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Levy passage ensures programs for senior citizens
(by Joan Demirjian - November 25, 2009)
Levy passage ensures programs for senior citizens
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Passage of a 1-mill levy for senior services in Geauga County on Nov. 3 will enable the Geauga Department on Aging to continue and provide more services for residents.
"What a great community we have," department of aging Director Sally Bell said. "The levy passed in every township in the county," she said.
"Our intention was to make services available no matter where you live," Ms. Bell said. "You should be able to access a ride to a doctor's appointment, participate in quality day care or recuperate at home with home-delivered meals."
The number of senior residents "aging in place," accessing additional services through the department and allowing them to stay in their homes is on the rise, Ms. Bell said.
More who used to drive are taking the county transport bus and staying for lunches at the senior centers in the county, she said.
The department is in the fourth year of a five-year levy. When the new levy money approved Nov. 3 is available in 2011, the department will bring back some of the lost programs, Ms. Bell said.
"One of the big focuses is on being safe and secure in their own homes," she said.
In a community-impact study, the report found that housing needs for seniors and disabled adults and transportation are the two highest priorities. The third highest concern is services for homebound seniors, she said.
"It's cheaper to keep people in their own homes than entering a skilled nursing homes," Ms. Bell said.
"We know we have wonderful facilities in the county," she said. However, the department wants to provide opportunities for being safe and secure in their own homes as long as possible, "and then look at skilled nursing and long-term care and assisted living. And we want seniors to know how to access the services."
The department on aging is working on a program in which an advocate will work with people, such as someone undergoing a hip replacement, to be able to go home and find after-care services.
"The care manager will be there as an advocate and friend," Ms. Bell said. It would cut down on the maze of options for the individual in need. "We hope to do it with the levy funds," she said.
Earlier this year, 200 seniors on five buses from the senior centers went on a "parade of homes," and visited rehabilitation, long-term care and assisted-living places in the county, Ms. Bell said.
One of the buses left the Chagrin Falls Senior Center at Chagrin Falls Park in Bainbridge and made the rounds of the facilities in Bainbridge.
"We really tried to show a spectrum of opportunities," Ms. Bell said.
As people "age in place," more services are needed, she said.
The department wants to respond to what people want as the use of services increases.
"I have the best staff and they honestly care about seniors they work with," Ms. Bell said. "We're empowering them with information."
"We try to communicate the value of each person, and seniors in Geauga County will never be put on a shelf as long as I'm here. We know they can contribute to the better of our society."
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