Council on Aging (COA) is overseen by a board of trustees and assisted by an advisory council. The board establishes rules for COA’s operation and directs the organization’s affairs in keeping with Council on Aging’s mission to enhance lives by assisting people to remain independent through a range of quality services.
Advisory council members represent the needs of older adults across COA’s service area and give voice to older consumers of services, people with disabilities and others involved in the field of aging. Board and advisory council members live and work in COA’s five-county service area and bring a wealth of professional and personal experience to COA and its leadership team.
Jane Ripberger, Vice Chair, joined the COA Board in January 2024 after serving on COA’s Advisory Council. She represents Hamilton County and is the president and owner of Home Instead. Ripberger serves on the board’s Program Planning, Government Relations and Nominating Committees.
What interested you in serving on Council on Aging’s Board of Trustees?
I strongly believe in COA’s mission and want to assure the aging receive the best care possible.
Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenge(s) facing Council on Aging and older adults in our community?
Allowing for the increasing number of older adults and their needs.
What excites you most about COA’s future and how do you see yourself contributing to it?
Suzanne’s (Burke) leadership as CEO and the team she has put in place at COA that has such passion, drive and expertise. Using my passion, experience and knowledge, I hope to be able to aide in communicating the needs of older adults to community and government leaders.
What’s the most important lesson you learned from an older adult in your life?
Being a Geriatric Clinician and a nurse, I have learned many lessons and continue to learn every day from my older adult clients, family and friends. Life is good and as we get older it may not be easy but it is a blessing. Just because someone is older, doesn’t mean they don’t have anything to contribute. We all have purpose.
What are some books you’ve read recently?
Power of a Praying Woman and the children’s book Love You Forever.