October 1, 2019

Center on Aging Northeast and Schmieding to host 3rd Annual Senior Expo.

A bunch of Hootin’ and Hollerin’ to a better state of health will take place Nov. 8 at Nettleton Baptist Church in Jonesboro .  The 3rd Annual Senior Expo brought to by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences’ (UAMS) Center on Aging-Northeast and Schmieding Home Caregiver Training program.  The Free event will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the former fairgrounds location 7001 E. Johnson Avenue

Several community partners will be co-sponsoring the event including presenting sponsors St. Bernards Senior Services, Chad Oldham Law Firm, AllWell and Kindred at Home.   Vendor booths will be set up for all kinds of senior services.  Free health screenings, flu shots as well as the mobile mammography unit and bone density screenings will be available.

“Our local community has so many valuable resources available to our aging population and we wanted to showcase them all under one roof,” says co-chair Valerie Fielder of UAMS. “Whether it’s learning more about advanced-care planning, long-term care or even home care, representatives will be available. Many seniors want to make sure they prepare for this time of their life.”  Fielder also said that last year the exhibit space was expanded to offer more vendor options and the free catfish lunch and bingo were very popular.

For those worried about leaving a loved one at home while attending, an area of respite will be available on site to provide a safe place for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. This area will be staffed by certified dementia practitioners from St. Bernards Total Life Healthcare. Call 870-207-7600 for details.

The following areas will be represented at the Center on Aging Senior Expo: Alzheimer’s programs; banking services; chiropractic care; estate and trust planning; disability and job training services; financial and legal planning; funeral service pre-planning; personal care services; home health services; home medical equipment; hospitals; senior housing; Medicare planning; nursing homes; palliative care and hospice; rehabilitation services; specialty hospitals and national organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation.

“At the Center on Aging-Northeast, we strive every day to help our senior adults live longer, healthier lives and this expo has proven to be an excellent way that we can reach our senior population,” said expo co-chair and Center on Aging site leader, Samantha Hollis. “We all have grandparents, parents, friends and/or others in our lives who could benefit from the invaluable resources we will showcase all in one day.”  Hollis said the event is being held during National Family Caregiver Month and a special presentation will held at 10:45 of recognizing the “Caregiver of the Year” for 2019.

Senior groups and churches in the northeast Arkansas area are encouraged to provide transportation for their members to and from the event.