Direction Home Advocates for More Aging Assistance

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Advocating for older adults and the care network that aids those living independently, the Direction Home of Eastern Ohio, an aging and disability resource network, pushed for more resource investments in 2023.

Efforts led to additional funding in the state budget to meet more needs of the area’s aging population, according to Cassandra Valentini, director of communication and outreach of the Direction Home of Eastern Ohio.

The agency, founded in 1965, employs 155.

“New rate increases across the provider network will build a sustainable environment for our aging community and hopefully help stabilize the workforce providing care,” she adds.

In the spring of 2023, the long-term care ombudsman program of Direction Home brought nursing home residents, their families and stakeholders together at Youngstown State University for a listening session with the Ohio Governor’s Nursing Home Quality and Accountability Task Force, ensuring local voices are included in statewide improvement efforts.

Direction Home provided case management for those on Medicaid Waiver programs in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties. Through programs such as PassportT, Assisted Living Waiver, Caregiver Support, Mahoning County Senior Levy and MyCare Ohio, the agency provided care coordination for more than 3,000 individuals.

“With a nation and local community that is actively aging, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio is perfectly seated to continue to address the needs of older adults and those with disabilities,” says Valentini. “We are excited for what 2024 brings and look forward to new tools that make aging at home a reality for everyone.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.