Silver lining in a tough budget year

AUTUMN 2008 COAAA and WOSU prepare seniors for DTV switch Are you - your loved ones - your consumers - ready for the digital conversion? Even though delayed, get the facts today to help older adults prepare for the transition. For information, call WOSU’s hotline at 1-866-723-4626. See page 7 for tips! In partnership with WOSU Public Media, with funding from The Columbus Foundation and the National Area Agencies on Aging, COAAA hosted a box distribution in February for low-income older adults. More than 400 older adults received a free converter box. Boxes are no longer available, but WOSU hotline staff can help seniors apply for coupons and answer questions. Right: COAAA employee Tasia Jackson distributes dtv converter boxes, along with information on installation, coupon applications, and COAAA services. Silver lining in a tough budget year It’s hard to find good news in these economic times, but the goal of a Unified Budget for Long Term Care is reflected in the proposed budget of Governor Strickland, and it is seen as a priority by Speaker of the House Armund Budish. The proposed state budget shows a combined Medicaid line item of PASSPORT, Assisted Living and PACE with the intent that there be no waiting lists for PASSPORT that would force folks prematurely to nursing home care. There is also language that would allow for some transfer of funds from the nursing home line if more people come home from facilities or are diverted from using facilities than are currently projected. These are all steps in erasing current barriers to consumer choice in long term care options. The Federal Stimulus Bill will help keep Medicaid programs solvent next year and provide additional funds for meal programs, but there are other state budget cuts that will affect aging programs. Cuts to the State Senior Services line (-14%), the Alzheimer’s Respite line (-16%), the Ombudsman line (-14%) and the Residential State Subsidy line (-16%) will cont., page 2 Rep. Celeste guest for advisory council luncheon State Representative Ted Celeste joined COAAA advisory council members in December to discuss advocacy and issues facing older Ohioans. See page 3. Budget, cont. from page 1, from Director Cindy Farson all impact services in the region. We ask you to be involved, let your elected officials know how cuts effect older adults in the community and offer your appreciation for their recognition of the importance of maintaining Medicaid communitybased long term care programs like PASSPORT. Central Ohio has many new legislators that need to hear from you. Some other good news, the WOSU/COAAA DTV converter box partnership has been able to successfully provide outreach and assistance to older adults with limited incomes. Both WOSU and COAAA were awarded federal grants in December based on plans and outreach that have been underway since spring. Partners in Franklin, Licking, Pickaway, Fayette, Delaware and Union Counties are also distributing boxes through the grants. While the priority has been homebound folks and those living in senior housing, we were happy to be able to distribute 400 boxes to older adults who came to the agency for assistance in February. And Finally, it is with great sadness that we honor an advocate for central Ohioans of all ages, Alvin Hadley, who served on COAAA Advisory Council from 2003-2008. Central Ohio Legislators on House Finance Committees: Representative John P. Carney Franklin County Representative David Burke Union County Representative Ted Celeste Franklin County House Aging & Disability Services: Representative Marian Harris, Franklin County Representative David Burke Union County Central Ohio Legislators on Senate Finance: Senator John Carey, Chair Fayette/Pickaway Senator Ray Miller Franklin Senator Chris Widener Madison CY A OC S! DV RK A O W In Memoriam - Alvin Hadley 1930-2009 In addition to being executive director of the Columbus Metropolitan Area Church Council and volunteering with other agencies, Mr. Hadley served on the COAAA Advisory Council from 2003-2008 and was a very active participant in the Council’s advocacy efforts. Alvin Hadley led the coalition of churches since 1997 after a 29-year career in childwelfare work. He also volunteered on several boards dealing with drug addiction, domestic violence and interfaith work. “Alvin Hadley was always an encouraging and supportive member of our advisory council” said COAAA executive director Cindy Farson. “We all admired his career in social services and his work as a community volunteer and activist in retirement. I will miss seeing him moderate candidate forums, which he often did in Franklin County. He cared deeply about social issues and was kind to everyone he interacted with.” Issues on Aging is a publication of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging. 614-645-7250 1-800-589-7277 email: coaaa@coaaa.org website: www.coaaa.org COAAA thanks outgoing Advisory Council members, Rep. Celeste speaks For their commitment to older adults in central Ohio, Mary Wilhelm and Marjorie Scheiderer received recognition of