COAAA - Resources

Resources

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COAAA Internal Links Caregivers Employment In-Home Services Medicare Senior Housing Frequently Asked Questions Other Acronyms Bed Bug Task Force Glossary HIPAA Aging/Health Websites	Guides/Helpful Resources Central OH Sr. Resource Guide Health Insurance Guide In-Home Hiring Guide Legislators Ohio Area Agencies Prescription Guide Senior Centers (Central Ohio) Utility Assistance

Acronyms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

AAA – Area Agencies on Aging

AAGP – American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry

AAHSA – American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging

AARP – American Association of Retired Persons

ACHCA – American College of Health Care Administrators

ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act

ADAMH – Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County

ADEAR – Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center

ADL – Activities of Daily Living

AGE – Alzheimer Grantee Extranet

AGHE – Association for Gerontology in Higher Education

AGS – The American Geriatrics Society

AHCA – The American Health Care Association

AHRQ – Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

ALFA – The Assisted Living Federation of America

AOA – Administration on Aging

AOPHA – The Advocate of Nonprofit Services for Older Ohioans

APS – Adult Protective Services

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BBB – Better Business Bureau

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CBLTC – Community Based Long-Term Care

CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CHSP – Congregate Housing Services Program

CMS – Center for Medicare and Medicaid

CLESE – Coalition of Limited English Speaking Elderly

COAAA – Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging

COLA – ABA Commission on Law and Aging

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DHHS – Department of Health and Human Services

DME – Durable Medical Equipment

DNR – Do-Not-Resuscitate

DPOA – Durable Power of Attorney

DREDF – Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, Inc

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ENP – Elderly Nutrition Program

ESRD – End Stage Renal Disease

ERS – Emergency Response Systems

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FCA – Family Caregiver Alliance

FCOA – Franklin County Office on Aging

FCSO – Franklin County Senior Options Program

FMLA – Family and Medical Leave Act

FOIA – Freedom of Information Act

FSN – Food and Nutrition Services

FY – Fiscal Year

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GILS – Government Information Locator Service

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HCFA – Health Care Financial Administration

HDM – Home Delivered Meals

HHA – Home Health Agency

HHA – Home Health Aide

HIPPA – Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

HEAP – Home Energy Assistance Program

HME – Home Medical Equipment

HMK – Homemaker Services

HMO – Health Maintenance Organization

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IADL’s – Instrumental Activities of Daily Living

ICF – Intermediate Care Facility

ILC’s – Independent Learning Centers

IHI – Institute for Healthcare Improvement

ILOC – Intermediate Level of Care

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JAMA – Journal of the American Medical Association

JCAHO – Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations

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LOC – Level of Care

LTC – Long Term Care

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MHAFC – Mental Health Association of Franklin County

MOW – Meals on Wheels

MRC – Medicare Rights Center

MSN – Medicare Summary Notice

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N4A – National Association of Area Agencies on Aging

NAC – National Alliance for Caregiving

NAELA – National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys

NAIC – National Aging Information Center

NAMI – National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

NANASP – National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs

NCEA – National Center on Elder Abuse

NCOA – National Council on Aging

NCHS – National Center for Health Statistics

NDIC – National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse

NFCA – The National Family Caregivers Association

NFCSP – National Family Caregiver Support Program

NH – Nursing Home

NHF – National Hospice Foundation

NHO – The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

NIA – National Institute on Aging

NIDDK – National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

NOAH – New York Online Access to Health

NPE – Nutrition Program for the Elderly

NSIP – Nutrition Services Incentive Program

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OAA – Older Americans Act

ODA – Ohio Department of Aging

ODH – Ohio Department of Health

ODHS – Ohio Department of Human Services

ODOT – Ohio Department of Transportation

OIG – Office of Inspector General

OPLIN – Ohio Public Library

OSHIIP – Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program

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P&A – Protection and Advocacy Program

PAA – PASSPORT Administrative Agency

PASARR – Pre-Admission Screening and Annual Resident Review

PAS – Pre-Admission Screening

PASSPORT – Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today

PCA – Personal Care Assistance

PCPFS – The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

PCS – Personal Care Services

PDF – Portable Document Format

PERS – Personal Emergency Response System

POA – Power of Attorney

PRO – Peer Review Organization

PSA – Planning and Service Areas

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QA – Quality Assurance

QMB – Qualified Medicare Beneficiary

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RDA – Recommended Dietary Allowances

RSA – Rehabilitation Services Administration

RSS – Residential State Supplement

RSVP – Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

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SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

SCORE – Senior Corps of Retired Executives

SCSEP – Senior Community Service Employment Program

SFA – American Senior Fitness Association

SLIMB – Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary

SMP – Senior Medicare Patrols

SNF – Skilled Nursing Facilities

SPR – State Program Reports

SPRY – Senior Priorities for Retirement Years

SSA – Social Security Administration

ST – Speech Therapy

SUA – State Agency on Aging

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TA – Technical Assistance

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UAP – University Affiliated Programs

UPAR – Universal Pre-Admission Review

UR – Utilization Review

USDA – United States Department of Agriculture

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VA – Veteran’s Affairs

VGP – Volunteer Guardian Program

VHI – Volunteers in Health Care

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Glossary of Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Access Services – One of three priority services designated in the Older Americans Act to help meet the aged's needs, refers to such services as transportation, outreach, and information and referral which help facilitate "access" to existing supportive services.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) – basic personal activities which include bathing, eating, dressing, mobility, transferring from bed to chair, and using the toilet.

