Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a)

Congratulations to Direction Home's Chris Fagerstrom for winning the Area Agency on Aging Staff Person of the Year Award at the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) conference last week! Chris has been with our Agency for over 25 years and serves as our Senior Vice President of Home & Community-Based Services. We value his collaborative leadership and advocacy!

Our team had an amazing experience at the 35th Annual Conference for Ohio’s Aging & Disability Network hosted by Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging - o4a. We gained valuable insights from the workshops, made meaningful connections with other agencies, and met a wide range of providers eager to support our region. A special shoutout to our very own David Evancho, who took the stage as a workshop speaker, sharing how the state budget impacts home care and assisted living providers—a critical topic for our community. Thank you, O4a, for an incredible conference and the chance to strengthen our mission to serve!

We're so excited to share that Grace Community Center has been recognized with one of this year's O4A Outstanding AAA Partnership of the Year awards! 🎉 It's truly heartwarming to see their hard work and dedication to the community shine through. They've been amazing in helping us deliver fresh food boxes to 200 residents in the Vistula Neighborhood. Did you know that residents there face challenges like 562% lower income and 80% lower housing ownership? Together, with the support from Healthy Aging Grant funds from Lucas County, we’re making a real difference for older adults 60+ to live Better & Longer!

Honored to accept the Outstanding Partnership Award from the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a), recognizing our collaboration with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging to connect older residents to behavioral health services at the The Ohio State University College of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. This collaborative effort not only addresses the immediate barriers to mental health services but also fosters a culture of openness and understanding. Our collective goal is to enhance the overall well-being of older adults across Central Ohio, ensuring accessible resources and support necessary to thrive across communities. #PartnershipforChange #BehavioralHealth #HealthEquity

USAging’s CEO Sandy Markwood, Amy Gotwals, Chief, Public Policy and External Affairs, and Marisa Scala-Foley, Director, Aging and Disability Business Institute, are on the ground in Chicago for the Region V AAA Meeting! This important gathering brings together leaders and staff from across the region to discuss innovative ways to better support older adults, caregivers and people with disabilities. We’re excited to collaborate and share ideas with our peers!

Ohio is well-represented today and happy to be among our Midwest colleagues!

Congratulations to all of our award winners at this year's Annual Conference! Outstanding Public Service Award: Director Ursel McElroy, Ohio Department of Aging Elected Official Awards: Senator Hearcel Craig Senator Jerry Cirino Representative Marilyn John Representative Darnell Brewer AAA Staff Person of the Year: Chris Fagerstrom, Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities Advocate of the Year Award: Hope Lane-Gavin, Ohio Association of Foodbanks AAA Partnership of the Year Awards: Buckeye Hills Regional Council and Noble and Monroe County Commissioners Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging and Ohio State University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc. and Grace Community Church #Awards #Conference #OhioAreaAgenciesonAging

We were honored to have Sandy Markwood, CEO of USAging, presenting at our 35th Annual Conference last week. We welcomed Sandy with a donation to the USAging Disaster Relief Fund. By the end of the conference, Ohio's Area Agencies on Aging had raised $14,000! This contribution will assist our fellow agencies in Florida as they continue their incredible work despite the challenges they face. #OhioAreaAgenciesonAging #disasterrelief #conference #donation

For a few years, Aetna, a CVS Health Company has proudly served as the registration sponsor at the annual Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) conference. Our collaboration with o4a agencies across the state continues to make a positive impact on #MyCareOhio members statewide. This week it was a pleasure reconnecting with familiar faces and meeting key individuals who play a pivotal role in ensuring our Aetna Better Health of Ohio members have access to the support they need to remain safe and independent at home. #CommunitySupport #Collaboration #MyCareMembers #OhioConference

Amy Eubank and Robin Pecak from the @Silver Birch Living leadership team recently had the opportunity to attend the @Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) 35th Annual Conference in Columbus, OH. It was a fantastic experience to learn from and connect with so many dedicated professionals across Ohio, all focused on supporting and serving our seniors. We’re thrilled to partner with @o4a and other incredible providers in the months and years ahead to enhance care and meet the needs of Ohio’s senior community. Here’s to a future of collaboration and innovation for our Buckeyes! 💙 #SeniorCare #Collaboration #Ohio #SilverBirchLiving #o4a