Public News Service

From 2017 to 2019, Ohio ranked 46th among 50 states for pollution exposure, including exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Researchers link air pollution with dementia risk

Recent data ranks Columbus as the most polluted major city in the U.S., highlighting concerns about common pollutants, like smog and vehicle …

In 2021, an estimated 38.4 million people in the United States were living with diabetes, a disproportionate share of them Black or Asian, according to Policy Matters Ohio. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 15, 2024

Insulin price gouging continues despite attempts to rein in the industry

Nearly one million Ohioans have been diagnosed with diabetes, but the cost of insulin continues to be a barrier for people needing the medication…

More than 80% of people with dementia in the United States live at home, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 60% of home-based patients are unable to routinely eat or prepare food on their own. (Adobe Stock)

Research: Meals on Wheels benefits people with dementia living at home

Meals on Wheels programs could be a powerful tool for addressing the needs of people living with dementia, according to a study from Ohio State …

Around 1.1 million Ohioans have received the updated COVID vaccine that became available in September, according to the Ohio Department of Health. (Adobe Stock)

Ohioans lag on vaccines as COVID, flu, RSV cases rise

Nationwide and in Ohio, cases of COVID, influenza and RSV are on the rise, but health experts say Ohio lags when it comes to the number of residents …

By 2030, more than 1 in 5 Americans will be at least 65 years old and by 2050, the number of people aged 60 and older globally is expected to double to more than 2 billion. (Cala Serrano/Adobe Stock)

Older adults and climate advocacy

While scientists say extreme climate changes are happening more frequently, a new study aims to link aging adults to its risks and their potential to …

Among military and veteran caregivers, 43% face financial setbacks such as increasing debt or loss of personal savings, according to research from AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio military and veteran families struggle with caregiving costs

Ohioans who provide care for veterans spend on average more than $1,100 yearly of their personal income on out-of-pocket costs related to caregiving…

The Biden administration unveiled the U.S. Labor Department's proposed Retirement Security Rule, which aims to restrict

Proposed rule aims to protect Ohio's retirees

The Biden administration has proposed a rule to help people save more in retirement and avoid "junk" fees from unscrupulous financial advisers…

About 66 million people, or about one in five U.S. residents, collected Social Security benefits last February, according to the Center on Budget Policy and Priorities. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Social Security beneficiaries will soon see COLA increase

Social Security retirement benefits will increase for Ohioans by more than $50 per month starting in January. Theresa Busher, public affairs …

According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, 65% of older people with long-term care needs rely exclusively on family and friends to provide assistance. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Residents Provide $21 Billion in Unpaid Care for Loved Ones

In Ohio, more than 1.5 million individuals are providing about $21 billion in unpaid care, according to the latest data from AARP, a more than $4 …

Adults ages 65 and older make up approximately 16.8% of the U.S. population, or more than 55.8 million adults, and are estimated to comprise 21% of the population (73.1 million) by 2030, according to a new report from UnitedHealthcare. (Adobe Stock)

Report: More of Ohio’s Older Adults Living in Poverty

By 2030, more than one in five Americans - more than 73 million people age 65 and over - will be of retirement age, as the last of the Baby Boomer …

AARP volunteers at the Ohio State Fair. More than six out of 10 adults age 55 and older engage in some volunteer activity, according to The Urban Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Volunteering Improves Mental Health Among Older Adults

AARP Ohio is seeking volunteers for the Ohio State Fair and other events this summer. Nearly a quarter of Ohioans spend time volunteering with …

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the sector has lost nearly 229,000 caregivers, or more than 14% of its workforce, since February 2020, the worst job loss among all health-care sectors. (Adobe Stock)

New Task Force Seeks Ohio Residents’ Feedback on Nursing Homes

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine recently created a Nursing Home Quality and Accountability Task Force, and its members want to hear directly from families and …

More than 34 million Americans have provided unpaid care to an adult age 50 or older in the last 12 months, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. (Adobe Stock)

November Events Highlight Resources for Ohio Family Caregivers

The spotlight is on family caregivers during November, National Family Caregivers Month. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in Ohio…

The average monthly Social Security benefit in August was $1,546. (Adobe Stock)

Concerns Loom for Social Security's Future Ahead of Benefit Increase

The roughly 2.4 million Ohioans who rely on Social Security income are expected to get a big boost in benefits, but advocates for the program are …

22% of Ohio voters in 2020 were age 65 or older. 33% were between 45 and 64 years old. (Adobe Stock)">

Tour Aims to Amplify Voice of Ohio’s Largest Voting Bloc

With several months remaining before the 2022 Midterm Election, older Ohioans have an opportunity to have their voice be heard on the issues that …

