Ohio Center for Hope

04/27/2026

🌟 A Heartfelt Thank You to Lakiksha Metcalf
We are filled with immense gratitude today at the Ohio Center for Hope. We recently had the honor of hosting the incredible Lakiksha Metcalf, who shared her powerful journey and wisdom with our inpatient community.

Lakiksha spoke candidly about the realities of mental health struggles, offering our residents a roadmap for recovery built on two unshakable pillars: Resilience and Faith.

Key Takeaways from the Session:
The Power of Resilience: Understanding that setbacks aren't failures, but opportunities to build inner strength.

Walking by Faith: How spiritual grounding can provide light and hope even in the darkest moments.

Practical Battling: Strategies for navigating daily mental health challenges with grace and determination.

To Lakiksha: Thank you for your vulnerability, your passion, and for reminding our residents that they are not alone in this fight. Your words have planted seeds of hope that will continue to grow long after today.

01/19/2026

10 Brain Games That Boost Memory
https://www.ohiocenterforhope.org/post/10-brain-games-and-other-activities-that-boost-memory

01/19/2026

https://www.ohiocenterforhope.org/post/how-normal-memory-aging-differs-from-dementia

Memory aging and dementia can look similar at first, but they are fundamentally different in cause, severity, and progression. Here’s a side-by-side explanation.

01/19/2026

https://www.ohiocenterforhope.org/post/staying-safe-and-healthy-during-cold-weather-tips-for-older-adults

Cold weather affects the body differently with age, increasing the risk of illness and injury. The good news? With a few simple precautions, winter can remain a safe and comfortable season.

12/12/2025

Supporting someone with Sickle Cell Disease

Supporting someone with sickle cell disease (SCD) involves both practical help and emotional support. Here are some keyways you can be there for them:

🩺 Understand Their Condition
• Learn about SCD: It’s a genetic blood disorder that affects hemoglobin, leading to painful “crises,” anemia, fatigue, and risk of complications.
• Recognize triggers: Common triggers for pain crises include dehydration, cold temperatures, stress, infections, and lack of oxygen.

💙 Emotional Support
• Be patient and empathetic: Pain crises can be very intense and unpredictable. Offering understanding, not judgment, is crucial.
• Check in regularly: Living with a chronic illness can be isolating, consistent communication helps.
• Respect their limits: Fatigue is common. Don’t pressure them to “push through” when they need rest.

🛠 Practical Support
• Encourage hydration: Carrying water and reminding them to drink helps reduce crises.
• Help with appointments: Offer rides, go with them for support, or help keep track of medications and check-ups.
• Assist during crises: If they’re in severe pain, help them get comfortable, keep them warm, and know when hospital care is
needed.

🍲 Lifestyle & Wellness Support
• Balanced diet: Encourage nutrient-rich foods, especially those with folate, vitamins, and minerals that support red blood cell health.
• Avoid infections: Encourage handwashing, vaccinations, and staying away from sick contacts.
• Encourage safe exercise: Light activity is usually good, but overexertion can be harmful.

🚨 Know When to Seek Emergency Help
Call a doctor or emergency services if they have:
• Severe pain not relieved by usual meds
• Fever (infections can be life-threatening)
• Chest pain or trouble breathing
• Sudden weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking

🌍 Advocacy & Long-Term Support
• Support their rights: People with SCD sometimes face stigma, especially around needing pain medication. Advocate for them if needed.
• Encourage self-advocacy: Help them feel confident discussing their needs with doctors, employers, or educators.

✅ Sickle Cell Support Checklist

🔹 Everyday Support
• Encourage regular hydration (carry water, remind them to drink)
• Remind about medications and help track schedules
• Support healthy eating (iron-rich, folate, vitamins, balanced meals)
• Promote rest and pacing—don’t push them when fatigued
• Check in emotionally—offer empathy, not pressure

🔹 Preventing Crises
• Help them avoid cold (bring a jacket, keep warm)
• Encourage stress management (relaxation, breaks, support)
• Keep them away from infections (handwashing, vaccines, avoiding sick contacts)
• Avoid dehydration, overexertion, or low-oxygen situations (like very high altitudes)

🔹 During a Pain Crisis
• Stay calm and listen to their needs
• Help them get comfortable—warm blankets, quiet environment
• Offer hydration if they can drink
• Remind or assist with prescribed pain medication
• Monitor symptoms and be ready to escalate if needed

🚨 Call Emergency Help If:
• High fever (≥101°F / 38.3°C)
• Severe pain not relieved by usual meds
• Chest pain, cough, or trouble breathing
• Sudden weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking
• Signs of infection (chills, sore throat, burning when urinating)

🔹 Emotional & Long-Term
• Advocate for them if others doubt their pain
• Offer to accompany them to medical appointments
• Support with school, work, or social adjustments
• Encourage rest and self-care without guilt

** Our sister organization, Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research, is currently conducting a PAID clinical study on Sickle Cell Disease. For more information see: https://www.nbclinicalresearch.com/sickle-cell or call 330-493-1118

Discover hope and support at The Ohio Center for Hope

OCH is a non-profit dedicated to mental health wellness and positive aging. We offer confidential mental health screenings, comprehensive memory assessments at our Memory Clinic, and facilitate community-based referrals when necessary. Our mission is to break the stigma surrounding mental health, raise awareness about the power of early detection in slowing memory loss, and empower individuals to live vibrant, healthy lives.

