Community Assistance

• Area Agencies on Aging
• Beautician Services
• Ethnic Groups and International Residents Resources
• Geriatric Care Manager
• Geriatric Assessment Centers
• Grocery Delivery
• Home Care Services
• Outreach Programs
• Physician Referrals
• Physicians Making Home Visits
• Senior Companions
• Telephone Reassurance

An Area Agency on Aging is a public or private nonprofit agency, designated by the state to address the needs and concerns of older Americans at the regional and local levels. “Area Agency on Aging” is a generic term – specific names of local AAAs may vary. AAAs are primarily responsible for a geographic area that is either a city, a single county or a multi-county district. All AAAs provide three important functions for Americans aged 60 years and over; to plan, develop, coordinate and arrange for services.

The priorities for services coordinated by Area Agencies on Aging fall into the following general categories:

• Providing access to services in local communities which meet the needs of older adults in their communities.
• Supporting independent living through home and community based care.
• Caregiver services.
• Meeting the nutritional needs of older adults.
• Protecting the basic rights of the most vulnerable elderly.

Local Area Agencies on Aging

Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (PSA 1) 513-721-1025
Intake/Assessment: 513-721-7670
Community Resources & Information: 513-345-8643
TTY/TDD 513-651-0691
175 Tri County Parkway

Cincinnati, OH 45246
www.help4seniors.org
Serving Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren Counties.

AAA, PSA #2 800-258-7277
6 S. Patterson Blvd 937-341-3000
Dayton, OH 45402
www.info4seniors.org
Serving Drake, Champaign, Clark, Green, Logan, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby Counties.

AAA District 7, Inc. (PSA 7) 800-648-2575
740-245-5306
University of Rio Grande
Rio Grande, OH 45674
www.aaa7.org
Serving Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton Counties.

North Kentucky Area Development District (PSA 7) 859-283-1885
800-255-7265
22 Spiral Drive TTY/TDD
Florence, KY 41042
www.nkadd.org
Serving Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen, and Pendleton Counties.

Lifetime Resources, Inc. (PSA 12) (Indiana) 812-432-5215
13091 Benedict Drive
Dillsboro, IN 47018
Serving Dearborn, Jefferson, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland Counties.

To obtain a list of current beauticians that provide in-home services call Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, Community Resources & Information. 513-345-8643

International Family Resource Center 513-721-7660
Formerly known as Travelers Aid International of Greater Cincinnati
707 Race St., Suite 300
Cincinnati, OH 45202
A program of Family Service of the Cincinnati Area

Services:

• English as a Second Language… English Classes for immigrants, refugees, and international visitors.
• Employment Services & Social Services…Pre-employment services and job search assistance for immigrants and refugees, and social service referral and placement.
• Information and Legal Assistance with Immigration Procedures…Offered through a cooperative program with the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati.
• Language Bank…Translation and interpretation services in more than 60 languages for individuals, corporations, courts, law firms, and others on a fee-for-service basis.
• Citizenship Education…Preparation for the naturalization examination for individuals who want to become United States Citizens.
• Multicultural Information Bureau…Information and referral services for individuals, and research data on Greater Cincinnati’s ethnic-nationality communities an intercultural organizations. Also produces the Greater Cincinnati International Sourcebook.

SuCasa 513-761-1588
Hispanic Ministry Center
115 West Seymour Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45216

The Mission of SuCasa is to serve Hispanics; whatever their needs!

Services provided by SuCasa include:

• Job Referral and Job Fairs.
• Housing Assistance and Referrals.
• Enroll Children in School and Daycare.
• Promote GED Program.
• English and Spanish Classes.
• Translation Services.
• Income Tax Preparation Services.
• Medical Referrals and Health Fairs.
• Legal Referrals.
• Alcoholics Anonymous in Spanish.
• Host and Promote Athletic Teams.

Geriatric Care Manager is a health care professional (usually social workers or nurses) with aging-related expertise and familiarity with services available to assist with care. They are especially useful for families who are assisting with care from a long-distance. They usually start with a comprehensive assessment. Fees are charged to conduct the assessments, arrange services, and monitor services provided. Geriatric care managers can be hired on a one-time basis, or to provide ongoing assistance.

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
520-881-8008
www.caremanager.org

The Geriatric Assessment Center is an organization that uses a variety of health care professionals such as physicians, nurses, social workers, dieticians, physical and occupational therapists, and others to conduct comprehensive assessments and to develop recommendations for care. The centers usually have a geriatrician on staff, and are often affiliated with a hospital or university medical school. They have access to a wide variety of health and social services. The assessment may be billed to Medicare.

