Chums Program
The Chums program helps seniors (age 50 and older) with mental illnesses to learn skills to help maintain independence and take back control of their lives. Life Essentials staff facilitate the program by combining the practices of education, networking and behavioral activation services. The program enhances the quality of life for program members by equipping them with tools that promote self-management of their mental illness. Participants learn common themes that contribute to their recovery including diet, exercise, goal setting, stress management and much more. They also get the opportunity to bond with people who are in similar situations.
Guardianship Services
Dayton Nonprofit Life Essentials Merges with Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley
Dayton, Ohio (April 1, 2020) – Dayton-based nonprofits Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley and Life Essentials have completed the final steps of a merger that will mean new resources for both organizations.
Life Essentials started in 1987 as a volunteer-driven agency called Chums and Choices. More than 30 years later, Life Essentials provides advocacy services in Montgomery and Greene Counties that enable seniors and people living with mental illness to have a greater quality of life. (During the current COVID-19 crisis, services are continuing via telehealth, to maintain safe social distancing for both staff and clients.)
When Life Essentials’ Executive Director Linda Roepken announced her retirement to her Board of Directors, they decided to take a strategic look at the organization’s future. With the help of a consultant, they concluded that the best option would be to identify a partner organization that would be a good mission fit.
“We were one of several agencies approached by Life Essentials to discuss the possibility of a merger,” said Catholic Social Services CEO Laura Roesch. “Once we had that conversation, it quickly became apparent that there was an obvious fit. We already serve more than a thousand low-income seniors every year to help them age in place, so adding guardianship and advocacy is well within our mission and service model. With Life Essentials’ Chums program, our agency will also be adding a new focus on those age 50 or older who are living with mental illness.”
“I couldn’t be happier that Life Essentials is merging with Catholic Social Services,” said Linda Roepken. “As a small nonprofit, we’ve been facing some challenges that are better addressed by an organization with greater capacity. With this merger, there should be no interruption in services for our clients, and there will be an opportunity for Life Essentials to have greater stability and perhaps even future growth.”
As of April 1, 2020, Life Essentials has officially become a program of Catholic Social Services. All staff are staying on board, with the exception of Roepken and one other individual who also retired. The Life Essentials office will remain at its existing location, 40 S. Perry Street in downtown Dayton.
Life Essentials cannot accept referrals from individuals such as family members or neighbors; the program only takes referrals from providers. Persons seeking to get an individual into guardianship are referred on to the Probate Court or to the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) or to the Dayton Bar Association for information and assistance. Life Essentials cannot provide legal advice, nor can we escort applicants to court. For a guardianship referral to be warranted, the individual must be incapacitated and unable to manage his or her own financial resources and/or unable to make informed medical decisions. A referral form must be completed and there must be a Statement of Expert Evaluation signed by the proposed ward’s doctor or psychiatrist. Life Essentials staff and trained volunteers take on the critical role as guardian, working with their clients to ensure that each individual has the best possible life and lives in the least restrictive environment. Guardians become the advocate and voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves. In addition to fulfilling the role of guardian, the Life Essentials guardianship program provides support to family members and/or friends who are willing and capable of becoming the guardian for a loved one.
The Life Essentials guardianship program provides support for seniors who have been deemed mentally incompetent and who do not have family willing or capable of making sound decisions for them.
