Month: September 2017

How Greater Cincinnati Grandparents Are Raising Grandchildren


Published on SeniorImpact.com  |  May 2026  |  Cincinnati, Ohio

Across Greater Cincinnati, thousands of grandparents are raising their grandchildren. Some stepped in because of a parent’s addiction. Others because of incarceration, mental illness, military deployment, or death. Whatever the reason, these grandparents are doing one of the hardest and most important jobs in the community—and most of them are doing it with far less support than they need.

Grandfather Carries Grandson On Shoulders During Walk In Park

The Scope of the Problem

Ohio ranks among the top states in the country for grandfamilies—households where grandparents are the primary caregivers for grandchildren. In Hamilton County alone, thousands of children are being raised by grandparents or other relatives. The opioid crisis accelerated this trend dramatically, and while the crisis has evolved, the children it displaced remain in their grandparents’ homes. Many of these grandparents are on fixed incomes, managing their own health issues, and navigating a school system and legal framework they haven’t dealt with in decades.

Legal Options: Custody, Guardianship, and Kinship Care

If you’re raising a grandchild, your legal standing matters—for school enrollment, medical decisions, and financial assistance. Ohio offers several paths. Kinship care through Hamilton County Job & Family Services provides financial support and case management. Legal custody through the courts gives you decision-making authority. Guardianship is a more formal arrangement that may be appropriate in some situations. Power of attorney can handle basic needs in the short term. Pro Seniors at (513) 345-4160 and the Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati at (513) 241-9400 can help you understand your options at no cost.

Financial Help

Grandparents raising grandchildren may qualify for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) cash assistance, Medicaid for the children, SNAP food benefits, and school-related assistance. The Ohio Kinship Permanency Incentive (KPI) program provides a monthly payment of up to $300 per child for grandparents who have obtained legal custody or guardianship. The Hamilton County Department of Job & Family Services at (513) 946-1000 can walk you through available benefits.

Grandparents playing together with a girl in the park in the morning. Family, love and grandchild bonding with grandmother and grandmother in a garden. Child holding hands with senior couple outside.

Support Groups in Cincinnati

You don’t have to do this alone. The Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio runs a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group that meets regularly. The Beech Acres Parenting Center offers parenting classes and support specifically designed for kinship caregivers. AARP’s GrandFamilies program provides online resources and can connect you with local support. Sometimes the most valuable thing is simply being in a room with other grandparents who understand what you’re going through.

School Enrollment and Educational Rights

Enrolling a grandchild in school can be complicated if you don’t have legal custody. Ohio law does provide pathways for kinship caregivers to enroll children—a caretaker authorization affidavit may be sufficient in many cases. Contact Cincinnati Public Schools’ enrollment office at (513) 363-0123 or your local school district for guidance. Children in kinship care may also qualify for free school meals, school supplies, and tutoring.

•  •  •

If you’re a Cincinnati grandparent raising a grandchild, know that help exists—and you deserve it. Share this article with someone who’s in the trenches. And if you’re not sure where to start, call the Council on Aging at (513) 721-1025.

Understanding Ohio’s Medicaid Changes in 2026: What Seniors Need to Know

Published on SeniorImpact.com  |  May 2026  |  Cincinnati, Ohio


Medicaid is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Ohio seniors, covering everything from nursing home care to in-home assistance to prescription drugs that Medicare alone doesn’t fully handle. But the program evolves every year, and 2026 has brought several changes that seniors and their families should understand. This article breaks down what’s changed, what it means for you, and where to get help navigating the system.

The Medicaid Unwinding Is Still Affecting Ohio Seniors

The COVID-era continuous enrollment protections that prevented states from dropping people from Medicaid ended in 2023, and the effects are still rippling through Ohio’s system. During the “unwinding,” many seniors lost coverage—not because they were ineligible, but because they missed renewal paperwork or because the state had outdated contact information. If you or someone you know was dropped from Medicaid in the past two years, it’s worth reapplying. Eligibility hasn’t necessarily changed; the paperwork process just caught people off guard. Your local County Department of Job and Family Services can help you reapply, and the process can be done online, in person, or by phone.

