Council On Aging Of Southwestern Ohio

Programs: Community-based in-home services - our programs make it possible for frail older adults and individuals of all ages with disabilities to remain independent in their homes and avoid unnecessary hospitalization and nursing home placement. Long-term care services include meals on wheels, medical transportation, homemaking help, personal care (bathing and grooming), medical equipment, home modification and more. In ffy 2017, we served more than 21,000 individuals in our multi-county region with home and community-based services, including those helped through ohio medicaid waiver programs and via county tax levy programs in butler, clinton, hamilton and warren counties. Medicaid waiver programs include passport (in-home care for ages 60+); assisted living waiver (assisted living care for ages 21+); ohio home care waiver (in-home care for ages 59 and under); and mycare ohio waivers (coordinated care for individuals who are dually-eligible for medicare and medicaid). In-home care is preferred by more than 90 percent of seniors, according to surveys by aarp and other organizations. In addition, the cost for in-home care is, on average, about one-third the cost of care in a nursing home. Because taxpayers fund most nursing home care (via medicaid), in-home care alternatives are a valuable and compassionate way to save public funds.

community-based senior care activities - these include a range of services designed to help older adults remain healthy, active and connected to their communities. Additional services provide legal assistance to low-income older adults and protect the rights of those in nursing homes. Services are provided by senior centers and other community organizations that have contracts with council on aging. One of the most important services in this category is transportation. In ffy 2017, 3,801 seniors within our 5-county region received transportation services funded by title iii of the older americans act. Most trips are for medical appointments, but transportation for shopping, other errands, and recreation is also provided. Funding for transportation falls far short of community need. Additional community-based services in ffy 2017 included congregate meals for 10,340 older adults; caregiver support and wellness programs for 4,499 individuals (including people caring for individuals with alzheimer's); legal assistance for 1,748 seniors; ombudsman representation for 7,450 individuals in nursing homes and receiving in-home care; and recreation activities for 31,293 older adults via area senior centers.

care & case management services- care manager professionals assess, develop care plans, implement, monitor, and coordinate a range of services and supports to maintain the independence, health and safety of frail older adults and individuals of all ages with disabilities. Care managers ensure clients and health plan members receive the right services, in the rights amounts, at the right times. In ffy 2017, council on aging provided care management services to more than 21,000 individuals.

information, referral and assessment: our aging and disability resources center serves as our call center, a "front door" to services and unbiased information for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, professionals, and civic and community leaders. As the area agency on aging for five counties in southwestern ohio, we are a central source of information and the place where many people make their first call to ask about what services are available to help older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. We responded to more than 46,000 requests for information and referral in ffy 2017. Our call center is staffed with information and referral specialists and can be reached monday through friday from 7 a. M. To 6 p. M. At 800-252-0155 or online any time at www. Help4seniors. Org. Separate referral forms are available via our website for general public inquiries and for referrals from professionals.