In a new report, 8.7% of adults age 65+ in Ohio reported frequent mental distress. (Adobe Stock)

Older Adults Report Troubling Struggles with Mental Health

Among the needs highlighted during Mental Health Awareness Month are those for older adults. It's become a serious challenge, says a new America's …

AARP says Ohio's 864,923 military veterans and active-duty service members are at heightened risk of being targeted by scammers. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Veterans Have New Resource in Fight Against Fraud

Members of Ohio's military community have a new tool in their arsenal to help fight rising fraud. The AARP Veterans Fraud Center is a free, online …

Pharmacy benefit managers are accused of practices that lead to increased drug prices at the pharmacy. (Adobe Stock)

8 in 10 Say Prescription Drug Prices "Unreasonable"

Most adults in new polling said prescription drug costs are unreasonable, with nearly one in three not taking medications as prescribed at some point…

Esther Piskor's family says she suffered abuse and neglect in six different nursing homes over a 15-year period. Her struggle resulted in passage of a new law in Ohio. (Elderly Nursing Home Abuse Advocates)

Ohio Families Urged to Act on Nursing-Home Camera Law

A Cleveland man's crusade to help Ohio families better protect their loved ones in nursing-home care from abuse and neglect will soon come to fruition…

About 83% of Ohio nursing-home residents are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (AdobeStock)

COVID Vaccine Booster: Questions for Nursing Facilities

COLUMBUS, Ohio - As the Food and Drug Administration works to expand eligibility for the COVID-19 booster shot, AARP Ohio is working to eliminate any …

One vial of insulin to manage diabetes can cost as much as $300 without health insurance. (AdobeStock)

Budget Reconciliation Plan Could Lower Rx Prices for Ohioans

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Congress has an opportunity to help lower prescription-drug costs for Ohioans, who, along with other Americans pay roughly three …

Almost three-quarters of nursing homes said their workforce situation had worsened since 2020, according to a recent survey.(Adobe Stock)

How Ohio Became the No. 1 State for Nursing Home Assistant Shortages

By Savanna Strott for Eye on Ohio, The Ohio Center for Journalism Broadcast version by Emily Scott for Ohio News Connection. COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio …

Around 57% of adults in Ohio are fully vaccinated. (Adobe Stock)

OH Vaccination Program Reaching Homebound Residents

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio's homebound residents interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine have a new option, which can come right to their door…

AARP Ohio is spreading the word about a new initiative to help struggling Ohioans pay for high-speed internet. (Pixabay)

New Program to Help Bridge Ohio's Digital Divide

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A new initiative is expected to help bridge the digital divide in Ohio. People whose finances are strained during the COVID-19 …

State-sponsored long-term COVID-19 vaccination clinics soon will be open in more than a dozen major Ohio cities. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's COVID Vaccine Eligibility Expands Again

CINCINNATI - Ohioans age 40 and older now can receive a COVID-19 vaccination, and health leaders say anyone who's eligible should not delay. Dr…

COVID-19 cases have dropped more than 77% since last November among people in Ohio's long-term care facilities. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Leads in Long-Term Care COVID Vaccinations

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio is at the head of the pack when it comes to getting the COVID-19 vaccine into long-term care facilities. According to data by …

Researchers say people who feel lonely want intimacy, not just interaction. (AdobeStock)

Survey: Pandemic Intensifies Loneliness Among Older Women

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A new survey of women age 50 and older finds lockdowns and social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic have amplified …

Early voting and absentee voting in Ohio are outpacing levels from 2016. (M. Kuhlman)

Election Enters Final Stretch: How to Cast a Safe, Secure Ballot in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The 2020 election is in the final stretch, and there are a lot of important details Ohio voters should know. Ohioans can cast a …

Alzheimer's rates are expected to rise more than 13% in Ohio by 2025. (AdobeStock)

Study Raises Concerns About Alzheimer's in Ohio's Rural Appalachia

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The impact of Alzheimer's disease in Ohio is expected to rise dramatically in coming years, and researchers say Appalachian …

Medicare Enrollment Help Goes Strictly Virtual for 2020

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The pandemic has changed many aspects of life, and the annual Medicare enrollment period which kicks off today is no exception…

COVID-19 created physical barriers between nursing home residents and their loved ones. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Opens Door for Indoor Nursing Home Visits

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Spending time with a loved one has been out of reach since March for some of the most vulnerable Ohioans. And starting today…

It's believed that in cases of elder fraud, just one out of every 23 incidents is reported to authorities. (Adobe Stock)

Report: One in Ten Older Ohioans Victimized by Fraud

COLUMBUS, Ohio - It's estimated that nearly one in ten Ohioans over age 60 is swindled out of their hard-earned money each year, according to a new …

