Council On Aging Of Southwestern Ohio

Community-based and Senior Center Services:These include a range of services designed to help older adults remain healthy, active and connected to their communities. Additional services provide legal assistance to low-income older adults and protect the rights of those receiving long-term care services in nursing homes and other settings. Services are provided by senior centers and other community organizations that have contracts with Council on Aging. One of the most important services in this category is transportation. In FFY 2024, COA provided 202,867 trips for individuals within our five-county region. Most trips are for medical appointments, but transportation for shopping, other errands and recreation is also provided. Funding for transportation falls far short of community need. Meals are another important service in this category. More than 13,200 individuals received approximately 1.8 million meals in congregate settings or delivered to their homes. An additional 2,752 low-income older adults were served through the USDA Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program, receiving $50 in coupons to redeem for fresh fruits and vegetables at area participating farmers' markets. Additional community-based services in FFY 2024 included caregiver support and wellness programs for 4,736 individuals (including people caring for individuals with Alzheimer's); legal assistance for 1,950 older adults; ombudsman representation for 11,446 individuals in nursing homes and receiving in-home care; and supportive services for 623 individuals.

Each enrolled individual has a care manager professional who assesses, develops care plans, implements, monitors and coordinates a range of services and supports to help individuals remain safe, healthy and independent. The care manager's role is to ensure individuals receive the right services, in the rights amounts, at the right times. In FFY 2024, Council on Aging served 27,708 individuals in our multi-county region with home and community-based services. Individuals were served through more than a dozen programs, including Ohio Medicaid waiver programs and county tax levy programs, as well as programs designed to help individuals safely transition from hospitals and institutions, back to independent living environments. Collectively, these individuals received more than 1.8 million hours of in-home, supportive services.

Information, Referral and Assessment:As the Area Agency on Aging for five counties in southwestern Ohio, we are a central source of information and the place where many people make their first call when seeking help or resources. Our Aging and Disability Resource Center, or our call center, serves as a "front door" to services and unbiased information for older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, professionals, civic and community leaders. We responded to more than 78,000 requests for information and referral in FFY 2024.Our call center is staffed with information and referral specialists and can be reached Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-252-0155 or online any time at www.help4seniors.org. The website features comprehensive searchable housing and resource databases, program information, news and events, and a 24/7 online referral form.