Senior Life: Take advantage of free programs

The government shutdown is over and SNAP benefits are “alive” again, but I know that for some of us, that does not resolve our need for additional food. In Portage County, individuals can call 211 (Portage County information and referral services) and register for one of our county’s food pantries. You need to register your name, address, number of people in your household, etc. At the time you register, you will be given a location of a food pantry and a time slot to help reduce your having to sit in long lines.

There will be a pop-up food pantry at NEOMED in Rootstown on Dec. 8 and another one at KSU’s Dix Stadium on Dec. 17.

Being too proud to take advantage of these free programs will make you hungry.

On Nov. 6, the Ohio Department of Aging announced the expansion of the PACE program (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly). This will be a great benefit for all senior citizens who are on Medicaid and Medicare. Instead of Medicaid paying for long-care facilities, this program will allow a community to mobilize a variety of local services to enable an individual to remain in their own home, rather than having to move into a long-term care facility for the remainder of their life when medical issues arise.

This is a win-win situation for the state Medicaid programs as it will save them the high monthly cost of long-term care facilities. The intent of the program is for each county to have a Senior Council that will help mobilize home-delivered meals, daily bathing, nursing care (as needed), transportation for doctor visits, housekeeping chores, etc.
This is a win-win for individuals as they will be able to remain in their own homes while receiving the care they need.

The PACE program is actually a national program that has been operating throughout our country for at least 20 years, and Ohio is just expanding this opportunity for our senior citizens. Lorain County has already started providing this service for its residents.

This is great news and certainly shows that Ohio is becoming more aware of the needs of our older citizens. At this time, I am not sure who an individual needs to contact in Portage County to become involved with PACE. For information and assistance, we have always been told to call the Direction Home Akron Canton Portage Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-421-7277.

I usually remind you that you can go into any of our Portage County libraries and use their computers, and they will usually have someone there to help you. But I keep forgetting to mention all of the other free services that our Portage County libraries offer to our neighbors.
One of the newest options the library is offering is a “Library Box” at NEOMED in Rootstown; the box is located in the Sequoia exercise section of the facility. This “box” looks just like a vending machine for potato ships and snacks, except it has books and DVDs. To access one of the items, all you need is a Portage County District Library card. You can borrow the item for the usual two weeks, and there is a receptacle next to the box for returns.
And do not forget that the Portage County Library offers home delivery services for residents who live in our more rural areas (not Kent or Ravenna). Just call 330-527-5082, ext. 220.

I hope you all had a warm, healthy Thanksgiving with friends and family.

Contact Sally Kelly with your senior news at 330-687-9501 or sentrip65@yahoo.com.