service at the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging’s Advisory Council meeting in December. Wilhelm’s five-year council term ended in December, and during her years of service she advised the area agency on aging in its operations. The council is composed of individuals from eight central Ohio counties who represent the views of older adults in their specific communities; council members are highly valued volunteers of the agency. Wilhelm aided the agency during a time of change; she was an advocate for seniors during the implementation of the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Wilhelm has been a passionate advocate for both the old and the young. For 20 years, Wilhelm spearheaded Toys For Tots, and she championed for the change to all new toys. Marjorie Scheiderer completed two terms on the COAAA Advisory Council representing Union County. She served on the Planning Committee responsible for making recommendations related to the agency’s area plan and funding of services. Known for her leadership in the community and her church, Scheiderer is a passionate ambassador for Union County and a dedicated advocate for the needs of older adults and the services to help them maintain their independence. She serves on the advisory board of Union County Senior Services and as President on the Board of Trustees of the Windsor and Community Seniors in Marysville. Advisory Council President Chuck Gehring, COAAA Director Cindy Farson and Rep. Celeste. At the holiday luncheon, Rep. Ted Celeste brought a message of thanks to volunteers who help COAAA in decisionmaking and advocacy and encouraged council members to stay involved with their state representatives. Rep. Celeste discussed the big challenges ahead in 2009 for Ohio facing a tough economy. He noted that issues like the Medicaid Unified Long Term Care Budget would have a place in discussions on balancing Ohio’s budget. In visiting a PASSPORT client in his district, Rep. Celeste was able to talk with a consumer and caregiver about the importance of having a choice in long term care. He also noted the importance of the Education issue and other priorities of job creation and business development. In introducing Rep. Celeste, Cindy Farson remarked that he had just finished an election without any negative campaigning. Celeste noted that he was proud of being able to run a positive campaign and didn’t feel Ohio could afford to be distracted from the real issues at this point in time. Aging Wellness EXPO & FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY More than 550 older adults and caregivers attended COAAA’s Aging and Wellness Expo in November. Held at the Franklin Park Conservatory, attendees had access to Medicare comparisons, aging services, flu shots and more. Special guest NBC 4’s Tom McNutt drew a crowd to give gardening advice. A special thanks to our sponsors below! OS HI IP Residential State Supplement Program Annual Meeting COAAA hosted the Annual RSS provider meeting in December at our offices at 174 East Long Street. The annual meeting provides an opportunity for providers to gather and review the achievements and discuss the future of the Residential State Supplement program. It also presents a forum for staff to recognize providers and offer additional training to meet the providers’ certification and licensure needs. Training for the event was provided by COAAA education consultant Paula Taliaferro on “Caregiving for People with Severe Mental Illness”. Additional business included discussion on consumer benefit increases, background checks and the proposed state budget cuts. The Residential State Supplement (RSS) program provides a cash supplement to low-income, blind and/or disabled adults. The cash supplement, along with the individual’s personal resources, is intended to allow the individual to live in a more home-like, congregate setting. Volunteer Guardian assists ward with wedding Mary Reed, with the help of her Volunteer Guardian and the staff at the nursing home, was able to get married this past December in Fairfield County. The couple, Harley & Mary Reed Enmen had a wonderful ceremony complete with more than 70 guests, live music, and a cake. Both are residents at the nursing home and are extremely happy together. Mary’s guardian helped secure the proper paperwork so that the wedding could take place. Volunteers with the guardian program strive to improve the quality of life, protect and advocate for vulnerable individuals. Contact Julia Nack, 614645-1928 for more information on the program. Has your baked chicken lost its luster? If your church, support or civic group is looking for new ways to inform members, then look no further! COAAA offers more than 20 educational presentations to choose from for businesses or community groups interested in older adult health. Humor, Herbal Medicines, Skin Care, Scams and Depression, are just a few of the topics covered through COAAA Community Education. Give COAAA a shout at www.coaaa.org or 1-800-589-7277. Digital Transition Get the facts now! DTV Converter Box Coupons: The coupon program