February 2025

Council on Aging News for Butler County

Oxford Senior Center honored as Business of the Year

Oxford Senior Center was recognized as 2024 Business of the Year by the Oxford Chamber of Commerce. As a contracted service provider of COA, they were nominated by COA in recognition of their vital role in the community providing essential services to the aging population and creating community involvement through local partnerships. Click here to read more.

Related: COA to participate in Oxford Seniors' March for Meals, March 19.

Shared Harvest Foodbank works to feed Butler County

More than seven million older adults experience food insecurity each month – many of which are older adults living on a fixed income. Shared Harvest Foodbank works to feed older adults in Southwest Ohio.

Click here to read more.

COA offering benefit application assistance to limited-income Medicare beneficiaries

As an official National Council on Aging Benefits Enrollment Center, Council on Aging can help Medicare beneficiaries with limited income to access benefits and programs that can help them pay for food, medications and more. This includes older adults aged 65+ and individuals with disabilities.

To learn more about the benefits COA can help those who qualify to apply for at no cost, click here. 

COA seeks community input

Older adults, caregivers and professionals are invited to participate in Council on Aging’s community needs assessment survey. Anonymous responses and feedback collected via the survey will help Council on Aging plan for the future needs of the region’s aging population. 

Click here for more information and to complete the survey.

SELF supports Butler County older adults

For many older adults, financial constraints, home accessibility challenges and rising utility costs can threaten their independence.

Supports to Encourage Low-income Families (SELF) steps in to support Butler County older adults with resources they may need to maintain safe, warm, and stable homes. Click here to read more. 

Council on Aging Board of Trustees Member Profile: Kaneesha Ogle

Kaneesha Ogle, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CNE, MSW, LSW is a new member of COA's Board of Trustees representing Butler County. Dr. Ogle has a nursing background in critical care and wound care and as a social worker, her background includes community work among the mental health population.

Dr. Ogle is excited about the future of COA and the opportunity to meet the community's evolving needs. Click here to read her profile.

Community food drive addresses food insecurity

Food insecurity affects many area older adults, causing stress and hardship. It is a concern shared by COA and the West Chester/Liberty Township Faith Alliance.

You can help by participating in the Faith Alliance community food drive on March 16. Click here for details.

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.

Other News and Updates

Deadline is today to register for Forum on Aging

Today (Friday, February 21) is the last day to register for Council on Aging’s Forum on Aging, presented by Global Meals! Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn and be inspired with more than 500 professionals in our aging services network, including certified care managers, social workers, nurses, activity professionals and nursing home administrators.

Forum on Aging is March 4-5 at the Sharonville Convention Center. Walk in registrations will be accepted, but fees will go up and some workshops may be full.

Click here for more information and to register.

Click here for sponsorship opportunities. 

Heating assistance available

Assistance is available to help with home energy bills through the Ohio Department of Development’s Home Energy Assistance Program. Council on Aging can help older adults with the application process if needed. Applications are due by May 31, 2025.

Click here to read more.

Make a difference as a COA care manager

Council on Aging is currently seeking licensed social workers and registered nurses for care manager positions in several programs. Our care managers enjoy working from home (except when visiting clients), along with generous paid time off, a pension with 6% company match, 12 paid holidays and much more. But most of all, they enjoy making a difference every day in the lives of older adults.

Watch: COA care manager Haley shares her thoughts on her job.

Click here to see open positions. 

ESP supervisor loves helping older adults navigate life's challenges

Sonya has worked in Council on Aging’s Elderly Services Program for almost 10 years. A resident of Liberty Township, she began as a care manager in the program, and was promoted to supervisor in 2015.

Click here to read her story.

Protect yourself from fraud and scams

Criminals continue to impersonate and deceive in an effort to scam and defraud older adults. Click below to learn how to protect yourself.

Avoid clicking the fake links | Social Security Administration

Watch: Slam the Scam | Social Security Administration

Scams to look out for in 2025 | AARP

Payment by gift card? It's a scam | AARP

Innovative service prevents simple need from becoming a big barrier to independence

As we age, it can become harder to do daily tasks on our own. Such was the case for Pamela whose circumstances meant she was unable to do laundry. Fortunately, COA had a solution.

Click here to read her story.

Health and Wellness News

Council on Aging offers free workshops that focus on practical ways to help you take control of your health and wellness needs. These are designed with older adults and caregivers in mind and provide tips for a healthy lifestyle as well as an opportunity for older adults to be in the community.

Click here to learn more about our free workshops.

Related: 'It centers me' This 66-year-old uses Tai Chi to ease the pain | WCPO

COA in the News

COA caregiving expert shares advice at Local12 Town Hall

Council on Aging’s Caregiver Support Nurse, Anna Goubeaux, participated on a panel of experts focused on caring for caregivers. Family caregivers – who are usually unpaid – represent the foundation of our country’s long-term care system, providing an estimated $600 billion in annual care. Local12’s Caring for the Caregiver Town Hall was taped and will air at a later date. Watch COA’s website and social media channels for updates.

Related: Caregiving responsibilities weigh on the sandwich generation | Marketplace Morning Report

COA featured in AARP Bulletin

A January article in the Ohio edition of AARP’s Bulletin focused on highlights from AARP’s 2024 Vital Voices survey. The survey focused on the needs of Ohioans age 45+ and caregiving was cited as a top concern. According to AARP, more than 1 in 5 Ohioans age 45 and over currently provide unpaid care to an adult relative or friend. COA’s Director of Communications, Paula Smith, was quoted in the article highlighting the important role family caregivers play in our long-term care system.

Council on Aging of

Southwestern Ohio

Visit us today!