OASC represents more than one-quarter million older adults and has membership in most of Ohio's eighty-eight counties. The Association's mission is "to strengthen and unite the senior center network in Ohio by providing opportunities for professional development and leadership in addressing advocacy issues".

• Increased service for older adults 

The State of Ohio provides minimal funds for services for those older adults that do not meet Medicaid eligibility. Home and community based care services need to be expanded through a client driven system with defined eligibility and easy access.

Increased block grant funding to provide for a client driven system for seniors not quite reaching the Medicaid eligibility is necessary.

• A strong PASSPORT program 

Ohio's Medicaid waiver program allows lower income, frail older adults to remain in their own homes when eligible for nursing home placement. PASSPORT must be fully funded; however, eligibility standards need to be revised to reflect a reasonable asset level for those desiring to remain at home. An asset level of $1500 is not adequate.

• Preventative measures 

Multipurpose Senior Centers provide wellness and healthy living activities to prevent the deterioration of bodily and mental functioning in older adults. Currently, there is no adequate funding mechanism for wellness activities, particularly for those senior centers targeting lower income seniors.

The state budget should include senior center funds for prevention programs.

• 1084 funding increase 

The 1084 state budget line item had enabled senior centers to repair and/or construct senior centers. Current funding does not exist  for the continual physical upgrading and compliance with ADA .

The state's 1084 funds need to be reinstated and increased.

• Adult Protective Services (APS) 

The Ohio Revised Code states that county Departments of Human Services investigate reports of older adult abuse, neglect, self-neglect and exploitation. APS should be funded adequately to fully meet the mandates of the Ohio Revised Code.

• Housing 

Older adults are facing housing crises. Many seniors have inadequate resources to provide upkeep and repair. Sufficient financial aid should be available for home repair and modification. In addition, alternative housing options for low-income adults should be accessible in all 88 counties.

• Caregiver Support 

Friends and relatives provide approximately 75% of care to the elderly. Coupled with this is the fact that one out of four employees in the work force is estimated to have elderly care giving responsibilities. The expansion of caregiver support programs including respite, adult day services and Alzheimer support is needed.

Adequate levels of funding should be available to provide caregivers and older adults with choice to lead quality lives with dignity.

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

• Reauthorize the Older Americans Act

OASC supports the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, the principal federal funding vehicle for community-based services for older Americans. We support increased funding to meet the service needs of the nation's rapidly increasing numbers of seniors, the continued identification of senior centers as focal points for delivery of senior services, and the ability of senior centers to provide case management in addition to service delivery.

• Title XX Block Grant

This federal base must remain strong in the funding structure for older adults. Title XX funding for APS, home-delivered meals, transportation, in-home services and community mental health must be increased. In addition, Title XX should fund the purchasing of vehicles for senior community service delivery.

• Social Security 

Congress and the Executive Branch must address the long-term solvency problem of the Social Security system.

• Grandparents as surrogate parents

An increasing number of grandparents are taking the primary responsibility for the care and support of grandchildren. National eligibility standards for programs addressing the needs of such dependent children, i.e. Medicaid and Food Stamps, should more specifically address circumstances in which older adults are acting as surrogate parents.

• Health care coverage for older adults

Medicare's financial integrity should be protected. Freedom of choice should be retained in selecting fee-for-service healthcare providers, healthcare settings, or managed care options. The "homebound" definition should be clarified to permit beneficiaries to receive adult day care, community-based long-term care and nutrition services.