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Every month, 12,000 more Ohioans reach the age of 60.

Increasingly, figuring out how to pay for health services on a fixed income is a major issue.

"We have a population that is aging and we have a population that are caring for people who are aging," said state Sen. Gary Cates, R-West Chester Twp. "But a lot of people don't know what is available or how to get it."

Barbara Riley, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, will speak today in Middletown and Fairfield to help seniors learn about the options available to them.

"One of the responsibilities of the Department of Aging is to help people navigate that network; it gets very difficult," Riley said. "We really are kind of a clearinghouse for information."

Denise Shearer, an R.N. who specializes in home care, said part of the problem is some may make too much money to qualify for some programs but not enough to pay for all of their needs out of pocket. This is especially the case for those who haven't reached retirement age.

"When you are under 65, you don't qualify for a lot of the services unless you are on Medicare," Shearer said.

Riley agreed and said she plans to talk about some alternatives. She also will address prescription drug coverage.

"We will be facing some real challenges if we don't plan for them now," she said.

How to go

What: Ohio Department of Aging Director Barbara Riley will discuss senior health care issues.

When: 11:30 a.m. today at Middletown Senior Center, 140 N. Verity Parkway; and 2 p.m. today Fairfield Community Arts Center, 411 Wessel Drive.