Parent transition

Parent transition

AKRON

Seven community agencies that offer services to families who have children with special needs are teaming up to offer a Parent Transition Academy at Copley High School, 3807 Ridgewood Road, with four evening workshops covering the concerns these parents have as their children approach adulthood. The workshops are from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The academy is free, but online registration is required. Visit http://SummitESC.org/Events. For information, call Brenda Palinkas at 330-945-5600 ext. 511234.

The program is targeted to parents and guardians of middle- and high-school students with disabilities and will cover topics ranging from the legal aspects of transition to adulthood to financial planning and finding adult-care providers, hospital officials said.

The dates and topics are: Jan. 23 – transition law, legislation for life after high school; evidence-based predictors and practices for transition; Feb. 15 – transition pathways, partners and planning; developing a quality individual education plan for transition; March 6 – financial planning and legal topics for transition; planning for transitions in health care and mental health services; April 19 – transition panel with parents and professionals; building self-determination and self-advocacy skills.

Wexner recognized

COLUMBUS

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center has been selected as a Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, effective Jan. 1. An ACO is an organization that provides Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with access to high-quality, coordinated care.

Patients are not limited to ACO participating doctors and can choose providers outside of the organization. ACOs can receive a portion of the Medicare savings generated, as long as they meet standards for high-quality care. Under the ACO model, primary-care physicians center their practice on wellness and prevention. They also gain more oversight of the many procedures and treatments that patients experience throughout their lifetimes.

For information about the Medicare Shared Savings Program, go to: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/sharedsavingsprogram/index.html?redirect=/sharedsavingsprogram.

Ohio flu warning

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Aging urge older Ohioans and their families to be aware of seniors’ elevated risk of complications from flu and take steps to prevent its spread. The flu can make existing health problems worse and can be particularly dangerous for the 80 percent of older Ohioans who have at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes or heart disease,” said Dr. Clint Koenig, medical director of the Ohio Department of Health. Flu is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. It can cause mild to severe illness and, in some cases, can lead to death. Flu viruses are spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing or through surfaces. Symptoms of the flu may come on quickly and may include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Tips to minimize the risk of getting and spreading the flu: Get a flu shot; maintain good health habits; wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or into your elbow and then wash any affected skin immediately. For information and resources, visit www.flu.ohio.gov/