Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) is a non-profit organization with more than 36 years of expert service to older adults and their families. We create options so people can live in the environment of their choice as they age.
For Answers on Aging, call 721-1025 (toll free 1-800-252-0155) or visit www.help4seniors.org.
Founded in 1970, COA was designated four years later by the state of Ohio to be the Area Agency on Aging for Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. COA plans, coordinates and administers services in a region that is home to more than 252,000 adults age 60 and older.
We offer an array of wonderful services from one, reliable source.
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Information and help navigating the system: One call to COA links people to the wide variety of agencies, information and programs that serve older adults
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Support and education for family caregivers - free and in your home
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Home-care services like home-delivered meals, housekeeping help, transportation, personal care and more
- Long-term care consultations - free and in your home
COA programs include:
- PASSPORT: in-home care program for Medicaid recipients
- Elderly Services Program: in-home services supported by tax levies in Butler, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties
- Taking Charge: free in-home assessment of long-term care needs - a starting point for making decisions
- Community Resources and Information: an information and referral center
- Advocacy on senior citizen issues
- Council on Aging Learning Advantages (COALA):Education, training and support for home health aides and caregivers
- Pre-admission review for people entering nursing facilities
- Special events such as Senior Expo
Issues in Aging
The population of Americans over age 65 is expected to double to 71 million by 2030.
This year, 78 million baby boomers will begin turning 60. In addition, people live longer because of better health care. This results in a larger number of frail, elderly people - those who are most in need of long-term care.
Issues include health care costs, inadequate transportation, under-funded home and community-based care, and senior housing.
Consider these facts about older Ohioans:
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Every month, another 12,000 Ohioans turn 60
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In 1999, about 12 percent of adults over age 65 were age 85 or older. By 2050, this segment of the older population will nearly triple.
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By 2020, we'll have 40 percent more older Ohioans than we do now.
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Nearly one-fourth of impoverished older adults cannot afford prescription medicine.
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Unpaid caregivers provide 80 percent of home care services.
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Ninety percent of older adults want to remain in their homes for as long as possible.
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More than one-third of older adults fear they will be unable to afford living in their current homes
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More than 40 percent of older adults say public transportation does not exist in their areas or is very limited.
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Ohio spends more than $2.5 billion annually on long-term care services for Medicaid (low-income) recipients.
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Long term care is changing. Fewer people are using institutional care and more are receiving care in their homes. In 1995, 84 percent of seniors needing Medicaid-funded long-term care received it in nursing homes. Only 16 percent were enrolled in the PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver program to receive services in their homes. In 2007, it is projected that nursing homes will provide care to 69 percent of this population, while PASSPORT will nearly double to 31%.
For more information and Answers on Aging, please contact:
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio
175 Tri County Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45246
Phone: 513-721-1025 / 800-252-0155 (toll free)
Website: www.help4seniors.org