The Wood County Committee on Aging will use grant funds to boost programming and services for the county’s aging population.
At its meeting Feb. 15, Wood County commissioners released $466,495 in Healthy Aging Grant funds to the agency.
Wood County was allocated the funds, to be dispersed by the county commissioners.
“This is wonderful news for the Wood County Committee on Aging,” said board Vice President Nancy Orel.
The aging population in Wood County is growing tremendously and requires additional programming and services, she said.
Many constituents are still dealing with the aftermath of COVID, she added, including more medical, transportation and nutrition services.
“Being awarded this funding will help older adults throughout Wood County tremendously, so we cannot thank you enough,” Orel said.
The agency has a very extensive home-delivered meal program and part of the funding will be used to update the trucks used to deliver the meals, said Tom Milbrodt, president of the committee on aging’s board.
Since the 1970s, the agency has provided home-delivered meals for older adults in Wood County. More than 925 meals are delivered daily, Monday-Friday, from the production kitchen to the senior centers in the county including more than 600 homebound older adults. In 2023, the agency provided 216,475 meals.
The agency will use the grant money to purchase two vehicles for home-delivered meals, $112,000; two medical escort vans, $88,121; technology, including server, hardware and software installation and laptop setups for a computer lab in Bowling Green, $40,053; internet connectivity for existing jetpacks, at $19.77 per month per unit, $9,490; membership in the county probate guardianship board to provide more intensive oversite, $33,870; and Great Lakes Community Action Partnership Getting Around Guides, $5,000.
Funds also will be used to pay for minor home repairs, 17 homes at $5,000 each for $85,000; and adult day services, $45,000. The grant also will be used to pay for contractual nursing services with the Wood County Health Department, at $48,000.
The adult day services allocation will be used to underwrite 450 units, which cost $100 each, for MemoryLane Care Services.
The remaining funds can be used to provide strategies 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.
Paul Herringshaw, past board president, said these funds will allow the agency to continue to provide needed services.
“I think you realize how important we feel your committee is,” said Commissioner Ted Bowlus. “We value you very much.”
Wood County provides more services and programming than many counties around us, said Commissioner Doris Herringshaw.
“I know it’s a challenge sometimes to keep everything running smoothly … but we really do appreciate it,” she said.
