The 2023 Senior Information Fair is Thursday, September 21st from 9 to 2 at the Turnstone Plassman Fieldhouse.

Featuring a financial planning seminar, experts in aging related services, health screenings and a vaccine clinic.

Onsite parking available.

Overflow parking at Glenbrook Mall with shuttles to Turnstone.

Details at SeniorFair.info.

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>> Good evening and thank you so much for watching PBS Fort Wayne.

>> I'm Sadie Thompson, the host of this show which is called LIFE Ahead.

However, the real stars of the show are sitting here with me tonight.

>> You're going to meet them in just a moment.

Our topic is going to be the senior information fair or if we want to condense that a little bit we call it F.I.

and you're going to be seeing a lot of information about it and again hearing about it here in the next half hour and I hope that you plan to attend and I'll tell you why as well.

First of all, I'd like you to meet a return guest with us.

This is Betty Foster that is so nice that you're here with us.

>> You've been here before.

So you know our audience at LIFE Ahead is just wonderful and they are anxious to hear from you.

>> They are.

What's your position with the senior information?

I am the president of the Senior Information Fair Board and have held that position for the last two years.

>> You know what's going on then you can answer anything anybody might ask.

And with you tonight we have new to LIFE Ahead here not so new to senior information although we have Sam both Senator Sam.

>> Hi.

And tell me your position with the senior information fair.

>> I am the social media chair.

OK, so anything that people are going to see read about the affair had something to do with Sam so if you don't like it I'm sorry if you do like it certainly give Sam some credit and you'll be all over the place the day at the fair won't you?

>> Oh yeah definitely going around grabbing photos.

OK. All right.

>> And I do want to and we're going to go into this in a little more detail in a little while but these are brochures that you're going to be seeing all around town.

>> It's two pages and we're going to tell you why and what's on each page.

>> But if you see this at doctor's office at the library, Betty, where else can we find you can find them at some of the restaurants, OK, in the area we're going to be delivering their aging in-home services.

>> We'll also have some to pick up some of the church is welcome that we distributed to where the seniors gather.

OK, any day of the week for that.

>> So just keep an eye out.

All right.

And this is just showing the basic to you so you know kind of what to look for .

>> All right.

Let's go back at the beginning, Betty, since you're the president.

>> Explain what the senior information various to to you some of our viewers that may not be aware of it senior information fair is a gathering place that we hold every September on the third Thursday and people can find resources and valuable information along with screenings and such from area professionals in the community.

>> All right.

This is your second year serving on the board here.

What was your first impression of it last year, your first year?

>> Oh my gosh.

I was so impressed by just the sheer size of it like it's incredible that we have this many resources there for people to see and I was just amazed so impressed.

>> It really is something and and I'll tell you and I talking to them about this before the show 22nd year they had it and I told them I've been there about 20 of the yeah.

>> I was going way back to ninety nine 1990 nine when it all started and it was held at the community center down on Main Street.

>> Yes right is right.

>> Carol Clark was manager there then and she was very active in hosting hosting that and I remember I got to cut the ribbon with Mayor Helmke who was mayor at that time and there were just like a few hundred people and there were maybe a dozen different exhibits or booths or tables or whatever in different places and in the library.

Well, obviously you outgrew that in no time and it went from a couple of hundred people to a couple of thousand now out of ten, right?

Yes.

Isn't that right?

about well anywhere from we calculated a thousand to fifteen hundred that come through the event just in a few hours that we hold it each year.

>> Tell me the hours it will be nine a.m. to two p.m. OK on Thursday September 21st and we have a lot going on.

>> We have 90 over 90 vendors this year.

Really.

Yes that's a dozen yes we just took our ninety fourth vendor today.

>> Really.

Yes.

>> What kind of vendor Sam you've been working with them to.

I know in preparing all the social media yeah absolutely.

So all manner of services for older adults folks with disabilities we have a hospice there older adult assisted living facilities, Medicare insurance companies as well a whole whole number of things so you have a legal boost, a chance to make some contacts there.

>> Well, there are lots of medical, lots of medical and we're going to go over that a little more extensively in just a moment.

Oh goodness.

Entertainment a little bit of everything.

Yes.

Justice will be our entertainment again.

Oh, this year to be able to present it.

Wow.

People can enjoy our free lunch and this year what was the secret to the free love this year we're off offerig we're calling it an upscale bunk box for lunch.

>> I saw that in the information guidelines.

Yes.

OK, gag lines are catering a free upscale box lunch as well as supplies last.

>> Correct.

How do you how do you go about getting a lunch?

Do you have to have like reservations ticket want you when you come in and you start turning the vendors and visiting with them make sure that you stop at the senior information fair booth and ask for a lunch ticket.

