More than 60 seniors and older adults from Emo and the surrounding communities dropped by the Legion last Wednesday to participate in the first seniors’ expo held there.
“We were really quite pleased with the turnout . . . and pleased with the response we received,” said Sandy Skirten, district co-ordinator of the District Mental Health Services Older Adults Program.
The 55+ Seniors’ Expo was organized by the Emo-La Vallee-Chapple Healthy Communities Coalition and sponsored by the DMHSOAP, in order to showcase services for older adults and their caregivers in the Emo area.
They had 22 booths lining the walls with plenty of information for seniors and family members to pick up.
“We could have even had more [booths], however, we just didn’t have the room for them because we decided to offer the seniors a light lunch and needed tables set up for that,” Skirten explained.
But he felt there still was an excellent variety of booths available.
“From ambulatory service to diabetes education to the Emo Clinic, OPP, and the Northwestern Health Unit,”’ he indicated.
“I think for many of the seniors, they found it was really informative for them because each of the booths had a number of activities or interactive components to them,” Skirten added, noting participants were able to experience massage therapy, try out the Bodytalk system, or have their blood pressure taken.
And in talking to some of the exhibitors, Skirten said he discovered they also were delighted by the turnout and the opportunity to offer up information.
“For many of the seniors in that area, what we were finding was they weren’t going to Fort Frances for the seniors’ expo, so it was a great opportunity for them to received that information, but in their home community,” he explained.
Jolene Morrisseau, of the Older Adults program, noted the seniors’ expo in Emo allowed businesses in the west end of the district to be highlighted.
“We thought it would be nice to have services that were specific to Emo or the surrounding area,” she remarked, adding the services featured will be those that either are located in the communities or will travel to the areas to do their job.
Skirten noticed the event was very busy with seniors from the moment it opened at 10 a.m. until just after lunch. After they had eaten, most left and the attendance began to dwindle.
“[But] prior to that, it was really quite busy and that was what we had expected,” he added.
He noted the favourable weather last Wednesday allowed many seniors to attend.
“I think there is a need for ongoing education and information of services,” Skirten stressed, though admitting it’s not been determined whether the seniors’ expo in Emo will become an annual event.
He said the need for continued awareness stems from the growing senior population here.
“The recent census that came out for 2006 indicates that the senior population is increasing,” he noted.
“But particularly from Fort Frances through to Rainy River, the population of individuals ages 55 years of age and older, 30 percent of the population is in that age group.”
Siobhan Booth, with the Emo-La Vallee-Chapple Healthy Communities Coalition, said she hopes the seniors’ expo is an event that will run again in the west end of the district.
“They were asking a lot of questions and picking up the pamphlets,” she noted, adding there were seniors there from Devlin, Barwick, Stratton, as well as Emo.
“Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves,” she remarked. “With several different organizations and service clubs there, I think it increased awareness of local resources and services for seniors in Emo and the surrounding areas.”
The Fort Frances Seniors’ Coalition is planning a similar event for Oct. 27 at Fort Frances High School. Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of their age or where they live.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
