AAA7’s Simon receives state award

Becky Simon, LSW, Long-Term Care Manager at the Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7), was recently recognized at the state level by the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) for her significant contributions to Ohio’s Aging Network and her leadership that has had an impact beyond her own organization.

Simon, who has been with the AAA7 since 1993, was recognized at the o4a’s Annual Conference that was held in Columbus and attended by staff and representatives from the 122 Area Agencies on Aging throughout the state, as well as providers and others from the aging network in Ohio.

Simon was honored for her leadership, accomplishments and role as a statewide advocate and expert on consumer-directed care, a concept utilized in the PASSPORT Medicaid Waiver Program that provides long-term care services in the home for eligible individuals over the age of 60. In the consumer-directed option, services are provided by individual providers such as friends, neighbors or some relatives.

Due to her expertise on the subject, Simon has presented at the local, state and national level and is often asked for advice from her colleagues from around Ohio. In addition, Simon has served on several committees and assisted with several opportunities to educate others on the issues addressing the unique needs of Ohioans living in rural and isolated areas.

The award, which is a surprise to the recipient until the announcement at the Conference, was certainly something Simon did not expect when her name was called. Simon shared that she was so surprised that she was speechless.

Simon was born and raised in northern Ohio, attending Mohawk High School in Sycamore, and received her associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree in arts and social sciences from Shawnee State University in 1992. She began her social work career working for a local nursing facility after graduation and joined the AAA7 in 1993 as a Care Manager. She became a Clinical Supervisor at the AAA7 in 1995 until she was promoted to her current position in 2008.

Simon, who loves living in southern Ohio, resides in the Lucasville area with her husband, Tim.

Simon shares, “I am so blessed to work for a wonderful agency that allows me to promote and support consumer direction services and empower individuals to make their own decisions regarding their health care and services needed.”

Your local Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. provides services on a non-discriminatory basis in 10 counties in Southern Ohio including Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton. These services are available to help older adults and those with disabilities live safely and independently in their residence of choice through services paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, other federal and state resources, as well as private pay.

The AAA7’s Resource Center is also available to anyone in the community looking for information or assistance with long-term care options. Available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., the Resource Center is a valuable contact for learning more about options and what programs and services are available for assistance.

Those interested in learning more can call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 (TTY: 711). Here, individuals can speak directly with a trained Resource Specialist who will assist them with information surrounding the programs and services that are available to best serve their needs. The Agency also offers an assessment at no cost for those who are interested in learning more. Information is also available on www.aaa7.org, or the Agency can be contacted through email at info@aaa7.org. The Agency also has a Facebook page located at www.facebook.com/AreaAgencyOnAgingDistrict7.