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Lake County proclaims May 2026 Older Americans Month, honors longtime volunteer
Summary
The Lake County Board of Commissioners proclaimed May 2026 as Older Americans Month and presented a proclamation honoring volunteer Bob Sealen for more than 300 tasks and roughly 580 volunteer hours supporting older adults across the county.
The Lake County Board of Commissioners on Thursday proclaimed May 2026 as Older Americans Month and honored a long-serving volunteer whose work helps seniors remain in their homes.
Aliyah, introduced by the board, said the 2026 theme — “champion your health” — emphasizes prevention, wellness and active aging, and highlighted the collaborative role of the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging and local partner organizations in supporting older residents. Dante Giancola, director of government affairs for the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, presented a proclamation recognizing Bob Sealen’s service.
“Our mission, at a high level, is to help older adults live in the place they want independently in the place they choose to call home,” Giancola said as he read the proclamation honoring Sealen for volunteer work the proclamation said included more than 300 tasks and about 580 volunteer hours.
Commissioners praised the county’s senior programs and volunteers and cited recent policy steps intended to help residents age in place, including a senior water and sewer discount, a doubled homestead exemption for low-income seniors and expansion of the senior levy advisory panel.
Commissioner (unnamed in the transcript) said, “When seniors are forced to leave their community and their home, outcomes are poor,” and urged continued support for services that enable aging in place.
The board paused after the proclamation for photographs and brief remarks from commissioners and county staff. The proclamation recognizes volunteers and partner agencies — including the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, Family Pride of Northeast Ohio, Lifeline, the Council on Aging, Lake Tran and Catholic Charities — for their role in sustaining services for older adults.
The board approved the proclamation by voice/roll call and scheduled a photo opportunity with the honoree following the meeting.
The board’s next regular meeting was announced for May 14 at 10 a.m.