>> OK, all right.

All right.

How am I going to find out Booth it will be right in the center of the track.

>> OK, as you go around the oval front and center right center so you can maintain it OK and it will be signed I'm sure seeing your information OK, there's what it looks like easy to find and if we go right to the center of the ring I know that ring my granddaughter sugar bike riding lessons at Turnstone a few years ago and we were on that track again beautiful beautiful facility at Turnstone now are all of the Sam all of the vendors in this area, are they going to be different places?

>> So what you're looking at that mean half of the track there that is the vendor space this year.

What's actually going to be a little bit different this year is we will have lunch and entertainment on the other end of the track like in the other curve.

>> OK, so yes, this year we're excited like since we've grown so much we're just going to have all vendor space on this side.

>> OK, so the entertainment and the food will be inside as well, correct?

>> Yep.

OK I remember when so many years when was that the Allen County Public Library we had the lunch tent outside in the entertainment lucked out and all was wonderful but you're always vulnerable to weather but you don't have to worry about that.

>> All right.

And we'll show those pictures and information again for you periodically in this half hour or so you have a better sense and you know what you can call me here right now you can call the phone number.

It's going to be on the bottom of the screen here nine six six nine twenty seven twenty if you have any questions at all about the senior information fair I've got the people right here that have the answers for you.

>> OK, let's talk a little bit about who should attend Betty.

I know that it's open to the public.

That's why we're sharing that with our viewers now what kind of people would want to go?

>> Well, anyone nearing retirement or retired any senior in the community that may look at downsizing, there's going to be experts there to answer questions or if they're looking at moving into an assisted living unit or something like that, plenty of professionals there that will be able to furnish the information.

It's also open to their families if the family is a caregiver, it needs some information and resources.

p>> l have a lot of information that can guide people through will.

There's also any professional that needs to make a connection with the type of services that these businesses offer for seniors.

>> So I would recommend it's opened just about to anybody that's wonderful to hear and I like that Betty mentioned caregivers because a lot of people are maybe facing a time for their grandparents or their parents.

>> They're maybe guiding them into this next transition in their life and this will give them some opportunities.

>> Sam Betty mentioned aging and in-home services.

I know aside from senior information, very busy guy.

He works there.

What services and I know they'll be at the fair what kind of services do they offer or how does that yeah, definitely so aging and in-home services we are in northeast Indiana's area agency on aging.

That means we're part of a national network of agencies that basically serves older adults, people with disabilities and even their caregivers.

But we provide all sorts of services to help them stay in their own homes for as long as possible whether it is home delivered meals, respite care for caregivers, all sorts of things really that can just we want to help folks stay in their own homes.

>> I know that's what I want to do when I as I age.

So I've got a long way it'll it'll be like that but yeah actually yeah it will be OK. >> Good to know and good to know that they will be there at the fair if you if you have more questions for them and we don't talk about an important thing to people how are you going to get there you know.

Well to begin with Turnstone of people aren't familiar with it Betty where's Turnstone.

>> It's located at thirty three twenty Clinton Street I believe is the address and it's just right down Coldwater Road where Clinton in cold meet there.

Yeah, and you can't miss that they have signs out so people can come by car drives our own vehicle park in one of the three parking lots there that will be signed.

>> I mean can they park in any of the three or the three lots as long as there's an open space, Turnstone will have services for some of their people that day.

OK, so there will be some parking space places that are taken up but there should be plenty.

They even have the third lap that they opened up across the street is over flow parking excuse me for the one for the parking lots that are right there.

Yeah.

>> And what about I understand there's a bus from Glenbrook and Glenbrook very close.

>> Yeah.

How does that work?

Absolutely.

So we have seats in there that'll be running a shuttle every I believe it's thirty minutes is that correct.

>> Fifteen fifteen minutes.

Oh good ok so next time you want to go.

>> Yeah absolutely.

Get back on the shuttle.

Oh yeah ok ok well like if I if I if I don't want to park I or maybe somebody just driving me over there and they take me to Glenbrook where do I go glenrock to get the shuttle there be two locations they're going back we're going to have one at the overflow parking and then there will be one stationed at the Citilink bus stop there Glenbrook on the back by the food court.

>> All right.

So you'd go down below behind.

Yes, kind of where the entrance to the food court is correct.

>> And wait for the best there.

Yes, OK.

The shuttle will be stationed there and they'll just continuously run from Glenbrook to to Turnstone and back to Glenbrook and and there's no cost there's no cost to anybody to ride that down from Glenbrook Mall.

