BIAOH is a statewide advocacy and education organization incorporated in 1982 to improve services and supports to Ohioans with brain injury and their families, and to promote prevention. Their mission is to create a better future through brain injury prevention, research, education and advocacy.  

Find help with:
  Spinal Cord Injuries
  Brain Injuries
  Rehabilitation
  Legal Options

Resources and information for brain and spinal cord injury survivoros BrainandSpinalCord.org was created and sponsored by the Swope Rodante law firm as a knowledge-base for brain injury and spinal cord injury survivors to help answer these kinds of questions. While the site is relatively new, we hope to eventually have answers and information about all of the most frequently asked questions and important issues facing survivors. 

The website offers a directory of local rehabilitation centers.  The phone number is directed to the sponsored law firm. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is an excellent resource for information and guidance on a variety of health related topics from chronic disease and smoking cessation, to fall prevention and flu shots. 

Here are some particular areas of interest for older adults and caregivers:

Falls Among Older Adults

Elder Maltreatment

Flu

Winter Weather

Smoking and Tobacco Use

Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Diabetes

Older Adult Drivers

Use the site's A-Z Index to easily find the information you are looking for. 

Tips for helping older adults prevent heat-related illness and injuries

During hot summer months, everyone should take care to protect themselves from heat-related illnesses and injuries.  During this time, our elderly loved-ones, friends and neighbors (people age 65 and older) are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses and injuries, because: 

• Elderly people do not adjust as well as young people to sudden changes in temperature.
• They are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that upsets normal body responses to heat.
• They are more likely to take prescription medicines that impair the body`s ability to regulate its temperature or that inhibit perspiration.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. It occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body`s temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat, and it is unable to cool down. Body temperatures rise to 106F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.
Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke

Warning signs vary but may include the following:

• An extremely high body temperature (above 103F)
• Red, hot, and dry skin (no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Throbbing headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Warning signs vary but may include the following:

• Heavy sweating
• Paleness
• Muscle Cramps
• Tiredness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting
• Skin: may be cool and moist
• Pulse rate: fast and weak
• Breathing: fast and shallow

What you can do to protect yourself

You can follow these prevention tips to protect yourself from heat-related stress: 

• Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages. (If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink when the weather is hot. Also, avoid extremely cold liquids because they can cause cramps.)
• Rest.
• Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
• If possible, seek an air-conditioned environment. (If you don`t have air conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned shopping mall or public library to cool off.)
• Wear lightweight clothing.
• If possible, remain indoors in the heat of the day.
• Do not engage in strenuous activities.  

What you can do to help protect elderly relatives and neighbors

If you have elderly relatives or neighbors, you can help them protect themselves from heat-related stress:

• Visit older adults at risk at least twice a day and watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
• Take them to air-conditioned locations if they have transportation problems.
• Make sure older adults have access to an electric fan whenever possible.

What you can do for someone with heat stress

If you see any signs of severe heat stress, you may be dealing with a life-threatening emergency. Have someone call for immediate medical assistance while you begin cooling the affected person. Do the following: 

• Get the person to a shady area.
• Cool the person rapidly, using whatever methods you can. For example, immerse the person in a tub of cool water; place the person in a cool shower; spray the person with cool water from a garden hose; sponge the person with cool water; or if the humidity is low, wrap the person in a cool, wet sheet and fan him or her vigorously.
• Monitor body temperature and continue cooling efforts until the body temperature drops to 101F
• If emergency medical personnel are delayed, call the hospital emergency room for further instructions.
• Do not give the person alcohol to drink.
• Get medical assistance as soon as possible.

(Content Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Extreme Heat)

Help with summer cooling costs

Help with summer cooling costs is available to low-income and older Ohio residents starting July 1 through Aug. 31. 

The assistance is provided by the Ohio Department of Development`s annual Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Summer Crisis Program, which provides a one time payment of up to $175 for electric bills to low-income and elderly residents who meet eligibility guidelines.  Last year, more than 42,000 Ohio residents received help through the HEAP Summer Crisis program.

For more information, contact your local community action agency or call 800-282-0880.

The Society is a National, voluntary health organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with Huntington's disease and their families. They assist people and families affected by Huntington's Disease and help them to cope with the problems presented by the disease. For more information on their services click here.

JDRF’s Outreach Program offers personalized support to families, adults, and teens living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).Their goal is to provide information and resources about T1D, diabetes research, and how best to manage and cope with this disease during each new phase of life.

Information about the disease from the Mayo Clinic.

The National MS Society is working toward a world free of MS. They mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS. Visit their website to learn more about their services and resources.

The National MS Society helps each person affected by MS in our area address the challenges of living with MS. We help by raising funds for cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education and providing programs and services that empower people with MS and their families to move their lives forward.

Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Through our chapter’s support services and educational programs for people living with MS and their families and friends, we help connect people in our local communities who want to do something about MS now.

• We offer many programs — including professional counseling and peer facilitated support groups, educational programs and seminars, referrals to neurologists and healthcare professionals, national teleconferences and internet programs, services for the homebound, and social and recreational programs to assist people with MS and their families in leading productive and fulfilling lives.
• Our community support helps to fund our local programs and accelerate worldwide research projects to ensure no opportunity is wasted. Generosity can come from anywhere. We are thankful to our members and their friends, corporate partners and the general public who help us raise the money to move us closer to a world free of MS.

The Paralyzed Veterans of America, Buckeye Chapter strives to improve the quality of life of honorably discharged veterans who have spinal cord injury, dysfunction or illness including but not limited to multiple sclerosis and ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) through advocacy, medical research, sports and recreation, education and communication.

Office hours: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (Monday – Friday)

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.