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ST. CLAIR SHORES — For the past 25 years, senior citizens and their caregivers have been able to get information about services, medical screenings and more at the annual Senior Expo at Assumption Cultural Center.
“It’s just a great event that, for 25 years, has been extremely popular because we provide such great resources that they can take home and use throughout the year,” said Terri Murphy, owner of Hope Senior Home Care, president of Certified Senior Solutions and chair of the Senior Expo Committee. “We have amazing health screening opportunities for folks. We work hard all year to put on a great event that doesn’t cost them anything.”
This year is the 25th anniversary of the event. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Assumption Cultural Center, 21800 Marter Road. The expo hosts more than 1,500 seniors, their families and caregivers for a day of exhibitions on health care, retail products, managed care, and financial and legal services.
Visitors can also participate in health screenings and learn about services from the Veterans Administration, elder law and Medicare.
The 25th anniversary event will also feature several special guest speakers. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel will speak at 9 a.m., Chuck Gaidica will hold two mid-morning workshops focusing on second and third careers, and Jerry Hodak and Charlie Langton will both speak at noon.
“It’s very exciting to have many of our past speakers come back,” Murphy said.
She said that often the highlight of the expo is hearing from the speakers, many of whom are now senior citizens themselves.
Joan De Ronne, of Assumption Cultural Center, a member of the Senior Expo Committee, agreed.
“Chuck Gaidica has had so many positions in his life and does believe in having second and third careers, and certainly with everyone living longer, this is what inspires us to keep doing things,” she said. “There’s something new to learn, and he wants to be part of it.”
Murphy said that there are so many companies offering services, products and living situations for senior citizens that it can get overwhelming wading through it all. The expo lets seniors and their families see what the options are in their community and know what is available before a crisis situation makes it imperative that they seek help.
“They’re often in a crisis situation when they finally reach out, but hopefully we’re putting that in their hands before they need to reach out,” Murphy said.
Attendees can also pick up a 25th anniversary T-shirt at the expo, courtesy of corporate sponsor Subway.
The expo is a great resource for showing seniors what’s new, what their legal rights are and what is available to improve their lives, De Ronne said.
“There’s just a lot to learn, with so many exhibitors plus the Resource Guide,” she said. “Just show up. It’s complimentary.”
Visitors will enjoy a free lunch from ShorePointe Nursing Center and Marchiori Catering. They can also avail themselves of the Resource Guide, a book of available services throughout the metro Detroit area for senior citizens.
Doors open at 8:15 a.m. Oct. 11, and the expo runs until 1:30 p.m. Free shuttle service will be provided by ShorePointe Village for those parking at Grosse Pointe Woods Lakefront Park. For more information, call (586) 779-6111.