Local transportation options may be available.

Best of all, our services are completely free — no insurance required.

Start your journey to a brighter future today—call us at 330-493-1118

Seeking help for mental illness, addiction, or memory loss shouldn't be a burden. The Ohio Center for Hope is here to provide compassionate, individualized, and life-changing care, completely free of charge.

12/12/2025

Accommodating Older Guests During the Holidays

If your family’s boisterous holiday gatherings include older adults, you may have noticed they become uncharacteristically quiet, observing but not joining the commotion swirling around them.

Retreating isn’t surprising, says Kathryn Kilpatrick, who has worked with older adults for most of her long career. When you live alone, a holiday gathering can overload the senses. Add poor hearing and eyesight, memory decline, and a break from routine to the mix, and a holiday gathering — no matter how fun — can be tough.

Here are Kilpatrick’s suggestions, along with one of ours, for easing the stress:
https://www.ohiocenterforhope.org/blog

11/25/2025

Thanksgiving Gratitude!

This weekend, we were blessed to provide Thanksgiving dinners for nearly 200 people. Complete with a whole turkey, stuffing, veggies, a dessert, and a roasting pan to bring it all together.

We also donated some of those meals to Canton for All People's Shorb market so even more families could enjoy a warm holiday dinner.

Moments like these remind us why we do what we do. We are truly grateful for the chance to serve and hope our community always feels our support and care.

Wishing everyone comfort, connection, and joy this season!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The staff of Ohio Center for Hope and Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research

11/19/2025

Thanksgiving Dinner Giveaway

At Ohio Center for Hope, we’re giving 50 local families the ingredients for a free Thanksgiving dinner. Meal includes a turkey, roasting pan, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, cranberry sauce and a dessert.

No Judgement, No Hoops - just blessing your family with a meal.

Limited to one dinner per household. Pick up will require proof of address, such as a piece of mail, government ID or utility bill matching the name submitted.

Pick up is at 11:00 AM, this Saturday, November 22nd, at 5080 Aultman Rd, North Canton, OH 44720

Questions – email [email protected]

Sign up at https://www.ohiocenterforhope.org/thanksgiving-giveaway

Seeking help for mental illness, addiction, or memory loss shouldn't be a burden. The Ohio Center for Hope is here to provide compassionate, individualized, and life-changing care, completely free of charge.

10/30/2025

Halloween lunch at Ohio Center for Hope

09/23/2025

4 REASONS TO GET A FREE MEMORY SCREENING

We all forget things from time to time — where we left the car keys, the name of someone we just met, or what we walked into a room for. Most of the time, it’s nothing to worry about. But sometimes, memory changes can be an early sign of something more serious. That’s where a memory screening comes in.

A memory screening is a quick, simple check-up for your brain. It only takes a few minutes and can give you important insight into your cognitive health. Here are four reasons why it’s worth scheduling one.

1. Catch Concerns Early
Alzheimer’s disease can live in the body for up to 10 years before symptoms show up. That means by the time memory loss becomes noticeable, the condition may already be advanced. A screening helps spot possible warning signs earlier, giving you and your family more time to prepare, explore treatments, and make healthy lifestyle changes that can make a difference.

2. Put Your Mind at Ease
Not all memory slips point to dementia. Stress, poor sleep, or even medication side effects can cause forgetfulness. A memory screening can help rule out bigger concerns and give you peace of mind. Sometimes, just knowing your memory is in good shape can lift a huge weight off your shoulders.

3. Take Control of Your Health
If a screening shows something worth looking into, you’ll be able to act sooner. Doctors can track changes over time, recommend strategies to keep your brain sharp, and connect you with resources. Simple things like staying active, eating well, and staying socially engaged can have a big impact — and they’re most effective when started early.

4. Plan Ahead with Confidence
When you know where you stand, you can make decisions about the future with clarity. Whether it’s personal, financial, or medical planning, early awareness gives you the power to take charge, involve loved ones, and access support before a crisis arises.

The Takeaway
A memory screening is quick, painless, and could give you peace of mind — or help you catch something important before it’s too late. Since conditions like Alzheimer’s can develop silently for years, early detection is one of the best tools we have.
Think of it like a check-up for your brain. A few minutes today could make a big difference tomorrow.

Discover Innovative Medical Breakthroughs at Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research

Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research (NBR) is a nationally recognized leader in CNS research, ranked among the top 10 facilities in the country. Founded by Dr. Shishuka Malhotra, NBR is dedicated to advancing mental health and memory loss treatment through cutting-edge clinical trials.
With over 200 studies conducted, our expert team is committed to breaking the stigma around mental health, raising awareness that early detection can slow memory loss progression, and empowering patients to lead healthier lives. Best of all, our services are completely free—no insurance required.

Take the first step toward a brighter future. Join a clinical trial today!

330-493-1113