The Choices Expo, coming up Nov. 12, offers area seniors assistance with planning for long-term care, health care options, retirement and more.

The expo is put on by the Area Agency on Aging 8, and communications director, Gwynn Stewart, explained a little bit more about the event.

Question: How did the Choices Expo come to be?

Answer: Prior to 2007, the event was hosted for about 10 years by the O'Neill Senior Center as the Washington County Senior Health and Wellness Fair. The Area Agency on Aging 8 was contacted in 2007 to shepherd the event and it became the AAA8 Choices Expo: Living Healthy, Wealthy and Wise.

Q.: Why did the Area Agency on Aging get involved?

A.: Every month, another 12,000 Ohioans turn age 60, yet less than 37 percent of these adults feel they know enough about long-term care to make informed decisions. More than half of them are unaware of the costs of long-term care, how it is paid for and how they can plan to preserve their family's assets. The AAA8 got involved because it serves caregivers and senior citizens from across the region with resources for long-term care planning and service options. The Expo is a great way to increase awareness of available resources, programs and services and to connect providers with those who are in need of the services.

Q.: What types of topics will be addressed at this year's expo?

A.: Participants will enjoy gathering information on healthy lifestyles, long-term care options, caregiver services, screenings to determine basic health needs and details on retirement planning, as well as free food and entertainment.

Because 83 percent of older adults take one or more medications daily and 30 percent take eight or more daily, also available is a medication management clinic where professionals will review consumers' medication lists for any potential or adverse drug interactions. Participants' medications will be entered into a medication database. The list of medications will be printed and reviewed for any potential adverse effects with participants.

In partnership with the Washington County Council on Aging, a medication disposal unit will be available at The Expo. Participants should bring all unused or outdated medications for proper disposal. The program provides a safe, portable and efficient method of disposal of unneeded and unwanted medications for senior citizens. Something added this year is a free legal physical. Participants can bring essential documents for a review by certified elder law attorney Don Chapin, esq.; Dan Steman, a financial planner; and Patricia Jackson, CEO of National Eligibility Solutions.

Q.: What are the most pressing issues facing seniors today?

A.: The cost of long-term care. Research shows that families want programs that allow elderly Ohioans to receive less expensive care in the comfort of their own homes, whether that is home-delivered meals and homemaker and personal care programs or services available through PASSPORT and in-home providers.

Seniors are also struggling to make ends meet on fixed and shrinking incomes. The Expo has information about home energy assistance, help with prescription costs for those with lower incomes and more.

Erin O'Neill conducted the interview.