Ottawa Co. Task Force on Aging works to improve seniors’ lives

        Ottawa County has a very active Task Force on Aging consisting of a variety of agencies and organizations who care for and serve those who are 60 and over in Ottawa County. This collaborative works to solve problems and find practical ways to improve the quality of life for seniors in our community.
        The team has developed a protocol to address problems once they are identified:
        • For those in immediate danger: Call 911.
        • For those with important questions or concerns: call Adult Protective Services at 419-707-8639. For after-hours or 24-hour reporting, call the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office at 419-734-4404.
        • For those requiring non-emergency aid or services: Call United Way 211.
        Task force initiatives include:
        Summit on Aging. Once a year, the task force holds a Summit on Aging to share information and resources to agencies, professionals, caregivers and seniors in order to make sure the seniors in Ottawa County are safe, healthy and maintain a good quality of life.
        World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The task force hosts an event on or around World Elder Abuse Awareness Day each year to engage the community and bring awareness to this issue that affects local families, friends and neighbors.
        Volunteer Guardianship Program. This program is dedicated to meeting the needs and improving the quality of life of older adults in Ottawa County by providing trained and qualified volunteer guardians who serve as advocates and decision-makers when there is no family member or close friend to do so.
        Serving Ottawa County Seniors (SOCS). SOCS is an opportunity for agencies and organizations serving Ottawa County’s older population to collaborate on improving the services provided to the seniors of Ottawa County.
        Help With Medicare Questions And Comparing Medicare Plans. Several task force members are OSHIIP (Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program)-trained volunteers who can help individuals who are going to be new to Medicare with questions they might have, as well as help during Open Enrollment if anyone wants to compare plans.
        Project Lifesaver. This program provides a transmitter wristband to help locate those who are at risk for wandering. The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office maintains information about clients and is trained to locate and approach those who have wandered.
        For more information, visit ottawacountyprobatecourt.com/ottawa-county-task-force-on-aging.