Lake County Council On Aging

SEE SCHEDULE O

HOME DELIVERED MEALS - SENIOR HOME DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM EXPERIENCED A LOT OF CHANGE IN 2021, BUT MAINTAINED, IF NOT ENHANCED, THE AGENCY'S COMMITMENT TO SENIOR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS. THE YEAR BEGAN WITH PANDEMIC MEASURES FROM 2020; INCLUDING THREE DAYS OF HOT MEAL SERVICE DELIVERY PROVIDING SEVEN MEALS (FOUR FROZEN MEALS) FOR HOME-DELIVERED MEAL CLIENTS. MEALS ON WHEELS RETURNED TO A MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY DELIVERY MIDYEAR ENSURING A CONSISTENT SERVICE OF FIVE NUTRITIOUS MEALS PLUS TWO OPTIONAL FROZEN MEALS FOR WEEKENDS, CASUAL CONVERSATION AND SAFETY CHECKING FOR THE 1137 SENIORS (183,807 MEALS WERE DELIVERED IN 2021). OF THE 562 SENIORS NEW TO THE PROGRAM, 75% WERE AT HIGH NUTRITIONAL RISK. MEALS ON WHEELS PROVIDES A SERVICE THAT ENABLES MANY SENIORS TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT IN THEIR OWN HOME BY RECEIVING MEAL ASSISTANCE WHEN THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET OUT OR SHOP, HAVE DIFFICULTY SEEING OR STANDING TO PREPARE A MEAL OR LIVE WITHIN MODEST MEANS. 72% OF MEALS ON WHEELS CLIENTS ARE 75 OR OLDER, 60% ARE WOMEN, 59% ARE FRAIL OR DISABLED, 55% LIVE ALONE AND 12% ARE BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. THE HOME DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES FIVE DAYS OF A DELIVERY VOLUNTEER CHECKING IN AND SHARE SMILES WITH THE SENIOR. IN ADDITION TO INCREASING SERVICE DAYS, THE FOCUS IN 2021 WAS ON INCREASING ADDITIONAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES; SUPPLEMENTAL PET FOOD, COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD AND FRESH PRODUCE. THE PURPOSE OF THESE SUPPORT PROGRAMS IS TO BRING MORE NUTRITION INTO A SENIOR'S LIFE BY DELIVERING FRESH AND SHELF-STABLE FOOD AND REDUCE SENIOR FOOD INSECURITY. IN OCTOBER 2021, A MONTHLY COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM BOX WAS OFFERED TO SENIORS WHO MET THE FEDERAL INCOME GUIDELINES FOR THE PROGRAM. THE HOME DELIVERED BOX PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SHELF-STABLE FOOD ITEMS AND TWO LBS. OF CHEESE. THE EXTRA SHELF-STABLE FOOD ITEMS ADD NUTRITIONAL VALUE TO A SENIOR'S OVERALL FOOD INTAKE AND PROVIDE ITEMS FOR AN EMERGENCY PANTRY.

SOCIAL WORKER SERVICES THE YEAR 2021 BEGAN AS A CONTINUATION OF 2020 WITH THE CORONAVIRUS STILL IN CHARGE OF THE DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE TO PROTECT CLIENTS AS WELL AS STAFF. MOST CONTACT WAS MADE BY PHONE WITH THE REALIZATION THAT SOME ASPECTS CRITICAL TO OUR WORK MIGHT BE MISSED. REFERRALS TICKED UP A BIT WITH A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN THE COMPLEXITY OF NEEDS. THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON PHYSICAL AS WELL AS MENTAL WELL-BEING CANNOT BE STATED ENOUGH. IN MANY CASES, THE PAIN OF ISOLATION AND LONELINESS WAS PALPABLE AT THE TIME OF INITIAL ASSESSMENT. AS THE VACCINE BECAME ACCESSIBLE, THE SOCIAL WORK STAFF ASSISTED MANY CLIENTS IN SECURING APPOINTMENTS BOTH IN HOME AND AT DESIGNATED SITES. THE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO RESUME IN-HOME VISITS IN LATE SPRING WHICH ALLOWED FOR IN PERSON INTRODUCTIONS AND A CHANCE TO FURTHER EVALUATE CLIENTS WITH MORE COMPLEX ISSUES AND CONCERNS SUCH AS HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH, LACK OF SUPPORT SYSTEM AND FOOD INSECURITY. SOCIAL WORKERS CONTINUED TO ASSIST WITH PRODUCE DELIVERY,GROCERY SHOPPING, AND PICKING UP PRESCRIPTIONS. AS WITH MANY ORGANIZATIONS, WE WERE DOWN SOCIAL WORK STAFF FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD IN 2021. DESPITE THIS CHALLENGE, THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT WORKED TIRELESSLY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS AND THOSE MOST VULNERABLE SENIORS IN LAKE COUNTY, OHIO. 2021 SOCIAL WORK SERVICES: - PROVIDED SERVICES TO 1,398 UNDUPLICATED SENIORS - PROVIDED 1,351 HOME VISITS - COMPLETED 627 INITIAL PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENTS - COMPLETED 466 ANNUAL REASSESSMENTS - COMPLETED 3,334 SERVICE HOURS

