Trained volunteers for the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) are available to answer your questions about issues concerning Medicare options, prescription plans and other supplement insurance plans.  This service will help you become a better informed consumer for all the Meedicare options available.   Contact the Marion County Council on Aging at 740-387-0401 for additional information or to schedule an appointment for consultation.

A Virtual Presentation

In partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, the Marion County Council on Aging is inviting all caregivers to join us for the virtual presentation “Simple Communication Tips for Caregivers”.  The presentation will be on Monday July 27, 2020 at 10:00 am and will last approximately one hour.  Learn about communication changes that take place at the various stages of Alzheimer’s disease, and identify strategies to respond, communicate, and respond to each stage.

Registration is required and all you have to do is call 1.800.272.3900 to register.  You will receive an email and all you have to do is open the link and join the presentation, all from the privacy of your own home and computer. 

How family, friendships, and being social plays a role in our mental health

As we age, we sometimes tend to shed family and friends.  It is important to have people around to support and engage us.  Taking care of each other helps us to remain alive and healthy, both mentally and physically. 

The Marion County Council on Aging, in partnership with the Marion Area Counseling Center, will host this seminar on Wednesday, July 29th, 12:00 – 1:30 pm, at the Council on Aging office at 125 Executive Drive, Suite 102, Marion, Ohio

The seminar is free, but reservations are necessary and limited to 10.  Please call the Marion County Council on Aging at 740.387.0401 to register, no later than Friday, July 24th.  A box lunch will be provided to all attendees.

The Marion County Commissioners recently voted unanimously to approve placing a renewal levy on the November 2020 ballot.  This Senior Services Levy is administered by the Marion County Council on Aging and used to provide a wide range of services for older adults here in Marion County.  Services that are funded include transportation options, in-home care services, home-delivered meals, personal shopping, adult day care and caregiver respite, as well as other supportive and information & referral assistance.

According to Marion County Auditor Joan Kasotis, if passed by the voters, the 5-year, 0.8 mill levy would provide slightly over $800,000 annually, and cost the average $100,000 homeowner just $19.08 per year.  As this is a renewal, there will be no new taxes to pay for its passage.  The Senior Services Levy was first approved by Marion County voters in 2006 by a 66% to 34% margin; the Council on Aging is still operating at the same level of funding.  Council on Aging Executive Director JoEllen King also stresses that our Marion Council on Aging receives no federal or state funds to supplement the local levy funds.

Each month, levy-funded services help hundreds of local seniors with basic assistance, allowing them to remain living in their own homes with safety and independence.  This is not only a benefit to our local seniors, but also to their families and caregivers, and indeed to our entire community.  Ms. King also stresses that Council on Aging services are locally developed and managed, making them specifically geared to the needs of our Marion County seniors.  This local control also makes the services very cost-effective!

For additional information on the Marion County Council on Aging and the Senior Services Levy, please call 740.387.0401