Aging impacts each of us in different ways. Seventy percent of people will need some sort of long-term care in their lifetimes, but the overwhelming majority would also prefer to remain at home as they age. Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) is here to bridge that gap and help those who wish to stay active in their homes and communities, even when the complications of aging make it challenging.
“Our mission is to enhance lives by assisting individuals to remain independent through a range of quality services,” COA Senior Strategic Communications Consultant Paula Smith tells us.
COA’s role is to plan, coordinate and administer services that help people access care in their homes as they age, rather than moving to a nursing home.
“We administer several publicly funded in-home care programs which help nearly 3,600 individuals here in Warren County stay in their homes,” Paula explains.
Services commonly provided through COA programs include home-delivered meals, transportation, help with personal care or housekeeping, emergency response devices and caregiver respite. Everyone who enrolls in a program is assigned a professional care manager who meets with them (and their family) to determine what services are needed. Care managers create a care plan for each client and then monitor and adjust it as the client’s needs change.
In COA’s five-county region, all counties have a senior services tax levy that funds programs and services for older adults. COA administers levy-funded programs in four of these counties, including Warren, via contracts with county governments. The levies are primarily focused on helping eligible older adults live independently at home. In 2024, the Warren County senior services tax levy helped more than 2,800 county residents receive care in their homes instead of a nursing home.
“Council on Aging’s services are both compassionate and cost effective,” Paula notes. “People want to stay in their homes as they age and in-home care is usually the most cost-effective option.”
In the community, COA partners with local organizations to offer free health and wellness workshops focused on managing chronic health conditions and preventing falls. In Warren County, they’ve built strong relationships with Deerfield Township and Countryside YMCA to offer these programs for area residents.
“COA is an invaluable resource to help our residents maintain their independence and health as they age, and their programs are meaningful and enriching,” Sarah Kirby, Deerfield Township recreation manager, shares. “We are committed to supporting healthy aging and creating opportunities to keep our community connected and active.”
Council on Aging is fortunate to work with several partners: nonprofit organizations such as the United Way and Warren County Community Services, chambers of commerce like the MADE Chamber, health and wellness partners, county commissioners and local advisory council members.
Their free health and wellness workshops include popular programs such as Bingocize and Tai Chi for arthritis. In addition to these programs, they also operate an Aging and Disability Resource Center – essentially a nonprofit call center for anyone who has questions about aging or caregiving.
“We receive more than 78,000 requests for information and referral through our call center and website each year, and in each case, we respond with unbiased information and advice based on an individual’s unique needs,” Paula adds.
Instead of waiting until you or a loved one is in crisis, COA encourages the public to plan ahead for long-term care needs whenever possible. If you or a loved one might need help in the future to live independently at home, contact Council on Aging at 513.721.1025 to explore your options.
“One call to COA links people to the wide variety of agencies, information and programs that serve older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers in our region,” Paula says.
There are several ways people can connect with COA to make a difference and contribute to their mission, from joining an advisory council to donating. For more information, visit Help4Seniors.org.
“COA is an invaluable resource to help our residents maintain their independence and health as they age.” - Sarah Kirby