CONGREGATE MEALS THE SENIOR CONGREGATE PROGRAM EXPERIENCED A LOT OF CHANGE IN 2021, BUT MAINTAINED, IF NOT ENHANCED, THE AGENCY'S COMMITMENT TO SENIOR NUTRITIONAL NEEDS. THE YEAR BEGAN WITH PANDEMIC MEASURES FROM 2020; INCLUDING ONCE-A- WEEK FIVE MEAL DRIVE-THRU SERVICE FOR LUNCH PLACE CONGREGATE CLIENTS. THE FOUR LUNCH PLACE SITES ARE LOCATED WITHIN A SHORT DRIVE OF NEARLY EVERY LAKE COUNTY RESIDENT. THE REOPENING OF SENIOR CENTERS MIDYEAR BROUGHT BACK THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY A GOOD MEAL AND FRIENDSHIP. WHILE NOT ALL SENIORS WERE READY TO RETURN TO IN-PERSON DINING, AND FIVE MEALS A WEEK WAS NO LONGER THE NORM RESULTING IN A SLIGHT DECREASE IN MEALS FOR THE YEAR. A RETURN TO MORE NORMAL LIFE AND JOY FOR THE 90 NEW SENIORS AND TOTAL 431 SENIORS SERVED WITH HOPEFULLY CONTINUE TO INCREASE. A TOTAL OF 24,784 MEALS WERE SERVED EITHER IN-PERSON OR THROUGH THE PICK-UP SERVICE IN 2021.

HOMEMAKER SERVICES THE AGENCY'S HOMEMAKERS ASSIST SENIORS WITH ROUTINE BASIC CHORES SUCH AS LIGHT DUSTING, VACUUMING, CHANGING BED LINENS, MOPPING FLOORS, AND CLEANING OF THE KITCHEN AND BATHROOM. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE HOMEMAKERS PROVIDE SOCIALIZATION FOR SENIORS WHILE OVERSEEING THAT THEY ARE IN A SAFE, CLEAN ENVIRONMENT WHILE LIVING THEIR GOLDEN YEARS. THE COST FOR THE HOMEMAKER PROGRAM IS BASED ON A SLIDING FEE SCALE BASED ON THE INDIVIDUAL'S INCOME. AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC, PRIOR TO VISITS THE HOMEMAKERS NOW CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR CLIENTS ARE NOT EXPERIENCING ANY SYMPTOMS AND WHILE PERFORMING THEIR SERVICES, THE HOMEMAKERS WEAR A MASK AND MAINTAIN A SOCIAL DISTANCE WHILE ENGAGING IN FRIENDLY, COMFORTING AND REASSURING SOCIALIZATION WITH THEIR CLIENTS. THE CLIENTS AND STAFF WELCOMED THE RETURN TO THE FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT OF BEING IN A PARTNERSHIP WHERE THE LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING HOMEMAKER PROGRAM STAFF AND SENIORS ALLOW GOALS TO BE MET WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM A FRIEND ALL FROM THE COMFORT AND SECURITY OF THEIR HOME. 2021: PROVIDED 2,795 TOTAL UNITS OF HOMEMAKER SERVICES TO 144 LAKE COUNTY SENIOR HOUSEHOLDS. INFORMATION & ASSISTANCE INFORMATION & ASSISTANCE IS A FUNDAMENTAL SERVICE OF THE ADRC. I&A SPECIALISTS TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN TO THE CALLER AND ESTABLISH A PERSONAL RAPPORT. THIS IS CRUCIAL BECAUSE THOSE WHO CALL THE AGENCY MAY NOT ALWAYS KNOW TO ASK FOR A SERVICE BY NAME. I&A SPECIALISTS ASSIST CALLERS WITH DETERMINING THEIR NEEDS AND PREFERENCES THEN PROVIDE UNBIASED INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT CAN HELP MEET THEIR NEEDS AND SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE. I&A SPECIALISTS ALSO LINK CALLERS TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN HELP. SOME AREAS OF ASSISTANCE INCLUDE: HOUSING OPTIONS, TRANSPORTATION, PERSONAL CARE, RESPITE CARE, AND LEGAL SERVICES. WHEN APPROPRIATE, I&A SPECIALISTS FOLLOW UP WITH INDIVIDUALS TO ENSURE THE INFORMATION PROVIDED WAS BENEFICIAL AND OFFER OTHER RESOURCES IF NECESSARY. 