The Centers for Interactive Geriatric Assessment (CIGA)
513-699-1852
Executive Park
4050 Executive Park Drive, Suite 240
Cincinnati, OH 45241

Deaconess Geriatric Assessment (in-patient)
513-559-2215
311 Straight Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219

Geriatric Evaluation Center of University Hospital
513-782-2730
Maple Knoll Village
11100 Springfield Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45246

Kroger in Hyde Park Plaza
513-871-4142
3760 Paxton Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45208
Will take orders on Tues., Wed. & Thurs. 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., need one day notice, have a limited delivery area and the delivery fee is based on the dollar amount of food ordered.

Mairose Brothers Meats
513-321-6721
3431 Monteith Avenue

Cincinnati, OH 45208
Delivery services available on Tues., Thurs., and Sat. Order before 11:30 a.m. for the same day delivery. Delivery fee: $3 - $6, and there is no minimum order. Call for delivery areas.

Sunshine Fine Foods
513-321-8071
3429 Erie Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45208
Food must be ordered by 10:30 a.m. for same day delivery. Deliveries are made to Hyde Park, Oakley, Indian Hill and Downtown. There is a $5 fee for orders under $25. Deliveries are available on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Bigg's

513-347-0300

5071 Glencrossing Way

Cincinnati, OH 45238

Bigg's provides a bus every Thursday to the Glencrossing Way store. Eligibility: must live on the west side of Cincinnati, must be able to board the bus independently, must be able to shop independently, and must be able to carry the groceries into the home.

Groceries For You

513-478-2458

Mason, OH 45040

www.groceriesforyou.com

Area served: Mason, West Chester, Deerfield Township

Delivery hours Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday by appointment.

Other Help in Obtaining Groceries

Homemaker Services – Grocery shopping is one of the services that are provided by the homemaker under Home Care.

Senior Center - Many provide transportation for a scheduled shopping day.

Volunteer Service – A Church in the area may have a volunteer service to help those who need assistance with grocery shopping. Check with a church in your area

What is Home Care?
Home care is a simple phrase that encompasses a wide range of health and social services. These services are delivered at home to recovering, disabled, chronically or terminally ill persons in need of medical, nursing, social, or therapeutic treatment and/or assistance with the essential activities of daily living.

Who Can Benefit From Home Care
A person who …

• can be discharged from a hospital or nursing facility, but needs additional care at home.
• requires short-term assistance at home because of outpatient surgery.
• needs additional assistance to live independently due to illness, disability, or aging.
• has a condition such as congestive heart disease, diabetes, and muscular, nervous, or respiratory disorders.
• is terminally ill and wants to spend their remaining time in dignity and the comfort of home.

Generally, home care is appropriate whenever a person prefers to stay home, but needs ongoing care that cannot easily or effectively be provided solely by family and friends. More and more older adults, electing to live independent, non-institutionalized lives, are receiving home care services as their physical capabilities diminish.

Types of Home Care Services
The types of services which are available fall into two categories: skilled services and home support services or intermediate care.

• Skilled Services
  Skilled services are a higher level of care usually provided by trained medical professionals. These services include; skilled nursing services, physical, occupational and speech therapy.
   
• Custodial Care Services
  Custodial care is care that does not require specialized training or services. Custodial care may include any of the following services:
  • Companion Services– provides socialization.
  • Chore Service or Environmental Services- pest control, waste removal and heavy cleaning.
  • EMS/ERS – Electric Monitoring Systems or Emergency Response Systems is 24 hour a day protection for emergency response and medication administration.
  • Home Medical Equipment/Durable Medical Equipment & Supplies.
  • Home Delivered Meals– one chilled, hot or frozen meal delivered to the home for those homebound, age 60 or over that are unable to prepare a meal or grocery shop.
  • Home Modification/Repair – installing grab bars, ramps or dead bolt locks.
  • Homemaker Services – help with meal preparation, shopping, light housekeeping, and laundry.
  • Independent Living Assistance – assistance with finances, personal business and telephone support.
  • Nutrition Counseling – diet/nutrition instruction.
  • Personal Care Services – assistance with bathing, dressing, and grooming.
  • Respite for Caregivers – relief for the primary caregiver.
  • Social Work Counseling – dealing with issues and problems.

