Answers on Aging and Independence

February 2025

Council on Aging Top Stories

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.

Tomorrow (Feb. 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 increase and some workshops may be full.

Click here for more information and to register.

Click here for sponsorship oppotunities.

Up to 12 CEUs available!

Be a voice for older adults in your community

Council on Aging is seeking new members for our Advisory Council! We currently have openings in Clermont, Clinton and Warren counties. As an Advisory Council member, you'll give voice to older consumers of services, people with disabilities and others involved in the field of aging.

Click here to learn more and complete our online Prospective Members form.

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.

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.

Read her story here.

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.

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.

Other News and Updates

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

Honoring Black History Month through the experiences of family caregivers

As the nation celebrates Black History Month, Council on Aging and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) recognize the significant contributions of African American caregivers.

The spirit of dedicated caregiving shines through in the story of Rachelle and Anna. Click here to learn more.

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.

COA in the Community

COA serves five counties in southwestern Ohio. Our Outreach Bureau, made up of staff, board and advisory council volunteers, shares information and provides education about COA through a variety of community-based activities. Click here to learn more.

Connect with COA at these upcoming events:

Everything Hamilton County	February 27	Woodlawn Recreation Center
Women's Health Fair	March 1	Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library, downtown branch
Careers in Aging	March 13	University of Cincinnati, Clifton campus
March for Meals, Oxford Seniors	March 19	TBD: Butler County
Health Fair for Older Adults	March 21	Harrison Senior Center
Senior Expo	April 3	Blue Ash YMCA
Springboro Hometown Expo	April 5	Springboro High School
Senior Awareness Fair	May 15	Clinton County Community Action Partnership

In December, The Association for Professionals in Aging's (APA) annual holiday networking and scholarship presentation was held at COA's Blue Ash offices. COA's Director of Government Relations, Nan Cahall, presented one of five scholarships to a deserving future professional who will be focusing on older adults.

COA shared information about programs and services at the February Ohio Safety Net Alliance - Clermont County chapter meeting. COA's Vice President - Community and New Business, Judy Eschmann, shared helpful information with members.

As part of COA's mission to support caregivers, COA shared information with employees at Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati.

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.

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 (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.

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