Finer With Age is a half-hour television talk show produced by the Department of Aging and Ohio Government Television. Each month, Director Barbara E. Riley discusses services, benefits, and other topics of interest for older Ohioans and their families. She also meets outstanding Ohioans who exemplify the notion that we do, indeed, get Finer With Age.
The show is broadcast on select cable access and public broadcasting stations throughout the state. Check your local listings or contact your cable provider for air times. Find a station in your area...
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Recent Programs - Click on the title to view that episode.
Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame and Elder Caregiver Awards Ceremony
On May 26, 2009, the Ohio Department of Aging, representatives of the aging network, Governor Ted Strickland, Ohio Speaker of the House Armond Budish and others gathered at the Verne Riffe Center Capitol Theatre to honor two groups of outstanding Ohioans. First 15 individuals were presented with the agency's Elder Caregiver Award for the services they provide and the sacrifices they make to help a love one get the care they need in the setting they prefer. Then, 13 outstanding older Ohioans are inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of fame for their personal acheievements and contributions to others and to the state. Watch it now.
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More information:
Elder Caregiver Award
Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
July, 2009 - Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease negatively affects cognitive, emotional and behavioral functions, but also takes a toll on physical condition and strength. Improved physical conditioning for patients with Alzheimer's disease may help them remain independent longer. Salli Bollin, executive director of the northwest Ohio chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, and Heather Menne, PhD, from the Benjamin Rose Institute, discuss exercise programs and Alzheimer's and dementia. Then, Marikate Leavens, from Heritage Day Health Centers, summarizes resources for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease, and Patty Synder, one of the 2009 Elder Caregivers of the Year, shares her personal perspective as a family caregiver. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Benjamin Rose Institute - (216) 791-8000
Alzheimer's Association - 1-800-272-3900 (24-hour helpline)
Northwest Ohio Chapter Alzheimer's Association - (419) 537-1999
The Ohio Association of Adult Day Services
Elder Caregiver Award
June, 2009 - Fighting Medicare & Health Care Fraud
Some individuals are intent on abusing or defrauding Medicare, costing the program millions of dollars annually and resulting in higher premiums. Director Riley chats with Kaye Mason-Inoshita, a regional ombudsman program director, and Bev Laubert, the state long-term care ombudsman about a new initiative to fight Medicare fraud. Then, she meets Lloyd Early and John Guthrie, from the Health Care Fraud Section of the Ohio Attorney General's office about their efforts to investigate and prosecute health care providers who attempt to defraud the state Medicaid program. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Office of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman - 1-800-282-1206
Locate your local Ombudsman
Attorney General Health Care Fraud Section - 1-877-244-6446
May, 2009 - Senior Corps; Traditional Communities
This episode begins with a focus on Senior Corps, an organization that connects older adults with people and organizations that need them most. In the first segment, Director Riley chats with Tina Dunphy and John Osmond about Senior Corps and RSVP. Then, Frances Colvert and Pat Kraut, sit down to discuss their experiences with other Senior Corps programs, Foster Grandparents and the Senior Companion Program. Finally, Director Riley discusses traditional communities and the Native American way of life with Kenneth Irwin, Sr., from the Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Senior Corps - (614) 469-7442
GetInvolved.gov - 1-800-424-8867
Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio - (614) 443-6120
April, 2009 - Universal Design; Springtime in Ohio
Director Riley chats with Dr. Meg Teaford, an Associate Professor in the School of Allied Medical Professions at the Ohio State University, who elaborates on universal design and what we should consider and evaluate in our own homes. Then, we go on location with Teaford and Susan Zavotka, Ph.D., to tour a model of universal design. Finally, Alicia Reece, Assistant State Tourism Director, has suggestions for how we all can enjoy springtime in Ohio. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Universal Design
Discover Ohio - 1-800-282-5393
March, 2009 - Dreaming of a Good Night's Rest; Weights with Carol
Director Riley discusses the important role sleep plays in aging well with Dr. Aneesa Das, a Sleep Medicine specialist with the Ohio State University Medical Center. Then, we return to Bally Total Fitness for another lesson from 84-year-old fitness instructor, Carol Baker. This time, Carol demonstrates a weight-lifting routine you can use at home to give you increased strength, more energy and better sleep. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Ohio State University Medical Center - Sleep Medicine
National Sleep Foundation
February 2009 - Green at the Ohio Governor's Residence; 2008 Nursing Home Family Satisfaction Survey
Governor Ted Strickland and First Lady of Ohio Francis Strickland have been working to make the Governor's Residence more environmentally friendly, lower energy costs and illustrate how Ohioans can conserve energy and resources. Mrs. Strickland shares what they have already done and their plans for the future of the residence. Then, Erin Pettigrew, manager of the Ohio Long-term Care Consumer Guide, discusses with Director Riley the 2008 Nursing Home Family Satisfaction Survey and its results. Joining them is Paula Bourne, the administrator at Highbanks Care Center, one of the top 25 facilities in the state, according to the survey. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Ohio Governor's Residence and Heritage Garden
Long-term Care Consumer Guide
Long-term Care Ombudsman - 1-800-282-1206
January 2009 - Tax Time Tips; Self Defense
Deborah Smith, of the Ohio Department of Taxation, and Bruce Gelsinger, coordinator for the AARP Tax-Aide program, chat with Director Riley about resources and information that can help seniors and others complete their income tax returns. Then, Monique Mapp, activities director at the Gillie Senior Center in Columbus, teaches the director some self-defense moves that are easy to learn, as well as simple things we can do to protect ourselves. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Ohio Department of Taxation - 1-800-282-1780
Internal Revenue Service
AARP Tax-Aide - 1-866-389-5653
Area Agencies on Aging - 1-866-243-5678
Find a senior center in your area.
