Senior Hi-Lites
AN ADVOCATE OF INDEPENDENT LIVING IN LATER YEARS
Van Wert County Council on Aging
220 Fox Rd., Van Wert, OH 45891
Phone: (419)238-5011
www.vwcouncilonaging.com
Kevin Matthews, Executive Director
October – December 2015
We would like to welcome Samantha Turnwald to the Van Wert County Council on Aging. Samantha
took over the role of Executive Assistant. Samantha is originally from Van Wert but now lives in
Ottoville with her husband Luke. Samantha is available to assist you with HEAP and many other
programs that are available to you. Stop out sometime to say hi to Samantha.
Mah Jongg Lessons
If you are interested in learning how to play Mah Jongg please let us know. The lessons last time were 4
days and 3 hours each day. We have several that play Mah Jongg and if you would like to learn call us at
419-238-5011 and we will do our best to get the classes scheduled.
LEGAL AID
October 9, 2015 Rebecca Steinhauser with Legal Aid of Northwestern
Ohio will be at the Van Wert County Council on Aging. Rebecca will be
taking appointments in the morning for clients that would need legal
aid. You must call to sign up for an appointment if you would like to
speak with Rebecca.
Holiday Closing
Monday October 12 Columbus Day
Thursday November 26 Thanksgiving Day
Friday November 27 Day after Thanksgiving
Thursday December 24 Close at Noon for Christmas Eve
Friday December 25 Closed for Christmas Day
Thursday December 31 Close at Noon for New Year’s Eve
Friday January 1 Closed for New Year’s Day
Bad Weather Closing
It is hard to believe but it will soon be that time of the year when weather can affect our schedules. If
the Council on Aging closes due to weather it will be announced on/ in the following locations: Council
on Aging website (vwcouncilonaging.com), radio channel 99.7, Hometown Stations channel 35 (Lima),
WANE TV channel 15 (Ft. Wayne), and Indiana’s New Center channel 21 or channel 33 (Ft. Wayne).
Remember, you can always call the center before you head out to make sure we are here.
OSHIIP Medicare Checkup Event and Medicare Open Enrollment
Yes, it is that time of year again! Medicare Open Enrollment season is from October 15, 2015 through
December 7, 2015. It is also time to get your Medicare check up! The Ohio Senior Health Insurance
Information Program (OSHIIP) will be here Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 1:00pm for a presentation
about Medicare and any changes. This will be an open forum discussion for
general questions and answers for those in attendance. OSHIIP representatives
will return on Wednesday, November 18, 2015 for counseling appointments from
10am-3pm. If you have questions about your current plan, would like to explore
other plan options, or would like to have some questions answered, this would
be a great time for you to schedule an appointment. To schedule an
appointment, please go to the front office to have it set up or call our office at
419-238-5011.
Warehouse Sale
Yes the Van Wert County Council on Aging will be having one more warehouse sale. The warehouse sale
will be October 29-30, 2015 time of the sale will be 8:00 am to 3:30 pm each day. At the sale you will
be able to fill a bag for $1.00.
Conservation of Water can lower Bills
The office of the Ohio Consumers’ Council (OCC), the residential utility consumer advocate,
recommends that the consumer consider ways to reduce water usage. Reducing usage can help save
money on water bills. Leaking faucets are a major source of water wasting. A small leak may not look
like a problem but you could be paying unnecessarily for many gallons of wasted water each month.
When using a faucet, do not let the water run while you are washing dishes, brushing your teeth, or
shaving. You can also conserve water by watering your gardens or flowers during the cooler times of
the day so the water does not evaporate. For more information go to hhtp://ow.ly/R2WNn
Christmas Program
On December 8th, 2015 at 10:30am we will be entertained by the Van Wert High School Choir with
beautiful Christmas music. After the program there will be a carry in lunch for all to enjoy with social
time. We ask that you bring a covered dish to share and the Council on Aging will provide the meat and
drinks. The choir does a fantastic job so please mark your calendars and plan to attend this event you
will be amazed. Please sign up at the front office so we know how many to plan on for lunch.
Bingo
Do you like to play bingo? Here at the COA we play Senior Bingo three times a week. We play on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at 9am. The cost is a penny a card up to six cards and cover
all (cover all is where every number on the card is filled) is a nickel a card. We play 10 regular games
then the cover all. So for less that the cost of a cup a coffee and donut you can come out and have a
good time play bingo and visit.
