Representatives from the Ohio Department of Medicaid stopped in Lima to share information about the state’s Next Generation MyCare program during a visit to the Area Agency on Aging.
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“It’s really important that we watch for those scams,” said Jolene Highley, director of marketing and communications for the Area Agency on Aging 3. “Make sure your information is safe, and don’t give information over the phone or through the computer unless you’re 100 percent certain it’s legitimate.”
The event brought together representatives from a variety of community-based organizations to better understand each other’s services and establish stronger referral networks.
The Area Agency on Aging is helping the public protect something very precious: their identity. In honor of National Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the Agency on Aging partnered with WiltonKeck for a 3-hour Shred A Thon on Thursday to help people dispose of personal documents like receipts, credit card offers, or any other mail that might contain sensitive information.
The Area Agency on Aging 3 and the Allen County Sheriff's Office have teamed up to host a Drug Take Back Day. Residents could drive up to the Area Agency on Aging Allentown Road location, where they can drop off over-the-counter medications, pharmaceuticals, vitamins, and supplements to be disposed of safely and securely.
Allen County Public Health and the Area Agency on Aging 3 will be taking appointments for a public health nurse to come to people’s homes and give them a dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. You must live in Allen County to take part in the program. Besides the homebound residents, other members of the household will also be able to get their vaccine at the same time. This partnership continues both agencies' mission to get more people vaccinated from COVID-19.
The Area Agency on Aging is working to do its part in fighting against drug and substance misuse in Ohio. Over 22,000 kits to use for safe drug disposal have been distributed to senior centers and aging councils around the state. 1,000 of them were allocated to Lima's Area Agency on Aging 3 seven county region. They include Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Mercer, Putnam, and Van Wert Counties. The drug disposal kits will guide users on how to get rid of unused or outdated medicines, especially opioids. The bags can hold pills, liquids, and patches, and are simple to use. These free kits are hoped to prevent the misuse of prescription drugs.
Scammers are reportedly calling and claiming they are with the PASSPORT program, which is a part of Medicaid. They are said to ask for banking information over the phone. The Area Agency on Aging 3 in Lima says this is a red flag, because representatives from their organization won't call to ask for bank information.
Lima Memorial Health System continues its yearly tradition of donating gifts to seniors in the area. The hospital partnered with Area Agency on Aging to find out what local seniors wanted for Christmas. Hundreds of presents of all shapes and sizes were loaded up Tuesday morning to be handed out to the "adopted" seniors.
Every year the Area Agency on Aging 3’s Silver Birch Foundation holds a charity dinner and auction, but this year it has turned virtual. People will be able to go online to view the different masterpieces, and bid right from their phones or computers.