This website provides tools and resources to help individuals and families plan for (and talk about) end of life care.  State-specific resources and forms are available.

Begin the Conversation, an advance care planning program created to encourage the use of advance care directives, was created in 2009 by Wilmington, North Carolina-based Lower Cape Fear Hospice. To help everyone prepare for the unexpected, the goal is to encourage everyone to complete advance care directives with a focus on the value of conversations in advance care planning.

The Cincinnati Bar Association (CBA) has addressed and served the needs of the Cincinnati community. The CBA stands firm in its belief that the law is for the people. By providing legal education, various legal programs, referral services, and many community service projects, the CBA continues its commitment to the legal profession of Cincinnati, and most importantly, to the residents of the Greater Cincinnati community.

National Family Caregiver Support Program

Through Title III of the Older Americans Act, the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) provides direct help to eligible family and informal caregivers. In southwestern Ohio, Council on Aging combines resources from NFCSP with other local programs to provide assistance to as many caregivers as possible.

Types of assistance that may be provided through this program include:

1. Information to caregivers about available services
2. Assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services
3. Counseling/Education/Training
4. Respite care*
5. Supplemental services -- additional services and supports needed to help people stay independent in their homes (limited)*

*The care recipient must meet specific criteria.

Eligibility

1. Family caregivers (of any age), of a person with Alzheimer`s disease or a related dementia may be served regardless of the age of the person with dementia
2. Grandparents and other relative caregivers providing care to children (under age 18 years) may receive services at 55 years of age and older
3. Grandparent or relative caregivers (age 55 and older) who provide care for adult children (ages 19--59) with a disability

For more information, call Council on Aging at (513) 721-1025.

Caring for a loved one can be hard work. However, the National Family Caregivers Association says that people who recognize themselves as caregivers are more proactive, engaged and confident. As a result, they provide better care and are able to do so longer, even as their loved one's care needs increase. Caregivers who access and use support services also report fewer negative emotions, such as depression, anxiety and anger. By seeking and accepting help, along with planning for the future, you can provide the care your loved one deserves while also making sure your needs are taken care of.

Through the National Family Caregiver Support Program, your area agency on aging and other local providers are ready to assist you with supports that may include:

• Training, resources, information and support groups;
• Respite care, adult day and medical alert services;
• Personal care, chore services and home delivered meals;
• Yard work and home repairs;
• Durable medical equipment and home modifications; and
• More.

Contact the area agency on aging serving your community for information and referral, as well as a free in-person assessment to identify your needs and link you to available resources.

Hours: M-F (8am-5pm)

This website provides access to helpful information and forms to help individuals and families in planning for their healthcare needs and wishes. 

Mission
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) exists to inspire, educate and empower the public and providers about the importance of advance care planning. NHDD is an initiative to encourage patients to express their wishes regarding healthcare and for providers and facilities to respect those wishes, whatever they may be.

Overview
NHDD exists as a 50-state annual initiative to provide clear, concise, and consistent information on healthcare decision-making to both the public and providers/facilities through the widespread availability and dissemination of simple, free, and uniform tools (not just forms) to guide the process. NHDD entails 50 independent, but coordinated, state and local events (necessitated by the difference in state laws and dynamics) supported by a national media and public education campaign.

In all respects, NHDD is inclusive and brings a variety of players in the larger healthcare/legal/religious community together to work on a common project, to the benefit of patients, families, and providers. NHDD is not prescriptive; it allows for and fosters creativity.

A key goal of NHDD is to demystify healthcare decision-making and make the topic of advance care planning inescapable. On NHDD, no one in the U.S. should be able to open a paper, watch TV, view the internet, see a physician or lawyer, or go to a healthcare facility without being confronted with the topic of advance care planning. Among other things, NHDD helps people understand that advance healthcare decision-making includes much more than living wills; it is a process that should focus first on conversation and choosing an agent.

Vision
Across the country, every healthcare facility will participate as the flagship venues for the public engagement. Other participating organizations/facilities that have their own physical spaces will engage in activities as well. Those organizations that lack physical spaces will work in conjunction with others or at non-healthcare venues (libraries, grocery stores, drug stores, etc.) to support the initiative. A variety of churches, synagogues, and mosques around the country will also support the effort by highlighting the importance of advance care planning with their congregations.

