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Elder Care Fair on Thursday will educate senior citizens
By Laurel Eatherly
This document was published online on Monday, August 11, 2008
Senior citizens can learn about the many resources available to them during the Park County Elder Care Fair on Aug. 14 at Cody Auditorium.
The Thursday event will be 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and will include a great deal of information and more than a dozen speakers on topics related to seniors as well as representatives from local businesses.
“Every senior should be there,” organizer Carolyn Behling says. “This is about them and for them.”
Speakers will address issues such as Alzheimer's and dementia, staying safe at home and hearing aids. Other presenters include representatives from Absaroka Assisted Living, West Park Hospital, Powell Valley Health Care, the Department of Family Services and the senior centers in Cody, Powell and Meeteetse.
“This is the fastest-growing population in this area,” Behling said of people older than 50. “It's becoming a more popular place for people to retire.”
Behling's inspiration for a senior-centered event came after her mother lost $20,000 in a scam. A representative from Bank of the West will speak on how seniors can protect themselves against financial and identity theft and the Cody and Powell police departments will talk about reporting abuse.
“When dementia starts, that's the call for blood suckers - leeches who use, abuse and take advantage of seniors,” Behling said.
A variety of booths from local organizations and services, including Hands 2 Help, AARP, Sight Solution and Big Horn Basin Hearing will address seniors' health needs.
West Park Hospital will conduct diabetes and blood pressure screenings while Big Horn Wellness will assess balance and whether a senior is at risk for a fall.
Representatives from the rec center will discuss new programming geared toward seniors.
“So many of our seniors stay at home because of the fear factor. But there's many healthy things to make their lives better,” Behling said. “Some of them don't realize there are all kinds of solutions so they can maintain their independence.”
Among these tools of independence are low-interest home improvement loans from USDA Rural Development, which will have a booth to help seniors apply for loans.
Bill Rassmussen, a pianist with prosthetic arms, will also perform.
Behling hopes senior citizens from across Park County will attend and bring their families, friends and neighbors.
“The neatest part to me is that this is really about the community coming together,” Behling says.
If this year's Elder Care Fair is a success, she plans to make it an annual event.
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