Gail Allen, of Fayette County, began her three-year term on Oct. 3 replacing Edward Helt (who recently passed away) on the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) Advisory Council.

The COAAA Advisory Council includes older adults and community leaders residing in COAAA’s eight-county service area: Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties. Members are volunteers who advise COAAA on services, polices, and programs and can represent the interests of older adults or individuals with disabilities in their respective counties.

The 32-member council meets eight times per year on the first Thursday morning of the month, with the exception of January, February, July and August. Council members also serve on one of three committees that meet before council meetings. Members can attend Advisory Council meetings virtually or in-person at COAAA, 3776 S. High St., Columbus.

Allen brings a wealth of experience serving the Fayette County Community to the Advisory Council. She is a member of the Circleville and Chillicothe Chapters of the Ohio Eastern Star, member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a member of the Ohio and Southern Ohio Genealogy Societies. She is a former member of the Fayette County Life Squad, Habitat for Humanity of Fayette County, and the board of directors of Pickaway/Fayette Area Recovery Services. Allen has been a member of Fayette County Commission on Aging since 1999.

Allen received her bachelor’s degree in business administration and currently works as a reporter for the Record-Herald newspaper. She has expressed a desire to advocate on behalf of older adults in Fayette County and proudly giving back to her community.

COAAA helps older adults and individuals with disabilities live safely and independently at home for as long as possible. With the assistance of area providers, COAAA connects individuals to in-home services that help with daily living, including homemaking, home-delivered meals, personal care, and transportation. COAAA assists family caregivers, educates professionals and the public on aging topics, and advocates for programs and policies that benefit older adults and individuals with disabilities.