Acute – a condition of short and sharp course. This is the opposite of Chronic, which is a condition of long duration or slow progress.

Administration on Aging (AoA) – Federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) responsible for administering all programs authorized by the Older Americans Act. Also performs an advocacy role for the elderly.

Adult Day Services – programs offering social and recreational activities, supervision, health services, and meals in a protective setting for older adults with physical or cognitive disabilities. Typically open weekdays during business hours. Very often helpful for family members seeking caregiver relief.

Adult Protective Services (APS) – service which seeks to protect the rights of frail older adults by investigating cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation as mandated by law.

Advance Directive – legal document in which people give others instructions about their preferences with regard to health care decisions in case they become incapacitated in some way. Types of advance directives are: living will and durable power-of-attorney for health care, and DNRs.

Ageism – Prejudice or negative attitudes toward aging and the aged.

Aging Network – A highly complex and differentiated system of federal, state and local agencies, organizations and institutions which are responsible for serving and/or representing the needs of older people.

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) – regional organizations which oversee programs serving elders (12 total in state of Ohio). Provide information and referral services and also typically serve as PASSPORT Administrative Agencies. The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) serves Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Union, and Pickaway Counties.

Assisted Living – A program for frail, nursing-home eligible older adults that provides apartment style living and services such as meal preparation, bathing and dressing and routine nursing services.

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Care Choice Ohio – free long-term care consultation service provided by Ohio PASSPORT Administrative Agencies. Includes professional assessments of present or future long-term care needs, as well as information about establishing eligibility for government-funded programs.

Caregiver – family, friend, professional or paraprofessional providing care to individual in need of assistance.

Care/Case Management – offers a single point of entry to the aging services network. Care/case managers assess clients' needs, create service plans, and coordinate and monitor services; they may operate privately or may be employed by social service agencies or public programs. Typically, cases managers are nurses or social workers.

Care Plan (also called service plan) – written document which outlines the types and frequency of the long-term care services that a consumer receives. It may include treatment goals for him or her for a specified time period.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) – Federal agency created in 1977 to provide quality assurance for the Medicare and Medicaid programs under the Social Security Act. Includes oversight of the Professional Standards Review Organization, End-Stage Renal Disease Program, long-term care program and other health and safety standards for health care providers.

CHOICES – a Consumer Directed option available to PASSPORT consumers in Central Ohio. This option gives consumers more choice and more control over their services. Offering consumers more control over the management and delivery of their home care services is called consumer direction, and it is presently being tried out in home care programs in many different states and countries. Here in Ohio, Choices is currently a pilot project taking place in an eight county area in central Ohio. Enrollment is limited to 200 people.

Chronic – a medical condition of long duration, denoting a disease of slow progress and long continuance.

Community-Based Long-Term Care (CBLTC) – Care that is available in the community.

Community-Based Services – A wide range of non-institutional services, including supportive, health and personal care, which help older people who need assistance maintain maximum independent functioning in their own homes or a substitute environment of their choice.

Competency – the legal capacity to make one's own decisions based on the cognitive and physical skills necessary to interpret and comprehend the decisions and consequences, as determined by a physician. A person is legally incompetent only when a physician has evaluated and determined them so, and the probate court has adjudicated them.

Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) – a grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with matching funds provided by the Franklin County Senior Services Levy.

Congregate Meals – A program which provides, five or more days a week, at least one hot or other appropriate meal per day to older persons in a group setting. Congregate nutrition programs may also include nutrition education and other appropriate services for older people are not accessible.

Conservatorship – a legal arrangement granted by the court in which a person chooses an individual to make personal decisions on his/her behalf. The person must be mentally competent, but physically unable to manage his or her own affairs. Conservatorships are established with legal safeguards for the conservatee. Consult an attorney for more details.

Custodial Care – care that does not require specialized training or services. Assistance with activities of daily living, as well as, with self-administration of medications and preparing special diets. Examples of custodial care include help in walking, eating, toileting and taking medicine. These may be referred to as Activities of Daily Living or ADLs.

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Dementia – term which describes a group of diseases (including Alzheimer’s disease) which are characterized by memory loss and other declines in mental functioning.

Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) – a document which names a person (called an attorney-in-fact) who will act as someone's agent and who will make decisions on their behalf, if they are incapacitated. The power of the attorney-in-fact can be restricted to specific areas (such as health care) or can cover broad decision-making responsibilities. Consult an attorney for more details.