The only cost would be associated with anyone that rides the city bus to the bus stop there they can catch the shuttle down to Turnstone but then they can bring their pass in and show it at the table and will reimburse them with a day pass to use it at a later date so it won't cost them anything.

>> No, but there is an unlimited supply of those bus passes that will be available.

So but yes they can they can run catch a different bus routes to come down to Glenbrook and will pick them up there and shut them down and making it so we think well we hope so.

>> We hope the community appreciates us well I think they do.

>> I mean and the feedback that I've heard from years people love going and planning to go every year just to share a little personal note of how much it means to everybody and how you never know what you learn or who you meet or network with is going to work out.

>> I know someone who recently this year needed to contact an attorney.

They had a business card from an attorney they met at senior information three years ago and called that attorney and have been working with them.

So you you never know.

>> You just never know.

All right.

Now I want to talk about some real important things including the medical opportunities that you have at the senior information Fair.

>> This particular flier right here is about the vaccine clinic.

>> All right.

Can you tell me about that, Sam?

Oh, yeah, definitely.

So this vaccine clinic is offered through aging and in-home services.

We are very fortunate to have received a one million dollar grant from us aging wow.

To offer education and promotion for vaccinations throughout northeast Indiana.

Yeah.

So we're using that money to host partner with companies organizations in our service area to have these vaccine clinics and senior information.

>> There was an obvious choice just because of their sheer size and reputations and that's going to be easy to find it Turnstone as well.

>> Oh yeah absolutely.

That'll actually be vendor side that we were talking about as well.

>> So now according to the flier you are offering vaccines there at the Senior Information Fair on Thursday, September 24 OK, we've got that drilled in here.

>> They can get vaccines for shingles, pneumonia and their influenza vaccine this year.

>> This falls absolutely shot and one of the best things the vaccines are absolutely free whether or not you're insured we just ask that you really.

Yeah.

Oh yeah.

We just ask that you please bring your photo ID and if you are insured please bring your insurance card.

>> That's good to know because you know it's for a lot of people they know that their insurance company is going to cover those vaccines but that's not always the case.

Right.

But at the senior information page it doesn't matter whether you're insurance or not, you can get those complimentary vaccines.

I think that's a really good program.

OK, also there are some additional health screenings that I think that you will enjoy and I'll let you go over those Betty.

>> What other health screenings will have while we're going to have a DEXA scan which if people aren't familiar with that that's going to be presented by IU Health and it's frostier paresis.

OK, well have the diabetes and glucose and blood pressure checks the diabetes is going to be done by Parkview Diabetes to Treatment Center and the University of St. Francis nursing students.

>> We will have a complete hearing exam that is given by.

>> Wow.

Yes.

Who's doing that give here is going to be doing that.

So we're very pleased with ours.

We'll also have made programs available.

>> Francine's friends will be on hand to be their big band with their big bus that they'll yeah that's going to be parked right outside the door.

Do you need a reservation for that?

>> I don't believe you do you just need to to check in with them and get you in?

>> That's excellent because sometimes that gets complicated.

Yes.

Try to schedule that and it's going to be a stroke risk assessment by the one booth Parkview Health Neurosciences and then we will also have a-cos that are giving the blood pressure checks and such at their booth and there might be even more than that.

>> We don't know if somebody comes in what they might be willing to do in that was can save you money.

>> I mean if you have to go to the doctor for every one of those types of screening, maybe you have a copay and it's just extra time for all the different things that you can go to the senior information fair and go get your blood pressure.

>> Get your what else get checked for diabetes, get your hearing checked.

>> I mean you do all that in one place.

Yes.

OK, Sam, you've only been through one of them so far.

But I'll tell you this in the years that I've gone it's always frustrating that there are like so many people right away in the morning and you know and they're all trying to get in there and go to the booth and whatever .

>> Did you notice that last year or or was it more spaced out as far as I was aware last year it seemed pretty well done since we moved to Turnstone we have a lot more space to work with.

So yeah, the entrance the lobby area is huge.

They have a great big door into the field house.

They're traffic flows really well.

>> It's quite well organized because in the last year or two we've been recommending to people you know, even though that it starts in the morning, please feel free to wait and go later even at lunchtime or after lunch and throw up until 2:00.

>> So you know, maybe there won't be as many crowds at that point.

So just just let me know you don't have to be there at nine o'clock in the morning, OK?

We do have a phone call and this is from Tony.

Tony, ask this question.

He says I use a walker.

Will there be any accommodations or assistance, Betty?

>> What about that?

Walkers, wheelchairs.

What about it?

That's the nice thing about Turnstone.

They are completely accessible.

Yep.

For anyone using a wheelchair or a walker you can bring your own.

I do know that Turnstone does have some wheelchairs OK available for people to use but I'm not sure about walkers.

