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"He has such a great outlook during harder times. It brightens my day and is a good reminder that we can all find joy during difficult times."
–Friendly Caller volunteer about her conversation partner
COAAA’s Friendly Caller Program matches a volunteer with an individual who receives services through the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging for weekly or biweekly friendly chats. Sometimes an older adult or person with a disability would like additional social interaction, and this program is designed to connect them with a community volunteer for six months of friendly calls.
The Friendly Caller Program offers volunteers the opportunity to:
- Provide social support and help reduce isolation for their conversation partner
- Give back in a short period of time
- Create their own volunteer schedule
- Connect with someone with different life experiences
- Leverage their empathy and active listening skills
- Volunteer remotely
- Brighten someone’s day
The goal of the friendly calls is to provide social conversation through brief phone calls. These calls are expected to last around 15 minutes once per week or once every other week.
Volunteers are required to attend a virtual orientation and training session prior to being matched with a conversation partner. This training will include conversation starters, communication tips, how to forward concerns, and more so that a volunteer is equipped with the tools they'll need for success.
A one-time background check at COAAA is required before being paired with a consumer. There is no cost to the volunteer.
Interested in getting started? Complete the online volunteer application.
Need more information or have questions? Contact Frances Krumholtz, COAAA Volunteer and Engagement Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 614-645-3646.
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Trualta is a free online platform that provides caregivers with new information and skills needed to manage care for a loved one in the home. Trualta delivers quick videos, articles, tip-sheets, and professional-level trainings that are tailored to meet the caregiver’s learning style. Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) is partnering with Trualta to offer this resource at no cost to central Ohio caregivers who live in COAAA's eight-county area (Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union).
Trualta:
- Offers practical caregiving tips and techniques
- Covers many topics caregivers face including personal care, brain health, safety, self-care, managing challenging behaviors, and more
- Connects caregivers to local resources
- Provides opportunities to connect with other caregivers
- Can be accessed from any computer or mobile device connected to the internet
Registration is required to access the platform. COAAA's Trualta Support Specialist can answer questions about eligibility, assist with registration, and help individuals navigate the Trualta website. To learn more about Trualta and how to register, contact Tammy Smith, COAAA Caregiver Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 614-645-7705.
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Volunteer Guardians are substitute decision-makers for people who have disabilities and are unable to make informed personal decisions in their own best interest.
Guardians do many things to ensure the quality of life for the people they serve. They make informed, major life decisions concerning medical care, therapies, and living environments. But, guardians also do the "little things" and the little things mean a lot.
Download the VGP Brochure for more information.
How Can You Help?
If you have the time and the desire to protect and advocate for someone who cannot speak for him or herself, consider volunteering. You can make a difference in the life of a person who may be lonely and vulnerable and who may have no visitors or others involved in his or her life.
Who Can Volunteer?
Caring, committed adults who are at least 21 years old, have good communication skills, and reliable transportation. You must live or work in Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Fairfield, Licking or Pickaway Counties.
What Will You Do?
Become "legal guardian of the person" for individuals whose mental impairment so incapacitates them that they are unable to care for themselves or make sound personal decisions.
Where Are You Needed?
A special emphasis is being placed on serving residents of nursing homes in Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Fairfield, Licking and Pickaway Counties.
You will have:
- Support, training and technical assistance from the staff of the Volunteer Guardian Program.
- A volunteer attorney will be assigned to give you legal advice concerning the management of the guardianship.
- Formal Statutory authority granted by the Probate Court.
- The satisfaction of enhancing the quality of life for another human being.
Application
If you are interested in volunteering download and read the Application Form.
- Application Form (MS Word or Adobe PDF) Once completed, you may send the application through email or regular mail.
Additional Resources
National Guardianship Association
If you have questions (about nursing home navigation, surrogate medical decision makers, why are "they" telling me I need to get guardianship, etc.) or are interested in more information, contact Jane at 614-645-3883 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Wendy at 614-645-1928 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Do you need help at home? COAAA is here to help! COAAA provides case management for a number of long-term care services that give you choice and dignity to live independently in your own home. Whether you need personal care services, homemaking, transportation, or home delivered meals COAAA can coordinate a care plan to meet your specific needs.
Medicaid Waiver programs help provide long-term care services in the community to people who would otherwise be in an institution or nursing home and meet eligibility requirements.
Individuals must meet certain requirements to be eligible for these service programs. If you think you or a loved one may be eligible for one of these services, call us at 1-800-589-7277 or complete the request form at www.coaaa.org/request_form.php and our team can provide a free in-home consultation or assessment. All assessments are with a licensed social worker or registered nurse who will determine a plan to meet your needs.
