Alzheimer’s Disease

About

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia among older people. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities.

Alzheimer’s disease begins slowly. It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble remembering things that happened recently or names of people they know. Over time, symptoms get worse. People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care. This can cause great stress for family members who must care for them.

Alzheimer’s disease usually begins after age 60. The risk goes up as you get older. Your risk is also higher if a family member has had the disease.

No treatment can stop the disease. However, some drugs may help keep symptoms from getting worse for a limited time.

National Institute on Aging

Identity Fraud

About

Identity Fraud occurs when a criminal obtains and uses someone else’s personal information such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, insurance information and Social Security numbers to purchase goods or services fraudulently. Identity Fraud is crime!

Ohio House Bill 48

– Ohio House Bill 48 renames the criminal offense of “identity fraud” when it is committed against an elderly person or disabled adult as “identity theft against an elderly person or disabled adult” and enhances the penalty one degree higher for “identity fraud against an elderly person or disabled adult”.
– Also, Ohio House Bill 48 permits the attorney general, in cooperation with a law enforcement agency, to issue identity fraud passports.

Identity Fraud Passports

– Identity Fraud Passports provide fraud victims a way to prove to law enforcement and creditors that their identity has been stolen.

– Identity fraud victim calls local law enforcement to report the crime.

– After a police report is take, the officer files the victim’s Passport application through Ohio Law Enforcement Gateway. The Officer obtains personal information and electronically captures the victim’s fingerprint, photograph and signature. The police report and application are sent to the Ohio Attorney’s office, where the information is verified and a Passport card with a unique identifier number is issued.

Credit Reports

– The information in your credit report determines, in large part, what kind of credit, from car loans to credit cards and mortgages, you’ll be able to get.

– Under the Federal Fair and Accurate Transaction Act, as of March 1, 2005, Ohio residents are eligible to receive a free credit report every 12 months from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies. There are three major reporting companies. There are three major credit report bureaus: Experian, TransUnion and Equifax. 

– To order credit reports, from the major reporting companies, use the following information:

Equifax: Equifax Credit Information Services Inc., P.O. Box 740241, Altanta, GA 30374, 1-800-397-3742,
http://www.equifax.com/home/en_us

Experian: National Consumer Assistance Center, P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013, 1-888-397-3742,
http://www.experian.com/

TransUnion: Consumer Disclosure Center, P.O. Box 1000, Cherster, PA 19022, 1-800-916-8800,
http://www.transunion.com/

Discount Programs

About

Many agencies and businesses offer senior citizen discounts, special shopping hours and incentive programs and/or clubs.

Federal Parks

U.S. Department of Interior, Golden Age Passport, 1-800-445-9667

I. Free admission to federally operated parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas and wildlife refuges after $10,00 lifetime fee payment.

II. Obtainable only in person to those age 62 and older, in most federally operated recreational sites.

III. Also allows 50% discount on camping fees in national parks.

IV. Applies ONLY to FEDERAL parks.

Fishing and Hunting Licenses

Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Wildlife, 912 Portage Lake Dr., Akron, OH 44319, (330) 664-2293, http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/

I. Licenses are available at WalMart, Super K-Mart, Drug Mart and online.

II. Persons age 66 and older, permanently and totally disabled, or physically handicapped are eligible for free annual licenses, permits, and stamps.

Property Tax (440) 350-2534, ext. 2536

I. Homeowners age 65 and older, and people who are permanently and totally disabled with an annual income of less than $26,200, may be eligible for a reduction in their property tax.

II. Application must be made after the first Monday in January and not later than the first Monday in June.

III. Eligible taxpayers may also apply for tax reduction on their house trailers.

Shopping

Golden Buckeye Card, (614) 466-3681 or 1-866-301-6446, http://aging.ohio.gov/goldenbuckeye/

I. Available to any Ohio resident age 60 and older, and anyone permanently and totally disabled.

II. Apply the first day of the month before your 60th birthday or anytime thereafter.

Senior Centers

About

Senior Centers are places where senior citizens can gather and socialize. While programs vary by center, most offer outreach programs, health screenings, counseling and a variety of educational, fitness and volunteer programs.

Congregate Meal Sites are located withing the Eastlake, Kirtland, Madison, Painesville and Wickliffe senior centers and operated by the Lake County Council on Aging. It is intended for persons 60 and over who are looking for a nutritious meal and possibly companionship Monday through Friday. Advanced meal order reservations are required by contacting the nutrition site directly: Eastlake Nutrition: (440) 946-8822; Kirtland Nutrition: (440) 256-3194; Madison Nutrition: (440) 428-7002 and Wickliffe Nutrition: (440) 585-3777.

For transportation, contact Lake Tran (440) 942-1300.