December 2008 - Medicare Open Enrollment; Smart & Savvy Holiday Shopping
Gretchen Lopez, of the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, outlines how we can best navigate the Medicare open enrollment process. Then, Director Riley chats with Joan Coughlin, of the Central Ohio Better Business Bureau, and Nadine Ballard, from the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section about how we can be smart and savvy shoppers not only now, but throughout the year. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
OSHIIP - 1-800-686-1578
Medicare - 1-800-633-4227
Social Security Administration - 1-800-772-1213
Attorney General’s Help Center - 1-877-244-6446
Central Ohio Better Business Bureau
November 2008 - Aging Eyes; Smoking Cessation
Dr. Bob Newcomb, Professor of Clinical Optometry at The Ohio State University and Co-Chair of Ohio's Aging Eye Public Private Partnership, and Dr. Larry Leguire, the Director of Electrophysiological Testing and Eye Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital and on the planning committee for Ohio's Aging Eye Public Private Partnership, discuss how to protect our eyesight and prevent blindness. Then, Director Riley chats with Bob Passion, Director of Public Relations for the Central Ohio office of the American Cancer Society, explains why discontinuing tobacco use is beneficial at any age. Finally, Alicia Reece, the Assistant State Tourism Director, highlights some exciting things to do in the winter months around our state. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Area Agencies on Aging - 1-866-243-5678
Prevent Blindness Ohio - 1-800-301-2020
American Cancer Society - 1-888-227-6446
Ohio Tobacco QUIT LINE - 1-800-784-8669
October 2008 - Prescriptions; Advance Directives
Guest host and Deputy Director of the Department of Aging, Roland Hornbostel, discusses with Ernie Boyd, the executive director of the Ohio Pharmacists Association, and Jarrett Bauder, a pharmacist with Uptown Pharmacy in Westerville, Ohio, why it is vital that we ask questions of our pharmacists to avoid potentially adverse drug interactions. Then, Mr. Hornbostel chats with Doug Cluxton, vice president of education for the Ohio Hospice & Palliative Care Organization about the important role advance directives play in end-of-life planning. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Area Agencies on Aging - 1-866-243-5678
Ohio Pharmacists Association
Ohio Hospice and Palliative Care Organization - 1-800-776-9513
September 2008 - Kinship Care; Adult Day Services; Voting Prepared and Aware
Director Riley talks with Crystal Allen, the Executive Director of the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, who shares her insight on kinship care. Then, Denise Harris and her granddaughter Daija Roberts share their first-hand experience with this unique family arrangement. Later, the director meets Erica Drewry, the president of the Ohio Association of Adult Day Services and executive director of Heritage Day Health Centers, and Annette Washington, a caregiver whose loved ones attend adult day services, shed light on this worthy service. Finally, Peg Rosenfield, election specialist for the League of Women Voters of Ohio, gives suggestions on how to find our way through all the campaign rhetoric to make our election decisions based on facts. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Area Agencies on Aging - 1-866-243-5678
Public Children Services Association of Ohio
Ohio Association of Adult Day Services
League of Women Voters of Ohio - 1-877-598-6446
August 2008 - The Digital TV Transition; Autumn Adventures Across Ohio
Director Riley chats with Christine Merritt, executive vice president of the Ohio Association of Broadcasters, and Jonathon McGee, executive director of the Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association, who explain what the digital TV transition means to us and how we can ensure we will still receive our favorite shows when TV stations make the switch to digital-only broadcasts in February. Then, the director speaks with Assistant State Tourism Director Alicia Reece, who shares her insight on the autumn adventures Ohioans can enjoy close to home. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Digital Television Transition - 1-888-388-2009
Area Agencies on Aging (for donating DTV coupons) - 1-866-243-5678
Ohio Travel and Tourism - 1-800-282-5393
