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 1971, COA was designated three 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 Boomers have begun 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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For more than a decade, Ohio has seen a growing trend away from institutional care. In 2001, about 23 out of every 1,000 seniors recieved care in Medicaid nursing facilities. This compared with about 9 per 1,000 receiving home and community based care through a Medicade waiver program, such as PASSPORT.
In 2009, the nursing home ratio is projected to drop 20 per 1,000 seniors and PASSPORT to increase to 15 per 1,000.
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)
Email: Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio
Website: www.help4seniors.org