Program areas at Vantage Aging
Workforce solutions: the senior community service employment program (scsep) is a job-training program for older adults located in 38 Ohio counties. Funded under grants from the u.s. department of labor (dol) and Ohio department of Aging (oda), the program provides paid, part-time job training in community service assignments. Program participants are low-income adults age 55 and older placed with nonprofit and government agencies (host sites) for training. In 2020, the organization secured a grant from dol in collaboration with oda to perfom the shrinking the digital divide for older ohioans demonstration project. The purpose of this 2-year innovation project is to further develop the individual capacity of older ohioans by providing computer hardware, expanding internet access, upskilling digital literacy competencies, and better preparing job seekers for unsubsidized employment. Digital learners earn skills-tested digital certificates that enhance their resumes and bolster digital confidence.
Americorps seniors rsvp: as one of the largest volunteer networks in the nation, americorps seniors rsvp is a program of the corporation for national and community service and provides volunteers age 55 and older with service opportunities. Rsvp volunteers address critical community needs and take on new national initiatives to meet those needs.with a strong corp of experienced volunteers, rsvp helps to build capacity and outreach efforts forover 70 organizations including food pantries, health and wellness programs, and social service agencies. Vantage Aging provides rsvp program Delaware, franklin, hamilton, geauga, medina, summit, and wayne counties.
Meals on wheels of northeast Ohio: supporting the nutritional needs of older adults in summit, stark and wayne counties, the meals on wheels of northeast Ohio provides homebound and disabled clients the opportunity for delicious and nutricious meals to be deliverd to their home to support their health and well-being. As part of the organization's continuum of care, each visit includes a wellness check, where trained drivers can assess potential health issues, such as fall-risk assessments. Congregate dining options are provided at several locations to provide healthy meal alternatives and socialization opportunities to provent social isolation. Additional, the Ohio senior farmers' market nutrition program provide vouchers to seniors age 60 and older who meet income guidelines for the purchase of up to $50 in fresh produce at local farmer's markets. In 2022, meals on wheels of northeast Ohio provided continuous, safe meal service of 323,083 home delivered meals.
Home wellness solutions: the organization provides non-medical home care and wellness support services in the homes of older adults and individuals with disabilities. Individual plans are customized according to an assessment of the client's needs and care coordinations with the organization identifies additional programs that may benefit the client. Home health aides provide hands-on care for activities of daily living (adls) within the client's home, including bathing, dressing, feeding, toileting, grooming, oral care, walking or use of a wheelchair. Homemaker services provide housekeeping, laundry, shopping, and meal preparation to support client independence. Chore services help with heavy household cleaning. In the fiscal year 2022, we provided 1,606 hours of homemaker services and 3,991 hours of health aide services. The team provided 1,641 hours of cleaning and chore services for deep cleaning required to maintain independence in the client's own home.
Community engagement: the community engagement team facilitated outreach events across Vantage Aging's service area, including creation of 50 website blogs advocating for our services. Staff administered a number of emergency covid funding grants to increase nutrition services for those seniors who are homebound and facing food insecurity.