Your Age-Friendly Newsletter is Here!

Hello Community Members,

The Licking County Age-Friendly Initiative is gaining momentum! During the first quarter, we’ve been hard at work advancing several exciting action items as part of our three-year Age-Friendly plan. Together, we are tackling 23 initiatives designed to improve livability and “thrivability” for residents of all ages across Licking County.

Read on to see what we’ve been working on.

We’re Collaborating and Consolidating

Through our community survey, older adults shared that durable medical equipment can be difficult to locate, afford, or access quickly. In response, we recently organized the Licking County Medical Redistribution Network, a collaboration of local organizations that provide equipment lending libraries throughout and around our county.

Our goal is to strengthen partnerships, share resources, increase awareness, and make these programs easier for residents to access. This work supports individuals with immediate equipment needs, those facing high insurance deductibles, and uninsured residents, while also keeping valuable medical supplies in use and out of landfills.

Our countywide Medical Equipment Resource Guide is available at lcap.org/age-friendly.

We’re Playing It Safe

Licking County is one of Ohio’s largest counties by area, and transportation remains critical for maintaining independence. As adults age, changes in mobility, flexibility, or confidence can make driving more challenging.

To help support safe driving, the Age-Friendly Initiative has partnered with two valuable programs for older adults:

The CarFit Program offers a free 20-minute one-on-one checkup with trained technicians who help drivers improve their vehicle fit for better comfort, visibility, and safety.
The AARP Smart Driver Program is being offered several times this year at the Pataskala YMCA. This four-hour refresher course helps older adults sharpen driving skills and may qualify participants for reduced insurance rates.

We’re Getting Out There

Spending time outdoors is one of the great joys of the season, and Licking County’s parks and trails make it easy to stay active and connected.

In partnership with the Licking County Health Department and the Licking Park District, the Age-Friendly Initiative is exploring the walkability and accessibility of local trails for older adults.

We invite you to help by rating trails throughout Licking County using our mobile-friendly survey. Your feedback will help more residents discover and enjoy safe, accessible outdoor spaces.

Trail Accessibility Survey

We’re Planning Ahead

As we continue implementing our Age-Friendly Action Plan, several important initiatives are already underway. Next, we are focusing on identifying and better supporting vulnerable populations through improved disaster preparedness strategies. We are also advocating for local transportation solutions and encouraging greater walkability throughout our cities, towns, and parks.

In addition, we will continue to strengthen awareness of and support for community medical equipment lending resources while introducing more age-friendly practices into local community information systems.

There is still important work ahead, and we invite you to be part of it. Explore our Action Plan, follow our progress, and learn how to get involved at lcap.org/age-friendly.

Together, we can help make Licking County a stronger, more connected, and more age-friendly community for all ages.

Want to be part of what’s ahead?

Contact Kim Hosler at khosler@lcap.org or 740.345.0821 ext. 1281 to get involved.