in reviewing licensure and certification status.
Licensed Practical Nurse: Under the Supervision of a Registered Nurse, gathers, observes, collects, and documents client data to contribute to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing services. Provides nursing services to clients, prepares reports and records of nursing activities, and meet all requirements for agency, state and federal accreditation standards. Provides 24-hour/day on call coverage for clinical issues.
Program Officer 2: Provides direct assistance and information to seniors and adults with disabilities through our Information Services Unit /Aging and Disability Resource Network (ADRN) program. Arranges presentations, communicates with consumers, handles inquiries and assists with research. Works collaboratively with community partners, staff, volunteers and other departments in the agency to meet project goals.
Cuyahoga County offers a flexible work environment, paid time off and excellent benefits. Join our team today!
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Celebrating National Nurses Month 2022 |
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It's National Nurses Month -- and we are celebrating our amazing nursing staff here at DSAS. This year's theme is "Nurses Make A Difference" and we couldn't agree more! Our nurses are making a difference in our community daily -- helping our clients live their best lives. We asked a few of our nurses to share their thoughts on being a nurse and how the profession has impacted their lives ...
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Lorsonja Moore, ADN, BSN, RN
Home Support Unit
Nurses make a difference because it’s a 24/7 calling. The work does not begin and end with your designated shift or assigned clients. We’re called upon by family members, friends and colleagues for assistance and advice at all times. We care for others from their conception to their end of life. We provide service in the homes, hospitals, the community and abroad. As a nurse, we care for your mind, body and soul. Most importantly, we are advocates - the voice when you cannot speak, or when you are not being heard. I love being a nurse and my granddaughter thinks that’s my superpower.
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David Smith, Jr., RN
Director of Nursing
One of my most memorable days as a Nurse was a few months ago. I took care of a very young lady who was struggling to breathe due to COVID acquired pneumonia. She was breathing on a BiPaP machine. This machine is one step from a ventilator. I struggled for hours to get this patient’s oxygen levels to an acceptable level. Eventually I spoke to the physician and said we must do something else. The patient was intubated. I then spent hours fighting to keep her alive on the ventilator. The devastating reality of COVID was hard to ignore. It was a privilege to care for this young lady.
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Yania Turney, BSN, RN
Home Support Unit
There's a saying, "Not all Superheroes wear capes!" I can most definitely attest to that after being a Nurse for almost 14 years. My journey has allowed me to channel my inner Superpowers of being an advocate, confidante, educator, liaison and so much more. Not only do I strive to provide excellent care for my patients, I have developed the additional superpower to pay exceptional attention to detail when caring for my patients and see them in ways they might not even see themselves. It brings me great joy helping others and lifting their spirits.
Even though this line of work brings me great pleasure, Nursing (like other superheroes) requires great sacrifice. Often times being a Nurse, there is little time for rest. When I'm exhausted, I always find a way to push past what I may be experiencing for the betterment of my patients. I realize that for my patients, a day at home is always preferred over a day in a medical facility, so I do my best to care for them and make them feel as close to home as possible.
Doing my job would be IMPOSSIBLE without the incredible justice league of Superheroes I have working with me on a daily basis. Incredible people work with me, and are ALL essential to the care of those in need of medical care. Without them, there is no me. Together we are ALL superheroes, and I am proud to be among those that don’t wear capes.
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Kelly Clemings, MSN, BSN, RN
Adult Protective Services Unit
My passion for health care and nursing did not start as a happy experience. Every girl thinks her father is indestructible. I was no different. He was our protector, teacher, an ex-Marine. When I was around 10 years old, my father, had a stroke. His left side was paralyzed, he could not swallow, eat, walk or talk.
I could see the worry in my mother’s eyes and as any good middle child, wanted to help. So, I asked to go with her. It became a part of our routine. The first visit was difficult seeing my father, helpless, depending on others. But it was the others who would show me the power of teamwork, knowledge, compassion and caring! The nurses, doctors, therapists… all working for a common goal! To help my father.
I watched as he went from helpless to walking, eating and talking. The nurses, from ICU to Rehab were like superheroes… returning my father to the strong, hard-working, animal-loving man he was before!! The nurses had fed him, bathed him, pushed him, prayed with him, laughed and cried with him, and for that my family is forever grateful.
After seeing the care my Dad got, I too wanted to be a superhero... to help another father return home to his family. I am 42+ years into my nursing career… I’ve learned not all endings are happy, but all the people I have cared for were someone’s family or friend and deserved to be treated as if they were my own family.
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We're an Age-Friendly Community! Learn more ... |
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Have questions or need assistance?
Call the DSAS Connection Center 24-Hours A Day
216-420-6700
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Services and Solutions for Aging Successfully |
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