The Central Ohio Agency on Aging (COAAA) is devoted to providing individuals and families with the knowledge and resources they need to live life with dignity and independence. COAAA plans, funds, and provides services that help older adults and people with disabilities stay safe and independent in their homes. These services include household chores, transportation, home meals, personal care, and more. COAAA also offers education and resources to caregivers, professionals, and the public, as well as advocating for programs and policies that benefit older adults and people with disabilities.
The agency manages services for 15,000 people and funds services for another 25,000 older adults in eight counties. Additionally, COAAA is part of the City of Columbus Parks and Recreation Department. The Area Agency on Aging provides several free wellness programs that are presented at community locations in the nine-county region. These weekly sessions allow participants to develop healthy habits and explore other topics that support their definition of successful aging. The COAAA Friendly Call Program connects a volunteer with a person receiving services through the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging for a friendly chat once or twice a week. The Franklin County Office on Aging is responsible for planning, coordinating, and providing centralized access to various services and programs that help older adults, dependent adults, and their families maintain independent lives.
A managed care organization oversees health care (in Central Ohio, Aetna Better Health of Ohio or Molina Healthcare of Ohio). Medicaid waiver programs help provide long-term care services in the community to people who would otherwise be eligible for an institution or nursing home. Dodge, who served as director of the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department (CRPD) from 1967 to 1985, urged the city of Columbus to accept the designation of Area Agencies on Aging for central Ohio. The Area Agency on Aging is a private nonprofit organization designated by the State of Ohio as its contact agency for federal and state programs on aging in Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby counties. A specially trained Central Ohio Agency on Aging staff consultant will conduct a home visit to review your needs and circumstances. The agency provides free long-term care consultations to Ohioans who want to be better prepared for elderly housing or getting help at home.
PASSPORT is for people over 60 who need the level of care provided in a nursing home but want to stay in their home. The organization also operates a legal hotline that provides free legal information, advice and referrals for Ohio residents over 60 regardless of income or resources. With all these services offered by community organizations in Central Ohio, seniors can be sure they are getting the support they need.
