Our Fall Newsletter

FALL 2019

Save the date for the 2020 Forum on Aging

Our annual Forum on Aging will take place March 10-11, 2020 at the Sharonville Convention Center. Professionals in the field of aging can earn up to 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs), making Forum one of the most popular conferences for social workers, nurses, and nursing home administrators in our region. Visit our website to see who our exciting keynote presenters are for 2020 and for other event details.

Share your products and services with hundreds of professionals with a Forum sponsorship

Forum on Aging sponsorships are now available! Share your organization's products and services with more than 600 area aging and disability network professionals as a sponsor. A variety of sponsorship levels are available, or you can create your own c ustomized sponsorship package. Click here to see all sponsorship opportunities, or contact Amy Leonhardt at [email protected] with your ideas for a custom package. Early sponsors get the most visibility among attendees, so act now!

Grandparents raising grandchildren: The challenges and benefits, and where to find support

According to the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, about 100,000 grandparents in the state are currently raising their grandchildren. Nationally, more than 2.5 million grandparents are doing the same.

When grandparents – or other relatives or close friends – raise children, it’s referred to as “kinship care,” and due largely in part to the nationwide opioid epidemic, more and more older adults are finding themselves as the head of a “grandfamily.” More...

Focus on Caregiving

Support for working caregivers is good for business

November marks National Family Caregivers Month, a time to acknowledge all who care for family members who are aging, ill or disabled. And while family caregivers come in many shapes and sizes, AARP reports the average caregiver is a 49-year-old woman who works outside the home and spends nearly 20 additional hours each week providing unpaid care to a parent. More...

Adult day centers are a great option for caregiver respite

Most caregivers must juggle working; caring for their loved ones; and taking care of their homes, family responsibilities and many other things that “pop up” throughout their days. The demands can be too overwhelming and may seem impossible to manage. More...

Aging & Disability Resource Network Updates

HEAP helps with winter heating bills

Remaining comfortable at home during the winter is vital to the health and well-being of older adults and those with disabilities. But sometimes, paying the bills to keep the heat on can be difficult for those with low or modest incomes.

Luckily the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is available to offer help to those who qualify. More...

Survey will help improve state's elder fraud response

If you work with older adults in a professional capacity in Ohio, the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) is interested in your input about how suspicions and allegations of elder fraud and financial exploitation are identified and handled in Ohio. ODA hopes to learn about current state and identify necessary improvements.

The survey is located here:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7BW5ZZ .

It will take 5-10 minutes to complete and will close on Wednesday, Nov. 13.

Council on Aging News

Nominate a special caregiver or colleague for COA's annual awards

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Annual Awards Program. The awards recognize caregivers, volunteers and professionals in the field of aging in southwestern Ohio. Please take time to nominate a friend, colleague, client or employee who deserves to be celebrated! More...

COA begins offering Aging Mastery Program

We are now offering National Council on Aging’s Aging Mastery Program (AMP) in southwestern Ohio. AMP is an evidence-informed enrichment program that encourages adults to take steps to support happiness and longevity. Classes encourage and empower older adults to make and maintain small but impactful changes for aging well and making the most of the gift of longer life. More...

Nutrition column makes its debut

We welcome Jennifer Lake, RDN, LD, COA's Nutrition Business Relations Partner, as our new columnist.

Jennifer's Nutrition Matters column will become a regular part of this newsletter and will offer useful and practical information related to nutrition and aging.

Her debut column discusses the importance of proper nutrition as we age. Read it here.

Meet COA's Accounting Manager

If ever there was a person who was a perfect fit for his career, it's COA Accounting Manager Stan. Numbers captivate him. He's always looking for ways to be more efficient. And, he never stops learning new things. Learn more about Stan and why he's such an integral part of the COA team in his employee profile .

News You Can Use

The Census is coming!

Did you know the next decennial Census is set to begin April 1, 2020, and that it is vital that everyone is counted for proper distribution of federal money, representation in congress, and more? Council on Aging is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Complete Count Committee, which is dedicated to raising awareness of the census and working to ensure that as many area residents are counted as possible. More...

Flu season is approaching... time to get vaccinated!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this year is continuing its recommendation that all people six months of age and older receive a flu shot. The vaccine is especially important for those who are considered at high risk of flu-related complications, including people age 65 and older. More...

Be sure to re-evaluate your plan during Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. Learn what changes you can make during this time, compare plans, cost information and local resources and understand why re-evaluating your plan is so important. More...

Awareness, Appreciation & Celebration

National Hospice & Palliative Care Month - November

How hospice and palliative care services can make a difference

By Gayle Mattson, RN, BSN, MHA, President & CEO of Hospice of Cincinnati

November is National Hospice & Palliative Care Month, making this a great time to raise awareness about how these important services can make a significant difference. More...