2021: PROVIDED 5,567 INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE CONTACTS. AS CONCERNS OVER THE COVID-19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC CONTINUED INTO 2021, INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE SPECIALISTS FROM THE LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING, TOGETHER WITH LIFELINE/211, PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE OF REGISTERING SENIORS FOR THE LAKE COUNTY MOBILE FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM. THIS WAS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN THE COUNCIL ON AGING, LAKETRAN, LIFELINE, INC., THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AND THE GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK. 2021: SERVED 7,068 DUPLICATED SENIOR HOUSEHOLDS. OPTIONS COUNSELING OPTIONS COUNSELING TAKES INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE ANOTHER STEP FURTHER BY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO INDIVIDUALS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND CAREGIVERS IN NEED OF LONG-TERM CARE SUPPORT TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES ABOUT THE SERVICES AND SETTINGS THAT BEST MEET THEIR NEEDS. INDIVIDUALS AND CAREGIVERS RECEIVE UNBIASED INFORMATION ABOUT VARIOUS LONG-TERM CARE SUPPORT OPTIONS AND THE RESOURCES TO HELP PAY FOR SERVICES. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES DECISION SUPPORT TO IDENTIFY NEXT STEPS IN THE PROCESS AND HELP IN CONNECTING WITH SERVICES IF NEEDED. 2021: PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 106 HOURS OF OPTIONS COUNSELING ASSISTANCE TO 86 UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS. BENEFITS ASSITANCE BENEFITS ASSISTANCE IS A SERVICE THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE RELATED TO PUBLIC BENEFITS. THE BENEFITS SPECIALIST SCREENS FOR ELIGIBILITY AND GUIDES INDIVIDUALS THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR PUBLIC BENEFITS INCLUDING MEDICAID, SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP), HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT, THE HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP), MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS AND THE LOW INCOME SUBSIDY (AKA EXTRA HELP). UNBIASED INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE RELATED TO MEDICARE IS PROVIDED THROUGH OHIO SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION PROGRAM (OSHIIP) VOLUNTEERS.2021: PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 80 HOURS OF BENEFITS ASSISTANCE TO 125 UNDUPLICATED INDIVIDUALS. 2021: DURING MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT, FOUR OHIO SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION PROGRAM (OSHIIP) VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED MEDICARE INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND ASSISTANCE TO 69 INDIVIDUALS TOTALING 124 VOLUNTEER HOURS OF ASSISTANCE. VOLUNTEER SERVICES VOLUNTEERS SERVE IN CRITICAL ROLES TO ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION OF THE LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING. VOLUNTEERS MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION IN THE LIVES OF THE CLIENTS OF LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING THROUGH MULTIPLE PROGRAMS. IN 2021, VOLUNTEERS IMPACTED THE NUTRITION, LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION, INFORMATION AND SUPPORT NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS AND SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENTS. OVER 28,600 HOURS AND 560 VOLUNTEERS DONATED HOURS TO THE AGENCY IN 2021. "NUTRITION CENTERS. 72 NUTRITION ASSISTANT VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED WITH GENERAL MEAL PREPARATION, SEALING AND PACKING MEALS FOR DELIVERY, AND WERE THE FRIENDLY FACES THAT SERVED FOOD AT FOUR LUNCH PLACES, OUR CONGREGATE MEAL SITES. "MEALS ON WHEELS DELIVERY. 