Finer With Age is a half-hour television talk show produced by the Department of Aging and Ohio Government Television. Each month, Director Barbara E. Riley discusses services, benefits, and other topics of interest for older Ohioans and their families. She also meets outstanding Ohioans who exemplify the notion that we do, indeed, get Finer With Age.
The show is broadcast on select cable access and public broadcasting stations throughout the state. Check your local listings or contact your cable provider for air times.
Recent Programs - Click on the title to view that episode.
2008 Elder Caregiving Awards and Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Watch the May 22, 2008, ceremony in which the Department of Aging honored 15 selfless caregivers with the Elder Caregiving Award, and inducted 13 outstanding Older Ohioans into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
January 2009 - Tax Time Tips; Self Defense
Deborah Smith, of the Ohio Department of Taxation, and Bruce Gelsinger, coordinator for the AARP Tax-Aide program, chat with Director Riley about resources and information that can help seniors and others complete their income tax returns. Then, Monique Mapp, activities director at the Gillie Senior Center in Columbus, teaches the director some self-defense moves that are easy to learn, as well as simple things we can do to protect ourselves. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Ohio Department of Taxation - 1-800-282-1780
Internal Revenue Service
December 2008 - Medicare Open Enrollment; Smart & Savvy Holiday Shopping
Gretchen Lopez, of the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, outlines how we can best navigate the Medicare open enrollment process. Then, Director Riley chats with Joan Coughlin, of the Central Ohio Better Business Bureau, and Nadine Ballard, from the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section about how we can be smart and savvy shoppers not only now, but throughout the year. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
November 2008 - Aging Eyes and Smoking Cessation
Dr. Bob Newcomb, Professor of Clinical Optometry at The Ohio State University and Co-Chair of Ohio's Aging Eye Public Private Partnership, and Dr. Larry Leguire, the Director of Electrophysiological Testing and Eye Research at Nationwide Children's Hospital and on the planning committee for Ohio's Aging Eye Public Private Partnership, discuss how to protect our eyesight and prevent blindness. Then, Director Riley chats with Bob Passion, Director of Public Relations for the Central Ohio office of the American Cancer Society, explains why discontinuing tobacco use is beneficial at any age. Finally, Alicia Reece, the Assistant State Tourism Director, highlights some exciting things to do in the winter months around our state. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
October 2008 - Prescriptions and Advance Directives
Guest host and Deputy Director of the Department of Aging, Roland Hornbostel, discusses with Ernie Boyd, the executive director of the Ohio Pharmacists Association, and Jarrett Bauder, a pharmacist with Uptown Pharmacy in Westerville, Ohio, why it is vital that we ask questions of our pharmacists to avoid potentially adverse drug interactions. Then, Mr. Hornbostel chats with Doug Cluxton, vice president of education for the Ohio Hospice & Palliative Care Organization about the important role advance directives play in end-of-life planning. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
September 2008 - Kinship Care, Adult Day Services, and Voting Prepared & Aware
Director Riley talks with Crystal Allen, the Executive Director of the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, who shares her insight on kinship care. Then, Denise Harris and her granddaughter Daija Roberts share their first-hand experience with this unique family arrangement. Later, the director meets Erica Drewry, the president of the Ohio Association of Adult Day Services and executive director of Heritage Day Health Centers, and Annette Washington, a caregiver whose loved ones attend adult day services, shed light on this worthy service. Finally, Peg Rosenfield, election specialist for the League of Women Voters of Ohio, gives suggestions on how to find our way through all the campaign rhetoric to make our election decisions based on facts. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
August 2008 - The Digital TV Transition and Autumn Adventures Across Ohio
Director Riley chats with Christine Merritt, executive vice president of the Ohio Association of Broadcasters, and Jonathon McGee, executive director of the Ohio Cable Telecommunications Association, who explain what the digital TV transition means to us and how we can ensure we will still receive our favorite shows when TV stations make the switch to digital-only broadcasts in February. Then, the director speaks with Assistant State Tourism Director Alicia Reece, who shares her insight on the autumn adventures Ohioans can enjoy close to home. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Digital Television Transition - 1-888-388-2009
Area Agencies on Aging (for donating DTV coupons) - 1-866-243-5678
Ohio Travel and Tourism - 1-800-282-5393
July 2008 - Ohio State Parks, Economic Stimulus Rebates and the Unified Long-Term Care Budget
