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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2006

Ohio Receives Six National Awards for Innovative Senior Programs

COLUMBUS - The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) last week recognized six of Ohio's twelve Area Agencies on Aging for innovative programs and achievement. The Association's national conference, held August 6 through 10 in Chicago, honored programs around the country for exemplary innovative work in serving senior citizens.

"We are proud of all of our Area Agencies on Aging for developing new and innovative ways to enhance the quality of life and the quality of care for Ohio's seniors," said Merle Grace Kearns, Director of the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA), which provides funding and guidance to the area agencies. "The out-of-the-box thinking of these local leaders increases efficiencies and adds value to the services Ohio provides to its older residents. Their efforts help keep Ohio on the cutting edge and better prepare us to serve the more varied needs of baby boomers as they enter the 60-plus age bracket."

The six Area Agencies on Aging honored and the programs receiving awards are:

• Region 1, Cincinnati - Aging Learning Advantages, Caregiver Education and Support Program
• Region 4, Toledo - Kinship Navigator Program
• Region 6, Columbus - Medicare Prescription Drug Program Outreach
• Region 7, Rio Grande - Regional Long-term Care Ombudsman Internship Program
• Region 10B, Uniontown - High Risk Case Management System
• Region 11, Youngstown - Trumbull Advocacy and Protective Network

Ohio's twelve Area Agencies on Aging are local resource centers on issues that affect older Ohioans. They provide services to Ohio seniors through funding from ODA, local levies and other funding sources. ODA works in concert with the area agencies to meet the needs of older Ohioans and provides services such as PASSPORT, the nursing home resident advocacy program (long-term care ombudsman) and various services that promote senior independence including meals, transportation, and personal care. As more than 12,000 people per month turn 60 in Ohio, these agencies will need to continue to explore new and varied ways to meet the needs of the changing face of aging in this state.

About ODA
The Ohio Department of Aging serves and represents two million Ohioans age 60 and older. The Department advocates for the needs of all older citizens, with an emphasis on improving the quality of life for older Ohioans, helping them live active, healthy and independent lives, and promoting positive attitudes toward aging and older people. The Department of Aging provides services to older Ohioans through 12 local area agencies, home and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman, and the Golden Buckeye Card. For more information about the Department of Aging, and programs for older Ohioans, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.

About n4a
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) is the leading voice on aging issues for Area Agencies on Aging across the country. For more information about n4a, visit www.n4a.org.