On Friday, June 12, the Gibraltar Trade Center hosted the 26th annual Senior Fun Festival, an event organized by the Macomb County Senior Citizens Services Department, the largest senior expo in Macomb County.
McLaren Macomb, in addition to other local hospitals, had medical professionals from different departments on hand to provide information and answer any questions attendees may have on fall prevention, heart failure, diabetes and healthy eating, volunteer opportunities as well as health screening areas to have your balance, blood pressure and cholesterol tested.
"I go to quite a few of these throughout the summer," said Jennifer Dixon, Injury Prevention Coordinator, McLaren Macomb. "I think they are a great way to provide seniors with information that is important for their safety, as well as get the hospital's name out there and make them aware of our programs."
It ran from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and was an opportunity for seniors in Macomb County to gather information from approximately 150 different vendors in their community about services such as living assistance, nutrition, transportation, life insurance, home improvement and healthcare. Representatives from different political offices and the Macomb County police department were also in attendance to meet with the local seniors.
Vendors had booths set up with information on their services. The seniors looked at posters and received print outs or pamphlets that they could take home and read over, as well as being able to ask questions and learn about information regarding different classes and programs offered to meet their health needs.
There were also many opportunities for fun and socialization-many of the attendees enjoyed food, dancing to a live band, games of bingo, a raffle for a $600 Meijer gift card, yoga, a presentation on healthy eating and demonstrations in gardening and composting.
The staff on-hand felt the event presented a great opportunity to provide local seniors with information and tools that are important for their well-being and to make life a little easier.