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (also called durable medical power of attorney or health care proxy) – document in which someone names another person who will make medical decisions for them in the event that they are not able to make them for themselves. Consult an attorney for more details.

DNR (Do-Not-Resuscitate) - a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order tells medical professionals not to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation-procedures used to restart a patient heart and breathing when the patient suffers heart failure). DNR orders may be written for patients in a hospital or nursing home or for patients at home. If the patient is in a nursing home or at home, a DNR order tells the staff and emergency medical personnel not to perform emergency resuscitation and not to transfer the patient to a hospital for CPR. In cases when a patient is seriously ill or terminally ill patients may prefer to be cared for without aggressive efforts at resuscitation upon their death.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME)/(HME) Home Medical Equipment – equipment that enables independent functioning such as walkers, wheelchairs, oxygen, lift chairs etc.

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Emergency Response Systems (ERS)/ (PERS) Personal Emergency Response System – also called lifelines or personal emergency response systems- a call button usually worn by the older individual-which can be pushed to get help from family, friends, or emergency assistance in case of emergency.

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) – a medical condition resulting in kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant.

Energy Assistance Programs – includes:

Ohio Energy Credit Program – program which offers older consumers a 30 percent credit toward winter utility bills or a one-time payment of winter utility bills.
Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – federal program that offers consumers credit or vouchers to help pay for winter utility bills. Check with COAAA for more details.

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Fee for Service – method of charging for services rendered. For example Title IIIF presentations to Paraprofessional groups are done as fee for service.

Fiscal Year (FY) – The 12 month budget period of funding. For the City and County, this is a calendar year; for the state, this is July-June 30; for the federal government, this period is October 1-September 30.

Franklin County Office on Aging

(FCOA) – helps Franklin County residents age 60 and older maintain their independence. It also supports family members with the often overwhelming task of caring for a frail older parent, family member, or friend with limited abilities. Senior Options is administered by Franklin County Office on Aging, and is a one-stop shopping point for information and access to senior services. Senior Options is funded by the five year Senior Services Levy passed by voters in 1992 and 1997.

Franklin County Senior Options program – a home care program funded by the Franklin County Senior Services Levy, and administered by the Franklin County Office on Aging.

Fraud – intentional deception or misrepresentation which an individual knows to be false and makes knowing that the deception could result in some unauthorized benefit to himself/herself or some other person.

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Geriatrics – Specialty in medicine focusing on the physical disabilities and diseases associated with aging and older persons. Increasingly aging is recognized as a normal process, not a disease state.

Guardianship – legal arrangement in which the court appoints a surrogate decision-maker to act on someone’s behalf because they are declared incompetent. May include guardianship of the person, estate (finances), or both. The guardian may or may not know this person, depending on the situation at the time of the appointment. Consult an attorney for more details.

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Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) – HCFA is a branch of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, this agency is responsible for administering the Medicare program.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) – an organization that provides a comprehensive range of health services including hospitalization, preventive care and diagnosis. HMOs require members to use specific health care services (doctors, hospitals, etc.) In the HMO’s “network.” The HMO will pay less or nothing if members go outside the network.

Home Delivered Meals (HDM) “meals on wheels” (MOW) – delivers nutritionally sound meals 5 or more days a week to those who cannot purchase their own groceries or prepare meals.

Home Health Agency (HHA) – An agency that provides health services (e.g. home health aide) in the home setting.

Home Health Aide (HHA) – a semi-skilled professional, often employed by a home health agency, who provides in-home assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs).

Home Health Care – includes a wide range of health-related services such as assistance with medications, wound care, intravenous (IV) therapy, and help with basic needs such as bathing, dressing, mobility, etc., which are delivered at a person’s home.

Homemaker Services (HMKR) – help with light housekeeping, laundry, shopping and meal preparation.

Hospice – services for the terminally ill provided in the home, a hospital, or a long-term care facility. Includes home health services, volunteer support, grief counseling, and pain management.

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In-Home Services – Refers to such services as home health aide, family respite services, visiting and telephone reassurance and chore maintenance which enable older persons to remain in their homes for as long as possible. They offer an alternative to premature institutionalization.

Intermediate Level of Care (ILOC) – hands on assistance with two activities of daily living, example bathing, dressing, transferring and assistance with three independent activities of daily living meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, housework etc.

Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) – a health care facility that provides care and services to individuals who do not need skilled nursing care, but whose mental or physical condition requires more than custodial care and services in an institutional setting.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL’s) – household/independent living tasks which include using the telephone, taking medications, money management, housework, meal preparation, laundry, and grocery shopping.

Incontinence – loss of bladder control. Incontinence is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying condition. Affects both men and women of all ages. Is NOT a normal part of aging. Should be discussed with health care provider.

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Level of Care (LOC) – amount of assistance required by consumers which may determine their eligibility for programs and services. Levels include: custodial, protective, intermediate and skilled.

Levy-Funded Programs – home care service programs for older adults that are funded by special property tax levies. Services and fees vary by program.