Who Provides Home Care – Types of Agencies

Home Health Agency (HHA): The term home health agency often indicates that a home care provider is Medicare certified. A Medicare-certified agency has met federal minimum requirements for patient care and management and therefore can provide Medicare and Medicaid home health services. Individuals requiring skilled home care services usually receive their care from a home health agency.

Hospice: Hospice care involves a core interdisciplinary team of skilled professionals and volunteers who provide comprehensive medical, psychological, and spiritual care for terminally ill patients and their families. Hospice care also includes the provision of related medications, medical supplies, and equipment. It is based primarily in the home, enabling families to remain together. Most hospices are Medicare certified and licensed according to state requirements.
Payment for hospice care is available as a benefit under Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies. For a listing of Hospice agencies call Information & Referral at Council on Aging^SM, 513-345-8643.

Homemaker and Home Care Aide Agency: These agencies employ homemakers or chore workers, home care aides, and companions who support individuals through meal preparation, bathing, dressing, and housekeeping. Some states require these agencies to be licensed and meet minimum standards established by the state. Ohio has no licensure law for these agencies. All home care providers of Council on Aging^SM (COA^SM) must comply with “Conditions of Participation” in order to provide service for COA clients. Providers are also surveyed once a year to assess compliance with quality standards.

Durable Medical Equipment Company: These companies provide home care patients with products such as wheelchairs, walkers, catheters, and wound care supplies. Durable medical equipment and supply companies that bill the Medicare program are required to meet federal minimum standards.

Pharmaceutical and Infusion Therapy Companies: These companies specialize in the delivery of drugs, equipment, and professional services for individuals receiving intravenous or nutritional therapies through specially placed tubes. These companies employ pharmacists who prepare solutions and arrange for delivery to patients. Some pharmaceutical and infusion therapy companies are home health agencies, certified by Medicare. In addition, some states require these organizations to be licensed.

Payment for Home Care Services

1. Elderly Services Program^SM (ESP^SM)- Innovative home care program managed by Council on Aging^SM which fosters self-determination and independence for eligible county residents
   through the provision of in-home services. Program is available in the following counties:
    

   Butler County (65 years of age)	513-868-9281
   From Middletown	800-215-5305
   Clinton County (65 years of age)	937-382-7170
   Hamilton County (65 years of age)	513-721-1025  or TTY/TDD 513-651-0691
   Warren County (60 years of age)	513-695-2271

2. Medicaid – “Core” services are nursing, daily living or home health aide services, and skilled
   therapy, physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
   • Core Benefit Package is designed to meet the basic home care needs of most consumers who require up to 14 hours of nursing and/or daily living services per week. Call your physician to see if you might be eligible for Core services.
   • Core Plus Benefit Package is structured to meet the home care needs of consumers who require more than 14 hours of daily living and/or nursing services per week. There is no waiting list for services. To apply for the Core Plus Benefit Package call the Home Services Facilitation Agency, Medical Case Management of America, 800-538-4218.
      
3. Medicaid Waiver – A home and community-based services waiver is a program designed by a state Medicaid agency to help keep people in their homes and communities and out of institutions.

   The Ohio Home Care Waiver is designed to meet the home care needs of clients under the age of 60 whose medical condition and/or functional abilities would otherwise require them to live in a nursing home or other institution. This Medicaid waiver provides services that are not available under the Core or Core Plus Benefit Package such as: home delivered meals, emergency response systems, home modifications, supplemental adaptive/assistive devices, adult day services, out-of-home respite, supplemental transportation, nutrition/social work counseling and care coordination.

   First the county determines if you are financially eligible, then the Home Services Facilitation Agency will meet with you to determine if your medical condition or disability qualifies you for enrollment on the waiver. This program is administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Contact your County Department of Job Family and Services to apply.

   Butler County:	513-887-4000
   From Middletown:	513-425-8625
   Clermont County	513-732-7111
   Clinton County:	937-382-0963
   Hamilton County:	513-946-1145
   Warren County:	513-695-1420

   Medicaid Hotline Number (for information) 800-324-8680
   TTY/TDD 800-292-3572

   Transitions Waiver Benefit Package provides the identical services, providers and administration as the Ohio Home Care Waiver benefit package but serves clients who were transferred from the Ohio Home Care Waiver because they were identified as having an ICF-MR (intermediate care facility for people with mental retardation or developmental disabilities) level of care.

   Individual Options Waiver 614-466-1056
   Serves people of any age with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities. Without home care, these people would be in an institution. This waiver serves MR/DD clients in their own home.

