Council on Aging News for Butler County | |
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Community First Solutions and partner agencies step in to fill gaps following Central Connections contract termination
Last July, Council on Aging made the difficult decision to terminate its contracts with Central Connections. Located in Middletown, Central Connections provided services including congregate and home-delivered meals, transportation and other supportive services to more than 1,300 older adults, most of whom live in Butler County. Other provider agencies – including Community First Solutions in Butler County – stepped in to ensure impacted older adults did not go without services. Click here to read more.
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Council on Aging, MidPointe Library partner to host Aug. 8 lunch and resource fair
Save the date for a free event, 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Aug. 8 in Monroe, 6 East Avenue, 45050. Council on Aging and a team of experts will be available to discuss local programs, services and resources for older adults and caregivers. Lunch will also be provided but a reservation is required. Reserve a lunch by calling (513) 424-1251 or register online by clicking here.
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Dealing with high utility bills? Apply for help through the Butler County Utility Assistance Program.
The weather may be mild, but many older adults are feeling the impact of high winter utility bills. The Butler County Utility Assistance Program can help. The program provides a one-time credit to gas or electric bills for qualifying older adults. Click here to learn more and apply.
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ESP helps Middletown man adapt to major life changes
Sometimes we decide to make changes in our life. And sometimes, life decides for us. Changes certainly happened to Leamul. Through necessity, Leamul, 61, had to make big life changes. When those changes got the better of him, the Butler County Elderly Services Program (ESP) helped him through. Click here to read more.
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COA helps clients navigate complex Medicaid journey
The road a typical Medicaid waiver client travels from their first contact with Council on Aging to the program where they will remain for the long term is often long and complex. Fortunately, COA has many experts to guide applicants through this process. Click here to read more.
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Grant will help expand transitional care program in Butler County
In 2023, Council on Aging’s FastTrack Home pilot in Butler County expanded to include the program’s full range of services. FastTrack Home is a service of the Butler County Elderly Services Program. It provides in-home care services when many older adults need them most – as they are leaving the hospital or nursing home.
To help FastTrack Home continue to serve as many older adults in Butler County as possible, the McCullough-Hyde Foundation awarded COA a $10,000 grant to support the program in the county. Read the full story by clicking here.
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Council on Aging releases 2023 ESP Annual Report
As the Administrator of the Elderly Services Program in Butler County, COA annually prepares and releases an annual report, detailing the impact the program has on county residents and the community at large. In 2023, ESP served 4,224 county residents with services that helped them remain safe and independent in their homes. Click here to read more and access the report.
COA also released its 2023 Impact Report. Click here for more information.
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Local leaders, businesses and home health aides recognized at 2024 Annual Meeting and Awards
Council on Aging's 53rd Annual Meeting and Awards celebration was held on March 6. At the meeting, many individuals were recognized for their hard work which improves life for older adults and people with disabilities throughout our region. Click here to read more.
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Get the news you need: 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. | |
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Council on Aging celebrates Older Americans month
Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is celebrated every May. Led by the federal Administration for Community Living, Older Americans Month is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends and reaffirm commitments to serving older adults in our communities. This year's theme is Powered by Connection.
Council on Aging is your local connection to services available to older adults and their caregivers. Read more here.
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COA graduates first class of Emerging Professionals
Council on Aging’s innovative Emerging Professionals Program immerses recent college graduates in a wide range of functions at Council on Aging, providing valuable, real-world training and experience working within a care management organization. The first class of Emerging Professionals joined COA in 2023 and included students from Miami University, Xavier University, The Ohio State University, the University of Cincinnati and Thomas Moore University. A celebration was held May 7 to mark the first classes’ graduation. Click here to read more.
For more about the Emerging Professionals program, click here.
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COA hiring LSWs and RNs
Looking for flexible hours, generous benefits and opportunities to progress your career while working within a hybrid workforce?
COA is seeking LSWs and RNs for a Clinical Supervisor and multiple Care Manager positions. Licensed candidates are eligible for a $1,000 signing bonus! See all open positions and apply today by clicking here.
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Be a paid caregiver through Participant Directed Care
Are you a compassionate individual seeking a rewarding, flexible, high-demand career? Are you already caring for a loved one or are you aiming to kickstart your healthcare career while pursuing further education? Medicaid waiver clients need assistance from individual providers to help them remain independent at home. COA can help you get certified as a paid, in-home caregiver and connected with clients who need in-home care services. Click here for more information.