Living Will – a document which states a person’s preferences for future medical decisions including the withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatments such as artificial nutrition and hydration or the use of equipment such as ventilators and respirators.

Long-Term Care (LTC) – range of medical and/or social services designed to help people who have disabilities or chronic care needs. Services may be short- or long-term and may be provided in a person’s home, in the community, or in residential facilities (e.g. nursing homes or assisted living facilities).

Long Term Care Ombudsman – the office responsible for investigating patient complaints about long term care. Ohio has 12 regional LTC ombudsman offices. The central ombudsman is located at the Ohio Department of Aging and can be reached at 1-800-282-1206.

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Managed Care – a health care plan in which monthly premiums are paid for a complete package of services through an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) or similar type of provider. This may also be referred to as coordinated care.

M + C Plan – Health benefits coverage offered under a policy or contract by an organization that has been approved by HCFA to provide Medicare basic benefits at the same price to everyone enrolled in their plan.

Medicaid – federal and state funded program of medical assistance to low-income individuals of all ages. There are income eligibility requirements for Medicaid.

Medicare – federal health insurance program for persons age 65 and over ( and certain disabled persons under age 65). Consists of 2 parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (optional medical insurance which covers physicians’ services and outpatient care in part and which requires beneficiaries to pay a monthly premium).

MediCARES – one of 51 Medicare Patrol Projects across the country designed to help prevent and correct Medicare fraud and abuse.

Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) – a record replacing the EOMB (Explanation of Medicare Benefits) that will gives information about an individuals hospital and medical insurance coverage. It is proposed to be easier than the EOMB to understand.

Medigap – insurance supplement to Medicare that is designed to fill in the “gaps” left by Medicare (such as co-payments). May pay for some limited long-term care expenses, depending on the benefits package purchased.

Mental Health – has to do with how you think , feel and act. It also has to do with how feel about yourself, how you feel about others, and how you are able to meet and handle the demands of life. It describes the ability to balance problems with appropriate coping skills.

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Nursing home (NH/SNF/ICF) – a place where patients reside who needs medical or personal assistance. Nursing homes may be called Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs), and Custodial Care Facilities. Not all nursing homes are Medicare approved facilities.

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Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) – state agency that oversees aging services programs (including PASSPORT and RSS) within the state of Ohio.

Ohio Department of Health (ODH) – state agency that inspects and licenses all long-term care facilities within the state of Ohio.

Ohio Department of Human Services (ODHS) – state agency that oversees Medicaid programs within the state of Ohio.

Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) – program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Insurance which provides free information and advice about health insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, long-term care and other health insurance. Check phone book for OSHIIP center in your area, or call (toll-free): 1-800-686-1578.

Older Americans Act (OAA) – federal law enacted in 1965 to provide money for programs and direction for a multitude of services designed to enrich the lives of senior citizens. (For example: housing, income, employment, nutrition, and health care.)

Ombudsman – a “citizens’s representative” who protects a person’s rights through advocacy, providing information and encouraging institutions and agencies to respect citizen’s rights.

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PASSPORT Administrative Agency (PAA) – The regional administrative office of the PASSPORT program (located in the 12 area agencies on aging and at Catholic Social Services in Sidney, OH).

Peer Review Organization (PRO) – group paid by the federal government to review hospital treatment of Medicare patients. A patient has the right to appeal to a PRO if there is a question about care or length of stay.

Personal Care Assistance/Home Health Aide (PCA/HHA) – non-medical services to assist older persons in the home such as bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, laundry and running errands.

Planning and Service Area (PSA) – A geographical area in a state or state jurisdiction that is designated for purposes of planning, development, delivery and overall administration of services under an area plan that is administered by an Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Ohio has 12 Planning and Service Areas.

Power of attorney (POA) – a legal document which gives another person (usually a spouse, other relative or friend) the power to act on your behalf. In order to grant a power of attorney, you must be competent, and you do not lose the legal right to act on your own behalf. Pre-Admission Screening and Annual Resident Review (PASARR) – required of all people living independently in the community who wish to enter a nursing home. Ensures that community and home-based long-term care options are presented to all older people who are able to take advantage of them.

Pre-Admission Screening (PAS) – A process by which an individual is screened to determine if the individual has severe mental illness and/or mental retardation or is developmentally disabled and ,if so, whether they need the level of services provided by a nursing facility or specialized services.

Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today (PASSPORT) – Ohio’s home and community-based long-term care service program for low-income persons 60 and over.

Protective Level of Care – person requires supervision of one ADL and hands on assistance with at least 3 IADLs, or supervision of Self administered medications and hands on with 3 IADLS, or supervision to prevent harm due to cognitive impairment on less than a 24 hour basis.

Provider – individual or organization that provides health care or long-term care services (e.g. doctors, hospital, physical therapists, home health aides, and more).

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Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) – a state program that uses Medicaid money to pay the Medicare deductibles and co-payments for persons whose income is low enough to qualify. Qualifying income is above the poverty level. Persons who believe they may be eligible should contact their County Department of Human Services.

