The Wood County Committee of Aging has ideas on how to use Healthy Aging Grant funds.
At its meeting Oct. 11, members learned the Ohio Department of Aging has $40 million that will be split among the state’s 88 counties to use to improve the quality of life for seniors.
Each county will receive $100,000 with additional funds determined by the population over the age of 60, how many seniors are low income, and how many are not covered by Medicaid, explained Executive Director Denise Niese.
The grants will go directly to county commissioners to disperse to its aging services, Niese said.
“We’ve submitted recommendations on how funds that may come to Wood County could be expended to benefit our constituency as a whole,” she said.
All grant recipients are required to allocate at least 20% of funding to support food assistance programs, 20% for housing assistance and 10% to support internet access and digital literacy services, said board President Paul Herringshaw.
The remaining funds can be used to improve nutrition or physical activity, outreach and advocacy for family caregivers. and programs to improve chronic pain management and/or falls risk and mobility, among others, Herringshaw said.
Board member John Calderonello asked the size of the grant and where the focus will be.
Herringshaw said they expect to receive a little more than $466,000, and projects include updating the delivered meals fleet, purchasing a vehicle for medical escort, updating the computers in the building and paying for the nursing contract with the Wood County Health Department.
He added that nothing has yet been approved but that the funds will take the pressure off the agency’s tax levy.
“This is a one-time opportunity,” Niese said. “I’d like to invest these dollars with things that have a longer life than six months.”
The funds have to be spent by June 30, 2024.
The agency probably won’t see these funds again, Herringshaw said.
In other business, the board:
Learned the positions of North Baltimore site manager and site driver, southeast driver and Rossford site driver are vacant. The position for Rossford site manager has been posted, as the person currently doing the job is retiring Oct. 27.
Learned that 13 projects have been completed with three in the queue for the Ohio Department of Aging’s minor home repair project. Of the $115,000 received, a balance of $70,726 remains. Projects can’t cost more than $5,000 and the money has to be spent by Sept. 30.
Neise said a temporary ramp for a double amputee has been “a game changer.”
There are 10 projects on the waiting list.
Was reminded of a fraud education training event planned for Oct. 26 from 2-4 p.m. at the Wood County Senior Center.
Learned COVID shots are not available at the flu clinics be held around the county, as the Wood County Health Department has yet to receive the vaccine.
Approved a memo of understanding with the health department to allow its nursing division to provide blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol clinics that were offered pre-COVID. The plan also includes having a registered dietician provide nutrition education programs at all the senior centers in the county, Niese said.
The health department board is expected to approve the agreement at its meeting Thursday.
“It’s just a fresher look at how we can provide some of the educational aspects as well as the health assessments and do it efficiently and effectively,” Niese said.
Learned ballots for board seats will be counted Nov. 21.
Were told the 50+ Shades of Grey exhibition will be held sometime in February with artwork displayed on new rails installed in the building.
