Show support for retirement home

To the editor:

Hello friends and fellow residents of Jay County.

Please voice your support for keeping Jay County Country Living (the retirement home) open and fully operational. 

County-operated retirement homes serve a unique and irreplaceable role. They provide a place to live and basic care for seniors and other citizens who may not have the ability to live alone or have the means to afford private care. Without this facility, residents may face homelessness, isolation or inadequate care. Some may have to move far away from the community they’ve always called home.

This facility is not just a building — it is a vital lifeline for some of our most vulnerable community members and a community cornerstone of compassion by offering a place to care for those in need of an affordable place to live in our county. It gives them a sense of family, especially for the residents who do not have anyone.

The county retirement home provides essential services to elderly residents who often lack the financial means or family support to seek private care. It stands as one of the few affordable and accessible options available to seniors and others who have contributed to our community throughout their lives and now deserve the dignity and care that this home offers. It also provides a way for them to still be somewhat independent but also have some basic needs met.

Closing this facility would create significant hardship, not only for its current and future residents but also for their families who rely on its local proximity as a great place for their loved ones. Many families simply cannot afford to travel long distances or pay for private options, and this home allows them to stay connected with their loved ones.

Our population is aging rapidly and demand for long-term care places to live is only going to increase. Closing this facility now would be a short-sighted decision that could leave our county unprepared and scrambling to meet growing needs for an affordable place to live. As a taxpayer, I do not mind paying a little extra in order to care for our most vulnerable. 

This home is more than just a facility — it’s a caring neighbor that provides essential services to those in need within our community. It offers an affordable, peaceful and supportive place to live for individuals who might otherwise be alone. The quality of life it provides is immeasurable. 

In a world where so many struggle to find safe and nurturing environments, Jay County Country Living is a beautiful place to call home. 

Sincerely, 

Jenny Bricker

Portland