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I have returned from maternity leave. Thank you to everyone who sent well wishes and checked in on me during my time away. I am excited to be back and continue the good work at the OADC. In the next few months Greg, Disability and Access Coordinator, and I will work to improve the monthly newsletter to bring you the most up to date and informative information. Be on the lookout for changes.
We would love to hear from you. Contact Alli at allison.woosley@louisvilleky.gov or Greg at Gregory.willett2@louisvilleky.gov with recommendations for content and accessibility improvements.
American Heart Month
Celebrate American Heart Month
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Most middle-aged and young adults have one or more risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or being a smoker or overweight. Having multiple risk factors increases your risk of heart disease. The good news is that there’s a lot we can do to prevent it.
Connecting with Others is Good for Your Heart
Research shows that people with close relationships at home, work, or in their community tend to be healthier and live longer. One reason, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is that we’re more successful at meeting our health goals when we work on them with others.
Feeling connected with others and having positive, close relationships benefit our overall health, including our blood pressure and weight. Having people in our lives who motivate and care for us helps, as do feelings of closeness and companionship.
Lifestyle Tips
Here are some facts, how-to tips, and resources to inspire you to join with others, even if you can’t be physically together, to improve your heart health. Follow these lifestyle tips to protect your heart.
- Be more physically active.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a nutritious diet.
- Quit smoking.
- Manage stress.
- Get 7-9 hours of quality sleep.
- Track your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar numbers.
You don’t have to make big changes all at once. Small steps will get you where you want to go.
Move More
Invite family, friends, colleagues, or members of your community to join you in your efforts to be more physically active:
- Ask a colleague to walk “with you” regularly, put the date on both your calendars, and text or call to make sure you both get out for a walk.
- Get a friend or family member to sign up for the same online exercise class, such as a dance class. Make it a regular date!
- Grab your kids, put on music, and do jumping jacks, skip rope, or dance in your living room or yard.
How much is enough? Aim for at least 2½ hours of physical activity each week — that’s just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. In addition, do muscle-strengthening exercises 2 days a week. Can’t carve out a lot of time in your day? Try doing 10 minutes of physical activity at least three times a day. NHLBI’s Move More fact sheet has ideas to get and keep you moving.
Eat Heart-Healthy
We tend to eat like our friends and family, so ask others close to you to join in your effort to eat healthier. Follow NHLBI’s Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan. Research shows that, compared to a typical American diet, it lowers high blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels. Find delicious recipes at NHLBI’s Heart-Healthy Eating webpage.
Quit Smoking
To help you quit, ask others for support or join an online support group. Research shows that people are much more likely to quit if their spouse, friend, or sibling does. Social support online can help you quit. All states have quit lines with trained counselors — call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). You’ll find many free resources to help you quit, such as apps, a motivational text service, and a chat line at BeTobaccoFree.hhs.gov and Smokefree.gov.
If you need extra motivation to quit, consider those around you: Breathing other people’s smoke, called secondhand smoke, is dangerous. Many adult nonsmokers die of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke.
LIHEAP Winter Crisis
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Winter Crisis enrollment is available through Kentucky’s Community Action Network for eligible Kentucky households. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis through March 15, 2025 with an extension through March 31, 2025 if funding is available.
LIHEAP Winter Crisis provides households with a benefit depending on housing category, fuel type used for heating, and income level. The benefit can be applied towards home heating cost for electric, natural gas, propane, coal, wood, or fuel oil.
Benefits are paid directly to the household's energy vendor. Prior LIHEAP assistance does not impact a household’s eligibility. Households must meet eligibility requirements, including income eligibility of up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
In Jefferson County, LIHEAP Winter Crisis is available through the Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services. Appointments are required in advance to apply. Eligible households can apply for one or both LIHEAP Winter Crisis and MSD’s EWRAP with one single appointment.
MSD’s Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (EWRAP)
Through our partnership with Louisville MSD, eligible residents will have the opportunity to apply for MSD’s Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (EWRAP).
EWRAP can provide eligible residents in Jefferson County a 30% discount on wastewater charges and the consent decree surcharge. Eligibility includes households at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, with proof of an active utility account with the Louisville Water Company and MSD. This enrollment period is for new and renewing MSD discount program clients.
