Cargiver briefs: Toledo Refining donation to fund accessibility projects in E. Toledo

By: 
Press Staff Writer

        On Sept. 27, Toledo Refining Company presented a $100,000 check – proceeds from their annual golf outing – to kick off The Ability’s Center’s Accessible Community Fund. In the first round of grants, projects will be selected in East Toledo.
        “Toledo Refining Company is proud to be able to make this donation to move our community one step closer to being the most disability-friendly community in the country, and to help launch this innovative non-profit/for-profit partnership for the benefit of our community,” said Chris Shultz, Toledo Refining Company’s community affairs advisor.
        “This is a moment to invite corporate leaders across our region to follow the lead of Toledo Refining Company,” said Tim Harrington,” The Ability Center’s longtime executive director who retired Oct. 4. “TRC’s display of corporate leadership through this generous donation is the perfect example of what it takes to create the most disability friendly community in the country.”
        The Accessible Community Fund will award up to 50% of the total project cost for community organizations to make improvements to universal public accessibility or to upgrade existing accessibility features. The grant application is available at abilitycenter.org.
        “Through the leadership of our board and generosity of donors throughout our more than 100-year history, we have long benefited from positive returns from investments in the market. Today, we are excited to partner with companies like The Toledo Refining Company to see returns on intentional, financial investment in improving the universal accessibility of our entire community,” Harrington said.
        A key component of the new Accessible Community Fund is that The Ability Center is matching every dollar donated to the fund from corporate partners and will award those funds as a matching grant to community organizations, meaning the $100,000 from Toledo Refining Company will become $200,000 in available grant dollars and ultimately have a $400,000 impact in NW Ohio.
        Already this year, The Ability Center has announced partnerships with The Toledo Museum of Art and the City of Toledo and the gift from Toledo Refining Company launches yet another community-wide initiative to fund accessibility projects throughout NW Ohio, according to Mallory Crooks, Ability Center public relations manager.
 
Self-defense presentation
        Lake Township Police Department is inviting the public to attend a presentation of “The ABCs of Self-Defense,” which will be held Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s UCC Church, 28505 Main St., Millbury.
        The presentation will be part of the monthly meeting of Millbury’s Neighborhood Watch group.
        Lake Township Police Officer Jon Penny will provide the presentation, which includes an emphasis on teaching seniors how to defend themselves.
        “The presentation will deal with a variety of aspects of self-defense,” said Ron Craig, the police department’s community policing and crime prevention officer. “A key factor in self-defense is being aware of your surroundings, which will be a big part of the presentation that evening.”
        “Many people think seniors are helpless when it comes to protecting themselves, but Officer Penny will show those attending the presentation how that theory is false.”
        While seniors will get tips on various aspects of self-defense, the presentation is geared toward all age groups. If weather permits, the meeting will take place in the shelter house at the church. Otherwise, it will be conducted in the basement.
        Contact Officer Craig at 419-481-6354 for more info.
 
Veterans invited to pinning ceremonies
        All veterans are invited to attend a Commemoration & Pinning Ceremony sponsored by Stein Hospice, the Ottawa County Veterans Service Office and Ottawa County Senior Resources.
        Dates and locations include:
        • Nov. 9 - Elmore Senior Center (held at the Genoa Senior Center, 514 Main St., Genoa). Lunch at 11:30 a.m. Ceremony at noon. RSVP by Nov. 1 by calling 419-862-3874.
        • Wednesday, Nov. 10 – Genoa Senior Center, 514 Main St. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. Ceremony at noon. RSVP by Nov. 1 by calling 419-855-4491.
        • Monday, Nov. 15, 2021 - Oak Harbor Senior Center, Ottawa County School Building, 8200 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. Ceremony at noon. RSVP by Nov. 1 by 419-898-2800.
        Veterans are asked to RSVP with their name, phone number and whether they wish to have lunch. The event is free for all veterans and a guest.
 
Caregiver Expo
        The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio will present the 2021 Caregiver Expo virtually, via Zoom, Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 4-6 p.m.
        Keynote speaker for the event will be Dr. Jeremy Holloway, founder of Tellegacy, University Students Serving Isolated Older Adults, Dr. Holloway will discuss, “Social Isolation and Loneliness & The Power of Resiliency.”
        To register, visit areaofficeonaging.com/event/6612 or call Jessica Drouillard at 419-725-7037. Zoom login for attendees will be from 3:30-4 p.m.
 
Alzheimer’s program
        The Alzheimer’s Association will present, “Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia,” Tuesday, Nov. 2 from 5-6 p.m. at Otterbein Pemberville.
        Visit alz.org/CRF to explore additional education programs available.
 
Care Compass
        The Wood County Committee on Aging’s Care Compass Project will meet Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. at the Wood County Senior Center, 140 S. Grove St., Bowling Green. The meeting will also be offered virtually via Zoom.  The topic will be “Technology & Caregiving,” at 11 a.m. and “Visits During the Holidays” at 11:45 a.m.
        The Care Compass Project serves as a quarterly network gathering for caregivers and offers a place to gather together and obtain resources to make the journey of caregiving less stressful.
        Registration is required by Friday, Oct. 29 by calling 1-800-367-4935 or 419-353-5661 or emailing programs@wccoa.net. Brookdale of Bowling Green will provide lunch for the first 20 participants registered.
        The Care Compass Project is brought to the community by Brookdale of Bowling Green, Wood County Committee on Aging, Ohio Living, Golden Care Partners, BGSU Optimal Aging Institute and Wood County Hospital.
 
