February 2023, Volume 74

FEBRUARY HIGHLIGHTS

Phone with app on the left and TARTA Flex vehicle on the right.

TARTA Flex Now Up and Running

Photo from TARTA web site

As of January 23, 2023, the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority, TARTA, has replaced Call-A-Ride with an on-demand microtransit service called "TARTA Flex."

TARTA Flex service is divided into zones that are similar to the previous Call-A-Ride service areas, but include areas not previously served by Call-A-Ride, and even some areas not previously served by TARTA.

The Northwest Zone includes Ottawa Hills, Holland, Springfield Township, and the Toledo Airport, in addition to the area that used to be the Sylvania Call-A-Ride zone. The Southwest Zone now includes Monclova Township and Whitehouse. TARTA Flex can take riders to points where they can connect with fixed-route bus routes to go out of the TARTA Flex zones.

TARTA Flex uses vehicles smaller than the old Call-A-Ride vehicles.

TARTA Flex rides can be booked the day before the trip, or the same day, 30 to 60 minutes before. Rides can be booked by phone or app.

Everyone can ride TARTA Flex regardless of age or ability, but TARTA officials have emphasized the role of this new service in meeting the transportation needs of seniors.

Phone Number: 419-382-9901

Link to TARTA Flex web site information (including information about apps)

January 19 Toledo Blade TARTA Flex article (Word version - text only).

PDF version

January 25 13abc TARTA Flex story

Learn and Be Prepared

to Help Those with Epilepsy

According to Epilepsy Centers of Excellence, Epilepsy affects about 2 million people in the U.S, and every year an additional 150,000 people are diagnosed. Over a lifetime, 1 in 10 people will have a seizure and 1 in 26 will develop epilepsy. People not born with epilepsy can develop it - although three out of four cases begin in childhood.

It is important to be aware of the different types of seizures and know which first aid techniques to employ if you encounter an emergency seizure situation.

These brochures provided by the Epilepsy Center of Northwest Ohio will help you recognize the different types of seizures and the appropriate first aid for each.

Types of Seizures

Seizure Recognition and First Aid

Help Available for Seniors Through Pathway

Senior Broker and Home Repair Programs

Pathway, Inc, a Lucas County organization that provides services to help people move from poverty to self-sufficiency, has two programs that can assist seniors and those with disabilities specifically:

Older man and woman completing paperwork with assistance from young Black woman Pathway employee.

Senior Brokering Program

The goal of the Senior Brokering Program is to help seniors to remain independent. Services include home visits, help with forms and paperwork, nutrition, medical care, home maintenance, appliances, utilities, and more. People who are 60 or older or are permanently disabled (regardless of age) are eligible. Click here for more information.

Young person making repairs in kitchen surrounded by materials with door under sink open in background

Senior Emergency Home Repair

This program addresses violations in seniors' homes that present a hazard, health, or safety concern, including faulty electrical wiring, inadequate heat, ruptured water lines, problems with hot water tanks or other plumbing, or leaking roofs. People who are 62 or older or are permanently disabled (regardless of age) are eligible. Click here for more information.

Photos from the Pathway web site.

COURTESY SHARES:

These are trainings and other opportunities related to DD, aging, and/or dementia that are being offered by other organizations, including some in neighboring communities.

"The Future is Now" offered by Hamilton County Board of DD

This free, multi-part webinar series is designed to help families with loved ones with disabilities plan for the future as the caregiver ages - particularly by building a support network.

Those who live or work outside of Hamilton County may participate.

Each series is a set of four different sessions that build upon one another.

The following four dates make up the February - March 2023 series:

Tuesday, February 21, Thursday, February 23

Tuesday, February 28, Thursday, March 2

A morning and evening 90-minute session is available each day.

(Choose one each day.)

Click here for more information.

