Liberty seniors learn of services offered by federal agency

LIBERTY

The decades after retirement are supposed to be the “golden years,” but for some seniors, growing older can come with a sense of isolation and disempowerment.

A spokeswoman for Ohio District 11 Area Agency on Agency 11, addressed a group of Liberty Township seniors Thursday about some of the issues they may face and the support that is available.

“Growing older doesn’t mean you lose your rights,” said Lisa Solley. “The best thing we can do is educate you and allow you to make choices.”

The “role-reversal” many seniors experience when their children become their caretakers no longer being able to perform tasks such as driving are difficult, she said.

“It’s very common not want to give up your car keys because you see that as your last bit of control,” she said.

Resources such as transportation, legal aid and chore services are available to seniors in Trumbull County through Title III funds designated by the federal Older Americans Act, she noted. She also referred to services made available from county senior levies such as the five-year renewal of a 0.75-mill senior levy passed by Trumbull voters in 2015.

Solley encouraged seniors to develop end-of-life plans, no matter how unpleasant such topics may be, and to be proactive about their health.

“Our motto is to know us before you need us,” she said of the Area Agency on Aging. “Old age is not a disease. We’re all aging from the day that we’re born.

Read more about the event and AAA services in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.