Grant will assist seniors in falls prevention

Grant funding is a staple of any county health district, and Holmes County is no exception.

On Monday, Jan. 8, Holmes County health commissioner Michael Derr addressed the Holmes County Commissioner’s Board with news that a recent grant will provide funding for the coming year.

“The health department has been working diligently to bring dollars back into the community through programs and services that we feel our community needs based on our community health assessment as well as what we receive in feedback from participants in our Falls Prevention Program,” Derr said.

This particular grant was through Holmes County’s Standing Against Falls Coalition, and Derr said the grant focused on developing healthier living for seniors that will allow them to remain in their homes longer and live independently.

Derr was excited to share plenty of information concerning the grant, which is for $191,000.

Derr said the health district has many partners that work with them including Pomerene Hospital, the Agency for Aging, area physicians and pharmacists, Holmes County Emergency Management Agency, and other entities that help seniors age gracefully and provide a higher quality of life.

Kerry MacQueen heads up the Standing Against Falls Coalition, and Derr said she is making strides and they are excited to be able to infuse some dollars into that program along with their many partners.

The grant was written by Becky Starner, personnel services director for the health department, and her work helped create the dollars that will benefit the seniors.

“We appreciate Becky and her work in helping write the grant and thank you Susan (Schie) from the commissioners’ side of things,” commissioner Dave Hall said. “It’s been a great partnership in making things happen.”

Hall said the grant provides many opportunities to further the organization’s efforts.

Hall went on to say this grant is to keep seniors living comfortably in their homes. It could be anything from partnering for construction of handrails to working with veterans or any number of items to provide better balance, which creates a safer environment.

“There’s a lot the health department is working on, and this is an opportunity to bring dollars back with no strings attached,” Hall said.

Commissioner Joe Miller said this grant is very important to the county and its seniors and complimented Derr on his and his staff’s effort to provide the county with excellent service.

Miller said having someone in the health department dedicated to bringing in grants like this hasn’t always been the case.

Hall said while not all counties in Ohio received these grant funds, Holmes County was fortunate to be one of those who were gifted these dollars.

Jason Troyer, Holmes County EMA director, said in his role as both director and in working with the county’s emergency response teams, he has seen many calls going out that are dedicated to seniors who have suffered falls, so this grant is critical.

Derr said the many partnerships have helped elevate the grant-funding process for the county, but he said Starner is instrumental in the recent rash of funds coming into Holmes County.

“I can’t speak enough about Becky and her ability to write grants,” Derr said. “She’s really knocking them out of the park right now, finding dollars to bring back into the county to develop new programs, and of course Kerry took a program that wasn’t really established and made it into something special.”

Derr said one prime example of how vital this program is comes from data from Killbuck, where in the past the county has responded to close to 700 calls concerning falls.

He said those numbers have fallen off significantly as the department continues to stress education among seniors concerning the dangers surrounding falls.

Starner said the grant centers around the state’s Healthy Aging Plan.

“I think it’s going to pair beautifully with our county,” Starner said. “The trick is going to be trying not to follow a cookie-cutter plan that is laid out by the state and making one that is beneficial to our county.”

She said the funds need to be implemented quickly because there is a timeline on the grant dollars.

“I’m really excited to get the ball rolling and support the people over 60 in our county,” Starner said. “I have lived her my whole life, and I appreciate being able to bring our tax dollars back to the people of Holmes County.”

Derr said providing this information to seniors and allowing them to remain in their own homes as long as possible brings a greater and longer quality of life to seniors.

He said research from an organization called Blue Zones says individuals who live in communities that are faith-based and have social opportunities and who are living in their own homes longer live to be 100 years old more often.

“While diet plays a big role, much of it is social interaction,” Derr said.

Starner said allowing seniors to live with dignity and autonomy is crucial in improving life expectancy.

“We are always willing to take on new challenges for the people of our community,” Derr said.