Bid Euchre Tournament
COA will be having a Bid Euchre Tournament on October 28 & 29 2015 here at the Council on Aging. The
tournament will run for two days from 12:30 to 2:30 each day. Tell your friends and sign up at the
Council on Aging. This will be a fun time for all.
HEAP Assistance Program
Worried about your heating costs this winter after the cold winter for 2014? Worry no more! Applying
for HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) has proved to help many seniors afford their heating bill
during the winter months. If you have not applied for 2015, as you must apply for assistance each year,
here are the requirements for eligibility:
Size of Household
Total Household Income 12 Months
1
Up to $20,597.50
2
$27,877.50
3
$35,157.50
4
$42,437.50
5
$49,717.50
6
$56,997.50
7
$64,277.50
8
$71,557.50
For households with more than eight members, add $7,280 for each individual. If interested in applying
for HEAP, please contact Samantha Turnwald to schedule an appointment to complete the application
and submit all the correct documentation. When fulfilling the appointment time, please bring the
following items:
 Proof of income for everyone in the home (Social Security Benefits Letter, W2’s, Paystubs, etc.),
 Proof of citizenship for everyone in the home (birth certificate or passport),
 Copies of most recent heating and electric bills.
To make an appointment, stop by the front office or call 419-238-5011.
Internet and Computer Access
With the generosity of Van Crest Home Health Care we now have two more computers for clients to
use. You can access the internet from each computer and there will be a printer connected to the
middle computer that way you can print too. We would like to thank Van Crest Home Health Care for
thinking of us with such a generous gift.
Dr. Sumon Nandi to speak at COA
Dr. Sumon Nandi from the Orthopedic Institute of Ohio will be at the COA on October 15, 2015 at 11am
for a presentation on “Joint Pain and Treatment Options”. Specific topics to be covered will be: What is
arthritis causes of joint pain, treatment options, what does joint replacement surgery involve, and
realistic expectations after joint replacement. If you would like to order a lunch to enjoy during this
presentation call the COA office at 418-238-5011 by 3pm the day before the presentation.
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Sunday November 1, 2015 Daylight Savings Time ends so before you go to bed on Saturday October 31,
2015 turn your clocks back one hour.
Veterans Day Facts
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In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to
Veterans Day.
In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of
Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975
President Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11, due to the important historical
significance of the date.
Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on
or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday
(the second Sunday of November). In Europe, Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is
common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.
Veterans Stats
The brave men and women who serve and protect the U.S. come from all walks of life; they are
parents, children and grandparents. They are friends, neighbors and coworkers, and an important
part of their communities. Here are some facts about the current veteran population of the United
States.
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9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65.
1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.
1.8 million veterans are women.
7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of
all living veterans.
5.2 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to
present).
2.6 million veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).
2.8 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).
6 million veterans served in peacetime.
Our Van Wert local Veteran’s office is located at 121 E. Main office #101 Van Wert, Ohio
The Van Wert COA Memorial Fund
When a loved on passes, keeping their memory alive is a way of honoring their life and finding
comfort in your own life as a survivor. Your gift toward the Memorial Fund helps to ensure that
additional services for older generations are able to be provided. Monies raised by our memorial
funds are distributed toward seniors in need.
Please Consider Your Gift to the Van Wert COA Memorial Fund. No gift is too large or too
small. The Memorial Fund is managed by the VW COA Board of Directors. Gifts can be made
directly to the Van Wert COA or can be bequeathed in one’s will or trust. For more
information contact Kevin Matthews, Executive Director at the Van Wert Council on
Aging.
VAN WERT COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING
220 Fox Rd.
Van Wert, OH 45891
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S Permit #107
Postage Paid
The mission of the Van Wert County Council on Aging is to assist older adults, age 60 and over, to live
their lives with independence and dignity for as long as possible in the environment of their homes. The
Van Wert County Council on Aging operates the Van Wert Senior Center.
The Van Wert County Council on Aging is supported by the Senior Services Tax Levies from Van Wert
County, Title IIIB of the Older Americans Act administered by PSA3 Area Agency of Aging, United Way of
Van Wert County, the Van Wert County Foundation, Transportation Contracts, Donations and
Contributions.
The Van Wert County Council on Aging serves clients without regard to race, color, national origin,
religion, sex or disability. We are and Equal Opportunity Employer.
Services provided by the Van Wert County Council on Aging include: Chore Services, Outreach,
Information & Referral, Socialization, and Transportation.