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Fit for a long life
Senior health, wellness fair offers information, help
BY MATTHEW OLSON molson@kenoshanews.com
Wednesday’s Health and Wellness Fair was the 23rd gathering of organizations and agencies providing services for the elderly which the Senior Action Council has hosted, but the first without their long-time leader Lou DeMarco.
But the vision of DeMarco, who died at the age of 89 on June 4, which is to inform seniors of the help and care that is available to them, was once again realized.
The fair brought seniors and other community members to Gateway Technical College’s Madrigrano Auditorium, 3320 30th Ave., throughout the day. About 50 booths awaited attendees offering information about senior programs, housing, health care and a variety of other services.
Toni Dismore, office manager for the Senior Action Council, hoped seniors would get a better idea of what the community had to offer.
“The goal is to keep people informed of everything that is available related to health care,” Dismore said. “We want them to be informed of all the assistance they can receive and learning what different organizations have to offer.”
Representatives from industries including health care, money management and the sheriff’s department presented their offerings for Kenosha’s senior community on Wednesday.
Fran Iorio, a hostess for the Kenosha Senior Center, said the gathering of ideas and offers for seniors is an important event.
“This gives them a great opportunity to see all the things that are available to them and the activities that are there for them,” Iorio said. “And everything is in one place for them here.”
Darleen Coleman, director of Kenosha’s Retired and Seniors Volunteer Program, presented the need and importance for Meals on Wheels volunteers and the File of Life, which organizes all vital paperwork. The fair was a chance to offer help and learn what was important for the community’s seniors, Coleman said. “There are a lot of people who may not get out much and the Meals on Wheels person might be the only one they see all day,” Coleman said. “We all want to get these services out to people and the needs we have for volunteers. We want people to tell us their needs and we will try to fill them.” Louise Greco, a Kenosha senior, said there was a lot to learn and absorb on Wednesday. “I wasn’t going to come because of the weather, but I’m so happy I did,” Greco said. “It was very informative and I’m very impressed. People put a lot of work into this.” Wednesday was also about opening up new opportunities. Iorio said, with both the Senior Center and other organizations, Wednesday’s guests could have picked up some previously undiscovered information.
“A lot of people weren’t aware of the activities we have, or they have passed by but never stopped in,” Iorio said. “It’s just important to get this out to people, especially for the ones who are new to the area.” |