   Residential Facilities Waiver 614-466-6670
   Individuals who live in group homes licensed by the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD) are eligible for the Residential Facilities Waiver.
   
   The above two waivers are administered by the Ohio Department of MR/DD. You can contact your County Board of MR/DD to apply.

   PASSPORT
   PASSPORT provides families an alternative to traditional nursing home care By providing essential in-home services, PASSPORT allows eligible adults to remain in their home instead of going to a nursing home.

   To qualify an individual must be 60 years of age or older, be Medicaid eligible, agree to participate, require skilled or intermediate level of care, be unable to receive services from another funding source, be assured his/her health needs can be met safely in the home, be residing in a non-institutional setting, and not require services that exceed a one-year cost as cap set by the state of Ohio.

   Council on Aging^SM is the PASSPORT program administrator responsible for participant
   assessment, case management and contract management with service providers in
   Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren Counties.

4. Medicare – For those who are eligible for Medicare, intermittent services are covered if the following conditions are met:
• Medically necessary care is ordered by the physician.
• Skilled care is required for either nursing, or physical therapy, speech therapy or ongoing occupational therapy on an intermittent basis.
• The care is provided to a homebound person.
• The home health agency must be a Medicare certified agency.
   
5. TriHealth Senior Link 513-531-5110
   4750 Wesley Avenue, Suite J
   Cincinnati, OH 45212
   www.trihealth.com
   TriHealth Senior Link offers all-inclusive health care services to address the medical, rehabilitative, social and personal care needs of older adults through one program. Senior Link serves those 55 years and older who have health needs that would qualify a participant for nursing home level of care.
   
   Residents must live in Hamilton County or within specific zip codes for
   Butler: 45014, 45015, 45069, 45241.
   Clermont: 45140, 45150, 45244, 45245, 45255.
   Warren: 45034, 45039, 45040, 45140.
    
6. Catholic Social Services 513-241-7745
   100 East 8th Street
   Cincinnati, OH 45202
   www.cssdoorway.org
   Caregiver Assistance; Counseling; Foster Grandparents; Jail Chaplaincy; Senior Companion; Older Adult Services; Homemaking Services and Personal Care.
    
7. Privately Paid Services
   Home care can be paid for directly by the patient or his or her family. Most Home Health Agencies and Homemaker Home Aide Agencies provide services to private pay patients. You can find a listing of agencies in the Yellow Pages under “Nursing” or “Home Health Care”.
    
8. Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance
   LTC insurance may cover some custodial services in the home depending on the individual policy.

Quality Improvement at Council on Aging
To assure quality service, COA has a systematic quality improvement monitoring system. The Quality Improvement Process is based on guarantees to include safeguards for the client’s health and welfare and provider procurement and monitoring systems.

Conditions of Participation and Service Specifications are the standards for provider service delivery by which each provider’s service quality will be evaluated.

An initial on-site visit is made by the Quality Improvement Team to the agency applying for certification as a provider.  The purpose of this visit is to determine the agency's ability to conduct business and to meet the Conditions of Participation and Service Specifications. A follow-up visit is made 90 days following the first day of client care.

Each provider is visited at least once a year to assess compliance with Conditions of Participation and Service Specifications appropriate to service delivered. Service delivery documentation for client needs that were identified by the Case Manager was delivered. Personnel files of individual direct service workers are also reviewed to assure background investigations were performed and training occurred.

The Quality Improvement Team receives monthly documentation, called Provider Feedback logs from Care/Case Management staff that identifies positive or negative feedback comments regarding providers.  These documents are tracked and monitored for patterns or trends. Telephone calls to providers or event-based reviews or follow-up reviews may also be conducted. A summary of all feedback logs is sent to the provider for process improvement.

Technical assistance is also provided by COA's Quality Improvement staff through out the year to promote provider achievement and maintenance of compliance with standards.

Resolving Problems/Complaints about Service at COA
Client/consumer receives a written explanation of the complaint process upon enrollment in the Elderly Services Program or on an annual basis during the reassessment in PASSPORT.

To Locate a Home Care Agency
To locate home care agencies in your area, ask your physician for a referral or consult a hospital discharge planner. You can also contact the State Department of Health for a list of certified agencies or Council on Aging^SM at 513-345-8643 for a listing of contracted agencies in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren counties.

Most state associations maintain directories of existing home care agencies and can help you identify an appropriate provider. The following associations can provide information about home care and hospice.

