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Local programs can help seniors maintain choice, independence
By Sarah Lehr
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.
Lisa Solley, a spokeswoman for Area Agency on Aging 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,” Solley said. “The best thing we can do is educate you and allow you to make choices.”
She spoke of the “role-reversal” many seniors experience when their children become their caretakers and acknowledged how difficult it can be to no longer be able to perform tasks such as driving.
“It’s very common to not want to give up your car keys because you see that as your last bit of control,” Solley 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, Solley 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 and, frankly it’s better than the alternative.”
Thursday’s event, which was open to all Liberty residents 60 and older, also served to highlight the township’s senior watch program. The program allows seniors to register for daily welfare check-in calls. Additionally, the program provides lock boxes and free installation or battery replacement for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Officials with the Liberty police and fire departments were on hand Thursday to answer questions and provide complimentary blood-pressure screenings. Representatives of Trumbull County’s Mobile Meals program offered information about its meal-delivery program and distributed kits from the “Vial of Life” project. “Life vials” contain instructional paperwork and fridge decals to alert first responders to necessary medication in the event of an emergency.
Jodi Stoyak, a township trustee and a longtime volunteer for Mobile Meals, dubbed the event a success, estimating that about 20 new residents took the opportunity to register for the senior watch program. Close to 140 seniors were already registered prior to the event, according to the township.
Liberty resident Fran Dreyfus, 84, said that while she can still drive and has maintained much of her independence, she was glad she educated herself about the resources available.
“We may never know when we may need these services,” she said. “I plan to stay in this community.”
To register for the Liberty Township Senior Watch Program, call 330-759-1315 ext. 210 . Contact Trumbull Mobile Meals at 330-394-2538 . Visit www.aaa11.org to learn more about the Area Agency on Aging 11 serving Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties.