Aging Issues - Ohio Department of Aging

Aging Connection

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Each month, the director of the Ohio Department of Aging highlights the latest issues, events and legislation to effect Ohio's seniors. Her column is featured in senior newspapers and other publications throughout the state.



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Recent Issues

Small Changes, Good Habits Can Make Homes Safer - June 2008
Just a few simple steps can dramatically reduce the dangers in most homes and may even make a lifesaving difference.
Have a Frank Conversation with Dad on Father's Day - June 2008
Father's day is June 15. Not only is this a great opportunity to celebrate Dad and thank him for all he has done, it is also a good time to have an open and honest conversation with your father about his health and also his plans and preferences about long-term care.
Loving Life, Helping Others, Supporting Communities - May 2008
Today's older Ohioans are healthier, more active and better educated than ever before. They are living full and satisfying lives and making Ohio a better place to live.
What's Your Plan for Long-term Care? - May 2008
Most of us first learn about long-term care at the worst possible time - when we or a loved one needs care now. That's when we learn that long-term care is expensive and health insurance, Medicare and disability coverage do not pay for most services.
Is a Stranger Betting on Your Life? - April 2008
Stranger-originated life insurance, or STOLI, involves investment firms that seek out people who are insurable but have short life expectancies and who agree ahead of time to sell their policies for a fee.
Stimulus Payment May Be a Tax Return Away - April 2008
Many older Ohioans are eligible for an income tax rebate of $300 to $1200 as part of the federal stimulus package. To qualify, eligible individuals must file a 2007 tax return that shows at least $3,000 in qualifying income.
Ask Yourself: Are You Prepared for Retirement? - March 2008
How do you plan and save for a retirement that can last more than twenty years? What can you do now to ensure that you will have enough money for the retirement you would like to have?
Treasure Your Vision - March 2008
While a degree of vision loss comes naturally with aging, growing older doesn't mean you have to go blind.
For Some Legal Matters, Seek a Specialist - February 2008
Elder law is a relatively new, specialized field of law that deals with issues faced by the fastest growing segment of the US population.
How Will Digital Television Affect Seniors? - February 2008
In about a year, thousands of older Ohioans could turn on their TVs only to find nothing is on... quite literally.
Governor Strickland's Energy Plan and You - January 2008
Older Ohioans face rising costs of daily living, as well as the ever-increasing costs of aging. On a per capita basis, older adults use more residential energy than younger persons because they spend more time at home and usually have more acute health concerns.
Visit a Nursing Facility - December 2007
During this holiday season, I encourage you to extend your good will and season's greetings to nursing facility residents in your area who would greatly appreciate a visit and someone to talk to.
Ohio and the Nation Need Older Workers - November 2007
We know that America is aging. What we don't know is exactly how dramatic an impact this will have on the workforce.
Crucial Conversations - October 2007
Everyone agrees that family members need to talk about health planning and end-of-life issues. More often than not, however, we don't.
Voting: Your Right, Your Voice - Make It Heard - September 2007
This November, we all have the opportunity to exercise one of the most basic freedoms in our society. We can vote. We can have a voice in, and choose how, our towns and cities are run.
Life Long Learning - A Virtual Fountain of Youth - August 2007
Studies have shown that continuing education, even late in life, can help maintain or buffer our physical and mental well-being.
Golden Buckeye Cards Now Include Ohio's Best Rx Program - July 2007
Beginning Sunday, July 1, 2007, Golden Buckeye cardholders will have access to the Ohio's Best Rx program through their Golden Buckeye cards.
Farmers' Markets and Older Ohioans - Growing Healthy Together - June 2007
Good nutrition, including a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, can improve an individual's overall quality of life.
Unified Long Term Care: Services Based on the Individual's Needs - May 2007
The development of a unified long-term care budget is a critical step in offering a continuum of services that meets the consumers' needs throughout their lives.
Be Your Best: Body, Mind and Spirit - April 2007
Aging actively is a choice. By making certain life style choices, we can indeed be our very best in body, mind and spirit.
Reprieve From High Property Taxes: The Homestead Exemption - March 2007
