×

Boomers and beyond explore services

Cancer survivor Dixie Harris, 84, of Champion, left, laughs along with Dave Mirkin of Comfort Keepers of Youngstown after receiving a gift while attending the third Boomers & Beyond Senior Expo on Tuesday at Metroplex Expo Center in Liberty. Staff photo / R. Michael Semple

LIBERTY — The Metroplex Expo Center bustled with activity Tuesday as visitors perused the offerings of more than 35 vendors at the third Boomers & Beyond Senior Expo.

The expo was presented by the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator newspapers.

Most of the attendees came in search of information — and there was plenty to go around, with representatives from mobility companies, care facilities, financial planners, pharmacies and home improvement companies on hand, as well as doctors and nurses.

Tina Gill of Girard, the new director of McDonald Senior Center, came to the expo for the first time this year looking for information to share with seniors and to scope out potential speakers.

“I’ve got quite a few leads,” Gill said, remarking that everyone was “so friendly” and that she expects the next months’ senior center calendar to be full.

“It’s a good event. You learn a lot. … You think you know everything, but you don’t,” said Gregory Hripko of Liberty, who was attending the expo for the second time and expects to be back again.

He said this year he was focused on finding out more about assisted living and what services are available.

Barb Shelton of Youngstown came away with “a lot of goodies” — bags, notepads, magnets, candy and handouts galore.

She said she was most surprised to learn that physicians can come to her house.

“I said, ‘When I’m in a nursing home?’ They said, ‘No, right now!'”

Sue Shafer, the newspapers’ community events coordinator, said the newspapers put on the event to give seniors and caregivers the opportunity to see what services are available, and that some vendors had specific services or information to offer and others could give guidance on a variety of subjects.

Dominic Mararri, a broker with Senior Care Insurance, handed out foot-shaped magnets to passersby, saying: “Now that I’ve got my foot in the door, let me help you with Medicare and health insurance.”

Mararri said a great turnout was on hand, and it allowed people to connect with service providers and have questions answered.

“Health is truly wealth,” said Mararri, who helps seniors choose the right Medicare plans.

Vince Bevacqua with Family Tech Connect, which offers technology coaching for people over the age of 60, said the grant-funded free service comes to clients’ homes to show them how to use technology they’re struggling with — from smartphones to computers, tablets, smart TVs and more.

“We started this about a year and a half ago because we saw a need,” Bevacqua said.

He said an “enormous digital divide” exists, but that technology can make seniors’ lives easier, allowing them to order food and goods to their houses or participate in telehealth doctor appointments. He said most people just need to be taught how to use technology and then practice.

Also at the expo was A to Z Dependable Services, which was displaying its walk-in shower options.

“One of our core values at A to Z is helping people live in greater security and comfort in their homes,” Clint Oaks with A to Z, said.

He said a major way of increasing safety and allowing older adults to remain in their homes longer is converting bathtubs to walk-in showers with textured floors, grip bars and built-in seats. A to Z, which has been serving the Niles and Warren areas for 60 years, also installs walk-in bathtubs and does full bathroom remodels.

Steward Health, a main sponsor of the event along with One Health Ohio, had doctors and nurses on-site to provide information and free blood pressure screenings.

Because October is breast cancer awareness month and flu season is on the horizon, Steward Health focused on providing information about flu vaccine opportunities and had its 3D Mobile Mammography Center on-site.

Jessica Popp, practice manager at Steward Health, said Steward has flu vaccine clinics scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 14 at Boardman WorkMED, 60 Marwood Circle, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 31 at Steward Urgent Care of Austintown WorkMED, 20 Ohltown Road, Entrance C.

The Senior Expo also featured a drug takeback, sponsored by TAG drug enforcement task force and the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, a program of the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
     

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.85/week.

Subscribe Today