BY MARK WEBER
Lacombe Express
Various agencies across Red Deer are collaborating for the first annual Seniors Information Fair set for May 18th at the Golden Circle.
Highlights of the event, which is being hosted by the Professionals Serving Senior’s Team, include a trade show with information booths which will run from 9 a.m. to noon.
A talk on the continuing care placement process and continuing care access is also set for 11 a.m. with Jody Barrett of Alberta Health Services.
Artist Helen Draper will be onhand as well, said Leanne Landry, manager of adult day services with Family Services of Central Alberta. Draper’s appearance at the event is particularly meaningful, as she’s proof a person can learn a new skill at virtually any age. “She’s very inspirational for the older adult population because she didn’t pick up a paint brush until she was 65,” she said. “It’s about aging well in place, living well and living with purpose.”
Also, a presentation on dementia awareness will take place at 9:45 a.m. with Laurie Grande from the Alzheimer’s Society.
“Laurie is wonderful at what she does, and she’s also a very engaging speaker.”
As organizers point out, “The information fair will provide a great opportunity to meet over 20 exhibitors from the ‘Not for Profit’ sector who support older adults in the communities from Central Alberta.”
There is no charge to attend the information fair, and it’s open to the general public as well.
“We also have a huge gift basket to give away,” explained Landry.
Meanwhile, with all of the features to the Seniors Information Fair, she said it’s clearly not a regular, run-of-the-mill type of trade show event.
“The Professional Serving Senior’s Team has been around for about 10 years, and we have had different people and different types of organizations around the table,” she said of the host group which is made up of government reps, not-for-profit workers and other agencies.
“We are serving the community not only in our personal portfolios but also as a whole, as a community. I’m really happy with a lot of the work that we’ve been doing.
“It’s a collaborative team,” she said, adding that plans are taking shape for future events as well.
“We are doing this event in May, and then in October watch for our Senior Service Providers’ Workshop.”
mark.weber@reddeerexpress.com