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Family and Consumer Sciences

Ohio State University Extension

CFAES

Guidance and Resources for Older Adults

By: Dr. Roseanne Scammahorn, OSU Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Educator

Video: COVID-19: What Older Adults Need to Know - youtube.com

Who is at Higher Risk? cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov

Symptoms of Coronavirus: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing

How to Protect Yourself: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

What To Do if You Are Sick: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick

Checklist For Your Home: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare

Mental Health

Anxiety & Stress Management: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Stress Coping Methods: ohioline.osu.edu

Introductions to Mindfulness: ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5243

Disaster Distress Helpline: 800-985-5990. If you need to speak with a crisis counselor immediately, call 800-985-5990. You can also text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. English speakers in U.S. territories text TalkWithUs to 212-461-4635. For anything else that is NOT related to immediate crisis counseling, Email DDH@mhaofnyc.org or complete the Web forms at samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline/contact-us

Friendship Line: Institute on Aging’s 24-hour toll-free Friendship Line is the only accredited crisis line in the country for people aged 60 years and older, and adults living with disabilities. They also make on-going outreach calls to lonely older adults. Phone 800-971-0016

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 and TTY 800-787-3244

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255

Food and Nutrition

Eating Healthy During Stressful Times: ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/hyg-5244

Ohio food banks and free pantries: needhelppayingbills.com/html/ohio_food_banks.html

Home-delivered meals: Also known as “Meals on Wheels America” - mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals

Area Agency on Aging

Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): This is a state of Ohio health care model that provides families, seniors and other qualified participants with all of their needed medical care and related, ancillary services. The program is mostly run in Cincinnati and Cleveland, but it may expand to other areas of Ohio. Your office Agency of Aging office can advise more on this.

Ohio Residential State Supplement (RSS) program: This program is for low income adults with disabilities. This resource will provide them with cash assistance/a monetary supplement which can be used for paying bills and expenses. The program is offered for those Ohio residents do not require nursing home care. The supplement from the state of Ohio and your Agency on Aging office will help pay for an approved living arrangements and expenses, such as housing and other basic needs.

Transportation: The Agency on Aging works to ensure that seniors and the homebound that need help with transportation can get it through programs such as Elderly Services Program, Title III, and PASSPORT. They may also partner with other non-profits in Ohio, such as the Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul. Transportation can sometimes be offered for needs such as medical and social service appointments, recreation, shopping, and the like.

Locations of Ohio Aging offices
To find an office near you in Ohio, call 866-243-5678 or use the list below.

Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio helps people in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. 175 Tri County Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45246. Phone 800-252-0155

Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2 is for the county regions of Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby. 40 W. Second Street, Suite 400, Dayton, OH 45402. Phone 800-258-7277

Area Agency on Aging 3 offers senior programs in Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam and Van Wert counties. Location is 200 E. High Street, 2nd Floor, Lima, OH 45801. Phone 800-653-7723

Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. Counties covered are Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Sandusky, Williams and Wood counties. 2155 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43609-0624, Phone 800-472-7277

Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. serves Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Seneca and Wyandot county. 780 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, OH 44906. Phone 800-860-5799

Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging is for the counties of Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union. 174 East Long Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Phone 800-589-7277

Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. is for Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton counties. University of Rio Grande/F32, 160 Dorsey Drive, P.O. Box 500, Rio Grande, OH 45674-0500. Phone 800-582-7277

Area Agency on Aging 8 is for Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington counties. 1400 Pike Street, Marietta, OH 45750. Phone 800-331-2644

Area Agency on Aging Region 9, Inc. supports the elderly and seniors in Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Muskingum and Tuscarawas counties. 60788 Southgate Road, Byesville, OH 43723. Phone 800-945-4250

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging. Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties. 925 Euclid Avenue #600, Cleveland, OH 44115. Phone 800-626-7277

Area Agency on Aging 10B, Inc. covers Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne counties. 1550 Corporate Woods Parkway, Suite 100, Uniontown, OH 44685. Phone 800-421-7277

Area Agency on Aging 11, Inc. is for Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. Location is 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road, Suite 2685 Second Floor, Niles, OH 44446. Phone 800-686-7367

National Hotlines for Additional Assistance: 

  • Al-Anon for Families of Alcoholics - 800-344-2666
  • Al-Anon, Family Groups - 212-301-7240
  • Alcoholics Anonymous - 212-686-1100
  • Domestic Violence Hotline - 800-799-7233
  • National Legal Aid and Defender Association - 202-452-0620