Guardianship Forms
Other Resources & Information for Seniors
Resources by County
Champaign County
Job & Family Services: 1-800-837-4290 or 937-484-1500
Social Security Office:
- Springfield: 1-877-405-1451
- Piqua: 1-866-931-2520
Darke County
Job & Family Services: 1800-501-5635 or 937-548-4132
Social Security Office:
- Piqua: 1-866-931-2520
- Richmond Ind.: 1-866-446-6190
Logan County
Job & Family Services: 937-599-5165
Social Security Office:
- Lima: 1-800-223-0288
- Marian: 1-888-475-0296
Miami County
Job & Family Services: 937-440-3471
Social Security Office:
- Piqua: 1-866-931-2520
Preble County
Job & Family Services: 937-456-6205
Social Security Office:
- Richmond Ind.: 1-866-446-6190
- Cincinnati: 1-800-772-1213
Shelby County
Job & Family Services: 937-498-4981
Social Security Office:
- Piqua: 1-866-931-2520
Contact for Ombudsmen:
- 1-800-395-8267
- 937-223-4613
Medicaid Hotline:
- 1-800-324-8680
- 614-466-6742
Other Resources:
Ohio Department on Aging – https://www.aging.ohio.gov/
Ohio Long Term Care information – https://ltc.age.ohio.gov/
To search for Facilities – https://ltc.age.ohio.gov/FacilitySearch
Survey information – https://aging.ohio.gov/ombudsman/familysurvey
Home and Community Based Services – https://ltc.age.ohio.gov/Home-CommServices
Ohio Long Term Care – Nursing Homes – https://ltc.age.ohio.gov/NursingHomes
Assisted Living Residential Care Facilities – https://ltc.age.ohio.gov/AssistedLiving
Medicare website – https://www.medicare.gov/homehealthcompare/search.html
Ohio Dept. of Medicaid Provider Search – https://portal.ohmits.com/public/public%20information/search%20provider%20directory/tabId/61/default.aspx
Assisted Living
Assisted Living combines a home-like setting with personal support services to provide a safer and more monitored environment than what’s available through home care services. Assisted living facilities provide older adults with a less-restrictive alternative to a nursing facility. Individuals who meet level-of-care needs and meet established financial criteria may be eligible for Ohio’s Assisted Living Waiver Program.
The Assisted Living option is best for individuals who need some services but are still fairly independent. Residential assisted living facilities provide environments that are designed to keep seniors active but safe. Assisted Living promotes aging in place by supporting a consumer’s desire for independence, choice, and privacy. The services help preserve the dignity of the individual, as well as maintaining ties to family and friends.
Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley can help you determine whether you’re eligible for the waiver program, make sure the assisted living facility you’ve chosen is appropriately licensed and certified, and complete the enrollment process.
Information for Providers
Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley contracts with a number of providers for P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. and Assisted Living services. To ensure quality service and client provider choice, these providers are continually monitored by our Quality Assurance Process.
P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. and Assisted Living providers are monitored through a systematic program that measures safety and effectiveness. The P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. Quality Assurance Process is based on guarantees made by the State of Ohio to obtain the P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. Medicaid Waiver. These guarantees include safeguards for the client’s health and welfare and provider procurement and monitoring systems. P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. rules that are used to evaluate each provider’s service quality are part of the Ohio Administrative Code.
For more information about being a P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. provider, call Kathy Geise at CSSMV at (937) 498-4593 or (833) 289-0227, ext. 1122
To become a certified service provider, you must go through an application process with the Ohio Department of Aging. For information and to start the process, CLICK HERE.
Prescription Drug Cost Savings
MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM (MSP)
& LOW INCOME SUBSIDY (LIS)
Consumers receiving Medicare who have limited income and assets may qualify for Extra Help with the cost of their prescription drugs. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and Medicare work together to provide this extra help through the Low Income Subsidy (LIS) — also known as the Extra Help program.
Prescription drug costs continue to increase. The insurance maze of tiers, generic vs. non-generic, co-pays and donut holes can be confusing. Some consumers skip doses or just stop taking the medicines that their doctors recommend because they simply cannot afford them. Not taking a prescribed medicine or not taking it as directed can lead to additional health problems.
The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) and Low Income Subsidy (LIS) may be the answer for some struggling seniors.
Those who are eligible for the low income subsidy will get help paying for 75% or more of their monthly Part D premium, yearly deductible, and prescription co-payments. They will also have no gap in coverage = No Donut Hole.
Our agency can assist individuals with the application process. The application is completed electronically with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Contact our Northern Counties office at (937) 498-4593 or (833) 289-0227 for more information.
Long Term Support Services
“Having observed most facets of the CSSMV ministry in Greenville and Darke County, I have become especially appreciative of the work of P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. and other senior-centered programs which provide quality care and dignity to so many seniors in our region … I have been so impressed with the level of expertise and care their staff provide clients. As a Protestant pastor it has been refreshing to see how CSSMV has been willing and able to cross religious boundaries, assisting with needs regardless of faith or creed.”
