The Marion County Council on Aging is pleased to announce that 2021 application materials are now available for Council on Aging Community Enrichment Grants.  The Board of Directors established this program to fund special projects and services that enhance and enrich the lives of older adults in Marion County.  Community Enrichment Grants are only available to agencies or organizations that provide services for persons age 60 and over.  Completed applications are due at the Council on Aging office no later than Friday, October 23, 2020.  If you would like application materials or more detailed information about Community Enrichment Grants, please contact the Marion County Council on Aging at 740-387-0401.

1.  How is the Marion County Council on Aging funded?

The Council on Aging is funded solely through the Senior Services Levy.

•  What is the annual budget of the Council on Aging?

At .8 mils, the Senior Services Levy generates approximately $800,000 per year. 

$675,000 goes to direct services for Marion County seniors, in the form of service contracts.  The remaining $125,000 is for administrative costs, including rent, supplies, and salaries for 1.5 employees.

•  What will the Senior Services Levy cost me each month?

This is a renewal levy and will cost the owner of a $100,000 home slightly less than $2.00 per month.

•  What services are funded through the Senior Services Levy?

Home-delivered meals, medical transportation, personal shopping, in-home

care/personal care, adult day care, center, Alzheimer’s services, and much

more!

Because of the COVID crisis, Ohio Department of Insurance/OSHIIP, has cancelled all in-person informational events.  Because of this mandate, the popular Medicare 101 presentation scheduled for September at the local Council on Aging office has also been cancelled.  Medicare 101 is an annual presentation for those who are new to Medicare, and for those who are already receiving benefits but may want to hear about recent changes. 

OSHIIP will instead be offering a series of webinars from September 14^th – October 14^th.  There will nine different days and times for anyone interested in getting this information.  Participants will also be given the opportunity to ask specific questions, related to their own situations.  Joining one of these webinars is surprising easy.  Simply click on the link listed below and you will be directed to the proper website:

https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/4987248812118591502

The OSHIIP hotline is also available for questions Monday – Friday 7:30 am – 5:00 pm.   Just dial 800.686.1578   The Marion County Council on Aging also has OSHIIP volunteers to answer questions.  You can reach the Council on Aging at 740.387.0401

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.

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