Holiday Outreach Project
        The Wood County Committee on Aging is partnering with the Wood County Job & Family Services to help grandparents raising grandchildren during the upcoming holiday season.
        Monetary donations will be accepted at all Wood County Senior Center locations including:
        • Northeast Center, 705 N. Main St., Walbridge, 567-249-4921.
        • Pemberville Area Senior Center, 220 Cedar St., 419-287-4109.
        • Perrysburg Center, 140 W. Indiana Ave., 419-874-0847.
        • Rossford Center, 400 Dixie Highway, 419-666-8494.
        Donations will be used to purchase gifts for grandchildren (birth to 17 years of age). Interested grandparents in need are asked to complete an application. The application deadline is Friday, Dec. 3.
        For more info or to receive an application, contact the WCCOA Programs Department at 419-353-5661 or 800-367-4935 or email programs@wccoa.net.
 
Sock, blankets
needed for seniors
        As colder weather approaches, Ottawa County Senior Resources is collecting Socks for Seniors (and blankets, too).
        New socks and blankets may be dropped off at:
        • All Ottawa County senior centers including Elmore Golden Oldies (19225 Witty Rd.), Genoa Senior Center (514 Main St.) and Oak Harbor Harbor Lights (8180 W. SR 163).
        • Senior Resources Main Office, 8180 W. SR 163, Oak Harbor.
        • Ottawa County Courthouse (Madison Street), Port Clinton.
        Call 419-898-6459 for more details. All items collected will be distributed to Ottawa County seniors and homebound clients.
 
Transportation available
        Oregon Senior Center offers transportation to any Oregon resident 60 and older to and from anywhere in Oregon, including medical appointments, hair appointments, banking and to and from the senior enter.
        The suggested donation is $3 for roundtrip transport to the center, and $4 to and from other Oregon locations. Arrangements may be made for transport across the river as well.
        Twenty-four-hour advance notice is required by calling 419-698-7078.
 
Guiding Pathways offers caregiver respite
        The Wood County Committee on Aging’s Guiding Pathways is a respite program designed for those with early- to moderate-stage memory loss.
        Programming includes art, science, socialization, small-group games, exercise and meditation. The cost to participate is $10 per session and lunch is included for the care recipient.
        The program is offered three times a month at two locations. Register at least one week prior to each session by calling the WCCOA Programs Department at 419-353-5661 or 800-367-4935.
        Upcoming programs include:
        • Wednesday, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Timothy’s Church, 871 E. Boundary St., Perrysburg. Support is provided by Arista Home Care Solutions, Kingston of Perrysburg and St. Timothy’s Church.
        • Fridays, Nov. 5 and 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wood County Senior Center, 140 S. Grove St., Bowling Green.
 
GLCAP senior programs
        Great Lakes Community Action Partnership offers a Senior Life Transitions program for seniors looking for connections to local programs, resources and assistance available in the community.
        The program offers a one-stop hub that provides comprehensive information about local senior services including:
        • Socialization and senior activities.
        • Health needs including Medicare and Medicaid counseling, medication assistance, home health, behavioral health, Alzheimer’s and dementia, hospice and other medical needs.
        • Home-delivered meal options.
        • Transportation needs.
        • Living options including local senior housing, in-home assistance, long-term care, and assisted living/nursing facilities.
        • Caregiver and respite assistance.
        • Family services for seniors raising grandchildren or great-grandchildren.
        • Other community senior services.
        A copy of the Senior Life Transitions brochure is available online at glcap.org/media/2977/senior-life-transitions.pdf.
        Sandusky County Senior Directory
        A Sandusky County Senior Directory, compiled by the Sandusky County United Way, is a comprehensive list of services and resources including medical services, assisted living and nursing care, church groups, recreation and more.
        Access the directory online at glcap.org/media/3318/senior-directory.pdf.
        To learn more about GLCAP’s senior programs and services, visit glcap.org/programs/senior-services or call 800-775-9767.
 
Hospice offers advance
care planning assistance

        Hospice of Northwest Ohio provides free, guided conversations by trained facilitators to assist in the completion of advance healthcare directives.
        Through a series of questions, these conversations consider cultural, spiritual, and religious beliefs in completing written advance directives including living wills and selecting a health care power of attorney.
        All adults, whether healthy, or coping with a serious illness, should think about, discuss and document their healthcare wishes. It is important to make wishes known upfront about any future medical treatment, in the event a person cannot express them him or herself.
        Hospice of Northwest Ohio offers this service free of charge to anyone in the community. Advance care plans are legal documents that can be created without the assistance of a lawyer. Healthcare decision conversations can be done in person, or via phone or video chat.
        Set up an appointment by calling Sara Chambers BSN, RN, CHPN at 419-931-5423 or emailing acp@sinceracare.org.
        Learn more about advance directives at hospicenwo.org/patient-care/advance-care-planning.
 
Area Office on Aging
supports area caregivers

        The Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio offers a Caregiver Support Program for families and persons caring for older adults.
        According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, on average, family caregivers spend 24.4 hours per week providing care. Nearly one in four caregivers spends 41 hours or more per week providing care.
        The Caregiver Support Program offers information, counseling and supplemental services to help:
        • Reduce caregiver stress, burden and injuries.
        • Increase caregiver confidence and knowledge.
        • Improve quality of care.
        • Help caregivers balance their lives and caregiving responsibilities.
        Kinship Navigator Program
        AOoA’s Kinship Navigator Program offers information, support, education and connection to community agencies for grandparents and other relatives raising grandchildren.
        For more info, call 419-382-0624 or visit areaofficeonaging.com.
 
 

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