In 1965 the Older Americans Act was passed in Congress to create and strengthen services to older citizens. Amended in 1973, the legislation created the Area Agencies on Aging – a national network of state-based regions to plan and implement needed critical services.
Cindy Farson has led the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging – or as we all like acronyms – COAAA – for 28 years and is turning the page on her career. Guiding this 8 county agency, Cindy has brought vision and growth to our communities. Today we are going to both look back and look forward, tapping into her incredible insight and wisdom on the next steps to “aging gracefully”.
What was happening to seniors in the 1960s and ’70s that moved the Older Americans Act to the forefront?
Now, forty years later, the number of seniors significantly rose, and their needs increased. COAAA serves approximately 30,000 clients with a $10 million budget to cover 8 Ohio counties. We are coming out of a pandemic that dramatically changed the needs of seniors, their safety, and health. Where are we now? What are the top concerns on your list? What is happening to our seniors, their housing, transportation, and health? And how is COAAA addressing those needs?
COAAA has an enormous job in reaching seniors or their family members/caregivers. Without clear communication streams, many seniors would not be able to benefit from all of your programs and services. COAAA has an incredible network to share information. However, what is your greatest fear/frustration with finding those who need you? And how is technology helping/hurting your efforts?
Money is always an issue. Services to seniors can be costly, particularly for personal/health care. Where are we on funding? Do federal and local legislators understand the issues? Do we need to re-think funding models and look for dollars elsewhere (e.g. greater local tax levies)? If so, where?
Housing in Central Ohio continues to create untenable situations for families, and for seniors - rent increases, lack of housing, aging of the housing stock are all situations we face in Central Ohio. Yet, we have a proliferation of new building developments for senior housing. Do you have advice for our listeners on housing trends – what happens if a senior needs housing now and what about 5 years from now?
There are so many other “hot button” issues for seniors – such as transportation. Our community is very lucky to also have some newer services available for seniors to meet those demands, including the “Villages” concept and “Age Friendly” communities which are dependent upon volunteers. Will programs utilizing volunteer teams be the answer to senior needs?
Cindy has been a mentor and role model for so many individuals who have moved into careers serving seniors. It is difficult to convince younger individuals – students and young adults – that a career in senior services can be a fulfilling opportunity. She shares her thoughts on the value and advantages to pursue work in senior services – the types of opportunities (e.g. from administrators to caregivers), industries (e.g. for-profit, nonprofit, governmental), and future needs?
- U. S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved senior housing consultants (Ohio)
- National Association of Agencies on Aging
- Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging - o4a is a nonprofit, statewide network of agencies that provide services for older Ohioans, people with disabilities and their families.
- Central Ohio Network of Villages
- Age-Friendly Columbus | We are Columbus, happy, healthy and strong
- Senior Services Roundtable - The Senior Services Roundtable is a clearinghouse of information and ideas to assist seniors in central Ohio, particularly those striving to remain independent in their later years. Membership is open and includes those organizations, governmental offices, nonprofits and private industries that serve the senior community. For further information contact [email protected]
- Franklin County Office On Aging - The Franklin County Office on Aging is primarily responsible for planning, coordinating, and providing centralized access to diverse services and programs that assist older adults, dependent adults, and their families in the maintenance of independent living.
- Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging - The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) plans, funds, and delivers services that help older adults and individuals with disabilities remain safe and independent in their homes. With the assistance of area providers, COAAA arranges and coordinates services to help individuals with daily living such as homemaking, transportation, home-delivered meals, and personal care. COAAA offers education and resources to caregivers, professionals, and the public and advocates for programs and policies that benefit older adults and individuals with disabilities. COAAA manages services for 10,000 people and funds services for another 20,000 older adults in eight counties: Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union. COAAA is operated under the City of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.
We would love to hear from you.
Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.
Email us at [email protected].
Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.
Please review our podcast on Google!
And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.
Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.
Copyright 2025 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson
