Prime Times Briefs

By: 
Press Staff Writer

Older Americans Month:
Ohio Dept. of Aging encourages seniors to “Make Their Mark”
 
        Older Ohioans’ diversity, values, insight, and experiences throughout their lives have helped to shape their communities.
        The Ohio Department of Aging encourages citizens to join in celebrating older Ohioans during Older Americans Month through May. The 2020 theme for Older Americans Month is “Make Your Mark”
        When empowered to connect with friends and families, as well as to local services and resources, older adults continue to thrive,” ODA Director Ursel J. McElroy said. “When they are able to create and contribute to their neighbors, economy, and society, our state is better for it.”
        Learn more at https://aging.ohio.gov/OlderAmericansMonth.
 
Color Care Kits help seniors communicate
        The Oregon Senior Center is offering “Senior Color Care” kits, which help seniors who are homebound or staying home to observe social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic indicate their condition to nearby neighbors.
        The kit includes three house-shaped colored decals which can be hung on a window with a suction cup.
        Hang the house to indicate “I’m OK.” Displaying the yellow house means, “I need help with an errand.” The red house indicates an emergency and a need for help.
        Senior center staff recommend seniors talk with neighbors to let them know what each decal means.
        Call the senior center at 419-698-7078 to obtain a kit.
        The Oregon Senior Center is still available for transportation, grab-n-go meals and essential services. Call 419-698-7078 for more info.
 
Senior center offering help
        The East Toledo Senior Center is available to help East Toledo-area seniors 60 or over with grocery shopping or delivery. Call 419-691-2254 for more information.
 
Alzheimer’s Assn. offering virtual classes
        While most everyone has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the novel coronavirus is presenting unique challenges for more than 5 million Americans, including 220,000 in Ohio, living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.           The Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter is offering free virtual education programs in the coming weeks to help Ohio caregivers and their families.
        The Alzheimer's Association offers a number of education programs that can help those living with Alzheimer’s and their families understand what to expect so they can be prepared to meet the changes ahead and live well for as long as possible.
        “During this challenging time, we want to ensure that caregivers and their families have access to Alzheimer’s Association resources, even if they cannot venture out,” said Pam Myers, program director. “These online programs allow us to connect with the community and provide necessary information even amid the current crisis.”
        Each virtual education program is approximately 45 minutes and allows the audience to ask questions and engage with others going through the journey online.
         Upcoming programs include:
        • Monday April 20, 11 a.m., Effective Communication Skills.
        • Wednesday, April 22, 2 p.m., Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
        • Thursday, April 23, 3:30 p.m., Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
        • Friday April 24, 11 a.m., Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body.
        • Sunday April 26, 6 p.m., Effective Communication Skills.
        • Monday April 27, 1 p.m., 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s.
        • Tuesday April 28, 11 a.m., Healthy Living for your Brain and Body.
        • Tuesday April 28, 4 p.m., Effective Communication Skills.
        For a complete list of upcoming programs, or to register for a program, visit alz.org/crf.
        In addition to the virtual education classes, the Alzheimer’s Association offers online community resources at alz.org including ALZConnected, a free online community where people living with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, family and friends can ask questions, get advice and find support.
        About the Alzheimer’s Association:
        The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia – by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Visit alz.org or call 800-272-3900.
 
Virus in nursing homes
        Gov. Mike DeWine announced last week that the Ohio Department of Health issued an order requiring long-term care facilities to notify residents and families within 24 hours of a resident or staff member testing positive for COVID-19.
        “The Ohio Department of Health had been strongly encouraging facilities to notify families all along, but this order makes this notification mandatory,” Gov. DeWine said. “Families of long-term care residents have a right to know if individuals at these facilities are sick.”
        Gov. DeWine also announced that a list of long-term care facilities with positive COVID-19 cases will be listed on coronavirus.ohio.gov as the information becomes available.
 
Senior centers remain closed
        All Wood County Committee on Aging Senior Center locations will remain closed to the public through Thursday, April 30. As the date approaches, WCCOA will consult with the Wood County Health Commissioner regarding the status of re-opening.
        WCCOA continues to offer modified services during this time, including:
        • Medical escort will be provided on a case-by-case basis, except for clients who are symptomatic of the virus.
        • Home-delivered meal service continues. All participants will receive one hot lunch daily and will be offered a weekly drop of seven frozen meals to reheat for dinner. WCCOA has developed a modified menu for the timeframe determined for the closure.
        Staff and volunteers delivering meals will not enter client homes unless absolutely necessary, and will remain at least 6 feet away from clients. In order to assure the client is well, staff/volunteers will have a visual of the client or, at a minimum, voice interaction through the door.
        Wood County residents who do not visit senior centers and who feel they may benefit from participating in the home-delivered meal program may call 419-353-5661 for more info.
 
Grab n’ go meals
        Ottawa County Senior Centers are offering grab n’ go meals to county seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The meals can be ordered through county senior centers.
        • Pickup at Elmore Golden Oldies, 19225 W. Witty Rd., is Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-noon. Call 419-862-3874 to order.
        • Pickup at Genoa Senior Center, 514 Main St., is Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11:30 a.m.-noon. Call 419-855-4491 to order.
        • Pickup at Oak Harbor “Harbor Lights” Senior Center, 8180 W. SR 163, is Monday and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m.-noon. Call 419-898-2800 to order.
        For menus and more info, visit www.co.ottawa.oh.us and click on “Senior Resources” on the left or call 419-898-6459.
 
Hospice offers help with advance healthcare directives
        On National Healthcare Decisions Day (April 16), Hospice of Northwest Ohio introduced a program that provides free, guided conversations by trained facilitators in the completion of advance healthcare directives.
        Through a series of questions, these conversations will consider cultural, spiritual, and religious beliefs in completing written advance directives including living wills and selecting a health care power of attorney.
        Healthcare decision conversations can be done via phone or video chat with one of hospice’s certified facilitators by appointment only. Make an appointment by calling 419-931-5423 or email acp@sinceracare.org.
        Learn more about advance directives at www.hospicenwo.org/patient-care/advance-care-planning.
 
AOoA offering assistance
        The Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio will connect area seniors with needed services such as home-delivered meals, grocery delivery, food boxes, grab-and-go meals, well-check calls for emotional support and socialization or medical transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
        To start receiving one or more of these services, call 419-382-0624 or visit https://toledoaging.wufoo.com/forms/q1iujbb807p1ehd/.
 
State sends $8.8 million in meal assistance for older Ohioans
        The Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) is distributing $8.8 million across the state to meet the growing demand for meal assistance by older Ohioans impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.
        ODA distributed the funds, provided through the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, to the state’s 12 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to support meals programming for older Ohioans at highest risk for malnutrition and hunger.
        “This funding will help us reach an even greater number of older Ohioans struggling to meet their daily nutritional needs during this extraordinary time,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
        Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel J. McElroy added, “Thanks to these dollars, our AAAs will be able to address waiting lists, expand the number of people receiving home-delivered meals, reach those who previously participated in congregate meals, and provide additional meals per day or per week.”
        Ohio’s AAAs respond to the needs of older adults as advocates, planners, and funders. They provide education, information and referral services, and work with public and private sectors to help older adults with home and community-based long-term care.
        For the latest on COVID-19, visit the Ohio Department of Health website coronavirus.ohio.gov, or call 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       

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