29th Annual Santa Barbara Senior Expo Healthy Fun

By Bonnie Carroll

The new activities for the 2017 Senior Expo at Earl Warren Center this year included an inviting outdoor Caregiver’s, as well as demonstrations in voter registration, personal computer coaching, fitness workshops, and CPR demonstrations. The Santa Barbara senior event is highly anticipated by local seniors as an opportunity to receive flu shots, health screening including personal testing for hearing and vision, blood pressure, healthy eating consultations as well as diabetes testing. It is also a social event offering attendees an opportunity to meet with friends and neighbors.

Cookies and kindness were on the menu in the Caregiver’s Cafe, sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust, where guests could sit in a garden atmosphere to enjoy coffee and cookies between visits to the health screening – healthy living activities and the exhibitor’s area.

John Palminteri, senior reporter from KEYT3, was busy meeting with exhibitors and guests throughout the show, and live musical entertainment was enjoyed by everyone entering the expo. A bevy of raffle items and free gifts were available to seniors, along with fresh fruit, candy and a variety of health related products. The beautiful health basket being raffled by Central Coast Home Health & Hospice was a favorite. A showcase of volunteer opportunities provided contacts for seniors wishing to volunteer or participate in organization activities.

Senior Expo offered seniors the opportunity to meet with businesses and organization who serve seniors and caretakers in the community. Health care providers including Santa Barbara Hospice, Central Coast Home Health & Hospice, Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care, Cottage Hospital, Sansum Clinic, Family Service Agency and more who all offered valuable information on their services, along with useful health items to attendees of the expo.

A $5 admission fee included a flu shot given by area nursing students, hearing tests, eye test, bone density and diabetes testing. From optimum senior telephone options to Assistance League opportunities it was all happening. Over 1,000 seniors attended this year’s event, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

According to Rochelle Rose, representing Santa Barbara Natural History Museum “this event is a wonderful opportunity to show people what your organization is doing in the community and how they can best become involved.”

Senior Expo 2017 was made possible through a generous sponsorship from the Family Service Agency, Sansum Clinic, Montecito Bank & Trust, Cottage Health, Visiting Nurse, Hospice Care, DASH, Union Bank and more. Government agencies, local nonprofits, senior residential facilities and financial advisors were also represented. For additional information click here.