Jean Backs, Ohio State Parks spokesperson, and Lynn Boydelatour, chief naturalist for Ohio State Parks, talk with Director Riley about the beauty and wonder of Ohio's more than 1,000 miles of scenic woodland trails and 174,000 acres of land and water resources. Then, John Saulitis, the Regional Long-term Care Ombudsman for our Area Agency on Aging in Youngstown, explains how easy it is file a tax return and qualify for an economic stimulus check from the U.S. Government. Finally, Director Riley gives viewers an overview of recommendations a statewide workgroup submitted to the Governor and General Assembly about how to implement a Unified Long-term Care Budget in Ohio. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Ohio State Parks
Internal Revenue Services
Ohio Long-term Care Ombudsman Program
Unified Long-term Care Budget Planning
June 2008 - The Benefits of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables, Hunger in Ohio, and Husbands are Caregivers, Too
Director Riley chats with Kathy Rhoads, of Rhoads Farm Market in Circleville, and Jennifer Fralic, a dietitian with LifeCare Alliance, about the benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables available at Ohio's 600 farm markets, roadside markets, farmers' markets and pick-your-own produce vendors. Then, she discusses with Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, and Vince Chase, executive director of the Foodbank of Clark, Champaign & Logan Counties, about the rising number of seniors who are turning to food pantries for help as they struggle to pay for necessities on fixed incomes. Finally, we meet Bill Keating, who shares his story as a faithful and loving caregiver prior to his wife's death and reminds us that, without notice, many husbands can be thrust into a role that may be drastically different from the one they are accustomed to, but for which they make sacrifices and hard choices out of love. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
From Marketplace to Tabletop: Simple Recipes for Fresh Vegetables
Lifecare Alliance
Rhoads Farm Market
Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks
Area Agencies on Aging - 1-866-243-5678
May 2008 - Long-term Care Planning
Director Riley first talks with Teri R. Alexander, of Alexander Financial Planning, about planning financially for long-term care. Then, she meets Melissa Rumer, a social worker with the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, and Bev Hockman. Bev turned to the area agency on aging when she needed help for her father and has taken advantage of the free personal assessment services they offer. Then, meet Carol Baker, an 84 year old fitness instructor, will guide viewers through basic stretching exercises. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Own Your Future Campaign
Area Agencies on Aging - 1-866-243-5678
April 2008 - Elder Abuse
Director Riley welcomes Ramona Williams, who was a victim of financial exploitation. With Ramona is Dave Kessler, who helped Ramona through her experience and offers viewers information on how to prevent, recognize and get help with elder abuse. Then, we meet Betty Pariso, the oldest competitor in the Ms. International competition at The Arnold Sports Festival, the largest fitness celebration in the world, who shares her insights into strength training for people over 50. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Area Agencies on Aging - 1-866-243-5678
March 2008 - Severe Spring Weather / Joined Hearts in Giving
Director Riley talks with Bill Vedra, of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, about severe weather preparedness. Then, we travel to the National Weather Service offices in Wilmington to learn more about weather prediction and the public warning system. Finally, the director meets Pastor Dick and Mardelle Barrell, who were recently named a 2008 Joined Hearts in Giving Couple. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Ohio Department of Public Safety
Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness
National Weather Service
February 2008 - Healthy Heart, Happy Heart / Dating and Relationships / Hospital Discharge
First, Director Riley talks with Dr. Paul Zeeb, of the American Heart Association, about heart health issues, particularly as we age. Then, she chats with three unique seniors about dating in late life, including one who is using the Internet to find companionship. Finally, Jennifer Bitterman, of Ohio KePro, discusses the rights of people on Medicare regarding hospital discharge. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
American Heart Association
Ohio KePro
January 2008 - Older Workers / Weatherizing Your Home
Jim Wing works for CVS Pharmacies in a unique arrangement that allows him to work part of the year in Ohio and winter in Florida, while still working. He shares his experiences as an older worker with Director Riley. Then, the Ohio Consumers' Counsel makes a home visit to help an older resident identify ways he can make his home more energy efficient. Watch it now.
Order on DVD or VHS from the Ohio Channel Store.
More information:
Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel
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Share your thoughts and questions about a recent or future topic and we may use your ideas in the show.
Find A Station in Your Area
Finer With Age is available to more than 40 stations throughout Ohio.
