Aging in CLE: A Good Place to Be

Monday, May 15, 2017 – Today our staff spent the morning at the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging. This visit was necessary partly because more of the people we are helping to relocate to NE Ohio have aging parents they care for and partly because many of us are in that sandwich generation ourselves.
Let’s face it. When you are juggling kids in college AND helping mom & dad find vendors to help them age in place, it’s stressful. And, when you need resources for elderly relatives, you often need help quickly: someone is being released from the hospital or someone has just received a life-altering diagnosis. Often we turn to social media, the internet, or friends for help in finding skilled nursing, rehab facilities, home care nurses, adult day care, etc. Our clients, all newcomers to the region, have the added complication of not knowing many locals to ask for help. They are typically in the middle of a disruptive relocation themselves and often they turn to EA to provide local guidance and point them in the direction of area experts in this field.
BenRose is a non-profit that provides education, programs, services, and support for older adults and their caregivers. They have been doing this for a long time (founded in 1908) and their work reaches all the way up to influencing public policy in Washington, D.C.
Here’s a few things they offer (how’s this for one stop shopping?):

• Home care, adult day services, social work, mental health services
• Home delivered meals
• Seven senior centers, which also provide meals, socialization, and programs
• Supportive housing for low-income seniors

A fact that surprised us: Ohio is #7 of U.S. states with the most residents over the age of 60 (but, we have to laugh since 60 hardly qualifies as “senior” anymore when people work into their 70s and live into their 80s!). Not surprising, however, was the fact that our region has a wealth of health care facilities to take care of all of these seniors including The Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth Medical Center, and SUMMA Health.
Cuyahoga County pays for many of these kinds of programs through property taxes, a helpful and interesting fact. Here’s an article highlighting an example of how the county works to support its seniors. Health and human service levies are on the ballot periodically, and you never really think about them until you need them yourself! Neighboring counties have fewer resources. So if there is a need for these kinds of programs, you should think about the neighborhood in Cuyahoga County that appeals to you most so that you can take advantage of these services as a resident.

And, we all know that if you are very wealthy or very poor, your healthcare costs are under control either through private pay or Medicaid, but if you fall into the middle (most of America), it’s a lot more challenging. With just one phone call to BenRose (216.791.8000), a staffer can learn what you need and help direct you to one of their own programs or to a reputable organization in the area that will meet your needs or the needs of your loved one. They provide objective info. When a recent client needed a list of local skilled nursing facilities that had both Medicare and Medicaid beds, they provided the vetted list saving them hours of research. Compared to many states, NE Ohio has an abundant number of high quality senior living options. To help navigate this maze, The Plain Dealer just published a series of articles about assisted living and skilled nursing homes (including those with the highest and lowest rankings)…very helpful info for those just beginning the search.
Other agencies and resources that can help with these major life decisions:

• Senior Citizens Guide to Cleveland
• Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
• Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• National Council on Aging 
• City of Cleveland Department of Aging
• Ohio Department of Aging

Many people who are advancing in age really benefit from a renewed sense of purpose. For loved ones who would like to age purposefully, the Cleveland Foundation’s Encore Cleveland program is a great way fulfill unmet needs for both our community and its senior citizens. And, many local colleges offer 60+ programs for those interested in lifelong learning…click here for a list.
Executive Arrangements’ staffers are true Northeast Ohio lifestyle experts. We have the answers to the questions that your company’s recruits and new hires need in order to make NEO home. We can help your company attract and retain top talent. Give us a call! 216.231.9311