WCCS CommunityWARREN COUNTY ON SERVICES Services INC SpotlightA nonprofit organization strengthening the fabric of our community www.wccsi.org SEPT/OCT 2011 SENIOR SERVICES RENEWAL LEVY INCLUDED ON NOV 8 BALLOT seniors receive award from the Lebanon Chamber • Program provides Meals services at no of Commerce. “I know how impor- on Wheels, medical charge. Others tant this issue is for families,” transportation and other may pay for a part McMurray said. “My 90-year-old services to help the of their care based mother-in-law is determined to stay elderly stay in their homes on a sliding fee in her own home.” • In 2010 the program served scale. The public is invited to attend 2,300 Warren County seniors “You are be- campaign kick off events which are • Levy is a renewal of the ing fiscally respon- planned for three dates in different current 1.21 mills raising a sible,” said Com- parts of the county. total of about $32.5 million missioner David over the next five years Lebanon Levy Kickoff 9/15/2011 • Young, at the Thursday 12:30pm Last levy passed in 2006; first meeting in July. The 741 Center, 570 N. State Rt. levy was in 2002 “By making this a 741, Lebanon, OH 45036 • Cost to taxpayers is $36.14 renewal, you are Franklin Levy Kickoff 9/16/2011 per $100,000 of property saying, “we will Friday 1:00pm valuation live within our Sherman Glen, 301 Sherman Dr. • Average age of clients is 80; Franklin, OH 45005 means.” more than half live alone; On average, Mason Levy Kickoff 9/22/2011 more than 25% help pay for L to R: Mike McMurray, Levy Spokesperson; Ruth, Thursday 1:00pm the program can the cost of their own care Senior Services client, and her daughter Sarah The Bridge Mason Senior Center, provide in-home 6050 Mason-Montgomery Road, According to the Scripps Geron- Warren County Commissioners care services for $316 per month, Mason OH 45040 tology Center at Miami University, unanimously approved placing a per client. These services can delay Levy facts: about 13 percent of Warren County renewal levy for senior services on or prevent nursing home placement, • Provides 91 percent of fund- residents are age 60 or older. The the ballot for election November 8. where the taxpayers’ cost for Med- ing for the Warren County county’s older adult population is The county-wide levy is a renewal icaid is, on average, $4,200 a Elderly Services Program; if projected to increase by 145 per- of the current 1.21-mill levy which month, according to Suzanne levy fails, the program ends cent over the next decade. is due to expire at the end of this Burke, CEO of Council on Aging year. If approved by the voters, it of Southwestern Ohio (COA). would not raise taxes. COA administers the program via The levy provides 91 percent contract with the county commis- of the funds needed to operate the sioners. Warren County Elderly Services A committee is already work- Program. The program provides ing on the levy campaign and Mike Meals on Wheels, housekeeping McMurray has agreed to be hon- help, medical transportation, orary campaign chairman. Retired personal care (bathing), and other after a 40-year career in broadcast- basic services that help older adults ing, McMurray currently hosts the remain in their homes. Warren City Show on Lebanon Cable and County Community Services, Inc. is president of the board of the provides intake and care manage- Warren County Convention and ment for the program. Visitor’s Bureau. He facilitates The program served more than Customer Service Seminars for 2,300 local seniors in 2010, a 5.6 businesses, government agencies percent increase over 2009, accord- and school systems and is a past ing to its 2010 annual report. Many recipient of the Citizen of the Year 2 SEPT/OCT 2011 Spotlight ON SERVICES ACTIVE AGING - IMPROVING September is National Senior THE WAY WE GET OLDER Center Month Tom Salzbrun, Executive Director, WCCS In recognition of September being Impaired Evaluations, Community the National Senior Center Month, Projects, Computer Classes, Dance Our ideas about getting old are realize that physical activity is a several seniors (members of The Classes (Basic Ballroom, Line changing as today’s older adults are no-cost way to produce long-term 741 Center Writers’ Workshop) Dancing, Square Dancing), Domi- redefining aging. Whether in their 60s, health benefits. For some who are have agreed to be interviewed and noes, Fall Harvest Luncheon, Flu 70s, 80s or beyond, older people are already dealing with diseases or to discuss how their lives have been Shots, Group Travel – overnight living independent and fulfilling lives disabilities, physical activity can even enriched by participating in various and day travel, Health Education, as they disprove negative stereotypes improve health. Exercise and physical programs, workshops, activities, Holiday