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home52 Transportation selected for national transportation innovation showcase
home 52 Transportation, a service of Council on Aging's home52 subsidiary, was selected for inclusion in the 2023 National Aging and Disability Transportation Center's Innovations Showcase, a publication highlighting 14 transportation programs selected through a nationwide competition that showcases creative thinking and effective resource utilization in the transportation sector serving older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. Read more here.
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Council on Aging Board of Trustees Member Profile: Dr. Karen Bankston
Dr. Karen Bankston joined COA's Board of Trustees in 2020 and currently serves as the board's vice chair. In addition to being a Professor Emerita, a leadership consultant, a retired hospital executive and former University of Cincinnati faculty, Dr. Bankston was recently honored by the Urban League with the Glorifying the Lions award. Read more about Dr. Bankston here.
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Accounting manager rewarded by 'servant leadership' aspect of working for COA
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 Janice enjoys mastering project and fund accounting for COA programs. Recently, she was named to the Urban League's African American Leadership Development Program (AALDP.)
Click here to read Janice's story.
Click here to see a video about working at COA.
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ODA is looking for caregivers. COA can help with the provider application process
Are you a compassionate individual looking for a rewarding, flexible, high-demand career? Are you already caring for a loved one or are you aiming to kickstart your healthcare career while pursuing further education? If so, we can help you become certified as a paid, in-home caregiver as well as connect you with clients.
For more information. click here.
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Celebrating a successful 2024 Forum on Aging
At Council on Aging's 2024 Forum on Aging, presented by Global Meals, more than 350 aging services professionals gathered to network, learn and be inspired. The two-day conference, held March 5-6, offered attendees the opportunity to earn up to 12 continuing education credits. Many parties helped make the event successful, including event sponsors and the conference planning committee. Click here for more information about our conference partners.
The 2025 Forum on Aging will be held March 4-5, 2025 at the Sharonville Convention Center.
If you are interested in helping to plan the 2025 conference, please submit your resume and a brief statement of interest to Amy Leonhardt.
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COA in the Community
COA's Outreach Bureau is a service available to area businesses and organizations to provide education through speaking engagements and information tables at events. The Outreach Bureau shares information about COA programs and services for older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers. Learn more by clicking here.
If you know of a business or organization that would benefit from having COA brochures for display, please contact COA Communications by clicking here.
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March for Meals in Oxford
COA representatives joined Oxford Seniors for the 22nd Annual March for Meals. The event celebrates the anniversary of President Richard Nixon signing a measure to amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program in 1972. More than 150 walkers participated, including teams from COA, McCullough-Hyde/TriHealth and Miami University. The event raised more than $2,300.
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National Council on Aging needs your support
The National Council on Aging is asking for your support in their advocacy efforts for the needs of older adults. They are currently advocating for expanded Medicare Part D coverage; enhanced senior center and workforce development support; Medicare affordability; and investments in community-level aging services. You can learn more and take action from home by clicking here.
To read about COA's commitment to advocating for the needs of older adults, click here.
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Community-based partnerships bring health and wellness programs to older adults and caregivers
Approximately 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease which may impact their ability to perform everyday activities and limit their independence.
Council on Aging offers a variety of free health and wellness programs designed with older adults and caregivers in mind. Workshops are offered at community-based locations (host sites) across its five-county service area.
“We have been blessed with the support of the COA team providing technical support, supplies and encouragement; not to mention the attention to training and updates. We have been able to provide life-changing information and support to our congregation and beyond,” said Norah Bertschy, parish nurse at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Click here to read more.
Click here to learn about COA’s health and wellness workshops - including the upcoming Bingocize workshop at Willow Knoll in Middletown - and to find a list of workshops currently enrolling participants,
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Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program transitions to electronic system for 2024 season
The Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) will be available again this summer for eligible participants who will receive a $50 voucher to use at participating farmers' markets and roadside stands to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and herbs. This year the program will use an e-solution called “Homegrown Benefits” to redeem the vouchers in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Aging. All past participants must re-apply yearly. The application process will open soon. Visit our website to learn more.
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Experiencing social isolation? Consider chatting online.
Social isolation is a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. The National Institute on Aging conducted a study revealing regular online conversations show potential cognitive benefit for socially isolated older adults. Read more here.
Participation in COA's free Health and Wellness workshops is a also fun way to connect with others. Read more about COA's workshops here.
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Tips to stay cool in upcoming warm weather
Spring is officially here, which means summer's warm temperatures are coming soon. Perhaps more than any other group, older adults should pay special attention to heat waves and heat emergency warnings. To find out why and to learn strategies for staying cool, click here.
Click here for tips from the Ohio Department of Aging.
Learn tips from the National Institute on Aging by clicking here.
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Council on Aging programs and staff were featured in these local news stories:
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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. | | | | |
