The Deerfield/Northbrook Senior Expo, presented by the Deerfield Park District, attracted a steady flow of 300 people who could visit with 40 exhibitors.
The free midday event took place on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Patty Turner Center (PTC) in Deerfield. Continental breakfast included free coffee and protein bars. One sponsor offered complimentary ripe bananas.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for area seniors to learn more about available resources to them,” said David Shamrock of Gurnee, center manager at PTC.
Shamrock acknowledged the talent of Kathleen Muellner, Assistant PTC Manager, for organizing the event for the first time in partnership with Senior Expo USA, based in Troy, Michigan.
Muellner said face-to-face interaction in one expo location is an invaluable “opportunity to meet someone and learn something.”
There were many smiles on the faces of appreciative attendees.
“I think the reason they’re smiling is, first of all, this facility (PTC) is absolutely beautiful and the expo itself is giving them valuable, free access to available information from a variety of companies that can help them in different aspects of their life,” said Mark Nicholson, show producer of Senior Expo USA.
Neal and Carolyn Golden of Northbrook visited many of the rooms and spaces accommodating community tables.
“This is a fabulous opportunity,” Carolyn Golden said.
Attendee Mary T. Bouchard of Niles, a notary signing agent, also went from table to table. Bouchard had her hearing screened by Steve Flanagan, licensed hearing instrument specialist with HearingLife of Gurnee.
Flanagan said about ear health, “To catch early detection of hearing loss, the quicker you get to the problem, the easier it is to manage.”
Bouchard said about senior expo events, “They’re very important.
“They give you the services that you may not know are available, they give you the resources that you may not know are available, and the worst thing that can happen is, you make a friend,” Bouchard said.
“You enjoy the day out, you never know, I mean, I’ve made friends that touch base.
“You never know who you’re going to meet,” Bouchard added.
“It might be a service, it might be a resource, it might be a social activity that you need, I mean, as we age, we need to keep our bodies in motion, our mind in motion so that we can have a better life,” Bouchard said.
Betty Koets of Deerfield held a pink piggy bank giveaway and other free items and treats to fill reusable bags.
“I wanted to come see people I might know, I like to get the goodies, I like to talk to people, I’m a retired nurse so I know about home care.
“I’m here and so I get free bananas,” Koets said with a laugh.
Melanie Miller of Arlington Heights visited an atrium area table, where Miller spoke with Laura Bogira of Evanston, liaison with Freedom Home Care and Medical Staffing, a senior care provider.
“It’s nice to get information before something might happen so that’s why I come to these,” Miller said. “I like to find out about different groups or businesses that can help me in the future.”
Bogira’s Freedom Home Care table offered free larger pill dosage monthly organizers, literature and nutritious seasonal snacks.
“Engaging face to face is really good,” Bogira said. “It goes a long way.”
Linda Yost of Deerfield, marketing director of The Lodge in Northbrook, an independent living community, agreed, indicating, “It’s nice to see a person and talk to a person, in person.
“It just feels better than a phone or an email or a text,” Yost said.
“I like people.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer for Pioneer Press.