Toxic algae is an annual problem in the western basin of Lake Erie. (NOAA/Flickr)

EPA Enforcement Policy Could Spur Harmful Algae-Bloom Growth

By Alicia Krynock/Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann Kuhlman Reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration Clarification - 6:54 p…

AmeriCorps Summer VISTA Associates provide support to child nutrition programs in Ohio during the summer months. (Adobe Stock)

Sidelined by the Pandemic? AmeriCorps Could Use Your Help

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohioans sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic have an opportunity to help contribute to the solution. The AmeriCorps VISTA program …

Ohio's secretary of state says about 25% of voters routinely vote by absentee ballot. (AdobeStock)

Ohio Voters Urged to Act Fast to Cast Vote-by-Mail Ballot

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- March 17 has passed, but Ohio's 2020 presidential primary is not over. Because of concerns about the spread of COVID-19 and the …

AARP Ohio volunteers are making friendly phone calls to fellow Ohioans who might feel isolated. (Adobe Stock)

Social Distancing Doesn't Mean Social Disconnecting

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Feeling cut off from the outside world can be depressing and lonely, especially for older Ohioans, but social distancing doesn't …

Supporters of block granting Medicaid contend it would save costs and give states flexibility. (AdobeStock)

Gov. DeWine Urged to Pass on Trump's Medicaid Block Grant

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Trump administration is calling it the "Healthy Adult Opportunity," but health care advocates contend the new plan to revamp …

The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus is the only museum in the U.S. honoring veterans from all service branches and eras of conflict. (Antony-22/Creative Commons)

Ohio Pearl Harbor Day Event Honors All Who’ve Sacrificed

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Saturday marks the 78th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and in Ohio, hundreds of people are expected at a special …

For each person not counted in the decennial census, Ohio loses roughly $1,200 each year for a decade. (Tada Images/Adobe Stock)

Six-Month Countdown: Ohio Ramps Up Census Outreach

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The six-month countdown to Census Day 2020 (April 1) is officially under way, and efforts are ramping up to ensure that every …

One commonly prescribed drug in 2017 cost 20% more than the average amount of a person's annual Social Security income in retirement. (AdobeStock)

Rx Report: Drug Price Hikes Outpacing Inflation

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Prescription drug price hikes have surpassed the rate of general inflation for more than a decade, according to a report just …

The average annual cost of prescription drug treatment more than doubled in Ohio between 2012 and 2017 (Burlingham/Adobe Stock)

Drug-Pricing Reforms in Spotlight on Capitol Hill

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Efforts to bring down the cost of prescription medications are intensifying in Washington, and some Ohio groups say relief …

Many older adults prefer to age in place in their own home and community rather than an assisted-living facility or nursing home. (rawpixel/Pixabay)

New Research Examines Community Supports for Older Ohioans

COLUMBUS, Ohio — New research provides insight into how Ohio communities can ensure they're capable of responding to the needs of an aging …

Robert M. Pennoyer, now and at age 19, on the U.S.S. Pensacola at Iwo Jima in 1944 (Courtesy: Robert M. Pennoyer)

WWII Veteran: Ignorance, Indifference Greatest Threats to America

NEW YORK – Seventy-four years after he saw the flag raised on Iwo Jima, a World War II veteran has an Independence Day message for America: The …

There are 5.5 million military and veteran caregivers in the United States. (Viacheslav lakobchuk/Adobe Stock)

New Help for Ohioans Caring for "Wounded Warriors"

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio's 1.5 million caregivers face daily challenges, and it's a role that's even more complicated for the families of military …

The population of older Ohioans likely to need some form of guardianship care is growing. (Goodluz/Adobe Stock)

Ohio Relies Heavily on Volunteers to Handle Aging Adults' Affairs

By Katie Ellington, reporting for the Ohio Center for Investigative Journalism, Eye on Ohio Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann for Ohio News …

A new report says there are 550,000 more home health care workers this year than last, helping more older people stay in their own homes. (Andy Dean/Adobe Stock)

Ohio Shows Progress in Senior Health

COLUMBUS, Ohio – While showing improvements overall, a new report reveals Ohio could be doing more for the physical and mental well-being of …

Opposition is mounting against an Ohio energy bill that opponents say would result in higher electric bills for customers. (Pexels/Pixabay)

Older Ohioans Object to "Vague" Clean-Energy Bill

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The debate over an Ohio bill deemed a "nuclear bailout" by opponents is intensifying, with some advocates saying it would hurt …

Probate courts are charged with ensuring that people under guardianship are safe and their best interests are protected. In 2017, Ohio courts opened more than three times the cases of adult guardianship over those involving children.(@patong_ens/Twenty20)

Ohio’s Guardianship Laws Leave Seniors Vulnerable to Abuse