Meeting the Needs of Delaware County’s Growing Older Adult Population with SourcePoint

We talk with Fara Waugh. Chief Executive Officer, LISW-S, CEO of SourcePoint, to explore how Delaware County, Ohio, is innovating to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population of older adults.

As the county’s senior population doubles, SourcePoint stands out by offering a broad spectrum of services—from in-home care and Meals on Wheels to robust community programs and resource navigation—ensuring older adults remain independent, connected, and thriving.

With funding structures, caregiver challenges, and the digital divide in focus, this episode looks at the everyday issues facing seniors, the critical importance of local support, and what the future holds for aging in the community.

If you like this episode, please let us know. We appreciate the feed back, and your support of offset costs of producing the podcast!

Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Delaware County’s Unique Growth - Find out why Delaware County stands out as its population 65+ has doubled since 2010—and what that means for community services.
2. SourcePoint’s Spectrum of Services - From Meals on Wheels and transportation to arts classes and caregiver support, get the inside scoop on how SourcePoint helps older adults live life to the fullest.
3. The Realities of Caregiving - Hear honest stories about caregiver challenges, the “crisis point,” and why having the right information early can make all the difference.
4. How Funding Shapes Services - Learn how federal, state, and most importantly, local levy dollars keep programs like SourcePoint running—and what happens when that funding is at risk.
5. Bridging the Digital Divide - Discover how technology—and the lack thereof—affects independence, social connection, and access to services for older adults.

1. What services does SourcePoint offer for older adults in Delaware County?

SourcePoint provides a wide range of services for older adults including in-home care (such as Meals on Wheels, personal care, homemaking, and medical transportation), community programs like fitness and wellness classes, caregiver support, creative arts, educational workshops, and Medicare guidance.

2. How is SourcePoint funded?

SourcePoint is primarily funded through a local property tax levy in Delaware County, which makes up 75% to 80% of its overall funding. Additional support comes from federal and state funds, grants, donations, service fees, and volunteer support.

3. Who can use SourcePoint’s services?

Services are targeted to adults aged 55 and older in Delaware County, as well as their caregivers. Many programs begin with a needs assessment to create a personalized care plan and connect individuals or families with appropriate resources.

4. How can I contact SourcePoint for help or information?

You can call SourcePoint, visit their website, or drop in to connect with community resource navigators for guidance and support related to aging services.

5. Are there opportunities to volunteer or work with SourcePoint?

Yes. SourcePoint relies on dedicated volunteers, especially for programs like Meals on Wheels, and offers opportunities for community members to get involved, starting as volunteers or interns and sometimes leading to employment.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

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And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

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Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

Full transcript & key moments from "SourcePoint":

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Listener Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by the experts interviewed on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations. The information provided in these interviews is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for specific advice or information related to their individual circumstances. The podcast host and producers do not endorse or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided by the experts interviewed. Listener discretion is advised.