Quality Assurance (QA) – The application of standards, law, policies, procedures, and individual commitments to ensure the delivery of services consistent with anticipated outcomes.

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Rehabilitation Services – services designed to improve/restore a person’s functioning; includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and/or speech therapy. May be provided at home or in long-term care facilities. May be covered in part by Medicare.

Residential State Supplement (RSS) – state-funded program which gives cash assistance to older persons and to blind and disabled persons of all ages who are Supplemental Security Income (S.S.I.) recipients and who do not medically qualify for nursing home placement, but who live in other approved group living settings such as board and carehomes and adult foster homes. There is an income eligibility requirement for receiving RSS.

Respite Care – service in which trained professionals or volunteers come into the home or provide short term care at a nursing facility (from a few hours to a few days) for an older person to allow caregivers some time away from their caregiving role. Adult day service may be another way to provide “respite.”

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Senior Companion – adults age 60 and over provide companionship to older adults with special needs. Companions volunteer 20 hours per week. Stipend and travel expenses are provided (companions must meet income guidelines.) Companionship can alleviate loneliness and isolation.

Skilled Care – “higher level” of care (such as injections, catheterization, and dressing changes) provided by trained medical professionals, including nurses, doctors, and physical therapists.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) – Skilled nursing and/or skilled rehabilitative services furnished under the direction of a physician and requiring the skills of technical or professional personnel, such as an RN, LPN, licensed physical therapist or speech therapist. These personnel may either give direct care or may supervise care by other staff members.

Social Security Administration (SSA) – a branch of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, this agency is responsible for determining the Medicare eligibility and enrollment process.

Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLIMB) – a state program that uses Medicaid money to pay the Medicare Part B premium for persons whose income is low enough to qualify. Qualifying income is above poverty level. Person who believe they may be eligible should contact their county Department of Human Services. Specifically an individual entitled to Part A Medicare hospital insurance who has an income above 100% but not over 120% of the Federal poverty level, and resources not exceeding twice the SSI limit. Eligibility for Medicaid benefits is limited to payment of Medicare Part B (medical insurance) premiums.

Speech Therapy (ST) – the study, examination and treatment of defects and diseases of the voice, speech, or spoken and written language.

Spend-Down – Medicaid financial eligibility requirements are strict, and may require beneficiaries to spend down/ use up assets or income until they reach the eligibility level.

Support Groups – groups of people who share a common bond (e.g. caregivers) who come together on a regular basis to share problems and experiences. May be sponsored by social service agencies, senior centers, religious organizations, as well as organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association.

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Title III Services – services provided to individuals age 60 and older which are funded under Title III of the Older Americans Act. Include: congregate and home delivered meals, supportive services (e.g. transportation, information and referral, legal assistance, and more), in-home services (e.g. homemaker services, personal care, chore services, and more), and health promotion/disease prevention services (e.g. health screenings, exercise programs, and more). Federal legislation is typically divided into “Titles”, which function much like chapters in a textbook. Older Americans Act currently has 7 titles:

Title I – Objectives & Definitions

Title II – Administration

Title III – State & Community Programs on Aging

(T3) – State & Community Programs on Aging-establishes a national system structure and provides funds for service delivery & coordination activities
(3-A)Part A – Administration: Defines purpose and mission; establishes federal, State and Area agencies; provides for administrative funds to State and Area agencies.
(3-B)Part B – Supportive Services & Senior Centers; Establishes operating principles and identifies types of services to be supported/encouraged through activities under the Act; includes access services (transportation, outreach, information & referral/I&R), in-home services (homemaker, home health aide, telephone reassurance, friendly visiting, chores, home maintenance, etc), and other (legal services, long term care ombudsman, adult day services, counseling, employment services, etc.).
(3-C)Part C – NutritionServices: establishes network to provide nutritious (1/3RDA meals to older persons; includes congregate meals, home-delivered meals and nutrition education. Basic program is a single noon meal (lunch) available Mon-Fri. (“C-1"=congregate meals;“C-2"=home delivered meals)
(3-D)Part D – Disease Prevention & Health Promotion Services: newer funded part, targeting health & lifestyle issues; includes screening, assessment, counseling, education and information, with priority for medically under-served areas with high low-income older populations. In-home Services for Frail Older Individuals; aimed primarily at providing targeted assistance to victims of Alzheimer’s disease & their families or other caregivers; includes in-home services and respite programs.
(3-F)Part E – National Family Caregiver Support Program, designed to meet the needs of caregivers by providing information and assistance, education, one-on-one counseling, respite services, and supplemental services. Established with the Reauthorization of the Older American’s Act in 2000.

Title IV – Training,Research and Discretionary Projects

Title V – Community Services Employment For Older Americans

Title VI – Grants For Native Americans

Title VII – Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities

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Universal Pre-Admission Review (UPAR) – A statewide service to help older persons and their family make informed decisions about long-term care. The review helps ensure that the services received by older persons are appropriate to meet their needs.

