Transportation is provided county wide for essential appointments and trips such as; Medical, Banks, Laundromats, Dental, Lawyers, Grocery Stores, Senior Center, and other Social Service Agencies. Transportation is provided out-of-town within a 50 mile radius for medical appointments.

It is recommended that clients schedule in-town appointments at least a week before the appointment and cancel 24 hours before the appointment time. For out-of-town trips, it is recommended that clients give at least 2 weeks notice to insure appointment times can be met.

If you are interested in more information on our transportation or signing up to use our transportation services please give us a call at 419-238-5011 to set up an appointment.

When you call for transportation you need to know the following: *Complete address of where you are going including suite number. *Date and Time of your appointment.*Name of Dr. or who you are seeing. This will ensure we can get you to where you need to be.

The Van Wert County Council on Aging Senior Center has activities going on daily. Activities include: cards, jigsaw puzzles, board games, bingo, movies, potlucks, parties, or just watching TV and visiting with friends. There is always something going on at the Senior Center. Come on out and enjoy your time while you are at the Van Wert Senior Center.

The third Thursday of each month beginning at 8:30 a.m. Community Health Professional’s nurses come to the Senior Center to trim toenails for the clients. Reservations are necessary for this service and there is a $15 donation. Please call 419-238-5011 to make your reservation.

Many seniors find Medicare to be confusing and overwhelming. Don’t let this be you. If you have questions about Medicare, anything from first signing up, changing plans, bill inquires, etc. feel free to contact Kevin Matthews to set up an appointment to go over your questions. You are not alone, we are here to help you find the answers to your questions.

Home Delivered Meals can be provided under private pay by Lock 16. Please call Lock 16 at 419-453-3327. Senior nutrition providers can be contacted at Area Agency on Aging at 419-222-7723.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that provides eligible Ohioans assistance with their home energy bills. This one-time benefit is applied directly to the customer’s utility bill or bulk fuel bill.

Need help filling out HEAP applications? Give us a call to set up an appointment to have assistance with filling out the application. Remember to bring along the following items: proof of citizenship, proof of disability (if applicable), proof of income, and a copy of one heating and one electric bill.

Van Wert County Council on Aging staff will complete your application, make all necessary copies (one for you, one for staff records to refer to next time, and one to send into HEAP), and mail your application for no fee at all!

The Van Wert County Council on Aging operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with the Van Wert County Council on Aging. For more information contact the COA at 419-238-5011.

More than 30 percent of Americans over age 65 have some kind of disability, and over 50 percent of those over age 75. These may range from difficulties seeing and hearing to walking and thinking. Under the ADA, it isn’t the cause of the disability that matters, but what it means in everyday life.

The Van Wert County Council on Aging offers two caregivers support group meetings every month.* The Caregivers Support Group meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 2PM. This is an open group for anyone that is a caregiver. We get together to discuss concerns, give each other hints, or just to listen. *The Alzheimer’s Dementia support group meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 2PM. This group is targeted for caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The Alzheimer’s support group is conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Educational programs are going on monthly to help keep you informed. The Lunch n’ Learn Series was designed with you in mind. The series brings in various members of the community to speak about upcoming events with in the community, doctors and nurses to talk about important health issues, and even members of Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) to speak about various issues pertaining to Medicare. You just never know who we are going to have. Check out our Newsletter tab for Lunch n’ Learn speakers as well as our Calendar tab to see what is on the docket for the month.

Golden Buckeye Card assistance is provided if you have lost or never received your card. The Van Wert County Council on Aging has applications to file for a new or replacement card.

A Matter of Balance is specifically designed to reduce fear of falling, stop the fear of falling cycle and improve activity levels among community-dwelling older adults. The program includes eight classes, each lasting two hours, presented over a four-week period twice per week by trained facilitators using a training manual and two instructional videos. The program focuses on practical coping strategies to reduce fear of falling and to diminish the risk of falling. The curriculum includes lectures, group discussions, mutual problem-solving, role-playing activities, exercise training, assertiveness training and home assignments. Participants learn about the importance of exercise in preventing falls, practice exercises to improve strength, coordination and balance, identify how to conduct a home safety evaluation and learn to get up and down safely. Class size limited to 12 participants.