We are Looking Forward Our Way. Hi, this is Brett. Our national

population of older adults is growing rapidly, but here in Ohio,

Delaware county is growing in every age category. The county has a

median age of just under 40, while the population of those

65 and above doubled between 2010

and 2022. With 40,000

individuals over the age of 65, 16% of the

county's population of 238,000,

Delaware County has a challenge to provide needed services for

every group from K12 to elders. With us today is Fara

Waugh, chief executive officer of SourcePoint, where Delaware

County's older adults are thriving. Thanks so much for joining

us today. Thank you. Hello. I appreciate

you having me. It's so good to see you, Farah. Our paths

have crossed a lot over the years. SourcePoint was

a great partner with employment for seniors. And I was always up

there talking to people, and they would usually look at me like,

what? What a job? No, because they were having way too

much fun at SourcePoint, needless to say

so. But we wanted to have an opportunity to talk about

your services because it's really. This is a little different than

the folks in Franklin county are used to hearing about. So. So thank you again

for your time. Thank you. Before we really get into your

expertise, into this podcast regarding

all of these issues, You've been at SourcePoint for over 30

years. Yes. And with your background in social work

and mental health counseling, you really have a handle on

what the issues are. Tell us more about that journey

you took to SourcePoint and sort of what kept you in this career field all

these years. Well, thank you, Carol. It's really a

pleasure to be here. I started my career in social work

in mental health, as you mentioned. But it was early

in my career that I recognized the importance of

supporting older adults. I worked first

at the hospital setting, in the hospital setting, and then

I went to the Alzheimer's association, and it was there,

and it was really a. A joy. Just being with the older adults

was a joy of mine, and that has remained

to this day. But knowing that they need the kind of

support, that supporting older adults as they age

is very important, and especially as it becomes

more complex, what's kept me here for 30 years,

I love the job. I love the people that I work with, of course, but

it's really the impact that we have at

SourcePoint on the lives of the older adults that we serve.

Every day, we're helping people stay independent,

stay connected, and live life to the fullest on their own terms. And I

actually get to Witness that each day. And it's really

incredible, meaningful work. And I feel very

fortunate. You know, I wonder if that does happen in

services for older adults, because we used to say the same thing at Employment for

seniors. And with all of our volunteers who would go in and talk

to clients every day, they knew they made a difference in

somebody's life. And you don't always see that when you're working in

government or nonprofit. You're too distant

from the individual that you're helping. That's very true. And it's true

even when I worked in the hospital setting, you were

oftentimes seeing folks at their most vulnerable

and not necessarily in the best circumstances. And we,

we see the whole spectrum at SourcePoint, from

healthy and vigorous to those that are needing more support.

But you get to see everybody doing it the way they want to do it.

Very true. Nice. Well, each of us has our

own idea of what an older adult needs, and we are likely

wrong. There are many issues that our old

relatives and friends face each day, such as health conditions. What

do you see as the major challenges your clients tackle daily?

Well, the needs are broad and they're as varied as the

individuals that we serve, but they're also

often layered. And so many older adults

are managing chronic health conditions while also

trying to keep up with the cost of housing, food,

prescriptions, and transportation, all on a

fixed income. Access to affordable and

accessible housing is a growing concern,

especially when someone wants to remain in their home,

but the home itself no longer fits their mobility needs. So that

becomes a challenge. We also see, especially

during the pandemic, and since that

time, social isolation that's become

huge with all ages, but particularly with older

adults. There's caregiver stress and the

emotional toll also that comes along with loss,

changing health or cognitive decline.

And increasingly, this is a little bit on a lighter note, but

increasingly, there's also a digital divide with older

adults. And technology now, as we all know, affects

every part of our life, from scheduling

medical appointments to using telehealth and managing benefits,

as well as staying connected with family. All of that

requires technology. If older adults don't

have access to devices or Internet service,

or they lack the confidence or skills needed

to use that technology, it can directly

affect their health, independence, and the quality of life

that they have. I just saw something post up on LinkedIn

that the Columbus Metropolitan Club just had a topic, and we

were recording this in April, so they always have those online, so you can go

and see it. But the topic was of older adult homelessness. Yes,

Which I had to comment going, it's

mind boggling that we even have to put all those words together

and that it exists. Yes, it's mind boggling.

You should not have to worry about that. As you

progressively go through life after you've paid for housing

for 40, 50, 60 years, paid for taxes, paid for services,

there's just, ultimately, there's no reason for it.

I mean, it ranks right up there with any support for veterans

that you've gone through, what you've gone through. And for children, I

mean, we have. You know, Delaware's young

K12 population is just growing

rapidly, but there are as many older

adults who need help as children K through 12. Yes, that's

very true. You know, the other thing, too, and one of the things

that I was excited that we're gonna get to talk about, is that

SourcePoint really does have that huge broad

spectrum of. Of services. So you've got the person

who is learning music, learning art, doing crafts

to the caregiver, taking care of the person who is

potentially bedridden. As you said, the chronic

diseases and all of those

pieces are so important. I'm coming from

the issue of caregiving, too, because I did that, and that's actually

how I started learning about services for older adults.

Because at the time when I was taking care of my parents, which has

been over 20 years ago now, unless you qualified

financially, you couldn't even get information. That's what I was

appalled. I'm like, I'm not asking for you to do anything.