Utilization Review (UR) (as it relates to Ohio's PASSPORT Program) – An evaluation of the type and amount of services that a PASSPORT client is using and a determination of whether or not the services are justified.

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Veteran's Affairs (VA) – a federal organization which operates hospitals to provide health care to people who have served in the U.S. military.

Volunteer Guardian Program (VGP) – matches qualified volunteers with people who need a substitute decision maker, but who are without family or assets.

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Ohio's Area Agencies on Aging
District: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10a | 10b | 11

District 1 (Cincinnati Area)
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, Inc.
175 Tri-County Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45246
(513)721-1025
(513)721-0090 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-252-0155
Ombudsman: 1-800-488-6070
Serving: Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren Counties

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District 2 (Dayton Area)
Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2
6 S. Patterson Blvd. #200
Dayton, OH 45402
(937)341-3000
(937)341-3005 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-258-7277
Ombudsman: 1-800-395-8267
Serving: Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble and Shelby Counties

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District 3 (Lima Area)
Area Agency on Aging, PSA 3
892-A South Cable Rd.
Lima, OH 45805
(419)222-7723
(419)222-6212 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-653-7277
Ombudsman: 1-800-653-7778
Serving: Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam and Van Wert Counties

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District 4 (Toledo Area)
Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
2155 Arlington Ave.
Toledo, OH 43609-0624
(419)382-0624
(419)382-4560 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-472-7277
Ombudsman: 1-800-542-1874
Serving: Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Sandusky, Williams and Wood Counties

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District 5 (Mansfield Area)
Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
780 Park Ave. W.
P.O. Box 1978 (mail only)
Mansfield, OH 44901
(419)524-4144
(419)522-9482 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-860-5799
Ombudsman: 1-800-686-1639
Serving: Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Seneca and Wyandot Counties

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District 6 (Columbus Area)
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
174 E. Long St.
Columbus, OH 43215
(614)645-7250
(614)645-3884 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-589-7277
Ombudsman: 1-800-536-5891
Serving: Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union Counties

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District 7 (Rio Grande Area)
Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc.
218 N. College/MSC-F32 (mail only)
119 Bevo Francis Way (deliveries)
Rio Grande, OH 45674
(740)245-5306
(740)245-5979 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-582-7277
Ombudsman: 1-800-648-2575
Serving: Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton Counties

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District 8 (Marietta Area)
Area Agency on Aging Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District
PO Box 370
Reno OH 45773
(740)374-9436
(740)374-8038 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-331-2644
Ombudsman: 1-800-833-0830
Serving: Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington Counties

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District 9 (Cambridge Area)
Area Agency on Aging Region 9
60788 Southgate Rd.
S.R. 209S
Byesville, OH 43723
(740)439-4478
(740)432-1060 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-932-7277
Ombudsman: 1-800-967-0615
Serving: Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Muskingum and Tuscarawas Counties

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District 10A (Cleveland Area)
Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
925 Euclid Ave. #600
Cleveland, OH 44115
(216)621-8010
(216)621-9262 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-626-7277
Ombudsman: 1-800-365-3112
Serving: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina Counties

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District 10B (Akron Area)
Area Agency on Aging, PSA 10B
1550 Corporate Woods Pkwy. #100
Uniontown, OH 44685
(330)896-9172
(330)896-6644 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-421-7277
Ombudsman: 1-800-421-7277
Serving: Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne Counties

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District 11 (Youngstown Area)
District XI Area Agency on Aging
25 E. Boardman St.
Youngstown, OH 44503
(330)746-2938
(330)746-6700 (fax)
PASSPORT: 1-800-686-7367
Ombudsman: 1-800-589-5826
Serving: Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull Counties

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HIPAA Information

General Information | Privacy Notice 2003 | Privacy Notice 2003 (PDF)

General Information

What is HIPAA?
HIPAA is the acronym for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. HIPAA protects health insurance coverage for workers and their families when they change or lose their jobs. HIPAA makes provisions that require the United States Department of Health and Human Services to establish national standards for electronic health care transactions and national identifiers for providers, health plans, and employers. It also addresses the security and privacy of health data. Adopting these standards will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the nation's health care system by encouraging the widespread use of electronic data interchange in health care.

For more HIPAA information visit the below websites:

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Privacy Notice 2003

View in PDF format

HIPAA

Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Effective Date: April 14, 2003

This notice describes how medical and health information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

This notice describes how medical and health information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information. Please review it carefully.

USE AND DISCLOSURE OF HEALTH INFORMATION

The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) arranges and pays for many types of services through the PASSPORT, Choices, and the RSS Programs. COAAA staff must collect information about you to arrange these services. COAAA knows that information we collect about you and your health is private. COAAA is required to protect this information by Federal and State law. We call this information “protected health information” (PHI).

The Notice of Privacy Practices will tell you how COAAA, referred to as The Agency, may use or disclose information about you. Not all situations will be described. COAAA is required to give you a notice of our privacy practices for the information we collect and keep about you. COAAA is required to follow the terms of the notice currently in effect.

THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF WHEN AND WHY YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED:

To Provide Treatment. The Agency may use your health information to coordinate or manage your care within the Agency and with other individuals outside of the Agency involved in your care, such as your attending physician and other health care professionals. For example, certain service providers involved in your care need information about your medical condition in order to deliver appropriate services.

To Obtain Payment. The Agency may include your health information in invoices to collect payment from third parties for the care you receive through the Agency. For example, some health information is transmitted to the Ohio Department of Aging and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services when billing transactions are conducted.

To Conduct Health Care Operations. The Agency may use and disclose health information for its own operations and as necessary to provide quality care to all of the Agency’s service recipients.

As an example, the Agency may use your health information to evaluate its staff performance, or combine your health information with other Agency consumers in evaluating how to more effectively serve all Agency consumers.

For Appointment Reminders and Treatment Alternatives. The Agency may use and disclose your health information when attempting to contact you as a reminder that you have an appointment for a home visit, and/or disclose your health information to tell you about or recommend possible service options or alternatives that may be of interest to you.

THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF THE ADDITIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED:

When Legally Required. The Agency will disclose your health information when it is required to do so by any Federal, State or local law.

When There Are Risks to Public Health. The Agency may disclose your health information for public activities and purposes in order to:

Prevent or control disease, injury or disability, report disease, injury, vital events such as birth or death and the conduct of public health surveillance, investigations and interventions.
Notify a person who has been exposed to a communicable disease or who may be at risk of contracting or spreading a disease.

To Report Abuse and Neglect. The Agency is permitted to notify government authorities if the Agency believes it has knowledge of an older adult or child who is a victim of abuse, neglect or exploitation. The Agency will make this disclosure only when specifically required or authorized by law, when the patient agrees to the disclosure, or to a law enforcement official if the Agency has a suspicion that your death was the result of criminal conduct.

To Conduct Health Oversight Activities. The Agency may disclose your health information to a health oversight agency for activities including audits, civil administrative or criminal investigations, inspections, licensure or disciplinary action. The Agency, however, may not disclose your health information if you are the subject of an investigation and your health information is not directly related to your receipt of health care or public benefits.

In Connection With Judicial and Administrative Proceedings. The Agency may disclose your health information in the course of any judicial or administrative proceeding in response to an order of a court or administrative tribunal as expressly authorized by such order or in response to a subpoena, discovery request or other lawful process.

In the Event of a Serious Threat to Health or Safety. The Agency may, consistent with applicable law and ethical standards of conduct, disclose your health information if the Agency, in good faith, believes that such disclosure is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to your health or safety or to the health and safety of the public.

For Worker’s Compensation. The Agency may release your health information for worker’s compensation or similar programs.

AUTHORIZATION TO USE OR DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION

Other than stated above, the Agency will not disclose your health information other than with your written authorization. If you or your representative authorizes the Agency to use or disclose your health information, you may revoke that authorization in writing at any time.

YOUR RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

You have the following rights regarding your health information that the Agency maintains:

Right to Request Restrictions. You may request restrictions on certain uses and disclosures of your health information. You have the right to request a limit on the Agency’s disclosure of your health information to someone who is involved in your care or the payment of your care. However, the Agency is not required to agree to your request. If you wish to make a request for restrictions, please contact the COAAA Privacy Officer at 614-645-7250 or 800-589-7277.
Right to Receive Confidential Communications. You have the right to request that the Agency communicate with you in a certain way. For example, you may ask that the Agency only conduct communications pertaining to your health information with you privately with no other family members present. If you wish to receive confidential communications, please contact the COAAA Privacy Officer at 614-645-7250 or 800-589-7277. The Agency will not require that you provide any reasons for your request and will attempt to honor your reasonable requests for confidential communications.
Right to Inspect and Copy Your Health Information. Unless your access to your records is restricted for clear and documented reasons, you have a right to see your protected health information upon your request. You have the right to inspect and copy your health information, including billing records. A request to inspect and copy records containing your health information may be made to the COAAA Privacy Officer at 614-645-7250 or 800-589-7277. If you request a copy of your health information, the Agency may charge a reasonable fee for copying and assembling costs associated with your request.
Right to Amend Health Care Information. You or your representative have the right to request that the Agency amend your records, if you believe that your health information is incorrect or incomplete. That request may be made as long as the information is maintained by the Agency. A request for an amendment of records must be made in writing to the Privacy Officer at Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, 174 East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215. The Agency may deny the request if it is not in writing or does not include a reason for the amendment. The request also may be denied if your health information records were not created by the Agency, if the records you are requesting are not part of the Agency’s records, if the health information you wish to amend is not part of the health information you or your representative are permitted to inspect and copy, if, in the opinion of the Agency, the records containing your health information are accurate and complete.
Right to Know What Disclosures Have Been Made. You or your representative have the right to request an accounting of disclosures of your health information made by the Agency for certain reasons, including reasons related to public purposes authorized by law and certain research. The request for an accounting must be made in writing to the Privacy Officer at Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, 174 East Long Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215. The request should specify the time period for the accounting starting on or after April 14, 2003. Accounting requests may not be made for periods of time in excess of six (6) years. The Agency will provide the first accounting you request during any 12-month period without charge. Subsequent accounting requests may be subject to a reasonable cost-based fee.
Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice. You or your representative have a right to a separate paper copy of this Notice at any time even if you or your representative have received this Notice previously. To obtain a separate paper copy, please contact the COAAA Privacy Officer at 614-645-7250 or 800-589-7277.

