HI and Welcome skad .... I'm glad you're here..... DS is a great site for support..... There's been changes to the site that some people aren't happy about and this board is where people come to voice their complaints
I'm really sorry that you've lost your job.... I'm not sure what you're going through... Is is depression?.... There is a great depression board on here... I'll put up a link to it
At the top of the page in the middle it says 'support groups'.... You can look through that to see what may apply to you
Some boards are busy and some aren't so busy.... Big hug and a blessing......xo

https://www.dailystrength.org/group/depression

You might also want to try the DS unemployment support board
https://www.dailystrength.org/group/unemployment

Maybe check with the library to see if they know of any organization or courses that can help an older unemployed person.

I lost two jobs at 59 so I was there for a while. It took about 4 months of unemployment but I found a job that I love.
Take a deep breath and things will work out. If you have an employment service for "older" workers, take advantage. I did. My temp job became permanent. I am making more now than I did with 2 jobs and for better hours and a great staff of co-workers.
Don't feel that life is over or that you have wasted the last 18 years. Use that time as experience and training. Even if you are offered a job that you don't expect, try it. It may be just what you enjoy doing.
Take care

gosh that sucks....did they have cause to fire you or just trying to trim the fat from the budget? Did they give severance package? I would apply for unemployment by going to the offices they should have in your city....I do not know ohio but here in MO we have them and to file you must report to them one time per month and must keep seeking new work to continue to get unemployment benefits....and they paid into those benefits for your unemployment from your employer and they can try to keep you from getting them if you did something that is justified for them to not be given to you....

what line of work do you do?

Hi, I lost my job last year, after 20 years at the same company. The company decided to close its doors.

You did not waste 18 years. You worked 18 years not out of kindness to the company, but because you probably didn't have the luxury of not working. So, your experience is not wasted. Unfortunately, we sometimes over inflate the idea that the companies we work for are like family, especially when we've been at the same place for so long. They are not family.

It's very hard to gather yourself and think what do I do and where do I start. But you just have to put one foot in front of the other. Try googling local employment assistance organizations in your city. I'm in Milwaukee and we have several places that offer assistance with jobs searches, training and how to navigate employment benefits, for all kinds of employment and people, from seasoned job seekers to really young job seekers. Usually these are free services.

You will be ok.

Your state Unemployment Department should have resources for retraining and job skills, etc.

If you were terminated as part of a large company layoff, the company may have federal funds under JTPA to help laid off workers refresh their skills, update resume, learn interview techniques, and [most importantly] provide a job database bank.

If yours is the kind of profession that lends itself to consulting, put the word out to former business associates. By all means, try for temporary work and many companies tend to "try out" a person through a temporary agency before committing to hiring. Do NOT rely on these agencies to remember you. Keep in touch with them at least once a week to keep your name at the forefront.

I'm hopeful with the new President there will be more jobs opening up.