I'm not asking for you to give me money. I'm just asking you,

what do I do? Who do I call? Where are these services

that I can use or can pay for? And nobody could answer that. And

Tony Carroll, who was just an incredibly

delightful, wonderful person from Franklin county ag, and I had

a lot of conversations about that, that people

needed the information whether they qualified or not.

They do. Yeah. See, connecting with that information

is the starting point. Absolutely. Absolutely. And many

people don't. Don't make that initial contact until

they're in crisis. Exactly. Which is really what

happened with me, because my mom died and she was my dad's caregiver,

so I became his caregiver. And at the point

in time in which I had left her

in the emergency room, we didn't even know what medication he had taken

that day. So I had to get in touch with a doctor

on the phone and explain all the medication. And we had to

guess what to give him that night before he went to sleep. Oh, wow.

I mean, it was. It really is scary. It is very

scary. And caregivers, thank goodness we're starting to pay attention to their

issues and needs. So that my commentary for the

moment. So as I was saying,

the services are incredible and very wide across the spectrum.

And at SourcePoint, three major services, as I

mentioned, in home care community programs, your

directory of resources, those are. I just sort of

encapsulated all of that you do into those three areas.

Let's first hear about the in home care services and

are they likely the most critical to a person's daily

needs? Our in Home care services,

which is really our flagship program in

home care, it's truly at the heart of

helping people age in community and that's what they want to

do. They want to age in their own homes, age in the community that

they live in. For some, that starts with the caring

and professional services of a licensed social worker

who works with the older individual and sometimes their caregivers,

as you were talking about Carol, to determine their needs

and develop and coordinate a person centered

plan of care. This may start with setting up

Meals on Wheels, which is much more than a meal.

It not only provides the nutritional support that

everyone needs, it also provides a regular safety check

and offers a point of connection for someone who may

otherwise be isolated. They may never see another person that

day, but someone that brings in their meal and always has a

friendly conversation with them and a smile, they always appreciate

that. And our volunteers who deliver those meals appreciate

that as well. Beyond the

Meals on Wheels, our in Home care service plans can

also include things like personal care, which is help with bathing

and dressing and personal hygiene, homemaking

services, which are light housekeeping duties

and medical transportation, emergency

response systems, which are the buttons that are either worn on the wrist

or around the neck, and

other supports that help people remain safe at home.

What's important about our in home care services is that we

we do not look at people through just one need or

a single lens. We actually look at

the whole situation and help build the

right combination of services so older adults can

maintain their dignity, their independence and

stability. So I would say it's one of our, like I

say, it's our flagship program and it is

a key to helping folks stay in their community.

It seems like, and I may be wrong about this, transportation

and no longer being able to drive is

sometimes the first step in what could become a

crisis when someone suddenly doesn't have

that independence and may not have anybody that they can depend on for

transportation. We did the Carfit podcast several

Years ago. And it was more fun to talk about, but scary to

think about because we'll all be in that spot at some point in time.

Yes. But I would. I would speak for yourself.

Okay. What's the saying?

You'll get those clay keys out of my cold hands.

Exactly. Yes. Well, you know, I. I have a. I have a. I

only. Joke. I joke. I. I have a wonderful Cousin who turned 70,

97 this year, finally gave up her keys.

Finally. And it was like. But she has an

incredible group of nieces who. They divided

up the issues and the

areas, you know, medical one, grocery another,

church another. And everybody has their responsibilities

and making sure she gets where she needs to be. That's

very fortunate that she has that kind of support. Right, right.

And they live near each other, which in a. That's in

Franklin county. In Delaware County. People are possibly more spread out.

Yes, yes, definitely. I know. My parents live in Delaware

county, and there's been times that they have not been able to drive.

And I feel fortunate because I also live in Delaware county and

am able to take them, but I know so many that

aren't. And, you know, if I

weren't available. We do have a really

great evolving transportation system in Delaware

County. Delaware County Transit, they're a

great partner that we work with. They've gone through a lot of changes, but I

think they're on the right track. They really are. They're really expanding. They

have grown in the number of trips that they provide. And we have a

very strong partnership with them to provide transportation.