The Summary of Programs and Services guide below explains the programs, services, and eligibility for programs administered by COAAA. Many programs offer an alternative for people needing more care, but not a nursing home.
| Program Name | Who It Is For & What It Does |
Basic Services & Benefits Eligibility | Eligibility Requirements |
| PASSPORT |
An alternative to nursing home care. Helps financially eligible, disabled older adults remain safe and independent at home. |
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| Assisted Living Waiver |
Provides care for Medicaid-eligible adults in an approved assisted living facility. An alternative for people needing more care, but not a nursing |
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| MyCare Ohio |
Provides care for Medicare and Medicaid eligible adults in their home or approved assisted living facility. An alternative for people needing more care but not a nursing home. |
A managed care organization oversees health care (in Central Ohio, either Aetna Better Health of Ohio or Molina Healthcare of Ohio). Services are similar to PASSPORT and include medical care, long term care, behavioral health services, as well as care coordination. COAAA provides in-home waiver service coordination. |
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| Franklin County Senior Options
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Home-care program funded by the Franklin County Senior Services Levy. |
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| Title III & Alzheimer’s Respite Services |
Older Americans Act and state funding to community agencies to provide ‘safety net’ for those ineligible for other services. |
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| Long-term Care Consultation |
A free, customized consultation that helps individuals understand how to meet current or future long-term care needs. |
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No age or income requirements |
| Care Transitions |
Connects individuals who have recently been discharged from the hospital with needed services. The goal is to provide a safe transition and to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions. |
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Recent or pending discharge from a hospital or nursing home facility |
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Long-Term Care Consultations
Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging offers free long-term care consultations to Ohioans who want to be better prepared for senior living, senior housing, or for help at home. Call 614-645-7250 or 800-589-7277 to schedule or for more information.
A specially-trained Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging staff consultant will make a home visit to review your needs and circumstances. Care consultants can assess current and future needs, explain available senior help, discuss financial resources required, and create a professional care plan for you. Available services for help at home will be identified, alternative choices discussed and planning help offered.
Legal Resources
Legal Aid Society of Columbus
The Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC) provides assistance to low-income seniors such as simple wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, nursing home issues, survivor & transfer on death deeds, Medicaid/Medicare, and more. LASC also has assistance on evictions, foreclosures, and other housing issues and a number of other topics. Individuals can attend Brief Advice clinics in the community, which are staffed by volunteer attorneys.
New client intake lines are open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Call 614-241-2001. New clients may also submit the online application, which is an interactive interview that provides step-by-step through instructions.
Legal Aid Society of Columbus (serves Franklin and Madison counties)
1108 City Park Ave, Suite 101
Columbus, OH 43206
www.columbuslegalaid.org/seniors
614-224-8374 or toll-free at 888-246-4420
Legal Aid Society of Columbus (Marion office: serves Delaware and Union counties)
150 Oak St.
Marion, OH 43302
740-383-2161 or toll free at 888-301-2411
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (SEOLS) provides help with consumer issues, family law problems, health benefits issues, housing issues, public benefits issues, taxes, utility issues, and other problems. SEOLS also helps seniors and offers a number of self-help brochures at www.seols.org/help-for-seniors. Assistance can be requested online at www.seols.org/legal-services-request-information or calling the office that serves your county.
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (Newark office: serves Licking County)
15 West Locust Avenue, Suite A
Newark, OH 43055
740-345-0850 or 888-831-9412
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.seols.org
Southeastern Ohio Legal Services (Chillicothe office: serves Fairfield, Fayette, and Pickaway counties)
73 East Water Street
Chillicothe, OH 45601
740-773-0012 or 800-686-3668
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.seols.org
Pro Seniors Inc.
Pro Seniors helps seniors resolve legal and long-term care issues or problems. The organization operates a legal hotline that provides free legal information, advice, and referral for residents of Ohio age 60 and over, regardless of income or resources. When you call Pro Seniors, an attorney will schedule a 30-minute consultation. Typical topics include Medicare, Medicaid and Medicaid estate recovery, living wills, durable powers of attorney for health care, housing, and consumer problems. Their website offers fact sheets and resources on a wide-range of important legal topics, advance directive forms such as a health care power of attorney and a living will and can guide you through creating a simple last will and testament.
Pro Seniors, Inc.
7162 Reading Road, Suite 1150
Cincinnati, OH 45237
www.proseniors.org
800-488-6070