DUTIES OF THE AGENCY

The COAAA is required by law to maintain the privacy of your health information and to provide to you and your representative this Notice of its duties and privacy practices. The Agency is required to abide by the terms of this Notice as may be amended from time to time. The Agency reserves the right to change the terms of its Notice and to make the new Notice provisions effective for all health information that it maintains. If the Agency changes its Notice, the Agency will provide a copy of the revised Notice to you or your appointed representative.

WHERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT

You or your personal representative have the right to express complaints to the Agency and to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services if you or your representative believe that your privacy rights have been violated. Any complaints to the Agency should be made in writing to the COAAA Privacy Officer. The Agency encourages you to express any concerns you may have regarding the privacy of your information. You will not be retaliated against in any way for filing a complaint. You may also file a written complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C., 20201 or call 1-877-696-6775.

CONTACT PERSON

The Agency has designated the Client Services Director as its Privacy Officer for all issues regarding patient privacy and your rights under the Federal privacy standards. You may contact this person at Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, 174 ast Long Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215, 614-645-7250 or 800-589-7277.

If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact:

THE PRIVACY OFFICER

Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging
174 East Long Street
Columbus, OH 43215
614-645-7250
800-589-7277

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Other Links

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

ABA Commission on Law and Aging (COLA) – dedicated to examining law and policy issues affecting older persons.

Administration on Aging – designed to provide a comprehensive overview of a wide variety of topics, programs and services related to aging.

AgeLight – provide information and resources to active adults, seniors, community organizations and private enterprise to help "Bridge the Digital Divide".

Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) – provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes, quality and cost, use and access.

AgeNet Eldercare Network – a comprehensive, national eldercare network to meet the specific needs of the fast growing aging population and their adult caregiving children.

Ageworks – a website providing the latest information on aging.

Aging in Ohio – site dedicated to aging.

Aging with Dignity – a nonprofit organization with the goal of improving care for those near the end of life.

Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) – provide quality mental health and alcohol/drug addiction treatment services on a sliding scale fee, so that regardless of income, you can receive the help you need.

Alliance for Aging Research – nation's leading citizen advocacy organization for improving the health and independence of Americans as they age.

Alzheimer’s Association – the largest national voluntary health organization dedicated to advancing Alzheimer's research and helping those affected by the disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center (ADEAR) – information about Alzheimer’s and other dementias with a useful section on caregiving.

ALZwell – site dedicated to helping dementia caregivers.

American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) – to enhance the knowledge base and standard of practice in geriatric psychiatry through education and research and to advocate for meeting the mental health needs of older Americans.

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) – helpful site for locating not-for-profit nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and senior housing.

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP Ohio) – a leading nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over in Ohio.

American Cancer Society – a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and service.

American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) – the professional society for nearly 4,500 administrators in long-term care, offering excellent educational programming, career development opportunities, and certification in a variety of positions.

American Council of the Blind of Ohio – a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality and the equality of life for persons who are blind or visually impaired.

American Diabetes Association – a nation's leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy.

American Dietetic Association – food, nutrition guides and fact sheets.

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) – the premier professional organization of health care providers dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all older adults.

American Health Care Association – a non-profit federation of affiliated state health organizations, together representing nearly 12,000 non-profit and for-profit assisted living, nursing facility, developmentally-disabled, and subacute care providers that care for more than 1.5 million elderly and disabled individuals nationally.

American Heart Association – a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

American Pharmaceutical Association – designed to bring the latest information about how to work with pharmacists to help make the most of medicines.

American Red Cross – dedicated to helping people in need throughout the United States and, in association with other Red Cross societies, throughout the world.

American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) – provides training, certification, professional resources, and member support for fitness leaders who serve older adults.

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists – the international professional association that provides leadership, education, advocacy, and resources to advance the practice of senior care pharmacy.

American Society on Aging – a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the knowledge and skills of those working with older adults and their families.

American Stroke Association – focused on reducing disability and death from stroke through research, education, fundraising and advocacy.

Arthritis Foundation – a national not-for-profit organization supports more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions with advocacy, programs, services and research.

Assisted Living Federation of America – offers a guide and check list for selecting an assisted living residence and a database of ALFA member residences.

Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) – to advance gerontology as a field of study in institutions of higher learning.

The Association of Ohio Philanthropic Home Housing and Services for the Aging (AOPHA) – The Advocate of Nonprofit Services for Older Ohioans. They represent to the public the interests of its diverse membership, and to provide specialized services to enable members to accomplish their individual missions.