But it's expensive to provide

transportation to. Transportation is costly. And

because of what you mentioned, people being spread out and maybe services

not being close to where they're living, it does

make it to be a challenge for them.

We've all been in a caregiving situation when finding resources

was the first critical step. Can you give us more details on the various

community programs provided by SourcePoint and that resources

directory that Carol mentioned a little bit? Yes. Yes. Our community

programs are about connection, education

and prevention. We talked about the spectrum that we

offer. We offer fitness and wellness classes, the creative

arts that we were talking about earlier, caregiver support

groups, and educational workshops. We also do

Medicare and insurance guidance. We provide kind of

counseling through making those kind of selections.

I will attest to the workshops that SourcePoint does on Medicare

are the best. Thank you very much. We

have a great team of insurance specialists at SourcePoint and

they stay abreast. They also assist in connecting

them with other benefits as well as just learning the

language of Medicare was huge. Yes. It's a

difficult maze to navigate. And

these programs matter, of course, because good aging is

not only about responding to crisis, but it's also

about maintaining physical health, cognitive health,

social interaction, and a sense of purpose

that's very, very important. We do have

our directory of community resources, but to

supplement and enhance those community that,

that resource book and

directory that we have, our community resource

Navigators, they're a core part of what we

do, and they help individuals and

families navigate through that maze of

resources and help them to hone in

on what's important or needed by them and their loved

ones. It can be an overwhelming system and

it's, I mean, it's volume has a volume of

services that have to be navigated. So sometimes people

don't even know what, where

to start, as we talked about. And that's where we

can come in and where those community resource navigators can

help them. Are the navigators individuals working

for SourcePoint? Yes, they are. So it's sort of like a call in

customer service type center or a drop in. We have people who

drop in. We have people that call in or maybe make an appointment

to come in. Our community resource navigators can help

connect folks to the community resources, but also

get them engaged with SourcePoint and learn more about what

we have to offer and what might meet their needs through

our programming as well. But we, we

look at the entire community of resources and our

partners, many of whom we partner with, to provide

services to the older adults in Delaware County. That sounds like a

fun job. Yeah, yeah, I think it really is. And I think people

really do appreciate them. Oh, yeah. Talk to people on the phone all day. You

can do that.

You're more of a person to person, though. I think you'd want the drop inside.

Oh, I could do that too. There you go. I see you doing the drop.

I was gonna say, you know, I'll let you know when next time we have

a job opening. Yeah, I think that would be fun. You know,

they say when you know a PhD, it's piled higher and deeper. I could talk

to anybody about anything.

But, you know, again, for listeners, if

you're interested in working

and being involved, organizations like SourcePoint are

a great place that maybe you start as a volunteer, but who knows where that

goes? Oh, yeah, we have several employees that started as volunteers.

We have several that started as student interns.

Yes. And we're always. Our Meals on

Wheels program is, is really run by

volunteers. I don't want to say it's managed by Volunteers. But all of our

meals, pretty much all of our meals are delivered by,

by dedicated volunteers. They deliver the same day, the same

route every week. And we're so grateful we

could not replace the volunteers and the services that

they provide. Yeah. Compared to the,

what Meals on Wheels costs. Compared to what it could cost. Oh,

yes. If you didn't have a volunteer team. Absolutely. Yes.

We have volunteers that help in the kitchen too. We have you, we volunteers that

do everything. You do not want me in the kitchen. I, I

will promise you that that's not going to happen.

I'm probably the only Italian in, in town that can't cook.

I didn't know that was possible. I know. Neither

did I, but yeah, it is. It's absolutely. It's absolutely.

I always said I was, it was a good thing I'm not a picky eater

because I just starved to death.

Members of our audience are likely to be familiar

with the levies. You know, not every county has a levy,

but those in areas that do have a county levy

that provide services to older adults, folks

know about it. Franklin is the largest in central

Ohio. Delaware also has a very large funding

base. But before we get into the actual funding

details, can you provide us a little bit of an overview on the

funding streams people hear? They hear levy,

they hear the Older Americans act, they hear federal money, they hear

state aging services. It's confusing.

