BROOKINGS Free health information awaits area seniors March 28 from 10 a.m. to noon when the Brookings Area Coalition on Aging hosts a community health fair at the Brookings Activity Center at 320 Fifth Ave.
(Seniors are) going to walk into a room full of just lots of information at their fingertips, Shelly Simantel Horr, with Brookings Area Coalition on Aging, said. Attendees can come and find information on senior living options, mental health, hospice and transitional care, in-home health, public service and more. Its just going to be a great day to gain a bunch of information You might not need it today, but its always good to plan ahead and think about your future and things you might need down the road.
Not only is admission free but there will also be a free transportation option.
If seniors call the BATA bus a day ahead, they can get a free ride to the health fair, Simantel Horr said. Then the attendees are going to get a bingo card when they come to the event. If they go by all the vendors and get a mark on their bingo card, then once their bingo card is complete, they can get a free congregate meal also.
She said the event grows more popular each year. During last years health fair, they gave away 100 free meals.
Theres also a lot of like-minded people there who also want information. So you might connect, you might see some neighbors or some friends while youre learning and gaining information on resources that are out there in the community, Simantel Horr said. Were going to even have representatives from the state from Long Term Services and Support. They have tons of programs to help people stay independent, to stay in their homes, to help people that maybe are providing care to a loved one or maybe are a full-time caregiver.
In addition to being a member of the Brookings Area Coalition on Aging, Simantel Horr will also be manning one of the more than 25 booths at this years health fair.
I work for AseraCare Hospice. We are an independent hospice company providing services in about 22 counties, she said. Ive been doing hospice for 15 years, and I hear so many times from patients and families, I wish I wouldve known. I wish I wouldve done this. So you know, heres an opportunity to come and educate yourself on all the different resource that are available in this great community of Brookings.
She and others in senior adjacent industries comprise the Brookings Area Coalition on Aging.
We are a group of like-minded people that are from assisted living communities, are from nursing homes, maybe do therapy or are a home health provider or maybe have senior apartment buildings, Simantel Horr said. This group is not only about networking and sharing information that were aware of and whats going on, but were also about being the boots on the ground and doing events and educational things for seniors. Weve got an event coming up in April where were going to have a talk about advanced directives and power of attorney. And were also bringing in an attorney to answer questions seniors might have. Were all about being out in the community and supporting seniors.
She said they want to empower seniors to get the most out of retirement.
The senior field has evolved so much. There are so many opportunities for seniors, so many living opportunities, so many new technologies, Simantel Horr said. Were just passionate about getting the best information out there to our seniors so that seniors know what their choices are and what their options are. Then they can enjoy these golden years and know that they dont have to have only limited options. There are so many different things seniors can do to enjoy their lives and be as active as their health allows.
Contact Jay Roe at [email protected].
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