Alabama’s State Plan on Aging will be presented at a public hearing at 10 a.m. on Feb. 13 at the Troy Nutrition Center. Senior citizens and those will disabilities are especially encouraged to attend.

Neal Morrison, Alabama Department of Senior Services commissioner, said that, following the census every 10 years, the state is required to develop an entirely new plan for its senior services.

“As we develop this plan, we want to meet with our seniors all across the state to determine what we can do to help them have a better quality of life,” Morrison said. “The public hearing will be an informal meeting where a representative from the Department of Senior Services will go over the plan that we have developed and ask for input from those in attendance.”

Morrison said that, although the state has developed a new plan for Alabama’s senior services, nothing is set in concrete.

“That’s why were have these public hearings,” he said. “We want to hear the suggestions of our seniors and those with disabilities so that these suggestions can be considered when making the final plan. We want to know what our seniors feel are the needs, not just for one area of the state, but for seniors all across the state.”

The Department of Senior Services is required to hold only one public hearing but Morrison said Gov. Robert Bentley wanted the department to hold several hearings at strategic points.

“The governor feels that having more hearings will better reflect on the populous around the state,” Morrison said. “The plan that is developed will be a three-year plan so we want to hear from our seniors what they think their most important needs are.”

Hassie Green, Troy Nutrition Center director, said the senior centers in Brundidge, Goshen and Troy will participate in the public hearing.

“And all seniors and those with handicaps are encouraged to participate,” she said. “This is a way that they can have input into Alabama’s State Plan on Aging.”

The Troy Nutrition Center is located at 498 East Walnut Street in Troy. For more information, call 334-566-0201.