MSD clients who are 65 years of age or older with a gross household income of $35,000 or less per year may be eligible for MSD’s Senior Citizen Discount Program. It is recommended you submit your MSD bill with your LIHEAP documentation to see if you qualify for a MSD discount program. For more details about the MSD Discount Programs, visit https://louisvillemsd.org/paymybill.
How to Apply
Our toll-free automated appointment system is now available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to schedule an in-person appointment at one of seven locations. The automated scheduler will provide details about these locations as well as eligibility and required documentation.
Jefferson County residents meeting eligibility can call the automated scheduler at 502-991-8391 or visit online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com
Eligibility
- Jefferson County households within 150% of 2024-25 federal poverty guidelines
- Must be responsible for home heating costs or pay heating costs if utilities are included as an undesignated portion of rent.
- You must have a past-due balance on your utility bill but you do not need a disconnect notice to be eligible.
Documentation
- Proof of all household income for the preceding month (Social Security Award letter, pay stubs, etc. or proof of $0 income). Note: Zero Income forms are available at the Resilience and Community Services office at 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Suite 201 as well as the seven LIHEAP locations listed here.
- Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
- A current bill with a past due amount; or an eviction notice if utilities are included in the rent; or proof that you are within 10 days of running out of pre-paid electric service; or proof that you are within four days of running out of bulk fuel.
- For MSD’s EWRAP program, you will need proof of an active utility account with Louisville Water Company and MSD. (i.e. named customers with MSD, receiving metered water service for a property used solely for residential purposes, and owned or leased by the customer as principal residence).
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Are you a local business or Non-profit who supports the lives of older adults or citizens with disabilities?
Do you have a board or commission?
Are you looking to fill a vacancy?
Each month the OADC newsletter will highlight openings and opportunities for local boards and commissions. If you would like to post your vacancy in the newsletter, please send the information to Alli at Allison.woosley@louisvilleky.gov.
Looking to get involved? Click HERE to view opportunities with a Metro Board or Commission
AARP Community Challenge
A grant program to make communities more livable for people of all ages with tangible improvements that jump-start long-term change
Flagship Grants In AARP’s flagship Community Challenge grant program, grants have ranged from several hundred dollars for smaller, short-term activities to tens of thousands of dollars for larger projects.
Capacity-Building Microgrants Combining $2,500 grants with additional resources, such as webinars, cohort learning opportunities, up to two hours of one-on-one coaching with leading national nonprofit organizations and AARP publications, this grant opportunity will accept applications for projects that benefit residents (especially those age 50 and older)
Demonstration Grants This opportunity funds projects that encourage replication of promising local efforts. Grants tend to fall between $10,000-$20,000 and will not exceed $25,000. This grant opportunity will accept applications for projects that benefit residents (especially those age 50 and older)
For more information or to apply click HERE
Humana Neighborhood Center
February Virtual Calendar of Events
 To view the full calendar click HERE
CenterWell Events
The support you need for all aspects of your health—physical, mental and emotional—may be closer than you think. In fact, more support might be available right in your neighborhood. We want to help you address your whole-person health needs so you can live your life the way you want. You don’t have to be a Humana member to participate. All are welcome.
Outer Loop
Cardio Strength:
Tuesday February 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 12pm
Ener-Chi:
Thursday February 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 1pm
Fruit & Veggie Bingo:
Thursday February 6 at 2pm
Health Talk (Is your plate healthy?):
Thursday February 20 at 2pm
For more information or to RSVP call Seth at 502.918.0088
Volunteers Needed
The Catholic Charities Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteers to help make residents in local nursing homes and longterm care facilities feel safe, happy and heard.
- As a Certified Volunteer Ombudsmen, you will serve as both a visitor and advocate. This program works on behalf of the resident to listen, resolve concerns, and educate the resident on their rights for improved quality of life.
- Become a Friendly Visitor and spend some time talking with and listening to our local residents to brighten their day and reduce social isolation.
- Free training is provided.
To learn more, contact Jamie Barnes, Volunteer Coordinator Cell phone: 502-965-8303 Email: jbarnes@archlou.org
Recipe of the Month
Valentine's Heart Cake
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