Council on Aging's Answers on Aging and Independence

Winter 2024

Council on Aging News for Butler County

Council on Aging's Forum on Aging, presented by Global Meals. is back with a fantastic lineup of nationally-recognized speakers who are set to help our aging services colleagues as they network, learn and be inspired! Nurses, social workers, certified care managers and nursing home administrators can earn up to 12 CEUs at the two-day conference, March 5-6 at the Sharonville Convention Center.

The conference lineup features topics designed to meet the needs of Ohio’s aging network workforce: Ageism, caring for the aging brain, scams and fraud that target older adults, Medicaid, Social Security, social work ethics and much more. Register online today for the best value!

Introduce your company to 400+ professionals by becoming a sponsor of Forum on Aging

It's not too late to become a Forum on Aging sponsor. A variety of sponsorship opportunities are still available for your company to be seen by Forum participants - all of whom are professionals in the aging and disability field.

Click here for more information, or contact Amy Leonhardt.

'COA is a great team with a great mission'

The list of reasons to join the team at Council on Aging is long, but it starts with our mission to help individuals remain independent in their homes. COA staff member John enjoys the company culture, as well as connecting community members to resources to support their health and independence. Click here to read his story.

Click here to see a video about working at COA.

COA seeking grads for Emerging Professionals cohort

In 2023, COA successfully launched its Emerging Professionals Program, giving six college graduates the opportunity to experience valuable, real-world training working within a care management organization.

We are now accepting applications for our 2024 cohort, which begins in June. Visit our website for details and qualifications and to apply for this exciting program!

COA is also hiring...

We are also seeking LSWs and RNs for Care Management, Assessor and Clinical Supervisor positions and candidates for Senior Administrative Assistant and Contract Auditor positions. For information on these positions, click here.

COA partners with Butler Behavioral Health to provide mental health services to county residents

Maintaining mental health is especially important for older adults. Recently, COA and representatives from Butler Behavioral Health and Jewish Family Services participated in a discussion on this topic on WVXU's Cincinnati Edition. Listen to the 20-minute interview here.

Council on Aging and Butler Behavioral Health partner to offer Uplift in Butler County. Click here (and then scroll down) to read about Uplift, a unique program designed with older adults' mental health needs in mind.

Butler County older adults may be eligible for help with home repairs, utilities and emergency rental assistance

The Butler County Utility Assistance, Home Repair and Emergency Housing Assistance Program provides support for county residents who do not qualify for other assistance programs. Click here to learn more and apply.

Council on Aging works with Butler County MidPointe Library System to help residents share a meal

Butler County's MidPointe Library System, in partnership with COA, serves congregate meals at three locations: West Chester, Trenton and Monroe. A recent story from the Journal-News highlights the important role the congregate meal program plays in helping to reduce social isolation among older adults. Read the story here.

For more details on the program, click here.

Council on Aging Board of Trustees Member Profile: Jeff Rhein

Jeff Rhein joined COA's Board of Trustees in December and serves on the Board's Program Planning and SOAR sub-committees. He has extensive expertise in mental health services and also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Xavier University. Read the full story here.

COA staff wins Community Champion Award

Council on Aging's Provider Services team was selected as a recipient of a Clinton County Community Champion (C4) Award. The award, presented by the Clinton County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce, honor the businesses, community partners, and citizens who work to make Clinton County a wonderful community to live, work, and visit. Read more here.

News You Can Use

Programs provide utility and housing assistance to eligible older adults

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is accepting applications from low-income Ohioans who need assistance paying for winter heating. Deadline to apply is May 31, 2024.

Click here for qualifications and application information.

COA is administering several county-based programs aimed at providing support for eligible older adults who need assistance with utility bills, home repairs and emergency rent assistance. Programs vary by county and have limited capacity. Visit COA's website to learn about programs available in your area.

Where do you want to live as you age?

Nine out of ten people prefer to stay at home as they age - also known as "aging in place." At Council on Aging, we administer compassionate, cost-effective alternatives to nursing home care that align with our simple mission to help people remain independent in their own homes.

Click here to learn more about how we help make staying home a reality for older adults and people with disabilities throughout southwestern Ohio.

Click here to learn how COA has helped Allen remain at home. To learn more about aging in place from the National Institute on Aging, click here.

Tips for staying safe and warm in cold temperatures

For many reasons, older adults may have a harder time adjusting to extreme temperatures. Use the links below for information on how to prepare for winter weather and tips for staying warm and safe.

Winter safety for older adults | Ohio Department of Aging
Ways to stay warm this winter that won't break the bank | CNN
Practical tips for staying warm | Farmer's Almanac

Why is it important to stay connected?

Loneliness and social isolation are growing problems that can be particularly hard to combat in today's world. Loneliness and isolation can even lead to or further aggravate serious health conditions. Read on to learn more about the importance of staying socially connected and helpful tips on how to do it.

How to help older adults stay socially connected | Nat'l Council on Aging
Stay connected to combat loneliness and social isolation (video) | Nat'l Institute on Aging
Loneliness and social isolation linked to serious health conditions | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Participation in COA's free Health and Wellness workshops is a fun way to connect with others. Read more about COA's workshops here.

Health and Wellness

Expanded Mental Health Care access for People with Medicare

For many older adults and people with disabilities, access to mental health care can sometimes be tricky. The Mental Health Access Improvement Act of 2021 promises to modernize the way Medicare covers this care. Read more here.

Recently, COA was part of an important discussion about this very topic. Listen to the 20-minute WVXU interview here.

COA's Health and Wellness workshops help older adults better manage their own health

Council on Aging offers a variety of free Health and Wellness programs designed with older adults and caregivers in mind. Here are just a few:

Diabetes, Chronic Pain and Chronic Disease self-management workshops
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
Bingocize

Click here to learn more and register.

COA in the News

Council on Aging programs and staff were featured in these local news stories:

What's happening in health: Caregivers and AddnAide (fast forward to 32-min. mark) | Local 12
New Medicare expansion helps seniors with access to mental health resources | WVXU
'Everything is different.' The library where grieving strangers become friends | Journal-News
In-home care for Ohio seniors in demand (video) | Spectrum News
COA offers input into enhancing the well-being of older adults | Wilmington News Journal
COA launches no-cost home modification program to help low income older adults age in place | Wilmington News Journal
'Makes life worthwhile': Tri-State adult day centers help reduce 'caregiver burnout', but there's not enough | WCPO

Not interested in news from Butler County?

Click the "Update Profile" link in the footer of this email to update your contact details and choose the county for which you would like to receive news and updates. For general COA news and updates, select the "COA General News" option.

Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. We promote choice, independence, dignity and well-being through a range of services that help people remain in their homes for as long as possible.

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