Content provided by Pro Seniors
When Lucille received a letter threatening eviction, her daughter Tracey knew to call Pro Seniors for help. She called the Legal Helpline to schedule a phone appointment. As a result, Pro Seniors helped sort out the confusion, the facility’s management company corrected their records and Lucille’s housing was secure.
Like Council on Aging, Pro Seniors’ services are a vital connection for many older adults, family caregivers and professionals. In 2023, attorneys on Pro Seniors’ Legal Helpline provided more than 12,000 phone consultations and helped older Ohioans to access benefits and resolve legal issues that threatened their access to healthcare, housing, financial stability and well-being.
According to the Legal Services Corporation’s 2022 Justice Gap Study, 70% of low-income older adult households experienced one or more civil legal challenges during 2021. These situations often impact significant life issues like health, housing and financial stability and cause stress and anxiety for older adults and their families.
Yet only 9% of low-income older adults received adequate professional help to resolve their legal issues. Many give up or do nothing about their problem. Some older adults may not think their question is a legal issue. Maybe they feel they can’t afford it; perhaps they aren’t aware of what resources are available or even where to start. Still others simply don’t want to explore when the process becomes complex. Pro Seniors can help you, just like they’ve helped others for 50 years.
“Pro Seniors’ help is just a phone call away,” says Dimity Orlet, Pro Seniors’ Executive Director, “but only if you know about us. Our Long-Term Care Ombudsman team advocates for the rights of older adults. And our Ohio Senior Medicare patrol team educates and walks older adults through frauds and scams.”
Ohioans often call to ask about Medicare, Medicaid and Medicaid estate recovery, living wills, durable powers of attorney for health care, housing, and consumer problems. We can also help with filing administrative appeals and resolving technical property issues.
Help us help others
When you choose to spread the word, volunteer or donate to Pro Seniors, you’re a champion for all who are aging. Just like you, every older adult deserves to age with dignity and respect with stable access to healthcare, safe housing and financial stability. Donations can be made through the Pro Seniors website.
If you live anywhere in Ohio and are struggling with getting the benefits you’re eligible for, visit us at https://www.proseniors.org or call us at (513) 345-4160 or 1-800-488-6070. Intake hours are 9 a.m. – 3 p.m, Monday through Friday.