The 2018 edition of Westlock’s Seniors Resource Fair was the biggest it has ever been, with 60 exhibitors and hundreds of interested area residents coming through the doors.
Hosted by the Aspen Primary Care Network (APCN) at the Westlock and District Community Hall June 13, the third-annual event was declared a success by organizers.
“We had a very good turnout, with over 60 tables of exhibitors who’ve come from our community and the surrounding community presenting what they can offer for seniors, or soon-to-be seniors, or families connected to seniors. It’s absolutely wonderful today,” said organizer Alice Arthur, a registered nurse and community health promotion coordinator for APCN.
Exhibitors ranged from showcasing the supports and services provided by APCN and Alberta Health Services to a variety of products targeted at seniors, like hearing and respiratory aids as well as the different clubs and recreational opportunities available to them.
There were also four surprise tables mixed in to provide some levity and fun to the event, a trivia wheel for instance, kept attendees guessing obscure facts throughout the day.
“We want people not to think it’s just medical stuff. We’re actually looking at improving things in their whole life because being active and being social are very much an important part of a person’s life. That’s what’s going to keep you moving and doing stuff,” said Arthur.
On top of all the exhibitors there were also guests speaking on topics relevant to seniors including fraud awareness, elder abuse and the benefits available to seniors through provincial and federal programs.
The Seniors Resource Fair came about in 2016 after Arthur and a few other nurses got together and asked why people end up in hospital with certain crises that can be prevented. They figured out that many are unaware of the services available to them in the community and surrounding area.
“So we sat down as a team and we developed what we call our seniors’ resource banners. There are 15 of them around town. Plus, from there we developed our seniors resource pamphlets. From there we thought maybe people needed hand-on demonstrations, so we decided to have our Seniors Resource Fair,” said Arthur.
For Arthur and other organizers it has been a hectic week preparing for the fair, but they’re already planning for next year’s event.
“This fair, to me, is such a big thing. It’s so important and I think it has taken a while for people to realize that it’s information they could actually get,” said Arthur. “I’m just very proud of this fair, I really am and all the people who have helped put it together.”
