By Teresa Carr

Adams County Senior Council

Administrative Assistant

All-County Senior Citizens Day is this Thursday! We would like to offer a big “Thank You” to our Platinum Sponsors in alphabetical order): Adams County Homecare, Adams County Senior Citizens Council, Inc., Flannery’s Auto & Truck, FRS Transportation, and Hospice of Hope. Please thank these wonderful sponsors because they help to make this a free event to celebrate YOU! We will see you on May 15 at The Willow Event Center, 7662 Eckmansville Rd, Winchester, Ohio. Doors open at 9 a.m.

Ohio Department of Aging Celebrates First-Ever Older Ohioans Month:

This May, Ohio is celebrating the first-ever Older Ohioans Month. Historically, Ohio has recognized May as Older Americans Month. However, earlier this year, Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill officially designating May as Older Ohioans Month in line with his continued commitment to older adults.

“In May, we celebrate nearly three million older Ohioans,” said Governor DeWine. “We want people to remain empowered, active members of their communities. That can mean staying in or rejoining the workforce, participating in lifelong learning, taking charge of your health, or remaining engaged citizens well into older adulthood.”

“Establishing May as Older Ohioans Month allows us to celebrate the many ways our administration is working to make Ohio the best place to age in the nation,” said Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) Director Ursel J. McElroy. “Older Ohioans are active, full of life, and looking to age on their terms. By providing resources that promote health, connection, and informed decision-making, we are helping older adults thrive all year long.”

Governor DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel have issued a proclamation marking the occasion and encouraging all Ohioans to celebrate and recognize those aged 60 or older.

In honor of this year’s Older Ohioans Month and Older Americans Month, ODA is challenging what it means to age.

The Administration for Community Living’s 2025 Older Americans Month theme is “Flip the Script on Aging.” The theme challenges outdated stereotypes and highlights the fulfilling lives older adults lead every day. With more than one in four Ohioans expected to be over the age of 60 by 2030, ODA is committed to changing how aging is viewed and experienced across the state. Guided by the understanding that aging is a time for continued growth, ODA is helping older Ohioans thrive through innovative programs.

One program designed to help older Ohioans and their families choose the right long-term care option based on their needs is the newly expanded Long-Term Care Quality Navigator. The Navigator is a user-friendly, digital dashboard that aims to help Ohioans find a nursing home or assisted living facility for themselves or their loved ones.

Along with making it easier for Ohioans to find long-term care, ODA has also increased support for the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, which advocates for the rights and well-being of residents in long-term care. “We’re redefining what long-term care looks like in Ohio,” said State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Leilani Pelletier. “Aging should never mean giving up your voice. Our program exists to make sure that voice is not only protected, but strengthened.” Go to https://aging.ohio.gov/see-news-and-events/news/oam-2025 to read the full article.

Just A Thought: “Happiness, not in another place but this place…not for another hour, but this hour.” ~Walt Whitman