Westside Messenger - May 15th, 2022

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Active Lifestyles
WESTSIDE MESSENGER - May 15, 2022 PAGE 9
Franklin County Board of Commissioners: President Erica C. Crawley • Commissioner John O’Grady, and Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners and The Franklin County Office on Aging join with the Messenger Newspaper in providing this update on aging issues in Franklin County.
Older Americans Month
There is more to recognize in the month of May than Cinco de Mayo and
Mother’s Day. In fact, May is also recognized as Older Americans Month
(OAM). Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the
celebration of OAM in order to celebrate the contributions and continued impact
our senior residents have within our community. In Franklin County, nearly
234,000 older adults play vital, positive roles in our community – as family
members, friends, mentors, volunteers, civic leaders, members of the workforce
and more. Just as every person is unique, so too is how they age and how they
choose to do it – and there is no “right” way. That’s why the theme for OAM
2022 is Age My Way.
This year’s theme for OAM focuses on how older adults can age in their communities
while maintaining to live independently for as long as possible. The Franklin
County Office on Aging has always been committed to providing the essential
resources seniors and their families need in order to remain independent, safe
and together for as long as possible. While Age My Way will look different for
each person, there are common things everyone can consider:
• Planning – Think about what you will need and want in the future as an older
adult, from home and community-based services to community activities that
interest you. Learn more about what programs and services are offered in your
community by visiting the Office on Aging’s website. (Officeonaging.org)
• Engagement – Remain involved and contribute to your community through
work, volunteer, and/or civic participation opportunities. The Office on Aging
provides community support, outreach and specialized services to older adults so
they can improve their ability to live and function in the community.
• Access – Make home improvements and modifications, use assistive technologies,
and customize supports to help you better age in place. The Minor Home
Repair Program offered through the Office on Aging ensures that your home is
safe and secure.
• Connection – Maintain social activities and relationships to combat social
isolation and stay connected to your community. The Office on Aging can
connect seniors to care and support services when facing mental and emotional
health challenges, including a free online tool called CredibleMind (Franklin-
CountyOhio.CredibleMind.com) which connects residents and families to
national and local mental health services.
Diverse communities are strong communities. The Office on Aging works every
day to ensure that older adults remain involved and included within our community
by providing centralized access to programs and support services needed in
order to preserve their independence.
Since 1993, the Office on Aging has provided services like home-delivered
meals, personal care and adult day care through its Senior Options program. It is
the “one-stop shop” for seniors to gain information and access to these services
so they can preserve their independence and experience an improved quality of
life. The Agency also provides Minor Home Repairs such as repair services to
main walkways and steps, to other minor plumbing, electrical, gas and furnace
repairs. These services allow senior residents to live in their homes free of barriers
and unsafe conditions.
In addition to ensuring the homes of older residents are free of barriers and
unsafe conditions, the Office on Aging also focuses on making sure their physical
and emotional well-being is safe as well. The Agency’s Adult Protective
Services prevent, remedy, or reduce situations that endanger an older adult and
are meant to maximize their independence and self-direction.
Lastly, the Office on Aging also provides support for caregivers including adult
day services, caregiver counseling, kinship support services and more. These
services are available to non-paid caregivers of adults aged 60 and older who
have a need for home care assistance, non-paid parents or relatives aged 55 or
older caring for an adult child with disabilities, and kinship caregivers aged 55 or
older who are caring full-time for a minor child that is not their biological child.
All of the services provided by the Office on Aging are here to help older
residents Age My Way. There is little to no cost for residents to participate in
these programs and services, and a simple call can help you, your loved ones and
your family maintain living independently in your own home.
To learn more about the programs and support services provided by the Franklin
County Office on Aging, visit officeonaging.org or call (614) 525-5230.