by Carol Schmitkons,
Amherst Township Senior Service Director

Home-Delivered Meal Program

AVI, our meal provider, offers a variety of nutritional food choices to those who are interested in the program. This program is especially helpful for those returning home after surgery or hospitalization and for those who are not able to shop for themselves. Reduced meal rates are available for those with a limited income. Please call 988-5822 for more details.

Prescription Assistance Programs

• Pharmaceutical companies often offer assistance to low-income individuals or during Part D's gap period.
• Ohio's Best Rx, the state's discount drug program, is available to all Golden Buckeye cardholders.
• Local pharmacies offer special generic drug pricing programs.
• The "Drug Repository Program" is for low-income people or those without health insurance. Contact the Lorain County Health Department at: 323-6367 or 244-3418
• Prescription Assistance Programs may be found by searching on the Internet. Some useful websites are:
  • www.freemedicinefoundation.com
  • www.rxassist.org
  • www.needymeds.org

Enrollment requirements and forms are available on these websites. If you don't have access to a computer, contact the Amherst Township Senior Service Office.

ATTSO OFFICE HOURS 8:00 A.M. – NOON  (M-F) amhersttwpseniors@oh.rr.com

Transportation Help

Amherst Township partners with the Lorain County Office on Aging to provide transportation for our residents who need help getting to doctor appointments. To arrange for a ride, call Charlotte Metez at 244-6261 (x4826) or 326-4826. Call her as soon as you have an appointment scheduled in order to give her time to find you a driver.

Monthly Social Events

• Park Avenue United Methodist Soup/Salad Lunch held monthly on the third Thursday from 11AM - 1PM (price varies) & a free breakfast held on the last Saturday from 8:30 - 11AM.
• St. Joseph's Catholic Golden Agers meet monthly on the third Wednesday at 11:30 AM at the St. Joseph's Social Hall. Call "JoAnne" at 988-3089 for more information.
• Amherst Golden Agers meet every Thursday at noon at 188 Beaver Court to play cards. A "Pot Luck" lunch is held on the first & third Thursdays. Occasionally there are special speakers.
• Senior Citizens of Amherst (SCOA) meet monthly for lunch & speaker. Call Sue Underwood 988-5765 for details.

If you would be willing to offer a ride to one of these events, please call Carol at the Amherst Township Senior Service Office at 988-5822.

Web Tools

Here are some other "Ohio Department of Aging" and "Department of Insurance" web tools that offer various types of assistance. Type the following titles into your favorite Internet search engine.

Benefits CheckUp - Find benefits and services for which you may qualify.

ConnectMeOhio - Helping older adults and people with disabilities find local services and support.

Network of Care - Provides information about assistive devices, caregiving, and diseases as well as enabling you to keep personal records, create an online family meeting place and communicate directly with elected officials.

Long-Term Care Consumer Guide - Makes choosing a nursing home or assisted living facility easier.

Guide to Health Insurance - Tells how to find, keep and use health insurance.

Apply for Energy Assistance

The "Percentage of Income Payment Plan" (PIPP) is available to households of one with income up to $15,600 or to households of two with incomes up to $21,000.

The "Home Energy Assistance Program" (HEAP) is available to households of one with income up to $18,200 or to households of two with income up to $24,500. To apply for these programs, contact the Amherst Township Senior Service Office, the Lorain County Community Action office, or type in "HEAP application" at your favorite Internet search engine.

Energy Efficiency Improvement Incentives

Columbia Gas of Ohio is offering to help reduce the need to use natural gas and help consumers to potentially see savings on their bills.

• Home Performance Program
  Efficiency audit and incentives for installation of upgrades.
• New Homes Program
  Incentives for construction of homes that are 50% more energy efficient.
• Low Cost Product Rebate
  Offered to 8,000 customers per year installing "Energy Star" programmable thermostats & low-flow showerheads.
• WarmChoice Weatherization Program
  - For low-income customers.

FirstEnergy is offering:

• ENERGY STAR with Home Performance Program
  Allows homeowners to get a home energy audit at a reduced price. There are up to $1,250 in incentives for improvements made once an audit is completed.

For information on all of the above programs as well as additional information related to energy savings, visit the "Ohio Consumer Council" website at:

www.pickocc.org

"Welcome to Medicare"

The "Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program" (OSHIIP) is sponsoring a "Welcome to Medicare" seminar for those turning 65 and older. It will be held on Thursday, May 7th, from 6-8 pm at the Wesleyan Village located at 807 West Avenue in Elyria. This seminar will be helpful to all those interested in learning more about Medicare and Medicaid. Volunteers will also be available to assist you with your questions.

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