December 2023—January 2024, Vol. XXIV, No. 4
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It is hard to believe that 2023 is coming to a close and 2024 is just a few short weeks away. To say that 2023 was an extra busy year is an understatement and we are excited for all that is in the works for 2024.
On the support side for individual seniors and caregivers, we connected to more individuals than ever before. We also saw an increase in the hours of in-home services we were able to access from our contract providers ~ a very welcome increase! The provider community continues to struggle with finding the staff needed for this important care, but each month brings a bit of improvement.
For caregivers, participation in the support groups and the number of caregivers receiving the monthly caregiver newsletter increased during the year. We also had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with more caregivers, both in-person and via the phone. The caregivers are quick to report that this support is invaluable.
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Increased participation was experienced for all community presentations, classes and events and we were thrilled to be invited by more community organizations and groups to present on a variety of topics.
The reports are still in process, but for this year’s Medicare Open Enrollment, the Council team assisted more than 225 beneficiaries, with documented savings totaling over $105K. And this does not include assistance provided by a few of the senior centers and the Ohio Department of Insurance staff. Having someone in your corner to help navigate the world of Medicare is definitely needed and appreciated.
The Senior Services Levy funding makes all this, and so much more, possible. We humbly offer our appreciation to the community and to Greene County voters for your support of the Council. The passage of the Levy Renewal ensures funding through 2029 and we are planning for an even more robust year in 2024!
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It's My Money It's My Stuff! It's My Life! |
We hope you will consider joining us for this popular 4 week program. The sessions, presented by local professionals, will be held in the Xenia Community Center on Tuesdays from 6pm to 8:30pm, starting March 5th. The cost is $40 per household and includes a binder with all program materials and a box supper each week. Space is limited and reservations are required. The flyer can be found on the Council’s website at gccoa.org/events
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The Council’s 2024 calendar is available at the Council office, the senior centers, libraries and other community locations. |
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It's Your Money ~ Tips on Long Term Care Insurance Policies
Long-term care insurance is designed to help cover the costs of long-term services not covered by regular health insurance or Medicare, including assistance with routine daily activities such as bathing, dressing, or getting in and out of bed. Most policies will reimburse you for care given in your home, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or an adult day care center.
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Grieving is the way to healing. One's time of bereavement is probably the most stressful time of life. The Council offers a Grief support group open to all those who have lost a loved one. Meetings are on the 2nd Monday of the month, 10 am until noon, at Peace Lutheran Church, 3530 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek (lower level).
A quarterly newsletter on The Grieving Journey is available. Past issues can be found on our website: gccoa.org/newsletters
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When schools are closed or on a delay, any Council activities in that community for that day are canceled. The Council itself is closed when Greene County is under a Level 3 category, which is issued by the Greene County Sheriff. |
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Calling All Senior Artisans |
We invite you to show your work at our Senior Artisan Show March 10, 17, and 20 at the Fairborn Art Association. The show is open to all artists at least 60 years of age who live in Greene County. You don’t have to be formally trained, have shown your work outside your home, or have a connection to any art or senior group. Categories are:
- Oil or Acrylic paintings (framed, not under glass)
- Mixed Media (framed, under glass; watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, pencil, pen & ink)
- Photography (framed)
- Three-dimensional sculpture, woodcarvings, hand-thrown pottery and ceramics, free-standing
All artwork MUST be original and should have been created after your 60th birthday, with recent pieces preferred. Genres include paintings, photos, drawings, sculpture, mixed media and more. Information for artists will be mailed before the end of the year. See the flyer on the Council’s website at gccoa.org for more information
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Thanks to all the shoppers who came out for the Holiday Gift Soiree on November 29th. It was a huge success this year! Our appreciation to the volunteers who created many of the treasures, as well as those who helped the day of the event.
Congratulations to Lisa Kiesel, the winner of the gingerbread tree raffle, and to Melinda Hemminger, who won the door prize.
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Donor Spotlight
Please join us in thanking these generous donors who shared financial gifts since the last newsletter.
In Memory Of:
Elizabeth Sue Watts
Charlene Cross
Donors:
Marlene & Ray Acus
Marvin Barrett
Vernon & Gretchen Best
Jean and Thomas DeBrosse
Rita Duncan
Mary Hamer
Jeanette Johannes
Velma Joslin
Timothy & Frances Kipp
Dora Lawson
Lauren Myers
Ed & Fran O’Shaughnessy
Pamela Smilek
Pam & Joe Sowder
Joe Radin
Elisabeth Rath
Ginny & Maris Vikmanis
David & Evelyn Whilding
Bob and Ann Williams
Kroger Community Rewards
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Volunteer Spotlight
Please join us in acknowledging the volunteers since the last newsletter:
Mary Amlin
Becky Baker
Peggy Blankenhorn
Cindy Clark
Tingle Cook
Leah Donohue
Pam Dorsten
Don Dunn
Jennifer Eddy
Sheryl Fischer
Pat Flanagan
LB & Gail Fred
Joan Green
Rika Hendrickson
Roger Hilbig
Linda Johannes
Jim & Linda Jones
Letha Kimball
Beth & John Kinsel
Holly Knight
Jean Lockwood
Jackie Markunes
Lynn Martin
Sherry Matsel
Bill & Mary Ann McCaskey
Barbara McKown
Chris Middleton
Esther Murphy
Lauren Myers
Karen Paulsen
Diana Quirk
Megan Randall
Julie Rath
Tracey Rickey
Fonda Setters
Susan Titus
Barbara Vandecreek
Ginny Vikmanis
Lisa Weinstein
Polly Werth
Dee Willis
Terry Wilson
Brian Woehrman
Judy Woehrman
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For more information on any of these events, or to make a reservation, contact us at yourfriends@gccoa.org, or 937-376-5486.
◊ Memory Loss, Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease
Wednesday, January 10th, 2:30 - 4:30pm, Xenia Community Center
◊ Legal Chat
Thursday, January 18th, 2:30pm, Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek
◊ Medicare 101
Wednesday, December 13th, 2:30-4:00pm, Xenia Community Center
Wednesday, February 14th, 2:30-4:00pm, Xenia Community Center
◊ Senior Artisan Show
◊ Caregiver, Parkinson’s & Kinship Support Groups
◊ Grief & Loss Group
2nd Mondays (Jan 8th, Feb 12th), 10:00 am - Noon, Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek
Boomers and Beyond on Wednesdays around 12:05pm
Partners in Caregiving on Thursdays soon after 6:00pm
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Greene County Council on Aging
937-376-5486
Committed to Seniors and Caregivers
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Our mission: To promote independence and quality of life for Greene County senior citizens and caregivers by facilitating and supporting the development, implementation and continual improvement of a comprehensive and coordinated system of contact and care.
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