Income and Asset Limits for 2026

Ohio Medicaid eligibility for seniors is based on income and, in some cases, assets. For the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) category that most seniors fall under, the income limit is tied to the Federal Poverty Level and adjusted annually. For 2026, a single individual generally qualifies if their monthly income is at or below approximately $1,732 (this figure may have been adjusted—confirm with your caseworker). Married couples have a higher threshold. Asset limits also apply for certain programs, though Ohio has eliminated the asset test for many Medicaid categories. Your home, one vehicle, and certain other assets are typically excluded from the count.

Important: Medicaid eligibility rules are complex and depend on which specific program you’re applying for. The numbers above are general guidelines. Always verify current limits with your County Department of Job and Family Services or a certified Medicaid planner.

Ohio’s PACE Program: A Hidden Gem for Cincinnati Seniors

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, known as PACE, is one of the most comprehensive senior care programs available in Ohio, and many Cincinnati families have never heard of it. PACE is designed for adults age 55 and older who qualify for nursing home-level care but want to remain living at home. The program provides coordinated medical care, adult day services, transportation, meals, home care, prescriptions, and more—all through a single provider. PACE programs are available in most, but not, Ohio counties. Call you local Area Agency on Aging to see if a PACE center serves your ares. If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, PACE can cover virtually all of your healthcare needs with no premiums and minimal or no copays.

The Medicaid Waiver Programs: Staying Home Instead of a Nursing Facility

Ohio operates several Medicaid waiver programs that allow seniors to receive care in their own homes or in community settings rather than in nursing homes. The most relevant for Cincinnati seniors are the PASSPORT waiver and the MyCare Ohio program. PASSPORT provides home-delivered meals, personal care assistance, home modifications, emergency response systems, and adult day care. MyCare Ohio integrates Medicare and Medicaid benefits into a single managed care plan for people who are eligible for both. These programs can make it financially possible to age in place even when you need significant daily assistance. The catch is that waiver programs often have waiting lists, so applying early is important.

What the Federal Medicaid Debate Means for Ohio

At the federal level, there is ongoing debate about restructuring Medicaid funding, including proposals to convert federal Medicaid funding to block grants or per-capita caps. If enacted, these changes could significantly affect Ohio’s Medicaid program and the services available to seniors. While nothing has been finalized as of early 2026, Ohio seniors and their families should be paying attention. Advocacy organizations like AARP Ohio, the Ohio Academy of Senior Health Sciences, and the Universal Health Care Action Network of Ohio are tracking these proposals and can help you stay informed and make your voice heard.

How to Apply or Renew in Ohio

If you need to apply for Ohio Medicaid or renew your coverage, you have several options. You can apply online through the Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal, call the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services directly, or visit their office in person. For help navigating the application, the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio offers free Medicaid counseling, and Pro Seniors provides legal assistance for seniors facing Medicaid denials or complications. The Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) can also help you understand how Medicaid works alongside your Medicare coverage.

Medicaid Planning: It’s Not Too Late

If you or a family member may need long-term care in the future, Medicaid planning with a qualified elder law attorney can protect assets while ensuring eligibility. Ohio has a five-year “look-back” period for asset transfers, which means planning ahead is essential. Several elder law firms specialize in Medicaid planning, and your area Bar Association can provide referrals. Don’t wait until you’re in a crisis to explore your options—the earlier you plan, the more options you have.

•  •  •

The bottom line: Ohio’s Medicaid system is complicated, but it provides vital services that can dramatically improve quality of life for Ohio seniors. Whether you’re applying for the first time, renewing your coverage, or exploring waiver programs to stay in your home, help is available. Don’t try to figure it out alone.

Need help with Medicaid? Start with Pro Seniors at 1-800-488-6070. You can also contact your Area Agency on Aging. A list of Ohio AAA’s is available in any of our Ohio Older Adults Resource Guides at http://www.seniorimpact.com/view-our-guides. And share this article with a family that might need this information.