Parties, Hospice Gifts for about aging. Our ideas about growing activity are also great ways to have older have evolved in the past few fun, be with friends and family, and and trips offered at the center. Loving Hands Crafts, Income Tax years. Many chronic diseases and enjoy the outdoors. You may visit the center Assistance, Monthly Birthday/An- disabilities, once thought inseparable There are many ways to start between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. during niversary Parties, Movies, Nintendo from old age, are now joining the ranks being more physically active. Did you the month of September and read Wii Bowling, Speakers & Presen- of conditions that can be prevented or know that WCCS regularly provides their individual stories, as well as tations, Texas Hold’em, Veterans at least controlled through changes in exercise classes at the 741 Center? The view various works from the Writ- Club, Wood Carving, Writers’ lifestyle. For older people, health and Silver Sneakers meet every M,W,F at ers’ Workshop. The 741 Center is Workshop, 55 Alive Driving wellness is now center stage. 9:00am and M,W at 5:00pm. Sit & located at 570 N State Route 741, Classes, and more. One widely acknowledged Be Fit exercise classes run from 10:30 Lebanon, OH 45036 (Phone: 513- perspective on happily growing older to 11:30 every Wednesday and Friday. 695-2239). is called “active aging.” Active aging For those who want to learn some new Information regarding mem- What WCCS can be thought of as “living life as fully dance steps and keep physically fit, bership at The 741 Center or any as possible.” The concept defines Square dance classes are offered on Families Are aging well as having more to do with Mondays from 10:30-11:30 and Line of the various programs, activities how well we function, rather than how Dance classes are held Wednesdays and events available at the center Saying.... old we are. from 1:00 to 2:30 at the 741 Center. for members ages 55 and up, may “You don’t know how much Active aging aims to help people These health promotion activities were be obtained at that time or at it means to us to know that extend healthy life expectancy and developed to encourage and provide www.wccsi.org. our mother is getting a quality of life as they age and empha- older Warren County residents, as well Programs and activities wonderful meal every day. sizes staying active in all areas of life as people with disabilities, with edu- currently being offered include: Art We truly appreciate it – and — physical, cognitive and social. cational and motivational resources so does she! We can’t thank Classes, Bible Study, Billiards, you enough!” Active aging focuses on aging within that help them to adopt healthy Bingo, Blood Pressure Screening, the context of friends, work associates, lifestyles. We hope to see you soon. A Gloster, LA family whose mother Book Club, Cards – Bridge & lives in Warren County neighbors and family members. To read more on active aging, go to the Euchre, Checkers, Cincinnati Asso- and receives WCCS It’s not surprising that one of the Meals on WheelsTM. International Council on Active Aging ciation for the Blind & Visually main principles of active aging is website at www.icaa.cc/consumer.htm physical activity. We’ve come to Family Services Director Receives CAVA Certification received the Man- ing and supporting volunteers in Miller further commented, agement of Vol- non-profit organizations. The 6 “We value the work of our dedi- unteer Programs week class held at Union Terminal, cated and talented volunteers certification along covered content such as planning, and are always looking for more with several other recruiting, interviewing and train- volunteers to share their time Greater Cincin- ing for volunteers, creating job helping with trainings, assisting nati Professionals descriptions, involving volunteers with clients who are seeking em- after completing in “high impact” projects and more. ployment, or getting trained to coursework re- Miller commented, “We work offer Ohio Benefit Bank services quired for certifi- diligently to recruit, train and to assist with EITC and free tax cation. support volunteers for Family work and more. CAVA-an Services in nearly every program To learn more about volun- organization of we offer. The opportunity to teering for the Family Services L to R: Sarah Elliston, MVP trainer & Sue Miller, volunteer manag- increase our skills to better support Department or CAVA trainings, Family Services Director ers, provided a 6 our volunteers and move our mis- contact Sue Miller at 513-695- On July 20th, Sue Miller, WCCS week training to professionals seek- sion work forward has increased 2249 or via email at Family Services Director, ing education on recruiting, train- our ability to serve more clients.” [email protected].