Council on Aging News for Hamilton County | |
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COA's Suzanne Burke presents award to County Commissioners
On September 12, Council on Aging CEO Suzanne Burke presented the Board of County Commissioners with the Inform USA 2024 Innovation Award for Cooperative Relationships. Inform USA recognized the partnership between Council on Aging and Hamilton County Commissioners on the county’s 513Relief Bus.
Along with other social services agency reps, a COA specialist is aboard the bus at many stops as it connects residents to resources and services in a whole new way. Click here to watch the award presentation.
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COA and 513Relief Bus support older adults during Hamilton County's Healthy Aging Day
COA was proud to partner with the Hamilton County 513Relief Bus and many other community partners to host a Healthy Aging Day Party for Hamilton County older adults.
Held in September at Forest Park's Word of Deliverance Church, the day featured dancing, yoga, Bingo, barber and beautician services, food and more - all for older adults!
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Working together, COA and Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library make connections to enrich the lives of older adults
Council on Aging and the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library share similar missions - to connect you to community resources. David Siders, the Library's Civic Engagement Coordinator, reflects on the successful multi-year partnership. Read the full story.
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COA staff provide a refresh to Hamilton County senior apartment building community room
Each quarter, COA employees complete a service project that benefits older adults living in its five-county service area. For its summer 2024 project, staff brought new life to community rooms in five senior living buildings – including Hamilton County’s Hillcrest Elderly Apartments. Read more.
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Council on Aging Board Member Profile: Matthew Durban
Matthew Durban, estimating principal at Messer Construction, has served on Council on Aging’s Board of Trustees for nearly two years. A Hamilton County resident, Durban is active in St. Dominic’s Parish and serves on a community advisory group for Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati.
Durban is excited about COA's innovative approach to meeting the needs of the region's growing aging population. Click here to read his profile.
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COA provides opioid education to partners and community members
In September, Council on Aging launched a campaign aimed at educating professionals in the aging services network and community members about the risks associated with opioid misuse among older adults. Click here to read more.
Related: Lincoln Ware interviews COA staff member Stephanie Seyfried and Megan Guthrie, director of Hamilton County's Office of Addiction Response.
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Pro Seniors helps older adults navigate legal issues
When Lucille received a letter threatening eviction, her daughter Tracey knew to call Pro Seniors for help. As a result, Pro Seniors helped sort out the confusion and Lucille’s housing was secure. Like Council on Aging, Pro Seniors’ services are a vital connection for many older adults, family caregivers and professionals. Click here to read more.
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Be a Santa to a Senior
Join us to help make the holidays brighter for older adults in four senior apartment buildings in our area. Council on Aging is participating in the Be a Santa to a Senior program and fulfilling the wish lists of more than 100 older adults.
Many simply need basics such as pajamas, socks and personal care items and may not otherwise receive a gift. To help, you may purchase an item from our Amazon wish list. The gift will be shipped to us, and we’ll take care of wrapping and delivering it!
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2025 Home Health Aide Hero Awards: Nominations now open
Do you know a home health aide or an AddnAide caregiver who goes above and beyond to provide exceptional care for older adults in our region? We are accepting nominations for the 2025 Home Health Aide Hero Award until Dec. 31, 2024. Anyone can nominate someone, including COA’s providers, COA staff, COA clients or the client’s caregivers/family. 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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Join the COA team!
Council on Aging is currently hiring care managers and is seeking candidates who are RNs or licensed social workers. Working at COA, you can have a meaningful impact on the lives of older adults and those with disabilities, while enjoying the flexibility of working from home when not visiting clients.
COA offers a competitive benefits package, a culture of service and teamwork and much more. Visit our website for details.
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COA care manager proud of role helping older adults age in place
Greg is a senior care manager in COA’s MyCare Ohio Aetna program. As a resident of Anderson Township, he is coming up on his 10-year anniversary with COA. In this profile, he shares some of the reasons he’s been with COA for almost a decade.
Click here to read Greg's story.
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Mark your calendars for COA's 2025 Forum on Aging
Council on Aging's 2025 Forum on Aging is scheduled for March 4-5 at the Sharonville Convention Center. This conference is among the most sought-after events in our area for certified care managers, social workers, nurses, nursing home administrators and activity professionals. The two-day conference offers up to 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for professionals in the aging field. Registration will open in late December.
2025 Keynote Presenters
- Dr. Chante Meadows will lead a keynote that explores why mental health and practicing self-care are crucial components for maintaining overall well-being.