currently needs more funding before more coupons may be issued. COAAA encourages those who need them to still apply; more funding should be available soon. Those with expired coupons may apply again, once funding is made available. OSU ip with W artnersh is in p lumbus V program m The Co Aging. OAAA’s DT with funding fro C encies on edia l Area Ag Public M e Nationa n and th Foundatio Sometimes it’s not just a box: We’ve seen safety pins and forks being used as antennas. In some cases, obtaining a dtv converter box is only the first step. “Many commercials regarding the transition minimize the number of steps it may take to receive a digital signal,” said COAAA’s DTV coordinator Bethany Dohnal. COAAA staff, in partnership with WOSU Public Media, have been installing boxes in COAAA consumers’ homes since October. “We’ve seen safety pins and forks being used as antennas,” Dohnal added. “So it’s important for older adults and their advocates to be prepared.” COAAA and WOSU Public Media offer these tips: • Try your existing antenna first. (You MUST have an antenna for the converter box to work.) • Many indoor antennas use “rabbit ears” for the VHF band and a “loop” or “bow-tie” antenna for the UHF band. Make sure you are using an antenna that covers BOTH the VHF and UHF bands. • If you have a twin-lead antenna wire, you may use your existing antenna, but you will need two adaptors or “matching transformers” (Fact sheets available at www.dtv. gov). Antennas: Re-scan for channels: Digital-to-analog converter boxes and digital televisions have a button, usually on the remote control, that is labeled “set-up” or “menu”. Press that button to access the set-up menu. Using the directional arrow buttons on your remote, scroll to the option that allows you to perform a “channel scan.” EVERYONE using a converter box will need to RESCAN for channels after the transition happens. WOSU Public Media and the COAAA have staff available to answer questions. Call WOSU at 1-866723-4626 for additional help, or visit www.dtv.gov for fact sheets on a variety of topics. LifeCare Alliance opens Café LifeCare Alliance held a December grand opening of its new facility at 670 Harmon Avenue. Fundraising for an innovative multipurpose building allowed LifeCare to renovate warehouse space that will more than double their food service capacity while serving people on site through Carrie’s Café. The Café will sell food to the public while also serving meals that meet Older Americans Act nutrition requirements. For those over 60, “Carrie’s Combo” will be available with a choice of nutritionally balanced foods for a suggested contribution. There is a full-service Wellness Center on site with a variety of exercise options. LifeCare also houses their for-profit catering company, L.A. Catering at the Café and will have rooms available for events and meetings. COAAA congratulates the LifeCare Alliance Board, staff and donors for introducing this new facility for senior services. LifeCare Alliance CEO Chuck Gehring, Representative Dan Stewart and COAAA Director Cindy Farson at the opening. Winter/ Spring 2009 Education Events You may register for workshops by going to www.coaaa.org and mailing the completed form to COAAA with your payment. If you have any questions, call the COAAA Training Office at 1-800-589-7277 or (614)645-7250, or email coaaa@coaaa.org. DRIVE: Transporting Older & Disabled Passengers April 15 or June 9 8:30a.m.-4:30pm; No CEU’s March 18 9:00a.m.-4:15 p.m.; 6.0 CEUs *Meets Social Work & Counselor Ethics requirement February 24 9am-12:15pm; 3.0 CEUs March 10: 9am-12:15pm; 3.0 CEUs March 24 8:30am-4:30pm; No CEUs March 26 9am-12:15pm; 3.0 CEUs March 31 9am-12:15pm; 3.0 CEUs Establishing Personal & Professional Boundaries Grandparents: Issues, Laws & Recent Research Advance Directives, Powers of Attorney & Guardianships DRIVE Refresher: Transporting Older and Disabled Practical Functional Assessment of Older Adults Abuse in Later Life Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging 174 East Long Street Columbus, OH 43215 Local corporations donate holiday gifts In a worrisome economic time, central Ohioans still opened their hearts and pocketbooks to purchase holiday gifts for PASSPORT, Senior Options and Volunteer Guardian Program consumers. Many businesses wished to remain anonymous, but gifts included those donated through InCare - Home Health Services for Ohio and Columbus West Park. More than 330 people donated approximately 900 gifts for 336 consumers. Thank you. Case manager Sharon Levy demonstrates her holiday spirit as she delivers gifts to her PASSPORT consumer. “Betty and I thank you for the wonderful Christmas gifts. She had a lot of fun opening the very large bag filled with wonderful things. I took it to her on Christmas day, and she is still telling me about getting a new gown. Thank you again for remembering her.” - Mary Pike, Betty’s Volunteer Guardian “Thank you so much for the gifts, I like them all.” - Pauline, COAAA consumer Consumers from several programs, including PASSPORT, Senior Options and Volunteer Guardian Program received gifts.