Seniors First Town Hall Highlights Key Issues Facing Older Ohioans

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Eric Synenberg (D-Beachwood) today announced a successful Seniors First Town Hall in partnership with the Community Partnership on Aging, the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, the Federal Trade Commission, and Cuyahoga County’s Scam Squad. The event, hosted on February 19th, brought together seniors, advocates, and public officials for an in-depth discussion focused on protecting older Ohioans from scams, providing updates on property tax legislation, and connecting residents with trusted local, state, and federal resources.

“It was incredible seeing our community come together to discuss important issues facing older Ohioans,” said Rep. Synenberg. “We wanted to make sure our seniors have access to trusted information and the tools necessary to stand up to the scams and financial challenges that too often target them. When we connect people directly with experts and agencies, we empower them to protect themselves and their families.”

Presenters at the event included Rep. Synenberg; Matthew Scheff, an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission; and Dante Giancola, Director of Government Affairs at the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging. The panel provided a legislative update on property taxes at the Statehouse, outlined how the federal government assists victims of fraud and identity theft, and highlighted local and state resources available to seniors across Cuyahoga County.

"Older adults have a strong network of state and local resources to assist them with fraud or suspected fraud," said Director Giancola."But it is equally important that our state and federal elected officials remain diligent in their efforts to ensure state and federal laws keep up with evolving criminal tactics and techniques." 

Thanks to the support and collaboration of the Community Partnership on Aging and the City of Lyndhurst, the event welcomed dozens of seniors and community members from across the area.

“Educating older adults about scams is more important today than ever before. As fraud tactics grow increasingly sophisticated-ranging from phishing emails and impersonation calls to online romance and investment schemes-older adults are often specifically targeted due to their perceived trust, financial stability, and lower familiarity with emerging technologies,” said Wendy Sattin, Executive Director of the Community Partnership on Aging. “We appreciate the information provided by the Town Hall presenters and look forward to future collaborations to benefit our older residents.”

Events like the Seniors First Town Hall reflect Rep. Synenberg’s ongoing commitment to protecting older Ohioans, ensuring they have the resources to age safely in place, and addressing issues that directly impact their financial security and overall quality of life.

“I’m really proud of the event we hosted. The bottom line is our seniors have helped build and shape our communities, and they deserve the peace of mind to live safely, independently, and with dignity,” concluded Rep. Synenberg. “Our goal with events like this is simple: to empower seniors with knowledge, connect them to the resources they might need, and show them that government and community organizations are working for them.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: The attached photos are provided by the Ohio House Democratic Caucus. Left to right: Drew Thomas (Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs’  Scam Squad), Wendy Sattin, Matthew Scheff, Dante Giancola, Representative Eric Synenberg, Mayor Pat Ward of the City of Lyndhurst, Lyndhurst City Councilman Jeff Price, and Lyndhurst City Councilman Joseph Marko.