Title III of the federal Older Americans Act is the foundation of Ohio’s aging network. It authorizes funding to states and the Area Agencies on Aging for planning, developing and coordinating home and community-based services.

In southwestern Ohio, Council on Aging uses Title III funds to advocate for older adults and help them remain within their own homes and  communities. Money goes to senior centers and service organizations, such as Pro Seniors (legal assistance); and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission (Senior Olympics). COA also leverages Title III dollars with
state funds and county tax levies to provide home care services to seniors who are not eligible for PASSPORT.

Community services that receive Title III funds...
Adult Day Services, Respite, Alzheimer’s Education, Care Management,
Caregiver Education, Congregate Meals, Health Promotion, Home-delivered
Meals, Homemaker Services, Information and Referral, Legal Assistance,
Nutrition Education, Ombudsman Program, Personal Care,
Recreation/Socialization, and Transportation.

PASSPORT is Ohio’s in-home alternative to nursing home care. It is a Medicaid waiver program that helps low-income older adults remain safe and independent in their homes. It can delay or prevent nursing home placement.

In 2008, more than 3,300 older adults in southwestern Ohio received
care in their home - instead of a nursing home - through PASSPORT. This
is a 9 percent increase over 2007. About 27,500 Ohioans receive
PASSPORT services every day, (nearly 34,000 annually), a six-fold
increase in 15 years. As a result, more Ohioans are receiving care in
lower cost, independent settings.

This is a win-win for seniors and taxpayers. On average, home care through PASSPORT costs taxpayers about $1,100 a month per person, compared to $4,800 for care in a Medicaid nursing home.Without PASSPORT, more older adults would be forced to leave their homes and enter nursing facilities.

The typical PASSPORT client is a woman in her late 70s, living alone,
in poverty and needing help with basic activities such as bathing and
meals.

PASSPORT provides services such as home-delivered meals, personal care,
home medical equipment and transportation to doctor's appointments, to
name a few. PASSPORT clients also have a care manager who advocates for
their needs, answers questions, and makes sure they receive the right
services. Care managers have their clients' best interests at heart.

To qualify for PASSPORT, you must be: 

Age 60 or older

Eligible for Medicaid (low-income)

In need of skilled or intermediate care: hands-on help with dressing, bathing, toileting, grooming, eating or mobility.

PASSPORT care is free of charge, or set at an affordable level depending upon income and assets.

On average, home care through PASSPORT costs taxpayers about $1,100 a month per person, compared to $4,800 for care in a Medicaid nursing home.

The Elderly Services Program (ESP) is a county taxpayer supported program that helps older adults remain safe and
independent in their homes. It expands care that may be provided by
family and friends. Through services such as meals on wheels, personal care and transportation to medical appointments, ESP can delay or prevent nursing home placement.

Clients who are financially able help pay for the cost of their care.

Council on Aging's Caregiver Education and Support Program provides free in-home training and support for family or volunteer caregivers. The program works to: reduce caregiver stress, burden and injuries; increase caregiver confidence and knowledge; improve the quality of care; and help caregivers balance their lives and caregiving responsibilities.

Through the Assisted Living Waiver program, medicaid-eligible older adults can receive care in approved assisted living facilities. The Assisted Living Waiver is another long-term care option for low-income adults who want to live independently but who need caregiving and financial assistance.

Care Transitions is a health coaching and intervention program in Greater Cincinnati for older adults who have been hospitalized for serious and usually chronic conditions, such as heart failure. It is designed to: Help frail seniors who have been discharged from the hospital avoid future preventable hospital admissions; and help patients access the most appropriate post-acute medical care and home and community-based services (and avoid the more costly nursing facility placements when not necessary).

Council on Aging Community Transitions Specialists work in area nursing facilities to help families and staff identify patients who might qualify to receive services services in more independent home and community-based settings.