South Messenger - March 21st, 2021

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PAGE 4 - MESSENGER - March 21, 2021 Active Lifestyles A Contain the joy of gardening Do you love the thought of growing a garden but doubt you have the space or energy to put in a big garden? Don’t despair. You can turn a tiny deck or porch into a beautiful garden with containers. There are many unique containers and hanging baskets available in stores. You can even turn objects around the house into creative containers. You’re limited only by your imagination. Old wheelbarrows, interesting antiques, discarded dishes and even an old pair of boots can hold potting soil and a plant. The trick to keeping soil inside these improvised containers is lining the bottom with a layer of landscape fabric. Most plants grown in the ground can be grown in containers if there is ample space for developing roots. Plants in containers are especially prone to drying out during hot weather. Crystals are available that reduce watering and fertilizing needs. The fertilizer-infused polymer crystals absorb 400 times their weight in water. When soil dries, plant roots pull moisture and nutrients from the crystals as needed. This unique delivery system ensures plants get a consistent supply of water and food. One application feeds plants for up to six months. Mix the suggested amount of crystals into the soil when planting. They can also be added to existing containers. A little goes a long way – one six-inch pot calls for one teaspoon. You can use containers to avoid costly landscaping mistakes. If there are unusual plants or flowers you’ve always wanted to grow but weren’t sure they’d grow well in your area, purchase one or two and try them in a container first. If lighting conditions aren’t ideal where you’ve placed your “garden,” simply pick it up and move it until you find a place that works. The versatility of containers can’t be beat? Don’t like the way your plants are grouped together on the patio? Rearrange them. Need an attractive backdrop for a family snapshot? Grab those container gardens and put them to work. It will be hard for you to contain your joy when you see how practical and easy container gardening can be. www.columbusmessenger.com bi-monthly feature celebrating our community’s senior citizens Introducing Director Orvell Johns Orvell Johns, the director for the Franklin County Office on Aging or FCOA, took his role in early June of 2020 and since then has continued to vigorously advocate for the work his office does everyday for the lives of older adults and their caregivers in Central Ohio. Director Johns has an extensive professional background including previous work as the Director for the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Branch, the Director of the Center for Public Investment Management at the State Treasurer’s office, and Assistant Deputy Director with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, Equal Opportunity Division. The goal of the Office on Aging has always been to serve the older adult population, so that they can maintain their independence and age in place. Since his hire, Director Johns has strived to maintain and improve the programs and services that are available, while creating additional avenues for service and program growth. One of the newest installations Director Johns would like to initiate this year is a Director’s column centered around the public asking him agency related questions. The column, Ask Director Orvell Johns, will begin in May and will provide answers to some of your questions about issues relating to older adults. This new initiative creates more transparency and allows for the community to create deeper connections with our agency. If you would like to send in a question, please do so by sending an email to FCOA.Director@franklincountyohio.gov. We are looking forward to the community getting to know us better. Even rocket scientists ask for help! Virtual ‘Medicare for Beginners’ Workshops Registration is required. To register, email Andy Haggard at ahaggard@coaaa.org. Are you new to Medicare? Do you need help understanding your options? Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging’s (COAAA) FREE virtual ‘Medicare for Beginners’ workshops through Zoom provide down-to-earth unbiased information to help you make informed decisions. At this time, all presentations are virtual. Please note varying times. Upcoming ‘Medicare for Beginners’ Workshops March 24 at 2:00 p.m. April 14 at 5:30 p.m. Visit www.coaaa.org/medicare for a complete ‘Medicare for Beginners’ workshop schedule. • Planning Ahead Guide • Designing Your Funeral • Funeral & Burial Services • “Cremation With Confidence Guarantee” www.spencefuneralhome.com COAAA does not represent or sell insurance products. Funded in part by: 800-589-7277 www.coaaa.org 614-837-7126 650 West Waterloo St. Canal Winchester, OH 43110 614-837-7126 550 Hill Road N.. Pickerington, OH 43147
www.columbusmessenger.com Active Lifestyles March 21, 2021 - MESSENGER - PAGE 5 Franklin County Board of Commissioners: Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce, President • Commissioner Marilyn Brown • Commissioner John O’Grady The Franklin County Board of Commissioners and The Franklin County Office on Aging join with the Messenger Newspaper in providing this update on aging issues in Franklin County. CAREGIVER RELIEF According to a 2020 report by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, the number of caregivers providing unpaid care has increased by almost 10 million in the last five years. In the past year, however, caregiving has proven to be harder amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. About 21 percent of family caregivers report their own health to be fair to poor. Prior to the pandemic, caregivers struggled with both economic and emotional stress, although now, with workplace closures, a decrease in social interactions, and heightened health concerns, their stressors have increased dramatically. In December 2020, Ohio reported over 114,000 older adults to have contracted COVID-19. Studies have also shown that a large portion of Ohio’s cases have come from the Franklin County area. While the country is working on providing COVID-19 vaccinations to the public, it will be several months before everyone who wants a vaccine will receive one. Knowing this information, caregivers have had to make the difficult decision to put their caregiving duties ahead of their own personal health to ensure that their loved ones have proper and safe care provided to them. However, there are safe options available to give these Ohio caregivers a break. The Franklin County Office on Aging (FCOA) collaborates with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) to administer the Caregiver Support Program. The program supports non-paid caregivers of adults age 60 and older who have a demonstrated need for home care assistance. The caregiver can be a relative or non-relative over the age of 18 years old and does not have to reside with the older adult. The program can assist with a variety of free short-term services that include adult day services, caregiver counseling, durable medical equipment, health maintenance supplies, and in-home respite. The services are available regardless of the income or asset levels of the caregiver or older adult. Residents of assisted living facilities or homes that are already providing care for their residents are not eligible to receive the services offered through the Caregiver Support Program. FCOA is putting safety at the forefront of everything they do. During this pandemic, extensive safety measures have been added to ensure that clients and community members remain safe as they access and participate in programs and services, such as the Caregiver Support Program. Caregiver relief, or respite care, is performed by a trained individual who participates in continuous education such as health and wellness, LGBTQ education, cultural diversity training, and more, so they can assist in the care of the older adult. Care can still be administered at the older adult’s home, and essential caregiving services such as help with bathing or getting around the house are still performed. For everyone’s protection, the relief worker is required to wear either a mask or a face shield for the entire duration of their time spent with the older adult. The relief worker should also be performing daily health checks, such as taking their temperatures, to ensure that they do not have any symptoms of COVID-19. If a worker does feel ill, they will not be going to a client’s home to administer caregiver relief. Additionally, these workers adhere to the guidelines set out by the Center for Disease Control, or CDC, and the Franklin County Public Health office. As changes are made through these organizations, the FCOA service providers for caregiver relief adapt to the new guidelines to provide the best and safest care possible. To enroll in the Caregiver Support Program and/or to learn more about FCOA’s additional older adult services, please call Senior Options at (614) 525-6200 Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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South Messenger - March 21st, 2021

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