National Association for Home Care
228 Seventh Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
202-547-7424
www.nahc.org

Ohio Council for Home Care
1395 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Suite 350
Columbus, OH 43229
614-885-043
www.homecareohio.org

To Resolve a Home Care Problem
If you invest some time and find out about home care agencies before beginning services you will most likely receive high-quality home care that is safe and effective. If a problem develops, however, or you would like to issue a complaint, notify the home care agency’s supervisor or administrator, or contact the Pro Seniors Ombudsman or the State of Ohio’s Home Health Hotline.

Ombudsman 513-345-4160
Pro Seniors 800-488-6070

7162 Reading Road, Suite 1150
Cincinnati, OH 45237
www.proseniors.org
The ProSeniors long-term care ombudsmen will investigate complaints from older adults receiving home care services.

Ohio Department of Health 614-466-3543
Home Health Care Complaint Hotline 800-342-0553
246 North High Street, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 118
Columbus, OH 43216-0118
www.odhs.state.oh.us
Fax: 614-728-9169
Email: HCCOMPLAINTS@gw.odh.state.oh.us

Division of Quality Assurance, Bureau of Community Health Care Facilities & Services
(Medicare/Medicaid Certification) 614-995-7466
Nurse Aide Registry 614-752-9500
Nurse Aide Testing 877-851-2355
OASIS Hotline 614-466-0190

H.O.M.E. Project 513-221-1080
2900 Woodburn Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45206
H.O.M.E. is a nonprofit organization sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. The program helps the elderly poor and people with special needs in the St. Francis de Sales neighborhood. Opportunities are available for the clients to receive help with money management, medical assistance, health care assistance, assistance with funerals and burials, improved housing, and participation in celebrations and planned activities. Visitation, counseling, and access to a food pantry are also aspects of the program. Mercy Professional Services provides an outreach therapist who goes into the homes of the elderly and counsels them.

Parish Nurse Health Ministry
Parish Nurses and Health Ministers are usually volunteers and may serve on a part-time basis. The role of the Parish Nurse:

• Health Educators.
• Health Counselors – The Parish Nurse serves as a source for reliable health information and, as necessary, can make home/hospital/nursing home visits.
• Referral Source – The Parish Nurse helps people connect with community support groups, resources, and services.
• Facilitator – The Parish Nurse recruits and coordinates volunteers and support groups within the parish and local community.

For further information or to contact a Parish Nurse call:

TriHealth Parish Nurse Listing

TriHealth Parish Nurse Ministry
The majority of staff listed work 20 hours a week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Anticipate a 24-48 hour response time. To refer a new patient, call the appropriate nurse in the neighborhood. The job sharing partners will determine which parish nurse takes a new client referral.

There are many other churchs that have the Parish Nurse Ministry. Call the church in your area to see if the service is available.

Episcopal Retirement Homes, Inc. Parish Nurse Program 513-272-5555

Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly 513-542-7555
5530 Colerain Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45239
www.little-brothers.org
An international nonprofit organization committed to relieving loneliness and isolation among the elderly. Programs and Services: 1. Visiting Volunteer Program matches a volunteer with an Old Friend to create a friendship that they hope will last a lifetime. The volunteer visits regularly. 2. Holiday and Social Activities. On major holidays volunteers deliver meals to homebound elders or drive them to one of the festive parties. 3. Special Assistance is provided to Old Friends as needed. This may mean help with transportation to grocery store, doctor’s office, or to the pharmacy.

Medical House Calls 513-852-1942

Visiting Physicians 513-841-0777
888-742-0597
2100 Sherman Avenue, Suite 115
Cincinnati, OH 45212

Catholic Social Service 513-241-7745
100 East 8th St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
www.cssdoorway.org
The Senior Companion Program places trained volunteers with area senior citizens who are unable to meet all of their own needs. The Companions help with personal care, meals and home management, in addition to accompanying their senior partners on visits to doctors and clinics. They provide encouragement, peer support, respite for care providers, and participate in recreational and social activities. All of these services and more help their senior partners remain in their own homes. Senior Companion volunteers receive a tax-free stipend and reimbursement for transportation costs, uniforms, insurance, and recognition. The Senior Companion Program is funded by the Corporation for National Service and the Ohio Department of Aging and is a service of Catholic Social Services in this area.

Chat Line 513-754-3100 ext 508
Volunteers call homebound older adults on a regular basis to provide contact, support, and companionship.