263 VOLUNTEERS DELIVERED NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND DAILY CONTACT TO SENIORS. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS INDEPENDENCE WHILE PROMOTING THE SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF SENIORS. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THE DELIVERY OF A HOT MEAL MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ALONG WITH A MEANINGFUL SOCIAL INTERACTION AND WELL-BEING CHECK. FROZEN MEALS ARE OFFERED AS AN OPTION FOR THE WEEKENDS, AND ARE DELIVERED ON FRIDAYS. "LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION IMPACT VOLUNTEERS POSITIVELY IMPACTED THE ISSUE OF SENIOR LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION THROUGH NUTRITION SERVICES AS MENTIONED ABOVE AND MORE SPECIFICALLY THROUGH THE FOLLOWING VOLUNTEER ROLES. "FRIENDLY VISITING. DURING 2021, THE COUNCIL ON AGING FRIENDLY VISITING PROGRAM REMAINED ON HOLD BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTY OF NEW VARIANTS. THE AGENCY WILL RESUME THE PROGRAM IN 2022 AND WILL BE SEEKING ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEERS. THIS PROGRAM TRADITIONALLY MATCHES VOLUNTEERS WITH SENIORS THEY VISIT TO HELP WITH READING ORSHOPPING, ONLINE TASKS AND CAMARADERIE. "PHONE PAL CALLER PROGRAM. 21 PHONE PAL VOLUNTEERS MADE CALLS TO SENIORS. THIS VITAL PROGRAM CONNECTS HOMEBOUND SENIORS BY PHONE WHICH MAINTAINED AN ONGOING RELATIONSHIP BY PROVIDING A SOCIAL CONNECTION TO REDUCE LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION. "POWERFUL PENS PROGRAM. 10 PEN PAL VOLUNTEERS STAYED CONNECTED TO SENIORS BY WRITING LETTERS AND SENDING HANDMADE CARDS TO REDUCE LONELINESS AND SOCIAL ISOLATION. "LETTERS OF LOVE AND HANDCRAFTED CARDS. THE DELIVERY OF A HANDCRAFTED CARD TO A MEALS ON WHEELS OR LUNCH PLACE SENIOR BRINGS JOY AND UPLIFTS SPIRITS. HAND-CRAFTED GREETING CARDS WERE SHARED ON VALENTINE'S DAY, FOURTH OF JULY, THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS WITH NEARLY 1,000 CARDS DELIVERED ON EACH HOLIDAY ALONG WITH POSITIVE GENERAL HANDCRAFTED GREETING CARDS SHARED RANDOMLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP VOLUNTEERS HAS GROWNSIGNIFICANTLY IN THE PAST YEAR TO 43 VOLUNTEERS AND INCLUDES SEVERAL WHO LIVE OUTSIDE OF OHIO,BUT SUPPORT THE MISSION AND MAIL THEIR CARDS TO BE INCLUDED IN DELIVERY TO SENIORS. "INFORMATION AND SUPPORT IMPACT-OHIO SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION PROGRAM (OSHIIP): UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF OUR AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER, TRAINED OHIO SENIOR HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION PROGRAM(OSHIIP) VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED INFORMATION TO RESOLVE MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND SECONDARY HEALTH INSURANCE QUESTIONS. 8 VOLUNTEERS HELPED SENIORS MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS REGARDING MEDICARE BENEFITS BY PROVIDING FREE, UNBIASED INFORMATION. "GROCERY SHOPPING: 33 GROCERY SHOPPING VOLUNTEERS MET BIWEEKLY WITH CLIENTS WHO CAN NO LONGER LEAVE THEIR HOME TO GROCERY SHOP. GROCERY SHOPPING SUPPORT SERVICES ENABLED CLIENTS TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT IN THEIR OWN HOME; AS WELL AS ENHANCE THEIR NUTRITIONAL WELL-BEING. "ADMINISTRATIVE: 9 ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED SUPPORT BEHIND THE SCENES IN THE BUSINESS OFFICE TO ENSURE THE DELIVERY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. "TRAINING: VOLUNTEERS, AS WELL AS EMPLOYEES, ARE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANNUAL REQUIRED TRAINING TO BUILD UPON THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AND ENSURE HIGH QUALITY SERVICE IS BEING PROVIDED TO OUR SENIORS.