Pro Seniors is a contracted provider of Council on Aging offering the following services: 

• legal assistance
• ombudsman services

More about Pro Seniors

Founded in 1975, Pro Seniors is a non-profit organization that provides free legal and long-term care help to older adults.  Pro Seniors offers Ohio residents age 60 and older the advice and information they need to solve their legal and nursing home, adult care facility, and home health care problems.

The Pro Seniors Mission
Pro Seniors is dedicated to helping older adults maintain their independence by empowering them, by protecting their interests, and by helping them access resources.

What Pro Seniors Offers
Pro Seniors Legal Hotline serves the State of Ohio.  By calling the Pro Seniors Legal Hotline, Ohio residents age 60 or older can receive free assistance over the telephone with a variety of legal or long-term care problems. In Greater Cincinnati, the number to call is (513) 345-4160.  In other parts of Ohio, call (800) 488-6070.  Find more information on the Legal Hotline by selecting the Legal Hotline link.

Legal Help
If you have a legal problem that cannot be resolved over the telephone, the Legal Hotline may refer you to a Pro Seniors staff attorney if you live in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton or Warren County. Pro Seniors' staff attorneys handle problems that many private attorneys do not, such as Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, other government benefits and pensions.  The Legal Hotline may also refer you to a private attorney who has agreed to accept cases at a reduced fee for clients with limited income.

Legal Information Pamphlets
Pro Seniors provides pamphlets on a variety of subjects, from Medicare and Medicaid to consumer fraud and food stamps.  You can find a complete list by selecting the Pamphlets link.

Long-term Care Ombudsmen
If you have a complaint about a nursing home, Pro Seniors can help.  The long-term care ombudsmen will investigate and work with you to resolve your concerns about nursing facilities in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren counties.  Pro Seniors ombudsmen also handle complaints about home care and adult care facilities.  You can find more information about the Ombudsman program by selecting the Ombudsman link. The Ombudsman can also help you choose the right care facility to meet your needs.

Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in assisting older people and have a few free hours each week, Pro Seniors offers a variety of volunteer opportunities.  For more information about our volunteer Ombudsman Program, select the Ombudsman  link.  If you are concerned about fraud and waste in the health care system, select the Ohio Seniors Fight Fraud  link to learn more about volunteering for this project.  If you are an attorney, you can assist callers to the Legal Hotline or conduct legal research.  Paralegals can provide valuable support to our legal staff. Volunteers also are needed to assist staff with mailings and other office projects.

The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Roosevelt on August 14, 1935. In addition to several provisions for general welfare, the new Act created a social insurance program designed to pay retired workers age 65 or older a continuing income after retirement.

The tops services offered by the Social Security Administration:

• Get or replace a Social Security card
• Apply online for retirement benefits
• Apply online for disability benefits
• Apply online for Medicare
• Apply for SSI, survivors or family benefits
• Estimate your retirement benefits
• Get Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs
• Locate a Social Security office
• Glossary of Social Security Terms

How to contact Social Security. 

For Medicare recipients, Social Security can help with:

• Medicare eligibility and enrollment
• Replacing a Medicare card
• Changing your address for Medicare
• Questions on Medicare premiums

Reporting Social Security Fraud

If you suspect Social Security fraud, contact the Office of Inspector General (OIG) using one of the following methods:

• Use the online Fraud Reporting form; 
• Call the Fraud Hotline number at 1-800-269-0271 (TTY 1-866-501-2101) between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday;  
• Send a fax: 410-597-0118 (standard long distance rates may apply); or 
• Write to: Social Security OIG Hotline
  P.O. Box 17785
  Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7785.

Social Security's Office of Inspector General takes reports of fraud very seriously.  Without sufficient identifying information, OIG will be unable to act on your allegation.  Therefore, be sure to include as much of the following information as you can when you call:

• Name, address, telephone number, and Social Security number of the person suspected of fraud.  Also include the individual's date and place of birth, father's name, and mother's birth name, if known;
• A complete description of the potential fraud incident; and 
• Your name, address, and telephone number.

Family Service Advisor of Spring Grove Family is a service offer by Susan Nordin for families who need assistance wit preplanning and having a plan in place. She assists families if they need to preplan for Medicaid or just to have a plan in place. No matter if you are receiving care in your home or nursing home. 50% of people preplan and Susan is looking to help family are individual ger their plans in place.

The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care.  The website includes personal stories and a Starter Kit to help individual and families get their thoughts together and then have a conversation about their wishes for end of life care.