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HAMILTON — Butler County commissioners appear ready to back the Council on Aging's recommendation that a contract for senior services go to LifeSpan, Inc., though they're trying to assuage concerns of the local senior centers left out in the cold.

Oxford Senior Center Director Joan Potter-Sommer presented commissioners with a petition Thursday, Aug. 28, that she said included 449 signatures asking for a case manager to be kept at the senior center.

"Through its current proposal, LifeSpan has effectively eliminated the senior centers from being a point of entry," Potter-Sommer stated in an accompanying letter to commissioners. "I am asking you to step in and intervene to assure that Butler County's older adults continue to have access to (senior) care managers in a familiar and all encompassing location."

Potter-Sommer said she could live without the contract, unlike Partners in Prime officials in Hamilton, who predict financial turmoil without it. But she wants LifeSpan to keep the same caseworker housed in the center where the clients are.

Commissioners thanked her for her input. "I will do what I can to encourage LifeSpan...to keep all caseworkers," said Commissioner Gregory Jolivette.

Jolivette then cited a study by the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University recommending a consolidation of services, and said the plan will save money that can be used to bolster senior services.

"Our number one concern is for the elderly in Butler County," said Commission President Charles Furmon.

LifeSpan CEO Cynthia Stever said no matter who gets the contract, there will be case managers in Oxford. She added that, if LifeSpan receives the contract, it will "recruit and seriously consider" existing case managers.

"Most of the time that case manager will be in the field making home visits and that sort of thing," Stever said.

The Council on Aging recommended LifeSpan for the contract Aug. 21 after LifeSpan submitted a $1.68 million bid to take over case management countywide. Senior centers in Hamilton, Middletown and Oxford went together and submitted a bid for roughly $2.11 million.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 jsweigart@coxohio.com.