Options Cincinnati - a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC)...

Aging in Place Newsletters
City Beat article including Aging in Place information

Aging and Caregiver Services Director Ann Sutton Burke was invited to discuss Aging in Place at the Sustainable Hamilton County: Reinventing Our Communities conference. Fast forward to 0:47:11 to go right to Ann's presentation.

Aging in place.

More and more senior adults are staying in their own homes or moving into apartments where they continue to live independent lives.

Options Cincinnati offers on-site supportive services and social activities that help older adults maintain their independence, security, dignity, and quality of life.

Options Cincinnati promotes social, emotional, and physical health through shared meals and recreation, social work and case management, volunteer opportunities, and health care services; and helps prevent, delay or avoid the move to a residential care facility. The program utilizes existing services in the community and focuses on meeting unmet needs rather than duplicating the services of senior centers or clinics.

By delivering programs to older adults where they live, greater connections are built among neighbors and between seniors and their service providers.

Options Cincinnati, which targets a variety of residential housing where large concentrations of seniors reside, is currently in place at Indian Creek and Amberley House.

Types of Programs

Social activities and programs are offered with resident input and needs in mind:

· Talks by health care professionals

· Computer and Internet training

· Exercise classes

· Trips to restaurants

· Trips to cultural activities

· Potluck and carry–in meals

Types of Services

The Service Coordinator, a graduate social worker, assists residents by making referrals to:

· In-Home Healthcare Agencies

· Transportation Services

· Durable Medical Supply Sources

· Professionals or Organizations that Meet Specific Needs

The Service Coordinator can also:

· Answer questions about Medicare and discount prescription programs

· Research answers to resident questions and gather data necessary for them to make informed decisions

· Lend a friendly ear

What residents are saying about Options Cincinnati:

· “I have had excellent experiences with the Options social worker.” 

· “It gives me a comfortable feeling to know that all of the Options help is available.” 

· “I have made great friendships—we laugh, talk, support, and help each other.” 

· “The mind and body enriching activities have definitely made it possible for me to enjoy a better quality of life while continuing to live in my own apartment.” 

· “The Service Coordinator seems very dedicated to helping us in any way.” 

· “Options has brought many hours of enjoyment to me and to those who are limited physically and unable to get out more.”

Options Cincinnati is offered by Jewish Family Service. There may be fees associated with the services residents choose to contract for, such as the cost of home healthcare. There may also be fees for certain activities and programs.

Options Cincinnati receives major funding from The Greater Cincinnati Foundation and Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.

Thank you to the following community leaders who are supporting partners:

Platinum Partners:

CMC Properties

Towne Properties

Silver Partner:

Comfort Keepers

Crossroads Hospice

Tri Health

Bronze Partners:

Arden Courts of Kenwood

Mullaney’s Pharmacy

For more information about Options Cincinnati, contact

Ann Sutton Burke, Options Program Director

(513) 766-3350 or asuttonburke@jfscinti.org