Pike Commissioners Contract with Area Agency on Aging for Health Aging Grant

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The Pike County Commissioners have contracted with the Area Agency on Aging District 7
(AAA7) to administer the Healthy Aging Grant in Pike County, made possible by funds through
the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA).

The Healthy Aging Grants program is a one-time grant providing $40 million in support of local aging services throughout the State focused on helping Ohioans age 60 and older stay healthy, live longer, and maintain their independence. Grants aim to address social determinants of health and foster an improved quality of life for older Ohioans, enabling them to remain in their homes and stay connected to their communities; preserve their personal assets; and promote a healthy, independent, active lifestyle.

In Pike County, the AAA7 has organized several activities to support healthy aging through the Grant. These include the opportunity to address wait lists for home-delivered meals, home repair jobs, an iPad class to increase digital literacy, and gym memberships to promote activity.

Pike County Commissioner Tony Montgomery expressed his profound gratitude for receiving the Healthy Aging Grant from the Ohio Department of Aging. He emphasized the significance of allocating funds to benefit the senior population within Pike County. Montgomery acknowledges the collaborative efforts with the Area Agency on Aging District 7 and commends them for their role in distributing the funds throughout the community. Montgomery expressed pride in the Agency’s work, citing personal experience with their exceptional service to members of his own family.

Shanna Lett, Pike County Grant Management Coordinator, expressed pride in receiving funds from House Bill 33 to support seniors age 60 and above, considering it a significant achievement for the county. She highlighted the county’s reliance on grants to undertake various projects and expressed great satisfaction that this particular funding prioritized benefiting the senior population.

Teresa Reed-Powell, Director of Community Services at the AAA7 stated, “We are thankful for
the partnership with the Pike County Commissioners to bring opportunities to the seniors of
Pike County through the Healthy Aging Grant. Having the opportunity to collaborate with area
organizations to bring unique opportunities to Pike County seniors has been very rewarding. We are thankful to the Commissioners for having confidence in our organization to meet the
requirements of the Grant as we help to provide greater opportunities for Pike County seniors.”

If you are interested in learning more about opportunities through the Pike County Healthy Aging Grant, contact the AAA7 at 1-800-582-7277, or email info@aaa7.org. Your local Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. provides services on a non-discriminatory basis.

These services are available to help older adults and those with disabilities live safely and independently in their residence of choice through services paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, other federal and state resources, as well as private pay. The AAA7’s Resource Center is also available to anyone in the community looking for information or assistance with long-term care options. Available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, the Resource Center is a valuable contact for learning more about options and what programs and services are available for assistance.

Those interested in learning more can call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 (TTY: 711). Here, individuals can speak directly with a specially-trained Resource Specialist who will assist them with information surrounding the programs and services that are available to best serve their needs. The Agency also offers an in-home assessment at no cost for those who are interested in learning more. Information is also available on www.aaa7.org, or the Agency can be contacted through e-mail at info@aaa7.org.