Click here to register

Contact:

Sean Bostic

513-559-6863

[email protected]

IDD-and-Dementia Webinars Offered by Greater Michigan Chapter of Alzheimer's Association

The Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association has a Developmental Disabilities Supportive Services Program (DDSSP) that, somewhat like the LCBDD Senior Committee, "provides education programming, behavioral and activity planning consultations to agencies and individuals caring for people with developmental disabilities and dementia or those at risk for developing dementia."

The DDSSP periodically offers free series of webinars featuring strategies for supporting those who have IDD and also dementia.

Each webinar offers 1.5 free nursing and social work CEs.

The February 2023 offerings are as follows.

Communication Changes in Individuals with IDD and Dementia

Thursday, February 9, 2023, Noon to 1:30 pm

Learn more and register here.

Behavior and ADL Changes in Individuals with I/DD and Dementia

Thursday, February 23, 2023, Noon to 1:30 pm

Learn more and register here.

For questions about registration, contact Kristi Davis, [email protected].

Support Available from

the Lucas County Board of DD

Senior Committee

CONSULTATIONS

Faceless heads and upper bodies of cartoon people sitting around a rectangular table

The Senior Committee offers its expertise to those who are supporting aging individuals with DD. Providers, family members, and Board of DD staff may consult about a case involving an individual with a developmental disability who is aging and/or who is experiencing dementia-related symptoms.

The Committee is available to consult regarding:

Behavioral and environmental issues

Geriatric specialists

Other resources in the community

TOOLKIT

Elderly woman in striped shirt works on puzzles

The Senior Committee has developed a toolkit of ideas for activities for those who have developmental disabilities and/or are experiencing memory loss. Ideas include physical and outdoor activities, expressive arts, and activities that promote calming, distraction, and cognitive stimulation.

The kit has activity descriptions, videos, online resources, activity protocols, tips for planning and implementing activities for those with dementia, and ideas on where to find activity supplies.

Photo seen here is from the toolkit.

PRINTED RESOURCES

Display rack of Senior Committee's hard copy dementia resources

Tip sheets and other printed resources addressing a variety of topics related to supporting someone with dementia are available free of charge at the Lucas County Board of DD Larc Lane building. Spanish versions are also available. Funding for producing and printing these was provided through the Dementia Grant.

Photo is an original photo of the display, taken by LCBDD staff.

Email the Senior Committee at [email protected] to make arrangements for a consultation or make any other inquiries about resources.

Lucas County Board of DD Information

https://lucasdd.org/

Click here for the LCBDD Youtube Channel

Stay tuned as more past, recorded Senior Committee trainings are added.

TO REPORT CONCERNS ABOUT ABUSE OR NEGLECT

OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:

Contact the LCBDD

Major Unusual Incident (MUI) Department

Mondays - Fridays, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm

419-381-5206

After Hours/Weekends/Holidays

Please call 419-380-5100

to access the On-Call Service

Helpful Resources Always Available

Area Office on Aging

of Northwest Ohio

All sorts of programs, activities, services and referrals for seniors.

Click here for the web site.

Ability Center Disability-Friendly Toolkit

Online one-one stop shop with tools and resources for many needs having to do with increasing disability-friendliness and inclusiveness: How to make a business or web site accessible; how to ask for accommodations or complain that a facility is not accessible; how to find benefits; how to save money without losing benefits; how to communicate appropriately with and about people with disabilities. The toolkit also has lists of inclusive Toledo-area community attractions as well as books and media projects that embrace disability.

The toolkit is available at www.abilitycenter.org/toolkit, or under the Services menu tab on the site.

Sun with smiley face and sunglasses and words We Thrive Together

Find a wide variety of virtual games, workouts, classes, parties, and more at www.wethrivetogether.org.

Individuals served by LCBDD can participate in We Thrive Together programs using the membership purchased by LCBDD. Click here for instructions on joining a We Thrive class or session.

Lucas County's Public Transportation:

Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) Link Here

About Aging Gracefully Photos and Logos

Logos of organizations regularly featured come from that organization's web site unless otherwise noted. Photos not specifically credited are from the Bing online database.