Eastlake JFK Recreation Center, 1580 E. 332nd St., Eastlake, OH 44095, (440) 975-4268 Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm

1. Socialization and health screenings.
2. Center is a congregate meal site-$1.25 suggested donation for lunch operated by Lake County Council on Aging.
3. Home bound meal deliveries (Meals on Wheels) administered by Lake County Council on Aging.
4. Free transportation to center and home for Eastlake residents only.
5. Wheelchair accessible.

Kirtland Senior Center, 7900 Euclid Chardon Rd., Kirtland, OH 44094, (440) 256-4711, Monday – Thursday, 9am-4:30pm

1. Socialization and exercise.
2. Center is a congregate meal site-$1.25 suggested donation for lunch operated by Lake County Council on Aging.
3. Home bound meal deliveries (Meals on Wheels) administered by Lake County Council on Aging.
4. Wheelchair accessible.

Leroy Senior Group, 13909 Leroy Center Rd, Painesville, OH 44077, (440) 254-4071

1. Potluck every third Thursday.
2. Other activities.
3. Center is NOT a meal site.
4. Wheelchair accessible.

Suggested Readings

Books

The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Nursing Home Care – Written by Eric M. Carlson and Katharine Bau Hsiao.

Nursing Homes Getting Good Care There – A Consumer Action Manual prepared by the National Citizen’s Coalition for Nursing Home Reform.

Beat the Nursing Home Trap – A Consumer’s Guide to assisted living and long-term care, by: Joseph Matthews.

The Nursing Home Decision Easing the Transition for Everyone – Written by Lawrence M. Martin, M.D.

Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness – Written by Pete Earley.

The Innocent Man – Written by John Grisham.

Indefensible: One Lawyer’s Journey into the Inferno of American Justice – Written by David Feige

Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis – Written by Jimmy Carter

Boomer or Bust: Your Financial Guide to Retirement, Health Care, Medicare, and Long Term Care – Written by Steve Weisman

Coping with Dementia: What Every Caregiver Needs to Know – Written by Rosemary De Cuir.

Helpful Agencies

Local Agencies

Forbes House
P.O. Box 702
Painesville, OH 44077
(440 357-1018 or (440) 953-9779
http://www.forbeshouse.org

Lake County Alcohol, Drug
Addiction, and Mental Health
Services
One Victoria Place, Suite 205,
Painesville, OH 44077
(440) 205-8111
http://www.helpthatworks.us

Lake County Council on Aging
8520 East Ave.
Mentor, OH 44060
(440) 205-8111
http://www.lccoa.org

Lake County Department of 
Job and Family Services
177 Main St.
Painesville, OH 44077
(440) 350-4000
http://www.lakecountyohio.gov/lcojfs/Home.aspx

Lake County Free Medical Clinic
54 S. State St., Room 302
Painesville, OH 44077
(440) 352-8686

Lake Hospital System
http://www.lakehealth.org/

LakeTran
(440) 942-1300, (440) 354-6100
http://www.laketran.com

Laurelwood Hospital
35900 Euclid Ave.
Willoughby, OH 44094
(440) 953-3000, 1-800-438-4673
http://www.windsorlaurelwood.com/

Lifeline
8 N. State St., Suite 435
Painesville, OH 44077
(440) 354-2148
http://www.lclifeline.org/

Beacon Health
9220 MentorAvenue
Mentor, OH 44060
(440) 354-9924
FREE rides are available via Laketran for behavioral health appointments.
Call in advance to inquire and schedule.
http://www.beaconhealth.us

United Way of Lake County
9285 Progress Pkwy
Mentor, OH 44060
(440) 352-3166
http://www.uwlc.org/

State Agencies

Brain Injury Association of Ohio
855 Grandview Ave., Suite 225
Columbus, OH 43215-1123
1-866-644-6242
http://www.biaoh.org/

Ohio Council of Home Care
1395 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Ste., 350
Columbus, OH 43229
(614) 885-0434
http://www.homecareohio.org/

Ohio Department of Aging
50 W. Broad St./9th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
1-800-266-4346
http://aging.ohio.gov/goldenbuckeye/goldenbuckeyewelcome.aspx

Ohio Department of Health
246 North High St., P.O. Box 118
Columbus, OH 43266
(614) 466-3543
http://www.odh.state.oh.us/

Ohio Department of Insurance
2100 Stella Court
Columbus, OH 43215-1067
(614) 644-2658
http://www.ins.state.oh.us/

Ohio Department of Jobs
and Family Services
30 E. Broad St. Fl 31
Columbus, OH  43215
(614) 752-3951
http://jfs.ohio.gov/

Ohio Legal Rights Service
50 West Broad St., Suite 1400
Columbus, OH 43215-5923
1-800-282-9181
http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org//sites/default/themes/disabilityrightsohio/
dro/index.html

Ohio KePro
(Medicare and Health Care Information)
Rock Run Center, Suite 100
5700 Lombardo Center