I’m not sure when they started giving out “I Voted Today” stickers, but my consecutive general election streak will be hitting number 42 on November 8. That’s a number that might impress my 18 year old son who will cast his first vote in a general election this fall, but no doubt it pales in comparison to many of my fellow Cuyahoga County citizens. This will now be the 11th Presidential election in which I have cast a ballot. Over the years I’ve pulled mechanical levers, punched out chads, and filled in dots. I’ve pulled back curtains, voted absentee, and voted early.

People of all ages get scammed, but scams can be particularly tough on Older Americans. Seniors often are on fixed incomes, so it’s harder for them to recover from a financial loss. They sometimes are afraid to tell anyone, fearing scammers’ threats or the family’s reaction. Or if they do tell someone, their complaint may not make it to the enforcement agency best suited to investigate.

March is National Social Work Month and we have a lot to celebrate in Cuyahoga County. As part of our mission to help our residents thrive at every age and stage of life, the Department of Health and Human Services employees approximately 2300 people. They include licensed social workers, child protection specialists, adult protection workers, adoption coordinators, eligibility specialists, case workers, counselors and more.

The Cuyahoga County Sheriff Department took part in Operation Autumn Hope last week, an anti-human trafficking effort that led to 46 arrests and the recovery of 26 victims.

As the temperature begins to fall in Cuyahoga County, it’s a sign that cold and flu season isn’t far behind.

David Smith, Jr. has been the Director of Nursing for the Division of Senior and Adult Services since 2018. His decade of experience spans a variety of specialties, including medical-surgical/telemetry, acute and chronic dialysis, critical and emergency care, long-term/skilled care, and nursing administration.