Yes, well, aging services is a

mix of local, federal and private support.

At the federal level, the Older Americans act

provides funding for services like Meals on Wheels,

caregiver support, some transportation and other

community based supports. In Ohio, those

dollars flow through the Ohio Department of

Aging and area Agencies on Aging before

reaching local providers like SourcePoint. The state

plays more of an administrative and coordinating role.

And there are a few state supported

aging initiatives where funding is connected with

certain services. But for SourcePoint, the most

significant and reliable support comes from

local levy funding. That local investment

is what allows us to respond to the needs

that we see in Delaware County. Federal funding

is important, but it doesn't come close

to keeping pace with the full

demand for services and certainly doesn't keep

pace with the true cost of providing those services. Right,

right. Employment for seniors was a very

small, very simplistic model of

an agency. And I was amazed at the complexity of

funding out there. And we were only in one

little, tiny, tiny section. And I've been to meetings

at Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging and

the nomenclature of issues and

funding streams and the

limitations on those dollars is amazing. Yes,

it's not a Lot of restrictions that go along with, particularly with

federal dollars. Right, right, right, yeah. So the Delaware

County Senior Services levy provides a large funding

base. It's administered through SourcePoint, which is a

nonprofit as opposed to a governmental office. Often the funds just

pass through. So how is the structure advantageous for

Delaware county? And what happens in a county when no levy dollars are

collected? One advantage of Delaware County's

structure is flexibility. Because SourcePoint

is a nonprofit organization focused solely on aging

services, we can be responsive,

innovative, and deeply specialized. We don't have

quite the same restrictions that, as I mentioned, the federal

funds would place on us. We can braid together

levy dollars, grants, donations,

service fees, and volunteer

support. As I mentioned, that's a huge

factor to build a more comprehensive system

than any single funding source could provide by itself.

It also helps that decisions stay close in the

community. We can design

services around local needs rather than using a one

size fits all model. In counties

without levy dollars, services are often,

if not always limited, very limited, and depend

heavily on federal and what little state

funding is available, which usually, as I

mentioned before, it's usually not enough to meet the

needs. Even in some of the smaller counties that don't have

those levies. And that can mean fewer services, and it can mean

long waiting lists or less capacity to help

people before they reach a crisis point, which is much more

costly, even

in funding that comes from the state and federal government

under Medicaid. So that's a more costly alternative if

you wait until the crisis hits. When I was on the

advisory council with coaa, that was one of the things that I

quickly found from hearing from

individuals from the different counties and different agencies, is

not having the waiting list, particularly when Covid hit.

Because suddenly it wasn't just a senior who

couldn't go grocery shopping. Nobody could go grocery

shopping. I mean, it was their word. We were at a crisis.

And because there was some flexibility

in funding and some additional dollars coming in for those

counties in had long waiting

lists, people literally could have starved to death. Yes,

yes, it was pretty awful, Covid.

We've said this because it seems like no matter what the topic is of our

podcast, Covid always is a topic. But one of the things that we

have said in other episodes,

Covid didn't just bring out a crisis.

It let us see, look at the crisis,

look at the issues in a different light. Yes. So

we now look at the digital divide not just

as somebody who can't figure out how to use a remote control,

but how can technology make that person

safer in their Home. That's exactly right. And it really brought up a lot of

things that we probably would not have ever

seen or not dealt with for a long time. Not that I. I'm asking.

I'm saying that Covid was a good idea by any stretch of the imagination,

but. Yeah. Yeah. So, yeah.

Do you see the other counties who don't

have levies getting levies soon?

Well, most counties in Ohio do have some sort

of levy. They all operate differently.

Ours operates similarly to Franklin

County's levy, but

I guess it kind of depends on what happens

both legislatively and in future

elections. I know that there's a lot of focus on

property tax levies, particularly. Not all senior

services levies, though, are property tax levies. Some are income

taxed. But as I know,

many of us have concerns if those

property taxes are eliminated, as is being

discussed, if those property taxes are eliminated, then

that money has to be made up in some way and that'll

be more likely higher

sales tax, which always hits the. Those with lower

incomes harder than it does with higher incomes.

