AREA AGENCY ON AGING PARTICIPATES IN THE FREEDOM FAIR

Becky Simon, LSW, and Lisa Tomblin, LSW, both employees of the Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. (AAA7) represented the agency at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution’s (CCI) Freedom Fair held at CCI. The purpose of the Freedom Fair was to give inmates who may be released in the near future information about community resources that they could use upon their release. The inmates also asked questions about career opportunities in social services, the field of aging, job opportunities, etc.

Several community agencies attended this Fair to share information on what particular services they have to offer. Several inmates, although not themselves eligible for AAA7 services, requested information on behalf of their elderly family members.

The Adult Parole Authority has called upon the Area Agency on Aging District 7 several times to participate in various events. According to the Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation & Correction, there are nearly 4,000 offenders in Ohio's prison system that are over the age of 50. It is expected that there will be a large number of older offenders released from the prison system in the near future. Parole and probation officers need to be prepared to deal with the special needs of the elderly.

The Area Agency on Aging District 7 serves the following ten counties: Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton. Services are rendered on a non-discriminatory basis.

The Area Agency on Aging has a speakers bureau and any organization who would like more information on the Area Agency may call 1-800-582-7277 or 740-245-5306 and speak to Sharon Bowman.