- Amanda Bulgarelli, a team member of the Positive Approach to Care, will share a new way of looking at the progression of dementia.
- Dr. Jim Collins' keynote will address the challenges and dilemmas faced by younger adults who need skilled nursing services - either at home or in an institutional setting.
Click here to learn more about our keynote presenters and Forum on Aging.
Promote your business at the 2025 Forum on Aging
Do you want to highlight your company's products and services to more than 500 professionals in the aging and disability networks? Become a Forum on Aging sponsor! Early sponsors receive the highest visibility among attendees, so don't wait! We offer various sponsorship levels, including a new Networking Event Sponsor option that will showcase your company name and brand to a wide audience of industry professionals.
Click here to explore all available sponsorship opportunities.
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Hutsell named Cincinnati Business Courier C-Suite Honoree
Council on Aging’s Vice President of People Services, Jacqueline Hutsell, is a 2024 Cincinnati Business Courier C-Suite Award Honoree.
C-Suite awards recognize top-level executives whose leadership skills and business acumen have driven strong results for organizations across Greater Cincinnati. Click here to read a profile of Hutsell in the Cincinnati Business Courier.
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Ohio Department of Medicaid announces four managed care organizations to serve as the Next Generation MyCare plans
COA currently contracts with Aetna Better Health of Ohio and Molina HealthCare of Ohio to manage and coordinate long-term care services for eligible MyCare Ohio members. The Ohio Department of Medicaid recently announced important program changes that may affect you. Click here to read more.
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AddnAide featured at national Medicaid conference
AddnAide, Council on Aging’s innovative app that matches older adults who need care with people in the community who are willing to provide it, was on display at the National Association of Medicaid Directors Fall 2024 Conference in Washington, D.C. Council on Aging and home52 staff shared information and provided product demonstrations to show how AddnAide is expanding opportunities for older adults and individuals with disabilities to participate in self-directed care programs.
Click here to learn more about AddnAide.
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Clients count on each other and the Elderly Services program
A knock on the door of the compact, tidy garden apartment triggers the insistent barking of a dog. When the door opens, JoJo the small white shih tzu/chihuahua mix serves as greeter, along with Don, 85, one of the human residents of the apartment. Ann, 66, is resting on the couch, tethered to her oxygen machine. Regardless, she gives a warm smile as she describes how the Elderly Services Program (ESP) has helped them remain independent. Full story.
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Energy assistance program accepting applications
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, 2025.
Click here for qualifications and application information.
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Ohio Homestead Exemption helps older adults save on property taxes
Recent property valuations across Ohio have resulted in significant property tax increases for many homeowners. These increases have made it difficult for older adults living on fixed incomes to continue to afford to live in their homes.
It is crucial for older homeowners to know about Ohio’s Homestead Exemption, which provides a reduction in property taxes for eligible homeowners. Click here to learn about who qualifies for the exemption and how to apply.
Related: COA's director of government relations discusses property taxes | WVXU.
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COA in the community
COA serves five counties in southwestern Ohio. Our Outreach Bureau, made up of staff, board and advisory council volunteers, shares COA information and provides education about COA through a variety of community-based activities. Click here to learn more.
If you would like to schedule a presentation for a senior apartment building or know of a building whose residents would benefit from COA information (in any part of COA’s service area), please contact Antoinette at amoore@help4seniors.org.
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At the recent City of Forest Park Home Renovation event, COA shared information about programs and services which support independent living at home. | |
COA presented about our Continuity of Operations Plan at the October Hamilton County Partners in Preparedness event sponsored by Hamilton County Emergency Management. EMA Director Nick Crossley is pictured here with COA staff Sophia McDermott and Yolanda Master. | |
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Community-based partnerships bring health and wellness programs to older adults and caregivers
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 to help participants better manage their own health. New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Carthage has hosted workshops for at least a year.
“We want our older adults to be engaged as they grow older," said Rita Grant, church office administrator. "We've held Tai Chi and Diabetes workshops. We are blessed and thankful for the opportunities COA has brought not only to our church, but to all Greater Cincinnati communities."
Click here to learn about COA’s health and wellness workshops and to find a current list of workshops.
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November is National Family Caregivers Month
National Family Caregivers Month in November is a time to call attention to the importance of family caregivers to our literal – and financial – health as a nation. After all, family caregivers in our country provide $600 billion of unpaid labor each year. They are truly the backbone of our long-term care system. Read more.
COA's Caregiver Support Program
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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. | | | | |