So I think it's

a great opportunity. And I know we see our neighboring state,

Michigan, not all states have this as an option either. And we

see our neighboring state, Michigan, has actually begun to

go for property tax levies to fund senior services as

well. Yes. I was speaking with some colleagues at

a aging conference last week and they

shared how many more counties

are putting ballots or putting levies on the

ballot. Interesting. Is SourcePoint's levy

considered a property tax? It is. So that

is huge. Yes, very much so. The

levy supports many of the services

that help people maintain and

remain independent and avoid more costly care, which we talked

about. I mean, that really is one of the biggest factors in

having a levy funded program,

and it includes the Meals on Wheels, because the federal

funding that we receive for our Meals on Wheels program is

about a third of the actual cost of the meal. And

as you mentioned, the costs would be more significant if

we didn't have the support of our volunteers as well.

It also supports the transportation to medical appointments that we provide

and the care coordination that our licensed social workers provide,

respite, personal care, and a range of supports for family

caregivers. So it's critical. And this,

the levy funding in Delaware county actually

fills the gaps that other funding sources

do not fully cover. And between 75 and

80% of our overall

funding comes from that local levy. And 77%

of our expenses actually goes

directly to programs and services that. That support

older adults. So the local support

also helps make it possible to offer programs at

reduced cost and to respond when federal

funding doesn't cover the full cost or

as what has occurred twice now this year. It

helps us to provide the services even during delayed

reimbursement, which is what occurs under federal

government shutdown. Shutdown. You know,

I understand why people are frustrated, but

I hope that before you go to the ballot box,

you really do your homework and see what will be missing. Because the

group that is behind getting rid of the

county property taxes have come right out and said it's not their

problem to figure out where the money will come from. Right.

Which I think is unconscionable. But again, I understand their

frustration because things could have been dealt with a long time ago that the

legislatures didn't do. But

I guess I just want to encourage folks to please be sure you know what

you're voting for or against before you walk into the

ballot box. Yes. And don't sign a petition unless you know what you're saying.

Exactly. Well, and again, it sounds like we're against it, but it's one of those.

But it's be educated before you do. Maybe it is something that you truly don't

want. But also know what the domino effect is of where it goes.

And we had a really good episode with Franklin County

Auditor Michael Stanziano. That's a good one to listen to as well, to

understand how to even read

what the property tax looks like. So you're not overtaxed

or that sort of thing. But yes. Yeah. This is a much

more complex issue than just saying you want to get rid of it.

You need to look at it a little bit deeper. And again, it could be

the right thing. I don't, you know, that's not ours to say,

it's ours for. This platform is to do your homework.

Right? Exactly. Do your homework and see what happens. Yeah, yeah,

it's. Yeah, yeah. So are there any new programs

or services coming to SourcePoint that you want to talk about? Well, it probably won't

surprise you that one of the areas we're focused on is

improving digital access to older adults

technology. Again, it's part of healthcare, communication,

financial safety and everyday independence. Today

we want to continue helping older adults build confidence

in using their devices, accessing the Internet,

to telehealth, online forums, all of those things, and the tools

that allow them to stay informed and connected more

broadly. Our future work is about keeping pace

with growth in Delaware county while

preserving the personal community based approach that

defines Source Point. As the population grows,

we want to continue strengthening in home care services,

care, caregiver support, opportunities for social connection,

and practical resources that help people thrive after 55.

So Farah, we always allow or ask

our guests to give us some last words of wisdom.

Tell us about what you want to make sure our listeners

hear well. First and foremost, call SourcePoint

or visit us on the Internet. Visit our

website. But I would also simply

encourage listeners to think about aging differently.

Aging is not someone else's issue. It's a

family issue, a community issue, and

if we're fortunate, a future all of us will share.

And the best time to learn about resources, make

plans and and build supportive communities is before there is a

crisis. I would also say this

Older adults bring tremendous value to our communities.

And when we invest in helping people remain healthy,

connected and independent, we're not only supporting individuals, we

are strengthening families and our

communities.