OK, we are going to have huge open aisles for them to be able to get around each vendor line.

It should be fantastic for anyone with a disability that wants to come in and that's what Turnstone is known for because they have so many you know, physical therapies and everything there.

So they're very used to accommodating people that might have some sort of a medical need.

>> Any input on this?

You've been working with them, Sam, in that respect anything about physical limitations?

>> Just that I think it's incredible that we're able to host these at Turnstone because that is what they do.

They're accessible to these folks.

So I think that was a great decision not just to make traffic flow a little bit better but also for accessibility.

>> I think definitely one of the highlights now we have a second sheet by the way that we want to talk a little bit about again, you can pick these up, Betty, go through the places we can find these again.

>> You can find them at the libraries, the doctor's offices, the restaurants, the different places around town.

>> You just need to look for them.

>> That's what I keep showing you.

I just want you to know what you're looking.

Yes.

Yes.

They're always on online community resource table at the libraries and search the restaurants wherever they have their free publications or business cards that are placed.

You'll find them there also the churches will be putting them maybe in the vestibule or in some of the community areas for it in grocery stores.

>> Unfortunately no grocery stores.

No unfortunately the grocery stores several years ago did away with any free publications in their stores and so we are unable to put them into any other places.

I know I can find him.

I'm sure you can.

I run around and stick them on bulletin boards so you'll see them on a bulletin board if you have a handful I'll go through the parking lot and start putting them in.

I thought about that Sandy seriously a possibility.

>> One of the things that I that I see that we have on this second sheet too well there's more information about parking and about the shuttle rides that we've talked about and ninety benders and exhibits ninety four it's ninety four ninety four now ask the pharmacist so there you go.

The opportunity to ask metal medical questions, the pre vaccine clinic, all these health screenings that we've been talking about and I want to talk about speakers because that's kind of an added bonus.

>> You have three speakers that are going to be doing special opportunities.

Can you run us through that, Sam and where they were?

>> We'll find him.

Yeah, definitely.

So as you mentioned, three speakers the first two are actually going to be from Bier's Malaz Law Office, Janelle Sprinkel and Brian San Jose.

They'll be talking a little bit about protecting assets for long term care.

OK, here we go.

>> Yep, that's what it looks like.

Yeah.

I'm going to interject here.

Yeah, we actually have had to change an attorney for Dallas.

Yes.

OK, Troy Kiefer with will be speaking now unfortunately Brian is leaving the community .

>> Yes, we're going to miss him but he is moving to Indianapolis so he will be finishing up with biosimilars mailers and won't be available the day that the great yes I know he's been been on this show another featured speaker in the area finances Betty.

>> It is Josh Robinson from Randstad Financial.

>> We don't have a specific topic topic for him to talk on but if you know anything about or understand financial, he'll be giving retirement information how to help you with your assets and such.

We felt like a little portion of it and the financial portion of it went hand in hand.

Oh, they share for sure.

>> Troy's going to talk in the afternoon at the second session because we're going to have morning sessions and we're going to have afternoon sessions.

Troy is going to give a elbow to basics so we hope everybody can come out and listen to him .

>> Janelle's going to speak in the morning so we've kind of spread those two out throughout the day.

We have another phone call here and want to make sure to try to get in.

We're almost out of time.

Terry called in and he says Are there extra people around to push you into the wheelchair and how many booths are at the fair?

OK, what's your turn, Sam?

>> I'm sorry.

Oh no, you're good.

So we do have several volunteers at SIFF.

Unfortunately I'm not sure that any of them will be able to provide that help with the chairs we're looking at about we'll have ninety four booths OK one for each vendor so anything to contribute in that?

>> Well I would just recommend that somebody who if they can get in there that they have a family member or someone come with them to help push the wheelchair OK and of course there is a limited supply and it depends on turn stones right .

People that come in for services and such.

But our volunteers that we have are range from the volunteer center and from Parkview Seniors Club and they are there to assist the people and direct them, greet them, help pass out the programs and then also help with the clinic this year to gather the information that we need.

And unfortunately, you know, we may have one or two floaters but to have one of those go around and push you the entire time I would just recommend somebody thank you.

>> Thank you all for watching tonight and we hope to see you at the Senior Information Fair and you'll have a good time.

It'll be worth it and we'll see you here next Wednesday night The 2023 Senior Information Fair is Thursday, September 21st from 9 to 2 at the Turnstone Plassman Fieldhouse.

Featuring a financial planning seminar, experts in aging related services, health screenings and a vaccine clinic.

Onsite parking available.

Overflow parking at Glenbrook Mall with shuttles to Turnstone.

Details at SeniorFair.info.