Prime Times Briefs: Nominations sought for WCCOA’s Golden Care Awards

        The Wood County Committee on Aging is seeking nominations for its annual Golden Care Awards, which recognize compassionate caregivers working in a facility or home-care setting, as well as community caregivers.
        Caregivers will be recognized in a virtual event via Zoom on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
        Nominations may be submitted online at wccoa.net/activities/special-events/ or contact the WCCOA Programs Department at 419-353-5661 or email programs@wccoa.net with any questions.
        WCCOA also offers a number of virtual programs. A complete listing and schedule are available online.
        Those looking to connect with others may join the WCCOA Pen Pal Group. Choose to communicate by phone, email or mail. Email or call the Program Department to sign up.
 
Bingo Live
        Oregon Senior Center will play Bingo Live on Facebook for prizes Thursday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. Get a bingo game packet Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the center, located at 4350 Navarre Ave. There is a maximum of four cards per game; one bingo packet per person. There is no cost to play. CHI Living Communities is sponsoring the event.
        The center will also present a Junk in Your Trunk Sale Friday, Sept. 25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 419-698-7078 or follow on Facebook for more details.
 
E. Toledo Senior Center offers bingo, lunches
        The East Toledo Senior Center offers free Bingo every Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. on Zoom. Everyone age 60 and older is invited to play. Visit www.facebook.com/EastToledoSeniorCenter to learn more.
        The center, located at 1001 White St., provides lunches, made in the center kitchen, Monday-Friday. The lunches are available for “Grab & Go” or for home delivery. There is a suggested donation of $2.50. Reservations must be made the day before by 10 a.m. or on Friday for Monday. “Grab & Go” meals are available at 11:45 a.m. Reserve lunches by calling 419-691-2254, ext. 202.
        On Wednesday, Oct. 7, the center will present an online discussion about Medicare Open Enrollment with Shannon from UnitedHealthcare from 1:15-2:15 p.m. Visit the center’s Facebook page for more details.
 
Medicare Open Enrollment help
        Medicare Open Enrollment will run Thursday, Oct. 15 through Monday, Dec. 7. There are several resources to help Medicare beneficiaries look at their 2021 coverage options.
        Magruder Hospital and Ottawa County Senior Resources can help with comparisons. Due to COVID-19, extra precautions will be taken to limit face-to-face time.
        Anyone who would like more information can call Magruder Hospital at 419-732-4061 or Ottawa County Senior Resources at 419-898-6459. The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program hotline can also help with comparisons by calling 1-800-686-1578.
 
Grab `n Go meals offered
        Ottawa County Senior Centers are offering Grab `n Go meals to county seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
        Meals can be ordered through the senior centers. Meals follow the regular monthly menu. To make a reservation, seniors must call the senior center of their choice by 10 a.m. one day prior to they day they wish to pick up the meal. All seniors 60 and older are welcome to join the Grab `n Go program. The suggested donation is $3 per meal; however, seniors may pay whatever they feel they can afford.
        To learn more or make a reservation, call:
        • Elmore Golden Oldies, 19225 W. Witty Rd., at 419-862-3874. Pickup is available Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m.-noon.
        • Genoa Senior Center, 514 Main St., at 419-855-4491. Pickup is available Monday, Wednesday and Friday 11:30 a.m.-noon.
        • Oak Harbor “Harbor Lights” Senior Center, 8180 W. SR 163, at 419-898-2800. Pickup is available Monday and Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-noon.
        Learn more at www.co.ottawa.oh.us. Click on Senior Resources on the left-side menu to find complete menus and updates or call Senior Resources at 419-898-6459.
 
Advance Healthcare Directives 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 419-931-5423 or emailing acp@sinceracare.org.
        Learn more about advance directives at www.hospicenwo.org/patient-care/advance-care-planning.
 
Otterbein SeniorLife announces affiliation with Sunset Communities
        The board of directors of Otterbein SeniorLife announced an affiliation with Sunset Communities, located in Toledo. Both are senior care non-profit organizations that provide an array of senior services, including independent and assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing and rehabilitative care, home health and hospice.
        In making the announcement, Jill Wilson, president and CEO of Otterbein SeniorLife said “We are very pleased to join forces with Sunset Retirement Communities. Their 149-year track record of enriching individual life journeys, combined with Otterbein’s 108 years of enhancing the quality of life and holistic growth of older persons, will strengthen our organization and open up all kinds of strategic opportunities to carry out our mission.
        Sunset Communities CEO/President Vicky Bartlett said, “Our board has been looking for the best way to assure the long-term viability of our organization and this is it. Otterbein SeniorLife is clearly one of the premier senior care providers in the nation and aligns best with us culturally and philosophically. The fact that Otterbein already operates four senior care organizations in Northwest Ohio, and their home office location is less than three hours away, are added bonuses.”
        In the affiliation, Otterbein SeniorLife will become the sole member of Sunset Retirement Communities, Inc. In keeping with the standard already in place with all Otterbein communities, Sunset will continue to retain the current staff, leadership team and local board of directors, with support from a home office team to create leverage for sales, marketing, communications, financial analyses, strategic planning, and other such activities.
        Sunset’s balance sheet remains intact and investments will be used solely in support of the Sunset Communities.
        With the affiliation, the Sunset Communities will change their name to Otterbein Sunset House and Otterbein Sunset Village, and the independent living residences will be called The Woodlands at Otterbein Sunset House and Fieldstone Villas at Otterbein Sunset Village.