Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA)

The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) is a regional agency in the network established by the Older Americans Act. Its planning area includes Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union counties. In Columbus, it can be a second entry point when a family is unsure whether to seek county help, a Medicaid program, or a contracted provider.

COAAA arranges support for daily activities such as homemaking, transportation, home-delivered meals, personal care, and case coordination. It also provides caregiver information, education, and advocacy. For funded programs, COAAA may conduct home visits and help with enrollment; local partners deliver the services. Costs and rules differ: Franklin County Senior Options uses financial verification and a sliding scale, while PASSPORT requires Medicaid eligibility and functional need.

For general information, call 1-800-589-7277 or (614) 645-7250. The main office is at 3776 South High Street in Columbus and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For a Franklin County case, Senior Options at (614) 525-6200 is often the more direct route into subsidized services; the regional line helps compare programs and ask about neighboring counties.

Caregiver support may connect families with short-term respite, advice, and supplemental resources; some assistance is administered by county partners. COAAA also posts free online training resources for caregivers. Before applying, ask whether a service is short-term or ongoing, whether Medicaid is required, if a copayment applies, and whether the agency arranges a provider or only offers guidance.

An eight-county service area does not mean every locality has the same provider list. Residence and functional need determine where to call; keep the name of the intake worker, assessment date, and decision letter. If food or transportation is urgent, ask about community options while a broader assessment is pending.

Official program information