P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. (Pre-Admission Screening System Providing Options and Resources Today) is a home-care Medicaid waiver program that provides long-term care services to assist people in maintaining their independence. The program is provided at no cost to Medicaid-eligible individuals 60 years of age or older. Individuals at risk of nursing home placement can often remain in their own homes with the supportive services of the P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. program. Licensed, professional P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. staff members assess clients’ needs, make recommendations, and arrange for services which are provided in-home through contracted agencies. P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. services can include personal care assistance, homemaking, home-delivered meals, emergency response systems, adult day care, home medical equipment, minor home modification, medical transportation, chore services, and social work counseling. An assessment at no cost can be completed for anyone interested in home care services, regardless of program eligibility. Even if you don’t think you would qualify for Medicaid, you may qualify for P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T. Financial eligibility is determined by the Ohio Department of Medicaid.
What if I’m not eligible for P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T?
Care Coordination provides services such as case management, personal care aides, adult day services, adult day service transportation, home-delivered meals, emergency response systems and more for those who are financially ineligible for P.A.S.S.P.O.R.T.
For more information and to determine your eligibility, call our Northern Counties office at (937) 498-4593 or (833) 289-0227 and request a free assessment.
Senior Outreach
Many older adults just need companionship. Some live alone and away from family, which can be difficult at times. Others are being cared for by spouses or family members. For these seniors, we have two outreach programs: the Senior Visitor Service and the Caregiver Relief Service. The Senior Visitor Service introduces a trained volunteer to a socially isolated senior who lives alone or is homebound. With oversight and support from a social worker, a Senior Visitor is assigned to a specific client and makes a personal weekly visit and/or regular friendly phone calls. Routine visits of about two hours provide time for the creation of a lasting friendship. Volunteers can assist with small tasks such as watering plants or writing letters, or simply spend time together listening to music, watching a movie or television show, or playing cards or games. The Caregiver Relief Service offers temporary in-home support to help spouses or family members who care for dependent elderly adults at home. A trained volunteer offers a regular three to four hour respite period, a break during which a caregiver can relax, visit friends, go shopping, or do other activities to relieve stress. The trained volunteer can provide companionship, supervision, meal preparation, and some personal care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a referral to access this service?
Referrals for the Senior Outreach Program are accepted from friends or family members, churches, home health agencies and community partners. Self referrals are also encouraged.
What are the first steps to signing up?
To begin the process of arranging for the in-home visiting service, a Catholic Social Services social worker will make an initial home visit to personally explain the program, assess the need for assistance, and confirm eligibility. Families and individuals served will be asked to verify that they agree to have a visitor in their home, sign a wavier of liability and provide information necessary for quality service. The information shared is kept confidential.
Who are the people making the visits?
The Senior Outreach Program relies on volunteers who are willing to give the gift of time. Volunteers are expected to successfully complete an orientation program and provide an hour or more a week to offer companionship and support to an isolated senior and/or the caregiver. A volunteer is asked to make a 12-month commitment once a match is made with a specific senior.
Orientation sessions and background checks are arranged through Catholic Social Services. Anyone failing the background check cannot become a volunteer. Approved volunteers receive oversight and support from a social worker from Catholic Social Services.
FoodSource
Staff in our Northern Counties office launched FoodSource as a small pilot program in 2017. Managed in cooperation with the Shared Harvest Food Bank and the Western Ohio Foodbank, the program helps meet the food insecurity challenges of isolated, low-income seniors. Once a month, 40-pound boxes of staple food items are delivered to people in need in Darke, Shelby and Miami Counties. While the program is still in its early stages, we are being careful to keep it small and manageable. At this time, the program serves individuals over the age of 60 who are isolated. An assessment is completed to determine need and slot availability.
CSSMV’s experience operating their Choice Food Pantry in Dayton, along with their experience serving seniors in the rural counties, makes them a perfect partner for Shared Harvest to meet the growing number of people who are experiencing food insecurity in rural communities.
Eckerle Administration Center
922 West Riverview Avenue
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 223-7217 or (800) 300-2937
General email: cssmv@cssmv.org