The end of mortgage payments does not mean the end of paying for your home. But, there is a way older Ohioans may experience some relief on their property taxes.
The New Meaning of Healthy, From Head to Toe - February 2007
Although there is currently no cure, research has shown that an active and sharp mind is a great defense against Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. There is a lot you can do to help keep your brain healthier as you age - and many of them are fun and easy to do!
Care In All Shapes and Sizes: Choice Is What We Want - January, 2007
We also know that most people, if given the opportunity and means, would choose to remain in their own homes and communities as long as possible. It is a decision that many take for granted until the day we need care or assistance with a seemingly ordinary task.
Depression is Not a Normal Part of Aging - December, 2006
Depression in late life affects six million Americans. However, only one in six is diagnosed and treated appropriately. Undiagnosed and untreated depression can have serious consequences for seniors, including declining physical health, reduced resistance to disease and even suicide.
2-1-1: Connecting Ohioans to the Information They Need - November, 2006
For years, you've been able to dial 9-1-1 for emergency services, and 4-1-1 for directory assistance. Now, most Ohioans can dial 2-1-1 for information and referral services.
Not All of Us Can Be Competitive Athletes… or Can We? - October, 2006
Since 1979, the Ohio Senior Games have promoted healthy lifestyles and physical activity for older residents through top quality athletic competition.
Building Skills, Building Communities, Building the Future - September, 2006
For more than 40 years, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) has served the job training and placement needs of people age 55 or older with limited financial resources.
Are We Ready for the Bird Flu? - August, 2006
Health professionals are concerned that the continued spread of a highly dangerous strain of bird flu across eastern Asia and other countries represents a significant threat to human health worldwide.
Aging Eyes: See Your Eye Doctor to See Everything Else - July, 2006
More than 187,000 Ohioans age 40 and older are currently legally blind or visually impaired. This is largely due to age-related eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.
Geriatric Medicine: Meeting the Need - June, 2006
While they are typically healthier, more independent and more active than their parents, today's older adults make up a large percentage of the nation's hospital and out-patient populations. Yet, fewer than 10 percent of American medical schools have mandatory education in geriatric medicine.
Ohioans Living Healthy Vibrant Lives Are the New Face of Aging - May, 2006
May is celebrated nationally as Older Americans Month to acknowledge the continuing contributions of older citizens. Senior Citizens Day is May 16. The Ohio theme for Older Americans Month 2006 is: "Be Healthy . . . Be Vibrant!"
Don't Fall Prey to a Predatory Lender - April, 2006
Predatory lenders take advantage of vulnerable borrowers, such as people on fixed incomes. Through deception or aggressive sales tactics, they convince borrowers to agree to unfair and abusive loan terms that benefit only the lender. As a result, the consumers find themselves locked into a loan that they cannot possibly pay back.
Your Life, Your Choice - March, 2006
Most people prefer to live independently in our own homes surrounded by family and friends for as long as we can. But often, we need some help to do so. the Ohio Aging Network provides a variety of options to nursing home care for Medicaid-eligible Ohioans.
White House Conference on Aging Prioritizes Real Aging Issues - February, 2006
The White House Conference on Aging is held once every decade and, this year, underscored the importance of preparing the nation's aging services infrastructure to meet the need of tomorrow's seniors.
Winterproof Your Residence - January, 2006
Analysts at the U.S. Department of Energy predict that most Americans will pay 32 to 48 percent more to heat their homes this winter than they did last year. There are some simple steps you can take to reduce your heating costs this winter.
Go Direct for Safety and Convenience - November, 2005
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Bank encourage social security beneficiaries to receive their federal benefits in the safest, fastest and easiest way possible - direct deposit.
A Dose of Medicare - October, 2005
Prescription drug coverage is finally available for people with Medicare. So if you already have some Medicare insurance coverage, you should consider adding prescription coverage.
Connecting Across Generations - September, 2005
Kids today are more excited by surfing the internet than riding a bike. Thinking back to our streamer-adorned handle bars, we may have trouble understanding today's youth, but we must if we hope to connect and stay connected.